Ruth and Naomi, by Judith Mehr

Ruth; 1 Samuel 1–7: Lesson 68

Ruth 1–4

“A Full Reward Be Given Thee of the Lord”

Visit “Studying the Scriptures” to help prepare yourself spiritually to learn.

The account of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz is a story of redemption. It symbolizes Jesus Christ’s role as our personal Redeemer. This lesson can help you to trust in Jesus Christ and His redeeming power.

Study the Scriptures

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained:

Among the most significant of Jesus Christ’s descriptive titles is Redeemer. … The word redeem means to pay off an obligation or a debt. Redeem can also mean to rescue or set free. (“Redemption,”Ensign or Liahona, May 2013, 109)

Redemption is one of the prominent themes in the account of Ruth. As you study Ruth’s story, consider how likening this account to ourselves can help us learn that if we come to Jesus Christ, He will redeem us. Seek the help of the Holy Ghost to know ways we are like Ruth and need redemption and how Boaz is like the Savior Jesus Christ and redeems us.

In a time of famine, an Israelite woman named Naomi, her husband, and her two sons moved from Bethlehem to Moab. Moab was a neighboring country with a different culture and religious beliefs. While there, Naomi’s sons each married Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah.

Tragically, Naomi’s husband and two sons died, leaving the three women widows. Naomi chose to return to Bethlehem. Unable to care for her daughters-in-law, Naomi encouraged them to return to their families in Moab. Only Orpah returned to her family.

Read Ruth 1:8–9, 14–17, looking for Ruth’s response to Naomi.

The following are a few of the difficulties Ruth might have faced by going to Bethlehem with Naomi:

• Ruth would leave all her family behind in Moab.

• Ruth would be a foreigner in an unfamiliar land with a different culture.

• Without husbands, Ruth and Naomi would face extreme poverty.

Ruth’s choice showed her willingness to worship and rely on Jehovah (Jesus Christ), not the false gods of the Moabites. Mark the phrase “and thy God my God” in verse 16.

Family relationships. In Ruth 4:13–22, we learn who would be born into Ruth and Boaz’s family. Their family line would include King David and eventually Jesus Christ. (see Matthew 1:1–16; Luke 3:23–38).

As you continue to study about Ruth and Naomi, complete the following activity in your notebook. You may also choose to watch “Ruth and Naomi” (2:00). The video can help you visualize their story and record summaries for the activity.

Review the following study options. Complete one or more.

Option A

How can receiving Jesus Christ’s redemption impact my life?

Ruth was a widow. It wasn’t likely that she would have an opportunity to remarry, especially if she followed Naomi to Bethlehem. But Ruth chose to bear Naomi’s burden with her. She chose to exercise faith in the God of Israel and sought the help and protection of Naomi’s relative Boaz. Just as Ruth sought out and asked Boaz for redemption, we too can seek aid from our Redeemer.

Note: Following Naomi’s counsel, Ruth made a marriage proposal to Boaz (see Ruth 3:8–13). Ruth asked Boaz to “spread therefore thy skirt [or garment] over thine handmaid” (Ruth 3:9). In other words, Ruth asked Boaz to take her under his protection and provide for her. In this way, Boaz was like a redeemer to Ruth.

Read Alma 11:40 and 2 Nephi 30:2. Mark insights about Jesus Christ and His redemptive power.

Elder Kim B. Clark of the Seventy taught about how we can access Christ’s redeeming power through our covenants:

When we live our covenants, they influence everything we say and do. We live a covenant life full of simple, everyday acts of faith that focus us on Jesus Christ: prayer from the heart in His name, feasting on His word, turning to Him to repent of our sins, keeping His commandments, partaking of the sacrament and keeping His Sabbath holy, worshipping in His holy temple as often as we can, and exercising His holy priesthood to serve God’s children. (“Look unto Jesus Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 55)

Answer two or more of the following questions in your notebook:

• What can we learn from Ruth’s account and Elder Clark’s words about keeping covenants and the Savior’s redeeming power?

• When have you or someone you know felt the redeeming power of Jesus Christ?

• What do you think someone could do to increase their desire to trust in the Savior’s redeeming power?

Option B

What can I learn about Jesus Christ from Boaz?

Review Ruth 2:12, 15–16, looking for insights regarding Boaz’s character and how he treated Ruth. Boaz entered a covenant marriage with Ruth to always love and care for her. Like Boaz did for Ruth, the Savior can redeem us in every way we need.

Read Ruth 2:12. Use the define feature to look up the meaning of the word recompense. Wings can symbolize divine protection and refuge. To help you relate recompense and wings to the word redeem and Jesus Christ, read 2 Nephi 25:13; Mosiah 15:7–9; Helaman 5:9–11, and identify how the Savior redeems us.

Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared:

The Savior loves to restore what you cannot restore; He loves to heal wounds you cannot heal; He loves to fix what has been irreparably broken; He compensates for any unfairness inflicted on you; and He loves to permanently mend even shattered hearts. (“Consider the Goodness and Greatness of God,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 44)

Add a note summarizing what you learned about Jesus Christ and His redeeming power next to Ruth 2:12.

Share Your Thoughts

Lesson Purpose: To help you to trust in Jesus Christ and His redeeming power.

Share one or more of the following with your teacher or class:

• What you learned about the redeeming power of Jesus Christ from the relationship between Ruth and Boaz.

• One of the questions you answered in your notebook for your study.

• Something specific you did to achieve the purpose of this lesson.

• Any questions this lesson raised for you. How will you try to find answers to your questions?