Ruth – Ruth 1-4

The Story in a Nutshell

In the days when judges ruled over the Israelites, there was famine in Israel.  So, a man named Elimelek moved his wife, Naomi, and their two sons from Bethlehem in Judah to the country of Moab. There the sons grew up and eventually married Moabite women.  In time Elimelek died and so too the two sons.  Naomi now was not only a widow, but she had no sons.  Naomi decided to return to Judah. One of her daughter-in-laws, Ruth, insisted on returning with her even though she was a foreigner.  When the two arrived in Bethlehem they needed food, so Ruth went to the fields, asked permission, and gleaned grain behind the harvesters. As it turned out the field belonged to Boaz, a relative of Naomi’s on her husband’s, Elimelek’s, side.  Boaz happened to visit the filed that day and asked who the girl was and why she was there.  Boaz befriended Ruth and she thanked him for being kind to her.  One day Naomi told Ruth it was time for her to find a permanent home so she would be provided for.  Naomi told Ruth to go to the threshing floor where Boaz was working. “When Boaz stops working and lies down for the night, go over, uncover his feet, and lie down there.  When he wakes he will tell you what to do.”  And Ruth did that.  When Boaz awoke, Ruth told him that she was his servant and that he was to be her family redeemer.  Because of the guardian-redeemer relationship in the extended family, Boaz was able to negotiate to buy Naomi’s land which had belonged to her husband, Elimelek.  And with that, Boaz would become Ruth’s husband.  It was a very good outcome for Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz. So Ruth and Boaz married and, in time, had a son. They named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse who became the father of David – a part of the lineage of Jesus.

Review Questions

What did Naomi decide to do when her husband and two sons were both dead?

Who insisted on returning with Naomi?

How did Ruth get food for herself and Naomi?

Who owned the field from which Ruth gleaned grain?

What happened when Naomi told Ruth it was time for her to find a permanent home?

What did Boaz do after Ruth told him he was to be her family redeemer?

Who was Obed, what did he become, and what was he part of the lineage of?

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