The Story of Ruth

Central Truth: God protects those who are faithful.

Scriptures: Ruth

The events recorded in the book of Ruth occurred during the time of the judges. During a famine, an Israelite man named Elimelech took his wife and family from Bethlehem and moved to Moab. Elimelech’s sons marry Moabite women and, after some time, Elimelech died, leaving behind a widow, Naomi. Ten years later, the sons also died, leaving their widows, Orpah and Ruth. Naomi decided to return to her home in Israel and told her daughters-in-law to remain in Moab. Orpah remained behind, but Ruth remained with Naomi.

And Ruth said, “Intreat me not to leave thee, or return from following after thee:

for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge:

thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God…

Ruth 1:16

Naomi and Ruth arrived in Bethlehem at the time of the barley harvest. Since Naomi and Ruth were widows, they had no means of support and were poor. Ruth, therefore, went into the fields after the reapers to gather what grain was left in order to find food for Naomi and herself.  Ruth gleaned in the field belonging to Boaz, a relative of Naomi. He had been informed of Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi and treated Ruth kindly, giving her food, water, and protection. 

In Israel, the law required that the nearest relative of a dead man must buy the dead man’s land, provide for his family, and marry his widow. At Naomi’s direction, Ruth appealed to Boaz to fulfill his right as a near relative and marry her, but there was a relative who had a prior claim. When the unnamed man gave up his right to Boaz before witnesses, Boaz was free to honor the requirements of the law and marry Ruth.

Bible Scrapbook

Each week the children will be adding to their scrapbooks what they have learned during Sunday School. This week we learned the beautiful story of Ruth, a story of love, loyalty, and faith in God. We added a delightful three-dimensional picture of Boaz and Ruth in a field: 

Ruth and Boaz from My Little House.