Jeannette van den Bosch

‘And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi: Let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor’ (Ruth 2:2 ESV). The young, energetic Ruth was eager to earn a living for Naomi and herself. Outside the walls of Bethlehem, on the hills, lay … Lees meer

‘And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest’ (Ruth 1:22c ESV). It was a busy time in Bethlehem; the harvest season had arrived. After years of famine, the Lord had brought joy to His people by granting them a bountiful harvest. The barley harvest was a time of hope. Barley was the … Lees meer

‘For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God’ (Ruth 1:16b ESV). It was a sad scenario: the three women standing there at the border between Moab and Israel. A separation was imminent and all three sensed it. Together … Lees meer

The three of them were on their way to Bethlehem, “but Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, ‘Go, return each of you to her mother’s house’”. (Ruth 1:8a ESV). In the distance, the Jordan River which marks the border between Moab and Judah came into view and Naomi looked at her beloved daughters-in-law and wondered … Lees meer

“Then she arose with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the fields of Moab that the Lord had visited his people and given them food.” (Ruth 1:6 ESV) Naomi’s life had been marked by grief and loss. First, she lost her husband Elimelech, and then her two … Lees meer

But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons (Ruth 1:3 ESV). The first verses of the Book of Ruth are characterized by tragic circumstances. After the family arrived in Moab and settled there, Elimelech died and Naomi was left behind with her two sons. We can imagine the … Lees meer

In these lessons, we want to think about the book of Ruth – we find this short narrative in the Bible between the books of Judges and 1 Samuel.   This story focuses on a family who lived during the time of the Judges. After Joshua, the leader of the people of Israel died, and all … Lees meer