Somehow, they made it to Bethlehem alive, even though they had nothing but the clothes on their back. Along the way, the Lord showed his power to Ruth by providing food and water as soon as they were in need. Whether by plants, or kind strangers they met, the Lord fed them and gave them strength each step of the way. Ruth had much to thank Him for.

    The reverse was the case for Naomi. The journey back only brought back memories of a happier time in her life, and reminders of the huge difference between who she was then and who she had become. She found no reason to thank the Lord, but many reasons to justify the bitterness taking root inside of her. Her usual joyful mood was long forgotten, and she was gradually sinking into depression.

    More than anything, she wished to be with her beloved husband and dear sons. She didn't even mind joining them in death so they could all be together. She was weary of life, and the only thing that kept her going was the determination of the young woman often found beside her whom she now saw as her own daughter.

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    Ruth's joy knew no bounds as she crossed into Bethlehem. She had finally made it to the place she had heard so much about. The very location of Naomi's many stories. She looked around, trying to identify things she heard about, trying to place scenes.

    Naomi's eyes were filled with tears. Not much had changed since she left. Sure, the markets had more food, and she saw faces she couldn't recognize, but apart from a few minor things, her hometown was still as beautiful as she remembered, if not more so.

    The news of their return soon spread. The whole town got excited, and the women there exclaimed, "Is this really our Naomi?"

    "Where are your sons, Naomi?"

    "Where is Elimelech?"

    "What happened to you, Naomi."

    The sound of her name triggered something inside her. Anger.

    Anger at her situation, anger at the women yelling questions at her, anger at the One who had taken all she had away from her.

    She looked upon the faces of the women who were now forming a crowd around her. At one point or the other, she had helped these women. Now, they would look down upon her as if she was less than them. And that would mean an even worse fate for Ruth. Not only would she be an outcast, but she would be treated like filth. Naomi had seen it happen many times before.

"Don't call me Naomi," she answered, "Call me Mara, because Almighty God has made my life bitter. The Strong One has dealt me a bitter blow." When I left here, I had plenty. I left here full of life, and God has brought me back with nothing but the clothes on my back. Why would you call me Naomi? God certainly doesn't."

She continued to pour out her bitterness in the form of words. "The Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me? The Lord Almighty has condemned me and sent me trouble. The Strong One ruined me."

    Ruth stepped forward to comfort her. As soon as she put her arm around Naomi's shoulders, all eyes turned hateful towards her. Ruth ignored their stares as she guided an upset Naomi past the crowd of women and towards the place Naomi once called home.

    As soon as they departed from their midst, the crowd of sympathizers swiftly turned into groups of gossips.

    The barley harvest was just beginning when they arrived in Bethlehem.