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Newsletter Grapevine Studies produces a newsletter every few weeks for those who sign up to receive it. Our newsletter consists of an article for teachers, teaching tips, and other information which is helpful to teachers. Read the current article for teachers below. We also send special sale notices and other exclusive sale offers to our newsletter subscribers throughout the year. In addition, new book releases are announced first to our newsletter subscribers. Subscribers will receive 2-3 emails per month. Should you decide to unsubscribe, you may do so at any time. Privacy Policy: Grapevine Studies does not sell, trade, exchange, or share our mailing list with any company, group, or individual. Current Teacher's Article An Introduction to the Book of Ruth Time Frame Ruth lived during the time of the judges before the kings began to rule in Israel and Judah. The children of Israel had conquered most of the Promised Land and settled into their allotted territories. The tabernacle, the central place of worship, was in Shiloh. The story of Ruth takes place about 1100 BC. The author of the book of Ruth is believed to be the prophet Samuel. Characters Ruth We do not know anything about the childhood of Ruth. The book of Ruth introduces her as a young woman who was married to one of the sons of Elimelech and Naomi. Ruth was living in Moab at the time of her marriage, and it is assumed that Moab was her place of birth. After the death of her first husband, she moved with Naomi to Bethlehem where she met and married Boaz. Together they had a son named Obed. Ruth’s life is a beautiful picture of a person that came from outside the children of Israel, a Gentile, and joined the followers of the one true God. Naomi We know that Naomi was from Judah before moving with her husband and two sons to Moab. While in Moab, her husband died and her sons married two women from Moab. Within ten years of living in Moab, Naomi lost her husband and two sons--leaving her with her two widowed daughters-in-law. When she heard news from her homeland, she decided to return to Judah. Naomi viewed her life as bitter when she returned to Judah, but her bitterness was soon replaced with great joy as the Lord provided for her and Ruth. Within a few years after leaving Moab, she was holding her grandson, Obed. Elimelech From extra-biblical sources, we learn that Elimelech was a very wealthy man. When the famine came to Judah, he moved his family to Moab, and Scripture records that he died within ten years of moving to Moab. Mahlon and Chilion The two sons of Elimelech and Naomi married Moabite women, Orpah and Naomi. They both died young and without children. Boaz We know a little more about Boaz. He was the son of Salmon and Rahab. He was very wealthy and was related to Elimelech. Jewish history also records that Boaz was much older than Ruth. According to extra biblical sources, he was widowed when he met Ruth. Obed Obed was the only son born to Ruth and Boaz, and he was King David’s grandfather. What can we learn? Naomi teaches us the importance of our witness to those closest to us. Ruth watched Naomi’s life and decided to follow her God. Ruth had watched Naomi as she lost not only her husband but also two sons. Naomi made the difficult decision to return to Bethlehem, even if she had to do it alone. Once there, she saw God bless her beyond what she could have hoped. Naomi was a faithful witness and example of trusting God even when times are at their worst. Boaz teaches us the importance of obeying the laws God establishes for life. Boaz allowed the poor to glean in his fields, and through that obedience God blessed him. Boaz was also willing to do what was right for Ruth and Naomi, even if it meant he did not get what he wanted. Boaz teaches us the importance of living a life of integrity. Ruth teaches us that we also have a kinsman-redeemer. Jesus came to all of us, even those like me, who were not born into a Christian home. Jesus came to redeem me out of a life of sin and made me part of His family. Today as you look at these two women, what parallels do you see in your own life? Are you a faithful witness living the Christian life before your family or are you new to the faith learning to love and serve God? The book of Ruth ends with the genealogy that followed Ruth. Let us pray that those who follow in our footsteps will be faithful to the Lord because of the example we lived. Geography Moab is located to the southeast of what today is called the Dead Sea. This area was the chosen by Lot when he and Abraham separated their flocks. (Genesis 13) Before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorra, Lot escaped with his daughters. One of the sons born to Lot through an incestuous relationship with his daughter was named Moab. The name Moab means, “from the father.” Bethlehem is located about six miles south of the modern city of Jerusalem. The city of Bethlehem was within the allotment of land given to the tribe of Judah. Interestingly, the name Bethlehem means “house of bread.” Classroom Funnies One mother sent me a picture of her son’s drawing from the lesson that mentions the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. However, Adam was unique because he was drawn wearing a football helmet. When his mother asked him about the helmet, he responded by telling her it was to help Adam avoid having the fruit from that tree hit him in the head! Would you like to share something your students have said that was fun? Email us! |