Boaz Redeems Ruth

By Mary Vee
Ruth 4

Boaz's Journal

I'd never met anyone like Ruth. She gave up her country, family, and culture to take care of Naomi, her mother-in-law after her husband died.  Such dedication. Such kindness.


She must have felt awkward living in our Hebrew culture, yet I never heard her complain when she gleaned barley and wheat. She arrived early, worked hard all day, then took her grain home and gave it to Naomi.


Ever since that day when I first heard Ruth came to help her mother-in-law survive I'd wanted to help. If I married Ruth, I'd be able to help both her and Naomi. Unfortunately I wasn't the closest relative. The law states the closest relative has the first choice to take over the family. I could have been sneaky, made a bond with Naomi to pay her debt then marry Ruth, but that wouldn't be honest. 


One morning I made a decision to present the issue before the town council at the gate.


I left my home early and journeyed to the meeting place at the city gate and waited for others to arrive. As the sun rose, other elders came and sat at the gate. We talked about city business until Naomi's closest relative happened to walk by.


"Come here, friend. Sit with us and talk." I pointed to a place next to me.


He smiled, thanked us for inviting him and sat near me. I asked ten of the elders to listen to our discussion. "I've called you all here regarding a certain matter." With everyone's attention I turned to the close relative and said, "Naomi, who came back from Moab, sold the piece of land which belonged to our brother Elimelech to pay her debts. It would be a good idea to buy her land back for her."


He stroke his beard. "Go on, I'm listening."


Since you're the closest relative I wanted to give you first say in buying Naomi's property, but if you don't want to, let me know since I am the next closest relative.


He nodded. "Sure. I'd like to buy back her property. Her land would make a nice addition to mine."


Boaz smiled. "Good. Then you agree tomarry Ruth the Moabitess since she's the wife of the one who would have inherited the land."


He held up both hands and shook his head. "No! No! I can't do that! I'll ruin my own inheritance if I married her." He leaned closer to me. "Tell you what. You  may redeem my rights. I simply can't."


I looked at the ten elders sitting with us. "Very well. You have heard what he said." They all nodded.


The closest relative pulled off one of his sandals and handed it to me. "Take this sandal as a witness to my word. You may buy Naomi's property and marry Ruth the Moabitess the wife of the son who would have inherited the land."


I held the sandal in the air before the ten elders. "You are witnesses this day that I have bought all that was Elimelech's and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's from the hand of Naomi. I also agree to marry Ruth, the Moabitess. You are witnesses this day."


All the people who listen to our discussion and the ten elders said, "Yes, we are witnesses. May the Lord make Ruth like Rachel and Leah, the two who built the house of Israel: and may you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem. May your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the children God gives you and Ruth."


Not many days later, Ruth and I were married. We had a son and named him Obed.  Obed grew to be a fine young man. He married and had a son named Jesse.  Jesse later had a several sons, the youngest he named, David.

Ruth continued to work hard with my business, our son, and with Naomi. Thank you God for Ruth.

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1.  Why did Boaz think Ruth was special?
2.  Why couldn't he marry Ruth at first?
3.  Where did Boaz meet the closest relative?

4.  Why didn't the closest relative want to help Naomi?
5.  What did the closest relative have to do to show he agreed?
6.  Who were the witnesses?
7.  Who was Boaz's great grand son? 
8.  How was this great grand son important?
9.  How does this story help you? 

Ruth: Harvest Ends, Now What?

By Mary Vee
Ruth 3

From Ruth's Journal

I knew harvest time would end soon. What could I do next to bring food into Naomi's home?


Naomi seemed to have the same thought the next morning. She said, "It's time for me to find you a husband who will take care of you and put food on your table."


She took a sip of her drink and put the cup down. "We have a tradition. When a husband dies, the closest relative has the first rights to choose to marry the widow and inherit all that she has from her first husband."


I shook my head and sighed. "Yes, but would this relative marry a Moabitess?"


Naomi held up her hand pointing one finger at a time as if counting and said, "This man, Boaz, has allowed you to work in his field throughout the barley harvest and also the wheat harvest. You're the only one he's invited to eat with the paid workers and drink from the vessels filled with water. He is our relative and should be willing to take care of you. Yes, Ruth, I believe he would be happy to marry you."


If he would marry me, we would have everything we needed. "What would you like me to do?"


