view of Naomi’s bitter indictment of her god in v. 13! Further, how unparalleled is this affirmation in the Bible. While some foreign figures praised Israel’s God (queen of Sheba, 1 K. 10:9; Nebuchadnezzar, Dan. 2:47; 3:28–29; 4:34 [Eng. 37]; Darius, Dan. 6:27–28 [Eng. 26–27]) or sought his mercy (king of Assyria, Jon. 3:7–9), only two actually confessed loyalty to him (Rahab, Josh. 2:11; Naaman, 2 K. 5:15; cf. v. 17).25 In any case, one must not minimize the sacrifice and pain involved. Whatever
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