Parent and Family Background
The History Books
The historical books of the Bile include: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Tobit, Judith, Esther, and 1 and 2 Maccabees. These books do much more than just report the facts about past events. These books try to explain what the events mean and how God was working through those events.
The Book of Ruth tells the story of how a poor widowed foreigner becomes the wife of a respected man of Bethlehem and the great-grandmother of King David. Ruth is described as the perfect daughter-in-law, wife, and Gentile. Ruth is an example of what contributions Gentiles can make to the Israelite community.
The story below tells of Ruth’s loyalty to her mother-in-law, Naomi, when they are left widowed and poor in Moab. Ruth insists on returning to Bethlehem with Naomi rather than return to her own family in Moab. Back in Bethlehem, Ruth gleans corn from fields and eventually secures Boaz as a husband in order to care for Naomi.
The Book of Ruth 1
Ruth and Naomi
Long ago, in the time of the judges, there was a famine. So, a man from Bethlehem and his family moved to Moab. The man’s wife was named Naomi and they had two sons. Soon after they arrived in Moab, Naomi’s husband died.
Naomi’s sons married. One son married a woman named Orpah. The other married a woman named Ruth. A few years later, both of Naomi’s sons died.
Word reached Naomi that the Lord had visited the people in Bethlehem and had given them food. So, Naomi prepared to return to Bethlehem. Naomi said to her daughters-in-law, “Go back to your mothers. I pray that the Lord will give each of you another husband.”
Naomi kissed the women good-bye. The daughters-in-law sobbed and begged to go with Naomi.
“Why should you come with me?” Naomi persisted, “Go back to your mothers. I am bad luck.”
Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye, but Ruth stayed. Naomi commanded, “Go with you sister-in-law!”
Ruth replied, “Do not ask me to leave you. Wherever you go I will go. Wherever you lodge I will lodge. Your people will be my people. Your God will be my God. Wherever you die I will die.”
Naomi consented when she recognized Ruth’s determination. So, the two women continued on to Bethlehem. When they reached the city, people were surprised to see Naomi. They asked, “Can this be Naomi?”
This is how Naomi returned to Bethlehem. Ruth accompanied her and they arrived at the beginning of the barley harvest.
Connecting to Faith First® Legacy Edition
Grade 3, chapter4
Grade 6, chapters 9 and 24
Junior High, Church and Sacraments, chapter 4
Junior High, Church History, chapter 8
Connecting to Faith First®
Grade 3, chapter4
Grade 6, chapters 9 and 24
Junior High, Creed and Prayer, chapter 19