"Boaz will be working at the threshing floor tonight. Put on your best clothes and go to him. Wait until he has eaten dinner, of course. When he sees you, he will tell you what to do."


"OK, Naomi, I will do as you say."


I took a bath, put on my best clothes, brushed my hair and waited until Boaz had eaten his dinner then went to the threshing floor. I found Boaz resting near the piles of grain. He called out, "Who's there? "


"It's me, Ruth, your maidservant. I've come to ask you to take responsibility for our home since you are our closest relative."


He smiled. "You are blessed. Thank you for showing me such kindness."


Me? How did I show kindness when he is the one who helped Naomi and me? I waited for him to speak again.


His smile grew. "You could have married any young man whether poor or rich, but you've asked me to take care of you and your house." He walked closer to her. "I will gladly do what you request, after all everyone in the town knows how kind and faithful you have been to Naomi."


He looked at the ground and blew out a puff of air, "There is one slight problem. I am a close relative, however there is someone who is a closer relative. I will go to him and ask if he wants to perform his duty as a close relative for you. If he does, then good, you will have someone to care for you and Naomi. But if he does not want to take care of you, then I will. I promise."


What wonderful news. Before I left, Boaz took my shawl and filled it with barley for Naomi and I. "Here," he said, "Don't go home empty handed. Take this food."


 I hurried back to the house and told Naomi the news. "Look at the gift he gave us!" Then I told her all that happened.


Naomi, in her wisdom, said, "Sit and wait, Ruth. Wait to see what will happen. I can guarantee Boaz will not rest another moment until he has an answer for you."


Thanks be to God. Once again, He has taken care of Naomi and me.


****************
Today's story shows how God continued to take care of Ruth and Naomi when they were poor and the harvest season was due to end.


God promises to take care of you because He loves you. Would you like to know how? Feel free to email me: mimaryvee@yahoo.com or speak with your parent or contact your pastor.


photo courtesy of Biblevisualimages.com

Ruth: I Pleased Naomi

By Mary Vee
Ruth 2

From Ruth's Journal

At the end of my first day of work, I took the grain I'd gathered, beat it, and had it weighed then carried it home to show Naomi.


I felt like a little kid bringing home a prize.


Naomi smiled in a special, proud way. I hadn't seen her this happy since her husband was alive. I handed her the grain, and the extra food from my lunch.


She put her hands on her cheeks and laughed. "Ruth! What blessings you've brought to our home. Tell me, at what field did you work? The landowner must have thought well of you to let you gather all of this grain."


She always knew how to encourage me. I led her away from the kitchen to rest. "Here, sit down." I helped her to her favorite chair. "I have great news. I went down the road to the first field and asked if I could glean there. The head servant refused to allow me to work in his field. The same thing happened at the second field. The head servants obviously realized I looked like a Moabitess and decided they didn't want me to work in their fields." 


"I went to a third field and asked if I could glean. The head servant seemed to be a kind man. He had a lot of work to do but spoke with me for a moment. When I said I was staying with you he gave me permission to glean. Some time later in the morning, the landowner came to me--imagine, he spoke to me! 


He said, "Please stay close to the young women and work only in my fields." I think he must have told his workers to purposely drop grain for me because I found much more than other poor people working next to me. He showed me where to find water and gave me permission to drink from the vessels instead of drawing my own water.


"At meal time, he invited me to eat at the table for paid workers. Can you imagine? He spoke to me again and had a servant bring me food." I took out the portion of extra food I'd saved for her from my pocket. "Here, this is for you."


Naomi picked up the bread, held it close to her face, inhaled the delicious scent, and smiled. "What was the landowner's name?


I thought for a moment. "Oh yes, his name was Boaz."


With the smile still wide on her face, Naomi closed her eyes and shook her head the way people do when something amazes them. "This bread smells good. We are blessed beyond my understanding, Ruth. Look how God guided you to this man who you thought was a stranger. Boaz has taken care of us in our time of great need." She opened her eyes and clapped her hands once. "I have great news, Boaz is a relative. A close relative which means he would want to take care of us."


I hugged her. "He also said 'Work only in my field with my workers until the harvest is finished."


Naomi clapped her hands and spun around. For the first time she could hardly find words to say. "It's good, my daughter, that you worked only in his field. Since he has shown kindness today, I think you would be wise to do continue working in his field as he said."


