When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women exclaimed, “Can this be Naomi?”
This question – Can this be Naomi? – is not addressed by the women in Bethlehem to Naomi. It’s a rhetorical question they ask to each other.
They are surprised to see her.
They don’t expect it.
Naomi had left, now in God’s providence she returns. They didn’t see it coming.
We can’t guess what God will do, in God’s time and for His purposes. “For my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts greater than your thoughts”, says of the Lord, in Isaiah.
rev. dr. greg davidson 