Heroes of Israel / Text of the Hero Stories with Notes and Questions for Young Students

by Theodore Gerald Soares

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

176. We study one of the heroines of Israel. She was a foreigner of the country of Moab, but held a most important place in Israel's history as the great-grandmother of King David. The story tells of her devotion and of its reward.

177 (§53). Notice the time in which the story is placed. The town which is mentioned is well known to us because of one who was born there long afterward: who was he? The farmer with his wife and two sons went over to the rich high country of Moab. Locate it on the map, east of the Jordan. What happened in Moab?

178 (§54A). What did Naomi decide to do? These three women loved one another very dearly, but Naomi thought that the young women ought to marry again, so she told them to stay in their own land as they would not be likely to find husbands among strangers.

179 (§54A). According to the Hebrew custom, if a man died his brother would marry the widow, but Naomi had no sons who could marry these young widows. Why did Orpah return? Why did Ruth refuse to leave her mother-in-law? Note how beautifully Ruth spoke. Love does not count the cost. What do we mean by Ruth's devotion?

180 (§54B). Why were the Bethlehem women so surprised at Naomi's appearance? Naomi means "Pleasant." Perhaps the name had been given to her because of her beauty. Mara, the same as our name Mary, means "Bitter." Explain what Naomi meant by her speech to the women. What time of year was it when they returned?

181 (§55A). The principal man of the story is introduced to us. The two women had nothing to live on, but the Hebrew law permitted the poor to follow the reapers and to gather up the stalks that were dropped or left. This was called gleaning. Where did Ruth go to glean? This young woman did not leave her mother to do the work. Her love expressed itself in deeds.

182 (§55A). Tell the conversation between Boaz and the foreman. Note the kindness of this Bethlehem gentleman to the stranger. It is the mark of a gentleman to be kind. It was not usual to invite the gleaners to share the lunch with the farm hands, but Boaz was especially kind to Ruth. What directions did he give to the young men? How would this help her in gleaning?

183 (§55B). Notice that she beat out the ears of barley, so as not to carry home the straw. How much did she have? This was a good day's gleaning. How surprised Naomi was that she had secured so much! Tell their conversation in your own words. They were poor, but they were happy all that harvest time: why?

184 (§56A). Remember that it was the Hebrew custom for a man's widow to be married by his brother. If he had no brother his nearest relative was expected to marry her. So Naomi hoped that Boaz, who was related to her dead husband, would marry Ruth. She plans a little scheme to let him know privately that he is a near relative who ought to do this honor for those who were dead. There would be a great feast at the time the barley was threshed, and then all the men would go to sleep in the open air on the smooth floor where the threshing was done. Ruth was instructed to let Boaz know the plan when the others were asleep.

185 (§56B). Tell the story in your own words. Notice especially that Boaz explains that there is a nearer relative who ought to marry Ruth. What did Boaz give to Ruth to take to her mother-in-law? Tell the conversation of the two women.

186 (§57A). The Gate was the place where all the business was done. Note how the business was begun, and how arrangements were made for the bargain to be witnessed. The conversation refers to the Hebrew laws of real estate. It is enough for us to see that the kinsman was not willing to marry Ruth. What interesting old custom is shown? They were sitting on the ground cross-legged, so one could easily pull off his shoe or sandal. What other story have we had in which the sandal was easily taken off? (See 97 and illustration.) Note Boaz' solemn statement of the agreement. How did all the people congratulate Boaz?

187 (§57B). It is interesting to see that the people congratulated Naomi when Ruth's baby was born, because there was again a son for her family. This grandson would take the place of the sons whom she had lost. What did the women think of Ruth? What relation was Ruth to David?

188. What do you think of Ruth? Look up I Cor. 13:13 in the Revised Version and see what it says about the greatest thing in the world. Can everybody have this greatest thing? How much does it cost? Think whether you are bringing that into your home.