The next day I obeyed Naomi suggestion and stayed close to the young women working in Boaz's field and gleaned the pieces his workers dropped. I returned to work there everyday throughout the barley and wheat harvests. Each day I had gathered plenty of food for us to eat. 


God took care of us in our time of need. I'm so glad I met Naomi and her God.


********************************
1. What did Ruth bring Naomi?
2. In who's field did Ruth work?
3. What did Boaz tell Ruth to do?
4. What did Naomi think?
5. Why was Naomi so happy?
6. What did God do for Ruth and Naomi?
7. What helped you in this story?

Ruth: The Kind Landowner

By Mary Vee
Ruth 2

From Ruth's Journal

I started my work early in the morning. The barley field where I gleaned had thick rows of grain, plenty for paid workers and poor people like me.  God has bless this land.


Paid workers gathered armfuls of golden plump grain in no time and took it to the gathering places. They plucked grain so fast I  found myself working in the shadows of many different people. Of course the workers couldn't help but drop a clump of barley here and there with their arms so full. Those were the pieces I gleaned. 


The unwritten rule known by all the workers--and the poor following them--was once a grain was dropped, the paid worker could not pick it up. 


Not all land owners took care of the poor who picked up dropped pieces by giving them shelter from the sun and water. The Lord, however, led me to a field rich with grain, a kind head servant who let me glean, and a caring owner who provided shelter and water for the poor.


Late in the morning, a man dressed in fine clothes came to me. He must have been told I am a Moabitess and will probably tell me to leave. I bowed before him. "Yes, my Lord?"


He smiled a kind smile, although I didn't know why. He said, "Please listen. I want you to glean only in my field. Stay close by the young women working here. I have spoken to the workers to keep you safe.  When you're thirsty, drink from the vessel where water has already been drawn, you won't need to go to the well."


Why is he giving me these things? Why me over any other poor person working in this field?


My hands trembled and I fell to the ground. "My lord, why have I found favor in your eyes that you noticed me when I am only a foreigner?"


He smiled again. "My head servant reported all you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband and how you left your father and mother and the land of your birth to come to a people whom you did not know."


But I didn't tell the servant all of that information. Someone else must have told him! "You are kind to me, my lord; for you have comforted me and have spoken kindly to me, your maidservant even when I am a foreigner."


At mealtime I sat with the women servants like he said. I didn't have any food, but the cool shade felt good. The owner came to me again and said, "Come here and eat from the food at the table with the paid workers."  


Of course I obeyed, but couldn't understand why the owner had been kind to me. I ate some of the food I had been given then save the rest for Naomi. 


When I go home, I will ask Naomi who this kind land owner is and why he was so kind to me, a foreigner, a stranger.


Come back to hear what happened next.


*************************
1.  Where were poor people allowed to glean?
2.  What is the unwritten rule?
3.  What did this land owner do for the poor?
4.  Why did the landowner come to speak with Ruth?
5.  How was Ruth different from the other poor workers?
6.  What did the landowner learn about Ruth?
7.  At the meal time, what did the landowner do for Ruth?
8.  We haven't told the landowner's name yet, do you know what it is?

Ruth: A Working Woman

By Mary Vee
Ruth 2

From Ruth's Journal

I woke the first morning in Naomi's home and wondered where we'd find food. My stomach growled. I didn't want to say anything to make her feel bad. She probably was hungry too.


Not long afterwards, a few neighbors knocked on the door. "Naomi, we thought you'd be hungry and needed something to eat." The smell of their warm, fresh food caused my stomach to growl again. Really loud! 


I stepped back."Sorry."


The people from Bethlehem brought food again in the evening. The next morning, as we feasted on our neighbor's generosity, an idea came to me. I could go out to the fields, behind the workers and pick up grain they dropped. In Moab, my home country, poor people did that all the time. I wondered if I could do the same here.


"Naomi, would you mind if I went to the barley fields and glean heads of grain in a field where an owner will let me work behind the workers."


She smiled her sweetness. "Thank you, Ruth. Yes, you may go."


I grabbed a basket and set off for a day of work. I couldn't wait to bring Naomi a basket full of grain.  My heart beat with joy, my steps bouncy--until questions, mean and sad questions jumped into my mind. 


What if the people don't like me, I'm not from Bethlehem?
What if the workers don't drop any grain for me to pick up?
What if the owner yells at me to get off his land?


