Ruth and Naomi
The Story
Naomi was an Israelite woman who moved to Moab with her husband and two sons during a famine. Her sons married Moabite women named Ruth and Orpah. Tragically, Naomi's husband and both sons died, leaving the three women as widows. When Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem, she urged her daughters-in-law to stay in Moab with their families. Orpah left, 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.' Ruth and Naomi returned to Bethlehem during harvest time. Ruth worked in the fields gathering leftover grain to support them. She worked in the field of Boaz, a wealthy relative of Naomi's late husband. Boaz noticed Ruth's hard work and kindness to Naomi and showed her special favor. Eventually, Boaz married Ruth, and they had a son named Obed. Obed became the grandfather of King David, which means Ruth was an ancestor of Jesus!
Key Bible Verses
“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. Your people will be my people and your God my God.'”
Ruth 1:16
“May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”
Ruth 2:12
The Moral of the Story
Ruth's story teaches us about loyalty, devotion, and faithfulness. Ruth chose to stay with Naomi even though it meant leaving her home and going to a foreign land. She worked hard to provide for Naomi and showed kindness and respect to everyone. Ruth's faithfulness to Naomi and to God was rewarded, and God blessed her in ways she never imagined. The story shows us that God cares for those who are vulnerable and that our choices to be faithful and kind matter to Him.
How to Honor and Glorify God
We can glorify God by being loyal and faithful to our family and friends, especially when they're going through hard times. Like Ruth, we should work hard and be kind to everyone we meet. We honor God by trusting Him even when our future is uncertain. Ruth left everything familiar to follow God, and He blessed her faithfulness by making her part of Jesus' family line! We can show God's love by taking care of those who are lonely, sad, or in need. When we are faithful in small things, God can use us for great purposes in His kingdom.
Ways to Apply This Story:
- 1Be loyal and faithful to your family and friends
- 2Work hard and have a good attitude, even with difficult tasks
- 3Be kind and respectful to everyone, even strangers
- 4Trust God even when you don't know what will happen next
- 5Take care of people who are lonely or in need
- 6Remember that your faithful choices today can make a big difference
Let's Talk About It
Discuss these questions with your family or Sunday school class:
1. Why do you think Ruth chose to stay with Naomi?
2. How did Ruth show kindness to Naomi?
3. How did Boaz show kindness to Ruth?
4. How can you be loyal and kind to your family this week?
5. What does it mean to take refuge under God's wings?