“The House of Bread” - 1/5/25

 

Perhaps our readers are aware of this, but if not, it is interesting to note that the word “Bethlehem” means “house of bread.” Five times in four verses in the book of Ruth, we read the term “Bethlehem,” and twice, the name was combined with the region, calling it “Bethlehemjudah.” (In some Bible passages, it is referred to as “Bethlehem Ephratah” to help distinguish this place.)

 

I thought it interesting, perhaps even ironic, that in the book of Ruth, “the house of bread” suffered a famine (1:1), forcing people like Elimelech and his family to leave and go to where the food was (Moab, Ruth 1:2). Some years later, Naomi prepared herself to return to her home because “the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread” (1:6). Notice that God gave bread back to “the house of bread”! This kind of wordplay in Scripture fascinates me!

 

From that time and through the Scriptures, Bethlehem held a place of honor, for not only had Naomi returned with Ruth to this place, and not only had Ruth given birth to Obed, but this place would be known as the “city of David” (II Sam. 5:7-9; Lk. 2:4, 11). Thus, David is now connected with the “house of bread” throughout succeeding generations.

 

This Bethlehem, the “city of David,” also called “the house of bread”, would house Naomi, Ruth, Boaz, Obed, Jesse, David, and countless millions. Yet, greatest of all, one day, the One who is “the bread of life” and “living bread” (Jn. 6:35, 48, 51) would be born in the “house of bread” (Lk. 2:4, 11)! This was no accident but a fulfillment of prophecy (Mic. 5:2; Matt. 2:6).

 

I have no idea why this town was initially called “the house of bread,” but I do know why One born there was called “the bread of life”! Do you? Have you read and obeyed the teachings and wisdom of the Lord that you might have true life (Jn. 10:10)? If not, I pray this short article is your wake-up call to do so (II Cor. 6:2).

 

“Taste and see that the Lord is good” (Ps. 34:8)! Yes, the words of the Lord will fill our souls and sustain us in life. It is interesting to note that the book of Ruth mentions the “house of bread” and gives us a taste of what is to come when we see the Lord’s ancestors being born there (Ruth 4:17-22). Thanks to this short book, we know the “bread of life” is on the way (Gal. 4:4-7)!

 

- Jarrod M. Jacobs