Stories from the Old Testament
Loss and Loyalty
Naomi and Ruth
Illustration by Katy Dockrill
Their Story
The Move
Naomi and her husband, Elimelech, moved from the land of Israel to the land of Moab during a famine. Their two sons married women from Moab, Orpah and Ruth.
The Hardship
Unfortunately, Elimelech died before his sons were married. And later both sons died as well. Naomi decided to return to Israel and encouraged Orpah and Ruth to stay with their families in Moab.
The Loyalty
Orpah went home, but Ruth decided to go to Israel with Naomi. She was loyal to her new family and to her faith. “Whither thou goest, I will go; … thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God,” she said.
The Blessings
In Israel, Ruth married a man named Boaz and had a son. Ruth became the great-grandmother of King David—and an ancestor of Jesus Christ! Naomi and Ruth were blessed as they were loyal to God and kind to each other.
Your Story
Maybe you have experienced the loss of a loved one, like Naomi and Ruth did, or gone through other hard times. As you choose to be loyal to God and kind to others, He will strengthen you and bless you. In this life or the next, all things will be made right.