I pushed the questions away, and decided to think only good thoughts. The land where Naomi lived had plenty of green grass, flowers and trees. The grain grew tall and the fields produced lots of grain. Her neighbors brought us food. Naomi welcomed me. Her God would take care of us. What else could I want?


On I walked to the first field--and the second--and the third, each one had a head servant who told me to leave. I didn't want to be angry with them. They didn't know I lived with Naomi and cared about their people. Of course, they didn't give me a chance to tell them either.


No matter, I walked to the next field. Usually the poor simply walked behind the workers and picked up the fallen grain without asking permission. I didn't want to cause any problems since I came from Moab. I looked around for the servant who was in charge and bowed. "Please let me glean and gather after the reapers in your field."


He pointed his eyebrows low and folded his arms. "Who are you?"


I kept my head bowed. "I am Naomi's daughter-in-law, a Moabitess. I came to help care for her."


The head servant let his arms fall to his side. "You came to help Naomi? Well then. Of course you may. When you're tired, rest over there," he pointed toward a shelter. "And there's water over there," he pointed to a well."


Just like that? No questions, nothing mean to say? Naomi's God has certainly sent me to a kind man. "Thank you, my lord."


I looked for the workers then followed them, picking up pieces of grain they dropped. Just think, if I could bring back enough food, Naomi would be pleased and have her own food to eat. 


Thank you God for blessing Naomi's house.


******************************************


1. What did Naomi's neighbors do for her and Ruth?
2. What did Ruth offer to do?
3. What questions did Ruth have?
4. Do you sometimes have questions like these?
5. What did Ruth decide to do?
6. Did Ruth have success at first?
7. What did you learn from this story?

Ruth Begs to Stay

by Mary Vee
Ruth 1

From Ruth's Journal

On the road to Israel Naomi stopped unexpectedly. I thought she wanted to rest, but the serious look on her face showed she had something to say.


She held Orpah and my hands and spoke with a shaky voice. "My daughters-in-law, you must go to your mother's home. Find new husbands and have a family."


Orpah and I hugged Naomi and begged her to let us continue the journey, but Naomi shook her head. After her second request, Orpah hugged Naomi and cried. "Bye, Mother. Have a peaceful journey." And then she walked away. 


I couldn't stop the pounding of my heart. Leave? 


How could I leave this precious woman who taught me about a loving God? The God who made heaven and earth and cared for her people. I couldn't breathe.  "Please, let me go with you." 


I pressed her frail body close and hugged her with every ounce of strength I had. "Please, Mother--please."


Naomi pushed me back and shook her head. "Sweet, beautiful Ruth look at your sister-in-law." By this time Orpah had walked down the hill and kept walking toward the city where we had lived. "You must go too. Return to your people and your gods. It's OK. I'll be fine."


How could she say she would be fine? She lost her husband and two sons? Orpah had left and now she wanted me to leave as well? I couldn't--I just couldn't do it. 


Words flowed through my mind that spoke the yearning of my soul. I didn't think of what to day; somehow the words just came: 

"Mother, dear Mother, please don't make me leave you or stop me from following you."

 I wiped a tear and sobbed. 

"Mother, please--

"Wherever you go, I will go.

And wherever you live, I will live.

Your people will be my people

And your God, my God.

Where you die, I will die

And there will I be buried.

May the Lord do to me and more if anything but death separates you and me."

Naomi looked at me and sighed. She pushed a strand of my hair back like a mother would and glanced at the sky then back at me.  "Well, then, my daughter--you may come with me."

We walked, taking breaks as Naomi needed, until we reached her home city, Bethlehem. People came from their houses and businesses to greet her. She must have known every living soul in the city. How they loved her, too.

Her neighbors seemed surprised to see Naomi traveling without her husband and two sons. They came to her one by one to give a hug. "Are you really Naomi?  Are you well?"

Naomi refused to look the people in the eye. "No, I am not well. I left with a husband and two sons. The Lord has taken them from me." She lifted her head to the sky. "Call me Mara from now on, for the Almighty has treated me bitterly."

And then she walked away. 

We walked to the home she had left behind and found it a mess. Cobwebs and dirt everywhere. We cleaned what was needed to sleep that night then we rested long into the next day.

Oh, if only the Almighty would heal her sadness. I pray He will.

