Advanced Level, Block 5, Week 50: Elimelech, Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz

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Advanced Level, Block 5—Frustrations in the Land

Week 50
Elimelech, Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz

Point to Emphasize: Live your life according to the principles of proper behavior and be blessed by having God and being with His people.

Reference Reading: Judges 21:25; Ruth (all chapters and footnotes)

Memory Verse: …Take forethought for things honorable in the sight of all men. (Romans 12:17b)

Story Sample

Today we will see that acting according to what is right in our own eyes can have a bad outcome, or consequence. It even took a family away from being with God’s people in the good land. We will also see how the actions of a few, who cared for God’s law and did what was honorable, were able to restore some others back to God and His people.

Elimelech and his wife, Naomi, along with their two sons lived in Bethlehem. In those days many only did what was right in their own eyes. There was a famine in Judah, so Elimelech took his family to dwell in the country of Moab, a place that was rejected and condemned by God, and a country of idolatry. After a number of years, Elimelech died, and his sons married the women of Moab. The sons followed their father in doing what was right in their own eyes instead of caring to follow God’s word. After ten years, both sons died. Now, only Naomi was left with two daughters-in-law and no way to care for herself or them.

Naomi decided to return to the good land after hearing that Jehovah had visited His people and that there was no longer a famine. At first, both daughters-in-law begged to go with her, but she told them that they should return to their families and to their gods (idols) since she had nothing to offer them for a future. But one of them, Ruth, would not be persuaded; she claimed Naomi as her family and Naomi’s God as her God. This decision was not an impulsive act. Ruth must have heard a lot from Naomi regarding Jehovah and His people. And to pledge herself as family to Naomi meant she would need to bear some responsibility for the welfare of her mother-in-law. Here, Ruth’s genuine love for Naomi was seen.

When they came to Bethlehem, it was the time of the barley harvest. These two had no one to support them, so Ruth had to go out and work to provide them food to eat. In God’s law, there was a provision called “gleaning” to care for the poor. After the barley was harvested, the poor ones were permitted to go and glean the produce from the corners left for them and have food to care for their need. Now Naomi knew a relative of her husband’s and his name was Boaz. And Ruth happened to glean in a portion of the field belonging to Boaz. It was observed by the overseer of the field that Ruth was a hard worker, hardly taking any breaks to rest. When Boaz came to check his fields, he asked who the new gleaner was. The overseer told him about Ruth. Boaz then made sure that the overseer would take special care of Ruth, watching over her and even pulling out extra grain for her to glean. Then he went to Ruth and said, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told me” (Ruth 2:11).

In this part of the story again we see that all parties are taking actions according to the law of God and the principles or rules of upright human behavior. They were not swayed by an impulse of emotion nor did they act by pride or greed. They were well-behaved people. How do we know this? [Have the children discuss the actions that show this. (1) Naomi knew the provision according to God’s law; (2) Naomi knew Boaz kept God’s law; (3) Ruth had an excellent work ethic; and (4) Boaz cared for the safety and needs of Ruth.]

Now, here is the ending of our story. Naomi realized that gleaning was a short-term solution. Ruth and she both needed a good permanent situation. There was a law that if a relative of Elimelech would redeem or buy back the fields that belonged to him and his son’s, then all that belonged to them became theirs. This also meant that Naomi and Ruth would become part of the household. The closest relative had the first opportunity. If he refused to redeem it, then the next relative, Boaz, could buy it. Boaz took ten of the elders of the city to have a public audience at the gate of the city. The case was presented to the closest relative and although he wanted the land, he refused to take Ruth and Naomi into his household. So Boaz publicly declared to all the witnesses that he would buy all and take Ruth as his own wife and Naomi as part of his household. Here at the end, we see people who acted according to God’s laws, His way, and what was honorable. And this restored Naomi and Ruth back to God and His people.

Of course, most around us do not regard God’s laws, His ways. If it seems good to them, they just do it. They do “it” because it profits them, makes them happy, or gives them a thrill. There is no forethought to what is good, acceptable, or honorable. [Have a talk with the children about what behavior is good, acceptable, and honorable, the proper behavior parents teach them, and God’s law.]

I am sorry to say that living this way produces a lot of misery in the end, and those who live this way may altogether miss God. BUT if you live your life according to the principles of proper behavior which your parents teach you today you will be blessed by having God and being with His people.

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