Ruth the Moabite: What is a Moabite?

The Moabites were in constant conflict with the Israelites. Abraham’s nephew, named Lot, was the father of Moab who was the founder of the Moabites, They worshipped Chemosh, not the God of Israel. During the time of the Judges when there was a famine in Judah, Naomi and her husband traveled from Bethlehem and settled in Moab which was on the other side of the Dead Sea, a walk of about 30 or so miles. They had two sons who both married Moabite women; then, all the men died and the three widows were left in Moab.

Clung to Naomi tight: Why did Ruth cling to Naomi?

Naomi, after the death of her husband and her two sons, wishes to go back home to Bethlehem. Naomi encourages both of her two daughters-in-law to go back to their homeland to marry again among their own people. Orpah goes back, but Ruth says she does not want to leave Naomi but wishes to go with her to Bethlehem. Ruth says to Naomi, “Don’t urge me to leave you…your people will be my people and your God my God.” Ruth 1:16 NIV

She gleaned in a field for barley and wheat: What is gleaning and why did she do that?

According to the Law of Moses, some food was to be left in the fields after the first cutting for the poor. Going after the food, left in the fields after the harvesters, was called gleaning. Ruth and Naomi were poor and Ruth took the initiative to get food for them this way.

Boaz gave her plenty to eat: Who was Boaz and why did he take care of her?

Boaz learned about Ruth’s kindness to Naomi and her good reputation, and made sure she was safe and that the harvesters left extra grain for Ruth to glean.

Her kinsmen redeemer: What is a kinsman redeemer?

The nearest living kin is to restore the rights of their relative. These are two responsibilities of a kinsman redeemer that applied to Ruth, Boaz bought back all the property that Naomi’s husband and sons had in Bethlehem, and married Ruth so she could carry on the family name.

Ruth the devoted one, followed Naomi’s instruction: What instruction did Naomi give Ruth?

Naomi told Ruth how to clearly let Boaz know she wanted him to become her husband, Naomi knew enough about the character of Boaz that he would do what was right and take care of Ruth’s request in the right way as quickly as possible. You can read about this in Ruth 3:1-9.

They were part of royal line of our Savior, Redeemer: How are they part of the royal line?

Boaz was the great grandfather of King David. Jesus was from the lineage of David.

Preparing: Ruth was the great grandmother of King David, so the Savior was a descendent of Boaz and Ruth.

Pictures: As a kinsman-redeemer, Boaz is a picture of how the Savior willingly came to earth to be related to us a human, and one who was qualified to pay the price for our sin to redeem us.

More to Talk About: Ruth was faithful to God during the time when many people were doing whatever they wanted. We can learn from her faith, love and diligence.

Both the picture of the Savior and and the preparing for the Savior are discussed in What the Bible Is All About Handbook for Kids, p.68 and What the Bible is All About for Young Explorers, p. 70.