📚 Ruth and Naomi
Loyalty, kindness, and God's providence.
ℹ️ Story Information
💎 Key Verse
"Ruth 1:16 - But Ruth replied, 'Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay.'"
🌍 Story Background
The story of Ruth and Naomi is a beautiful tale of loyalty, love, and God's providence during one of the darkest periods in Israel's history. Set during the time of the Judges, when Israel was experiencing famine and moral decline, the story follows Naomi, an Israelite woman who moved to Moab with her husband and two sons to escape famine. After her husband and sons died, Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem, and her Moabite daughter-in-law Ruth chose to accompany her, declaring her loyalty with the famous words, 'Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay.' Through Ruth's faithfulness and God's providence, what began as a story of loss and grief became a story of redemption and hope, ultimately leading to Ruth becoming part of the lineage of King David and Jesus Christ.
👥 Characters
Ruth
Moabite daughter-in-law and loyal companion
A Moabite woman who chose to stay with Naomi and follow the God of Israel
Loyal, kind, hardworking, faithful, courageous
From foreign widow to honored ancestor of the Messiah
Naomi
Israelite mother-in-law and widow
An Israelite woman who experienced great loss but found restoration through Ruth
Initially bitter and grieving, later grateful and wise
From 'Mara' (bitter) back to 'Naomi' (pleasant)
Boaz
Kinsman-redeemer and wealthy landowner
A wealthy and godly man who became Ruth's husband and Naomi's redeemer
Kind, generous, righteous, protective, honorable
Elimelek
Naomi's deceased husband
Naomi's husband who moved the family to Moab during famine
Responsible, family-oriented, seeking provision
Orpah
Other daughter-in-law who returned to Moab
Ruth's sister-in-law who chose to return to her homeland
Practical, self-interested, ultimately faithless
📖 Story Plot
The Famine and Migration
During a famine in Bethlehem, Elimelek moved his family to Moab to find food.
Shows how difficult circumstances can lead people away from God's land
The Deaths in Moab
Elimelek died, and his two sons married Moabite women, but then they also died.
Demonstrates the depth of Naomi's loss and grief
Naomi's Decision to Return
Hearing that the LORD had provided food in Bethlehem, Naomi decided to return home.
Shows God's timing in providing restoration
The Daughters-in-Law's Choice
Naomi urged her daughters-in-law to return to their families in Moab.
Demonstrates Naomi's selflessness and concern for others
Orpah's Departure
Orpah kissed Naomi goodbye and returned to her people and her gods.
Shows the choice between following God and returning to the world
Ruth's Declaration of Loyalty
Ruth refused to leave Naomi, declaring her loyalty and commitment to Naomi's God.
One of the most beautiful expressions of loyalty in Scripture
Return to Bethlehem
Naomi and Ruth arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.
Shows God's perfect timing and the beginning of restoration
Ruth's Initiative to Work
Ruth asked Naomi's permission to glean in the fields to provide for them.
Demonstrates Ruth's hard work and initiative
God's Providence in the Field
Ruth happened to glean in the field belonging to Boaz, a relative of Elimelek.
Shows how God orchestrates circumstances for our good
Boaz's Kindness
Boaz showed kindness to Ruth, allowing her to glean and providing protection.
Demonstrates God's provision through His people
Naomi's Recognition of God's Hand
Naomi recognized that Boaz was a relative and saw God's providence at work.
Shows spiritual insight and gratitude for God's provision
The Threshing Floor Plan
Naomi instructed Ruth to approach Boaz at the threshing floor to seek marriage.
Demonstrates Naomi's wisdom and Ruth's trust
Ruth's Request
Ruth approached Boaz and asked him to spread his garment over her as her kinsman-redeemer.
Shows Ruth's courage and proper approach to marriage
Boaz's Response
Boaz praised Ruth's character and promised to act as her kinsman-redeemer.
