Ruth: The Harvest Girl

1. Ruth: The Harvest Girl • Using this PowerPoint you will: • know the harvest story of Ruth • know Christians believe that God is the giver of all • know how unselfish God was and how God rewarded Ruth for her unselfishness • consider the choices we make in life

2. This story is taken from the Book of Ruth in the Old Testament There was a famine in Israel. Elimelech, Naomi his wife and his two sons lived in Bethlehem. Elimelech decided to take his family to live in Moab, away from the famine. Bethlehem Kingdom of Moab

3. What is a famine? • a severe shortage of food • starvation due to lack of food • when crops fail to grow due to lack of rain resulting in no food

4. The people of Moab did not worship God. They worshipped man-made idols and other gods instead. Soon after the family had settled in Moab Elimelech died, leaving Naomi a widow. She was left to look after her sons on her own. When the boys grew up they married two girls from Moab. They were called Ruth and Orpah. Ten years later both of Naomi’s sons died leaving Ruth and Orphan widows.

5. Naomi decided that it would be best to return to Bethlehem. She was very sad, having lost her husband and two sons. She wanted to go back to her own people who loved and served God. Ruth and Orpah walked a little way with Naomi towards Bethlehem.

6. Naomi stopped and turned to the girls. She said, “Now you two must go back to your own homes, back to your own people.” She wanted them to be happy and find husbands again. The girls loved Naomi and didn’t want to leave her. They kissed her and cried at the thought of never seeing her again.

7. After a long journey Ruth and Naomi arrived in Bethlehem. Naomi’s old friends were surprised and excited to see her. She had been away for ten years. She looked older and sadder. Naomi told her friends how her husband and two sons had died and how upset she felt. But now she rejoiced to be back home among her own people once again.

8. After Orpah had kissed her mother-in-law good bye, she set off back to her home. Ruth hugged Naomi tightly and wouldn’t leave her. Naomi said, “Look, Orpah has gone back to her people. You go too, Ruth.” But Ruth had made up her mind and said these beautiful words- “Don’t ask me to leave you. Where you go I will go, and where you will live, I will live. Your people will be my people and your God shall be my God.” Naomi gave in to Naomi and they both left for Bethlehem.

9. Naomi and Ruth were poor and needed food and money. When the fields were harvested, the crops were cut and put into bundles. Some grains would fall to the ground. People, who were called ‘gleaners’, then picked up the grain. Those who gleaned the leftover crops were allowed to keep what they had collected. Ruth went into the fields to glean, to get food for Naomi and herself. They could then sell the grain and also make flour and bread for themselves.

10. Ruth went to glean a field belonging to a very rich man named Boaz. When he visited the field he saw Ruth, he asked the man in charge, “Who is this young woman?” He could see she was from another country, by the colour of her skin, her hair and the different clothes she was wearing. The man answered, “She is Ruth. She came from Moab with Naomi.” Boaz talked to Ruth and was kind to her. He said, “I have heard about you. I know you have been kind to Naomi. May God reward and bless you.” Boaz told the reapers to leave extra handfuls of grain for Ruth so she would have plenty to pick up. All day Ruth was kept busy collecting the stalks and beating out the grain.

11. After gleaning all day Ruth returned home to Naomi. She sold some grain and kept some to cook and eat. Ruth gladly worked hard to provide food and money for Naomi and herself. How thankful they must have been to God for helping them at this difficult time. Soon the harvest was over. Ruth and Naomi wondered what they would do next.

12. God rewarded Ruth in a special way. Boaz had fallen in love with Ruth. They were soon married. God had rewarded Ruth for the unselfish choice she had made in coming to Bethlehem with Naomi, rather than returning to her own people with Orpah. She was now rich and Naomi had all that she needed. Boaz and Ruth had a baby boy called Obed. Everyone was delighted, especially Naomi, who now had a grandson. Obed was the grandfather of King David. From this family Jesus was born.

13. Christians believe, the best choice anyone can make is to put God first in their lives. God helps Christians to make the right decisions and do what is right in their lives. • What choices did Ruth make? • What choices have you had to make? • What promises did Ruth make? • Who did she make them to? • Have you made any promises?

14. Designed and Created by: Beth Davies Ysgol Penrhyn. New Broughton. Wrexham. June 2008