Come back next time to see how God helped my beloved mother.

**********************

1.  Orpah decided to ___________________

2.  Ruth chose to ______________________

3.  What did Ruth say to Naomi to show she truly wanted to go with her?

4.  How did the people in Bethlehem greet here?

5.  What name did Naomi want?

6.  Why--what does the name mean?

7.  Did Ruth stay with Naomi even after she told people to call her Mara?

  

Orpah Walks Away

By Mary Vee
Ruth 1

From Orpah's Journal

My heart was twisted in knots. 


I wanted to go with Naomi to her former home in Bethlehem, but I didn't want to leave Moab. 


Could I speak the language of the Moabite people in Naomi's home country, or would I have to speak Hebrew all the time? Would I have to cook only Hebrew food, or could I make my favorite Moabite meals? Did I need to make different clothes or could I wear my family's clothing? 


Would the people accept me?


Each step I took away from the land where I had lived added a weight to my soul. Ruth, perky Ruth, sang, bounced with each step, and chatted with Naomi from the first moment we locked the door of the home we left behind.


I pretended to be happy, to count the journey as a great adventure--but it wasn't true--for me.


Ruth asked Naomi tons of questions about Hebrew customs, proper words to say, ways of greetings, and songs. Her face lit up when they talked about the Hebrew God. She asked Naomi questions about Hebrew history and what God had done for them.


Naomi told us about Moses, their beloved leader who was rescued as a baby by Pharaoh's daughter and raised in the Egyptian palace. She told us Moses ran away to the desert one day after killing a guard who had attacked a Hebrew slave. He hid in the desert for forty years before God called him to return to Egypt and lead the Israelites to freedom.  God sent ten terrible plagues to the Egyptians before Pharaoh agreed to release the Hebrews. On their escape journey, God divided the Red Sea and made the ground dry for all the Hebrews to walk across. 


Ruth listened with awe and asked for more.


I tried to listen with the excitement Ruth showed, but I wanted to go back home with my family. Of course, I wouldn't tell Naomi. She had been the perfect example of a godly woman and her loss had been greater than mine. I lost my husband to illness, Naomi lost her husband and her two sons. Ruth and I, Moabite women, were all she had left.


Around lunch time, Naomi stopped walking. She sat on a nearby stump and closed her eyes for a moment. Ruth and I set down the load we carried and ran to her side. "Do you need water? Should we camp here tonight to let you rest? Can we get you anything to eat?"


Naomi shook her head and sighed. "No. Thank you, no."  She sat still for a moment then looked at each of us. "Ruth, Orpah, I couldn't have been more blessed to have you as daughters-in-law." 


She took our hands and rubbed her knobby, calloused fingers across our skin. "You have served me more than I deserve. I have no right to ask you to travel to another country where everything will be foreign to you." 


Naomi looked with her loving smile at both of us. "I want you to go home to your mother's house. May the Lord treat you kindly as you have been to my sons whom you married, and to me. May the great God Almighty grant you rest in a new home with husbands."


She pulled us closer and kissed us. Tears soaked her eyes and her love touched my heart. What a sweet, giving woman.  I couldn't stop my own tears from spilling on to my cheeks. How could I be so selfish when this dear woman thought only of the needs of others?


Ruth and I hugged her close. "Mother, we will return with you to your country and people."


Naomi laughed through her tears. "I can't give you any more. If I were to marry tonight and have two new sons, would you really wait for them to grow up to marry you?" A few more tears dripped down her face. She swiped them away and stood. "No, my daughters, I am saddened for your sakes that God has taken our husbands, but you are young and can marry again. Go home and do so."


I glanced back to the land in which I had lived all my life. Memories flashed through my mind--I didn't want to leave my family, my home, my gods--I didn't want to give them up.


I leaned over to sweet Naomi, kissed her on the cheek, picked up my things, and walked home.


I never saw Ruth or Naomi again. 


I wonder what my life would have been like had I gone with them.


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1. What did Orpah worry about?
2. What did Ruth do?
3. What did Naomi teach them on their journey?
4. Why did Naomi stop walking?
5. What did Naomi tell Ruth and Orpah to do?
6. What did Orpah want to do?
7. In the end what did Orpah choose to do?


In God's Word Jesus says, "I am the way the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father but by Me."  Had Orpah stayed with Naomi, she would have learned more about the true God, and maybe one day chose to worship Him. Instead she chose to worship the Moabite gods. How sad.

