Trials on the Way

You cannot take many steps on this way before the trials begin. As far as Naomi was concerned, she was utterly finished with the land of Moab. She had to return to Judah no matter what happened. It was a different matter with her two daughters-in-law. Both of them were untested in the school of the Spirit. However, Naomi, who was aware of the consequences, and who also knew that they might regret their respective decisions further along the way, wanted them to be absolutely sure that they were at peace with what they were about to do. Therefore she said: “Go, return each to her mother’s house.” V. 8.

This was the first trial of their attitude of mind. Were they truly and completely willing to follow her out of the world? Naomi drew their attention to what they had forsaken, that they would never have the opportunity of returning to their mother’s house afterwards; however, that opportunity was still open to them now.

Now it would be revealed where their treasure was, whether their hearts were in the world, or whether they were thoroughly finished with it and were seeking a new fatherland. Naomi put them through a hard trial as she led their thoughts back to their dearest possession: their mother’s house. Could they really forsake it? They were invited to consider the cost. Then it would become evident whether their love for Judah was greater than their love for Moab. They were being subjected to the same trial as Lot’s wife was in former days. Now they had to pass a decisive test. Would they stand or fall?

Many souls begin on the way, but after a short while, after they have counted the cost, they return to the world. Naomi was aware of that; therefore she let them choose sooner rather than later.

Many people are awakened during a revival and start out on the way to the land of Judah, but most of them take the world along in their hearts. When they have gone so far on the way that the conveniences and the enjoyments of this world seem to slip away from them, they become distraught and murmur, as Israel did in the desert, and say: Oh, that we had meat to eat, for we were well off in Egypt. Num. 11:18. They would like to be saved, but they have nothing to offer for this salvation.