High school, college and family reunions, and reunions with fellow workers who have retired…are fun to attend, to remember the past and to “˜catch up’ on what has been going on in lives. To see people you have lost contact with for a number of years will show you how you have changed and how they also have changed. Choices that have been made in our lives will be evidenced in our conversations. Our words may have a façade but our tone of voice, our facial expressions, and our body language will reveal to others who we are.

Naomi’s words revealed her bitter feelings to her relatives and friends when she returned to Judah. What do your words reveal to others about your relationship to God? And what do they reveal about your relationship to others? God’s word is a mirror which shows us who we are and our need of Him.

Naomi and Ruth left Moab and traveled along the king’s highway (a major route) and then they probably used a branching route into Judah and arrived in Bethlehem.

(NASB) Ruth 1:19 “So they both went until they came to Bethlehem. And when they had come to Bethlehem, all the city was stirred because of them, and the women said, “˜Is this Naomi?'”

***At least ten years had passed since Naomi had last seen the people of Bethlehem. She had left the graves of her husband and two sons in Moab. She had left a land where false gods were worshiped. She also left her other daughter-in-law who had chosen to stay in Moab. And now she had come back with one of her daughters-in-law, Ruth.

Long journeys begin by leaving people and places; leaving usually has a kind of sorrow because new people have become friends and life changes. Long journeys end with an expectation of a new place in which to live.

What could Naomi expect? Family and friends were there for her; perhaps she would receive a welcome, pity and comfort.

What could Ruth expect? She could expect a new life with God’s people and to be a support to Naomi.

As Naomi enters Bethlehem, the women see her and ask “˜Is this Naomi?’ Had Naomi changed so much in the years she had been gone? Or was this a greeting of recognition? Scripture does not say. We can know that “˜all the city was stirred’ because of these two women.

(NASB) Ruth 1:20 “She said to them, “˜Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.'”

***Naomi’s response revealed her resentment and bitterness of spirit, of thoughts and attitude. How hard it must have been for her and for those who were greeting her to hear such bitter words. There was no joy or gladness because Naomi was without joy, without a smile. Life had not been kind to Naomi. And she missed out on a glad reunion. Had Naomi forgotten that she could turn to God for her strength and protection, to trust in Him? Joy could have replaced the bitterness which enslaved her.

Smiles, laughter, joy at seeing others “˜from the past’ is a part of reunions. Sharing remembrances is what reunions are all about. And Naomi missed out.

Have your experiences made you bitter and resentful? Life is … life. Good and bad things happen to all people. How you and I choose to deal with them will determine our outlook on life and will impact our character.

Tomorrow we will look more closely at Naomi’s response to the women of Bethlehem.

What is your prayer?