Demonstrates Boaz's integrity and commitment
The Closer Relative
Boaz approached the closer relative, who declined to redeem the land and Ruth.
Shows the legal process and God's provision
The Marriage and Redemption
Boaz married Ruth and redeemed Naomi's land, providing security for both women.
Demonstrates the fulfillment of God's plan and provision
The Birth of Obed
Ruth gave birth to Obed, who became the father of Jesse and grandfather of David.
Shows God's ultimate purpose in the story
💡 Key Lessons
Loyalty and faithfulness are precious qualities that God honors
God can use difficult circumstances to bring about His purposes
God's providence works through ordinary people and circumstances
Kindness and generosity toward others bring blessing
God cares for widows and the vulnerable
Faithfulness in small things leads to greater responsibilities
God's timing is perfect for restoration and redemption
Our choices have consequences that affect future generations
God can bring beauty from ashes and joy from mourning
Loyalty to God's people often leads to loyalty to God Himself
🔍 Symbolism & Meaning
The Kinsman-Redeemer
Represents Christ who redeems us from our lost condition
The Gleaning
Represents God's provision for the poor and vulnerable
The Threshing Floor
Represents the place of decision and commitment
The Garment Spread
Represents protection, marriage, and covering
The Sandal Exchange
Represents the transfer of rights and responsibilities
⏰ Historical Context
Cultural Setting
Approximately 1100-1050 BC, during the period of the Judges
Tribal organization, agricultural economy, family-based society
Religious Practices
Israelite worship, gleaning laws, kinsman-redeemer customs
Ancient Israel, Bethlehem, agricultural society
✝️ Theological Themes
God's Providence
God works behind the scenes to orchestrate circumstances for our good and His glory
Loyalty and Faithfulness
God values and rewards loyalty, especially to His people and His ways
Redemption and Restoration
God can restore what has been lost and bring beauty from difficult circumstances
🚀 Modern Applications
Learning to be loyal and faithful in our relationships
Understanding that God can use difficult circumstances for good
Practicing kindness and generosity toward others
Trusting God's timing in our lives
Recognizing God's providence in everyday circumstances
❓ Discussion Questions
Personal Application
How can you show loyalty and faithfulness in your relationships?
What difficult circumstances are you facing that God might use for good?
How can you practice kindness and generosity toward others?
Biblical Understanding
Why do you think God included this story in Scripture?
What does this story teach us about God's character and ways?
How does Ruth's story connect to God's plan of salvation?
Cross References
Matthew 1:5
"Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed"
Proverbs 3:3
"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck"
Isaiah 61:1
"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me"
Personal Reflection
Consider your relationships and loyalty
How can you demonstrate the kind of loyalty that Ruth showed to Naomi?
Reflect on God's providence
How have you seen God work in your difficult circumstances?
Memory Verses
Ruth 1:16
"But Ruth replied, 'Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay'"
Ruth 2:12
"May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD"
👨👩👧👦 Family Activities
Loyalty Discussion
Discuss what loyalty means and how to show it in family relationships
Kindness Challenge
Practice acts of kindness toward family members and others
Providence Scavenger Hunt
Look for examples of God's providence in everyday life
🔬 Further Study Resources
Ruth: A Commentary
by Robert Hubbard
Detailed commentary on the book of Ruth
The Book of Ruth: A Study Guide
by Various Authors
Comprehensive study materials on Ruth
God's Providence in Our Lives
by Various Authors
Modern application of biblical principles about God's providence
🙏 A Prayer for Reflection
"Heavenly Father, as we reflect on the story of Cain and Abel, help us to examine our own hearts.
Teach us to bring our best offerings to You with a spirit of worship and gratitude.
Guard our hearts against jealousy and anger, and help us to rule over sin when it crouches at our door.
Remind us that we are indeed our brother's keeper, called to love and care for one another.
Thank You for Your warnings, Your mercy, and Your protection.
In Jesus' name, Amen."
Take a moment to reflect on this story and how it applies to your life today.