Ruth 4
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
The sun came up over the town. It was called Bethlehem. Boaz walked to the gate. That is where big people talked about big things.
Boaz sat down. He waited. And then, look, another man came by. Boaz called him. "Come, sit here." The man sat down.
Boaz also called seven other men. They came too. Now everyone sat in a big circle.
Boaz said something important. It was about Ruth. Ruth was a lady who had no husband anymore. And she had no house of her own.
Boaz asked the other man, "Do you want to help Ruth? Do you want to take care of her?"
The other man thought. He shook his head. "No," he said. "I cannot do that."
Then Boaz stood up. His voice was strong. "Then I will do it. I will take care of Ruth. Ruth will be my wife."
All the people cheered. They were so happy!
What Does This Mean?
Ruth had been alone for a long time. She had no husband. She was sad sometimes. But now she got Boaz. Boaz was good and kind.
And then, then something wonderful happened. Ruth got a baby! A little boy. So small. So sweet.
The ladies of the town came to look. They laughed. They said, "What a beautiful baby!" Grandma Naomi held the baby in her arms. She pressed him against her cheek. She was so glad.
The baby's name was Obed.
The Common Thread
Obed grew up. He got a son. That son also grew up. And that son got a son too. His name was David. Little David, who later became king.
And then, much, much later, from that same family, came another Baby. That Baby was Jesus.
Yes, really. Jesus came from Ruth's family. God had planned it all along. Long, long ago.
For You
God saw Ruth. He saw that she was alone. He gave her a husband. He gave her a baby. He gave her a home.
God sees you too. Always. When you are happy. When you are sad. When you sleep. When you play.
And do you know what is so wonderful? Through Ruth's family came Jesus. And Jesus came for you. To be your Friend forever.
Sometimes you have to wait for something good. Ruth waited a long time. But God did not forget her. God does not forget you either.
Talk About It
Have you ever waited a long time for something? What was it?
Who takes care of you, just like Boaz took care of Ruth?
Praying Together
Dear God,
Thank You for Ruth. Thank You for baby Obed. Thank You that Jesus came from Ruth's family. Thank You that You see me too. Please take care of me, like You took care of Ruth.
Amen.
Questions about Ruth 4
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is Ruth 4 about?
What does Ruth 4 say?
What does Ruth 4 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from Ruth 4?
Why is Ruth 4 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
Boaz had told Ruth he would settle it, and by morning he is at the gate, sitting where business gets done. He doesn't chase the man down. He takes his place and waits, and the near kinsman "came by." Some waiting isn't passivity. It's sitting where God can meet you, trusting him to move the people you cannot.
Naomi had said, "I went out full, and Yahweh has brought me home again empty." Now look at her arms. "Naomi took the child, and laid him in her bosom, and became nurse to him." God didn't give back the husband or the sons she buried. He gave something she never asked for. Sometimes restoration doesn't look like the old life returning. It looks like a weight in your lap you didn't expect to carry.
Boaz opens the case with Naomi's name, not Ruth's. "Naomi, who has come back out of the land of Moab, is selling the parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech's." The woman who said "call me Mara" is being spoken for at the city gate. She isn't in the room. Someone is naming her loss out loud and calling her family. Who is doing that for you?
The other man said yes to the field quickly enough. Then Boaz named the rest: "you must buy it also from Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead." Land was profit. A widow was cost. So he walked away. Notice how often we want the blessing without the person attached to it. Boaz took both, and that is why we still know his name.
Looking for something for slightly older children?
We also have dedicated versions for elementary age (7-12) and teens (12 and up).
Open in the Children's Bible tool
Philippines
Nigeria
Zimbabwe
India
Zambia
South Africa
Malawi
Kenya
Indonesia
DR Congo
Ghana
Nepal
Cameroon
Mozambique
Benin