Ruth

By Mary Vee
Ruth 1

From Ruth's Journal

Orpah shared her journal entry from last time with me. She said she didn't mind if I told you more.


If you didn't get a chance to read it, click here


I am a Moabite. My mother taught me how to make our foods and clothing. We worshiped the god Chemosh, and followed the Moabite customs. I learned and followed our customs, but deep inside my heart I wondered if there was something different, maybe--.


Orpah told you about the Hebrew family, Elimelech, Naomi, and their sons, Mahlon and Chilion who came to live in our area in her journal post. 


Strangers in need had moved to our neighborhood before, but none had been as kind and giving as this family.


Even though Naomi's family followed their Hebrew customs and remained devoted to their God, they worked hard to help and give anything they could to the neighborhood. When Elimilech died, Naomi continued to give to others in need.


Not long ago, Orpah married one of her sons, and I married the other. We both moved to our new homes on their family land. Naomi welcomed us as her daughters. Her smiles encouraged us to listen and learn the Hebrew ways. 


Her forgiveness taught me I could still be loved even though I made mistakes. Her wise counsel  guided me to make choices that turned out good. Her respect for me as a person helped me grow as a woman and a wife. I wanted to learn about the Hebrew God more and more each day.


This is my family. A warm, loving family.


Not long after Orpah and I had become part of Naomi's family, our husbands became sick, really sick.  She and I took over the work in the fields to save the land. Naomi helped with our household chores. We couldn't have survived without her. 


We searched for doctors who could help our husbands. Naomi prayed to her God. Sadly, a month later, both our husbands died. 


The three of us cried together. We hugged, wept, and supported each other. There seemed no reason to laugh any more. We worked, sobbed, and stayed close together.


A week later Orpah and I made Naomi's favorite dinner for her hoping to find some happiness. It didn't work. We sat in silence at the dinner table, waiting for her to speak. After a few moments, Naomi prayed to her God thanking Him for the food. Even in all her sorrow, she thanked her God. After she took a bite of her dinner she looked at both of us and gave a tiny smile. "It's time to return to my home in Bethlehem. I recently heard from a traveler that the rains have come and the crops are growing."


I didn't need a moment to think. Neither did Orpah. "OK, Mother. We'll start packing tomorrow."


We didn't have any servants, camels, or large carts to help pack or carry the load. In a way, that made our work easier. We only took the most important items, locked the door then followed Naomi on the road to our new home.


Come follow our journey by reading the next story.


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1.  Where was Ruth from?
2.  How did Ruth describe Naomi?
3.  What happened to Ruth's husband?
4.  What did Naomi decide to do after her son's died?
5.  Despite Naomi's sadness, how did she show her faith in God?
(in an upcoming story, Naomi will become very sad, even angry--still, she will keep her faith in God)

Orpah

By Mary Vee
Ruth 1

From Orpah's Journal

I had great dreams of one day being married, a nice home, and children. My dreams didn't go exactly as I expected--but--well, let me tell you what happened.


A Hebrew family came to Moab, my country, to homestead: a husband, Elimilech, wife, Naomi, and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion. They said they came because there was a famine in Israel. Everyone in our neighborhood liked them right away. The Hebrew family worked hard to build a home, plant crops, take care of their herd, and help others in need. 


Even though Elimilech and Naomi kept their Hebrew traditions and didn't participate in the celebrations for our gods, the neighborhood appreciated them for their kindness. The longer they stayed, the more I realized what a loving family they were and this made me want to marry one of their sons. 


Several months later, Mahlon and Chilion missed some of the neighborhood gatherings. One of my friends said Naomi's sons needed to work longer days in the fields to help their sick father. When their father, Elimilech, came to any neighborhood gatherings he sat in a corner and watched the fun, wouldn't eat hardly any of the food served, and barely spoke a word.  And then, not many mornings later, we heard Elimilech died.


The whole neighborhood cried. I hugged Naomi, his wife, and felt her warm heart working to cheer me and the other neighbors through her tears. What a nice lady. 


We all thought she would move her sons back to Israel after her husband died, but, I must admit, I was glad to see them stay. Her sons knew how to take care of the land, and she took care of them.


Naomi encouraged her sons to get married. The new wives could help with the work and their land would prosper.  I'd hoped they would chose me to marry one of them.


