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The story of Ruth - part 1

Ruth the Moabite marries a son of Elimelech.
Contributed by Sweet Publishing
Story also available on our translated websites: Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Romanian, German, Hindi, Simplified Chinese
1
Elimelek and his wife Naomi had two sons, Mahlon and Kilion, and lived in the town of Bethlehem in Judah. When the area was hit with famine they decided to leave to find food. – Slide 1
2
They travelled to the nearby land of Moab and settled there to live. The Moabite people did not worship God but their own idols. – Slide 2
3
Some time later Elimelek died. The two sons grew up and married local Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah. – Slide 3
4
Sadly tragedy struck again. Ten years after the two sons had settled in Moab Mahlon and Kilion both died.It left three widows, Naomi and her two young Moabite daughter-in-laws, Ruth and Orpah. – Slide 4
5
When Naomi heard that the Lord had provided food for the people back in Bethlehem she decided to return. The three widows packed up their belongings. – Slide 5
6
Naomi then told her two daughter-in-laws, ‘Go back to your own mothers’ homes. May the Lord show you the same kindness you have show to your dead husbands and to me. May God help you find new husbands.’ – Slide 6
7
Naomi kissed them both goodbye and they wept aloud. ‘We will go back with you to your people,’ they replied. ‘No you must return home,’ Naomi insisted. ‘You can marry again.’ Naomi felt embittered and that God was against her. – Slide 7
8
Orpah and Ruth wept again. Orpah kissed Naomi goodbye and returned home to her mother’s house. Ruth however clung hold of Naomi and would not let go. – Slide 8
9
‘Orpah has returned to her people and their gods,’ said Naomi. ‘Go back with her.’ – Slide 9
10
‘Don’t urge me to leave you,’ Ruth replied. ‘Where you go I will go, where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God will be my God. Where you die I will die.’ – Slide 10
11
When Naomi realised that Ruth was determined to stay with her they both set off on the road to Bethlehem. – Slide 11
12
They arrived back in Bethlehem just as the barley harvest was beginning. Their arrival caused quite a stir. Naomi’s grief and suffering had changed her appearance so much that many did not recognise her. ‘Can this be Naomi?’ people asked. – Slide 12
13
‘Don’t call me Naomi,’ she insisted. ‘Call me Mara (which means bitter) because God has made my life bitter. I went away full but the Lord has brought me back empty. The Lord has brought misfortune on me.’ – Slide 13
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Slide 14