“So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. Now they came to Moab at the beginning of barley harvest.” (Ruth 1:22)•. A trail to “the house of bread.”

That is really the meaning of Bethlehem, and that was indeed the meaning of Naomi’s return. Also what it meant to Naomi, it meant to Ruth. In the House of our God there is always bread and to spare, and a warm welcome there. “He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters” (Psalm 23:2). Not only this, but He also, “Prepares a table before me” and “My cup runs over” (v. 5).

There is no want of bread in the House of God. He feeds us with the finest of the wheat, with the best of oil, and with honey from the rock.

•. A trail to “the place of praise.”

Bethlehem-Judah. The word “Judah” means praise. Ruth accompanied Naomi out of the place of sorrow and suffering, out of the place of death and despair, into the place of praise. Surely the one who turns to God always finds himself in the land of song.

The early Church ate their meat with joy and singleness of heart, praising God. The fruit of the Spirit is joy.

•. A trail to God.

When we get to Bethlehem-Judah, we get to God; we get to the place where we can bask beneath the sunshine of His presence; to the place where we can live in the glory and the joy of His countenance.

Guard your heart. Teach your children. Watch and pray.