One year later, my wish came true. I married one of Naomi's sons and my friend, Ruth, married the other. I couldn't have been any happier. We worked together to take care of the land. Naomi taught Ruth and I how to cook our husband's favorite meals and the Hebrew songs they learned as children.


Ruth and I laughed each time Naomi told us a story about our husbands as little boys. She'd start each story with a serious face then laugh between sentences until tears dripped.  Soon she snorted while laughing, and, well, we couldn't help but join the guffaw.  I'm surprised our husbands couldn't hear us from out in the fields.


We worked hard in the morning cleaning, washing, and mending then took a break during the hottest time of the day. That's when we sat at Naomi's kitchen table and talked. Naomi's eyes brightened each time she told us about her home country, Israel.  We couldn't help but grow to love her as a mother.


I found myself humming the Hebrew songs when I was alone. I'd look around to make sure no one was watching, then danced one of the Hebrew dances Naomi taught us. I liked singing and dancing to Hebrew music, I just wished I could do the steps as well as Naomi.


My life couldn't be any better. I love my husband, Naomi, my mother-in-law, our joined homes with Ruth and her husband, and our land. 


If only life could stay this good for always. But it didn't.  Next time Ruth will share her side of the story.


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1.  How did Orpah meet the Hebrew family?
2.  What country did Orpah live in?
3.  Why did the Hebrew family come to Orpah's country?
4.  What are the names of the Hebrew family?
5.  Who did Orpah marry?
6.  What did Orpah learn from Naomi?
7.  Who married the other son?
8.  Do you think Orpah learned about God?
9. Orpah's family and her neighborhood learned to like the visiting Hebrew family, why?


Photo courtesy of Visualbiblealive.com

Naomi's Broken Heart

Mary Vee
Ruth 1

Naomi's Thoughts

I've lived in Moab for about ten years now. My husband, Elimelech, two sons, and I left our home in Bethlehem when the rains stopped.


Not long after Elimelech built our home, planted the crops, and raised a barn for the animals here in Moab, he died. My sons, Mahlon and Chilion have taken good care of me.


We didn't have a lot, nothing extra, really. Still, God provided for our needs. I kept up with the news in Bethlehem each time a traveler passed my home. Recently Mahlon and Chilion married Moabite girls, lovely girls named Orpah and Ruth. Of course, I would have preferred they married Hebrew girls, but what could I say since we lived in Moab? There were no Hebrew girls living here..


Orpah and Ruth are nice girls. They seem to love their husbands and have been willing to follow our customs. They've asked me how to make our special Hebrew foods and help me with the chores after they finish their own.


I've actually enjoyed our conversations. Over time they've asked me to teach them the Hebrew songs their husbands know. Mahlon said he heard his wife humming one of the tunes while cooking dinner, and Chilion said he saw his wife dancing one of the Hebrew dances while doing her housework. God has blessed us with these two girls.


Not too long after my sons married, Orpah and Ruth spent less time with me. Seems they had to do more of the work than usual. Mahlon and Chilion took naps in the afternoons, they never had before and their skin turned pale. Maybe they didn't have enough to eat. I made special soups and other foods to restore their health. Neither of my sons ate much. 


They worked in the fields all day then came back to their homes and went to bed after only a spoonful of supper. I don't know what's wrong with them.


I asked the Almighty to take care of them. Without His healing hand, I had feared they will die.


A week ago neither of my sons got up from bed. They barely spoke. Orpah and Ruth tried to get their husbands to eat, but they wouldn't.  Yesterday, both Mahlon and Chilion died. 


I want to believe God would take care of me, and my two daughters-in-law, but I didn't know how. My stomach tightened and my head hurt.  I couldn't control the anger I felt growing inside my heart. 


Maybe we should have moved back to Bethlehem after my husband died. Maybe we should--maybe--


Orpah and Ruth came to the door, their faces stained from tears. "What can we do for you, Mother?"  


I hugged them both and invited them to the table. I could barely speak. These girls came to me, a foreigner in their country, and asked what they could do. They could have left, instead they came to comfort me.  O thank you God.


I poured them something to drink then sat with them.  "A traveler recently told me the Lord has visited Israel. The crops have grown and there is plenty of bread." I sighed. "I had put off returning to my home while my sons cared for our home here. Now there seems no reason to stay."


