LESSON 8: Ruth and Naomi

(Ruth Chapters 1 & 2)

In Bethlehem Judah, Elimelech lived with his wife Naomi and two sons Mahlon and Kilon. But one year, there was a terrible famine (a time when there was not enough food to eat). To find food, Elimelech’s family moved to a land called Moab. Moabites belonged to the clan of Lot, Abraham’s brother.

While they were in Moab, something very sad happened. Elimelech died and Naomi was left with her two sons who married Moabite women—one named Orpah and the other named Ruth. After they had lived there for 10 years, both of her sons Mahlon and Kilon also died. Naomi was left with her two daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah. Naomi was heartbroken. She decided to return to Bethlehem and advised Ruth and Orpah to stay in Moab, return to their Mother’s home. Then she kissed them and they wept aloud and said to Naomi that they would stay with her only. But Naomi was upset and told them to go back because the Lord’s hand had gone against her. She told them to go back and get married and live a happy life. Orpah kissed Naomi goodbye and went home, but Ruth refused to leave Naomi. She said:

“Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God, my God. Wherever you die, I’ll die and there I’ll be buried. May the Lord deal with me but be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me” – Ruth 1:16

When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped arguing with her. Ruth loved Naomi and wanted to take care of her. So, they traveled together back to Bethlehem.

When Ruth and Naomi arrived in Bethlehem, Naomi was criticized for leaving with her husband and sons and coming back with Moabite’s daughter-in-law. But women received them gladly. Naomi told them to call her Mara, because she went full and came back empty.

It was the beginning of the barley harvest and in continuation came the harvest season of wheat. Ruth decided to work in the fields to gather leftover grain so they could eat. This was called gleaning, and it was a way for poor people to collect food after the harvest.

Ruth went to a field that belonged to Boaz, a kind and wealthy man. Boaz saw Ruth working hard and asked about her. When he learned that she was helping Naomi, he was very impressed by her kindness. He told his workers to leave extra grain for Ruth to collect.

When Ruth went home that evening, she told Naomi about Boaz’s kindness. Naomi was happy and said that Boaz was a close relative of Elimelech. She told Ruth to keep working in his fields because Boaz would protect her. We see God’s hands was with them guiding them in everything.

The story of Ruth and Naomi reminds us to always be loyal, kind, and trust in God. Ruth’s faithfulness led to great blessings, and later, she became an ancestor of Jesus Christ! No matter what happens, God has a special plan for us, just like He did for Ruth.

Word meaning

• Naomi = My joy
• Elimelech = My God is king
• Bethlehem = House of Bread
• Mara = Bitter