Ruth 1:19-22

• They went together.

To me verse 19 is one of the most beautiful in the Book of Ruth. It opens by saying: “So they two went until they came to Bethlehem.” In the story of the shepherds who received the annunciation of Christ’s birth from the angels, we read: “. . . the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass’” (Luke 2:15). So here there were two who went together Bethlehem to the house of bread.

How true it is that not one of us is asked to journey the desert of this life alone. God promised us another Comforter to be with us. The word “comforter” comes from the Greek word “paracletos.” “Para” means “near;” “cletos” means “side.” He is near our side.

• They came to the city.

• As Naomi and Ruth went to Bethlehem “all the city was excited because of them; and the women said, ‘Is this Naomi?’” (v. 19). Is this “the pleasant one?” They were startled at the change in her mien. She saw their confusion and said to them, “‘Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me’” (v. 20).

The word “Mara” means “bitterness.” Oh, how short-sighted we are! We wander from God and into Moab. We lose everything we have and then we complain against God. Naomi went on to say, “‘I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty’” (v. 21).

Let us beware that we not lay our misunderstanding upon our God. The tragedy of it is that Naomi said, “The Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.” The word “Almighty” is the Hebrew word “Shaddai,” and it means “the all-sufficient God;” “the God who is enough.” How could He afflict one of His children with poverty and with death?

Guard your heart. Teach your children. Watch and pray. Do not doubt.