Orpah and Ruth looked at each other with their eyes wide. Orpah set her cup down. "Please don't leave us. We belong to your family."

 Ruth stretched her arm out to hug me. "We'll go with you, of course. We'll start packing first thing in the morning."


I didn't expect them to be so kind. "Are you sure?"


Both girls nodded and smiled. "We want to be with you, Mother."


We pack all morning then walked away from our Moab home. We hadn't gone far down the road before I realized I had made a mistake. These girls should stay in their home country, find new husbands, and make a home.


I stopped on the side of the road and sat on a rock. "Orpah, Ruth, I have been thinking. You girls should stay in your home country. Go back to your mother's house. May the Lord deal kindly with you as you have been to your husbands, my sons, and to me." I hugged them close. "May the Lord grant each of your rest in the house of a new husband."


I kissed them both and stood. The girls looked at me with their eyes wide. They shook their heads and cried to me. "No, Mother. We'll go back with you, to your people."


Sorrow pushed on my heart like a heavy weight. I could barely breathe. "No. Turn back, my daughters. I can't raise sons who can be your husbands." I gazed into their beautiful faces. "Turn back, my daughters, go--for I am too old to have a husband." Tears fell, I couldn't stop them. "No, my daughters, it grieves me very much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord has gone out against me."


What will Orpah and Ruth do? Come back next week to read more.


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1. Sad things will happen during our lives. What happened to Naomi?
2. Who were here daughters-in-law?
3. Where were they from?
4. What did Naomi decide to do?
5. Who went with her?
6. After she started the trip, what did Naomi decide?
7. As you read the rest of this story, you will see God has a plan for Naomi. She doesn't know the plan right now. How can this story help you?

Naomi's Hunger

By Mary Vee
Ruth 1

Naomi's Thoughts

I had watched the crops wilt from lack of rain. sigh


We would soon run out of food.


Elimelech, my husband and our two sons rose early and worked until the sun went down each day. They tried their hardest to save the crops, but the wells dried up.


I had learned shortcuts to make what little food we had last longer hoping--praying the rains would come. But they didn't. 
My husband and sons grew hungry--so had I. 


Elimelech's stomach growled after dinner one evening. "Naomi, we need food. I don't see any other way. We'll have to go to Moab to grow crops." He shook his head and sighed deeply. "I don't want to leave our home, I really don't--"


I placed my hand on his shoulder. "I know--I know. I'll pack first thing in the morning. Moab is not so far away."


He smile despite his sad eyes. "We'll come back after the rains return--I promise."


I rose early the next morning to pack the pots, dishes, and clothing. Elimelech didn't have his usual smile. His eyes drooped and he dragged his legs as he walked to the barn. "Are you well, husband?"


He shrugged. "I'm fine."


By noon we had packed everything we could. Elimilech had to tie down the chairs to keep them from falling off the cart. He pulled the donkey's reign. "Let's go." He signed and walked away from the house. I slid the bolt over the door and joined him and our two sons.


We didn't have far to walk from our home in Bethlehem since Moab was across the Jordan river.  Once we arrived, Elimilech found the perfect place to build a temporary home. "Maybe next year we could go back to Bethlehem," he said.


He and our sons, Mahlon and Chilion, worked quickly to build a home for us and a corral for the animals until a barn could be built for them. The animals grazed in the lush green pastures, eating their fill. 


We planted new crops, settled into our new home, and made friends. I didn't want to leave Bethlehem, but I'm thankful for God's gift of a place to sleep and live.


Elimilech never looked well after we left Bethlehem. His face grew pale, he slept longer, and he moved slower. Mahlon and Chilion had to do more of the work each day. One day, Elimilech, my beloved husband, didn't wake from his sleep.


If I didn't have my two sons, I don't know how I would have survived. I couldn't have done all the work to keep food on our table. I missed my husband, but grew thankful God let me have my two sons to take care of our home.


I was hungry for food in Bethlehem, God showed my family a place to live in Moab where we could grow food. I was hungry for company when my husband died, God gave me two sons to take care of me. Thank you God for taking care of us.


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1. Who was Elimilech?
2. Why did he choose to move his family away from Bethlehem?
3. Where did they go?
4. What happened in Moab?
5. Sometimes bad things happen to us. We often look at what is bad instead of what is good.  What did Naomi do?