This document provides a summary of the biblical stories of Ruth and Hannah. It discusses how Ruth demonstrated loyalty, industry, virtue, and discretion in gleaning fields and marrying Boaz according to levirate marriage traditions. Hannah was characterized as patient, prayerful, appreciative, a covenant keeper, and a testifier of truth. She prayed for a son at the temple and fulfilled her vow after Samuel was born, dedicating him back to God. Both women are held up as moral examples for their faith and virtue.
9. Return to Bethlehem
= Mara
R2—Ruth 1:11
R1—Ruth 1:16-17
R2—Ruth 1:19-20
R1—Ruth 2:1-2
“Intreat me not to leave thee…”
“the Lord has testified against me”
10. Boaz Ruth
• Gleaning---R2 Leviticus 19:9-10
- tells her to only come to his fields
- tells the harvesters to drop extra
- tells the other men to leave her alone
- tells her to get water anytime
- invites her to eat lunch with them
Levirate marriage is a type of
marriage in which the brother
of a deceased man is obliged
to marry his brother's widow.
The term levirate is itself a
derivative of the Latin word
levir meaning "husband's
brother"
• R1 Ruth 3:7-9 --- PROPOSAL
GLITCH—there is a kinsman that is
a closer relative to Mahlon
Marriage laws Deuteronomy 25:5-10
11. 5 adjectives
1. Loyal
2. Industrious
3. Generous
4. Virtuous
5. Discreet
How is Ruth a Heroine?
vs 16 “thy God, my God”
What did Ruth give up to go with Naomi?
5 cups of grain=1 loaf
What does it mean?
R2 Ruth 3:11
R1 Ruth 3:14
12. Hannah
•R2 1 Samuel 1: 2,5
•R1 1 Samuel 1:6-7
Who is her adversary?
•R2 1 Samuel 1:8
The hurt of barrenness is very sharp and personal
Elkanah
Peninnah Hannah
Sons & daughters
15. Temple Blessings
“I believe that the busy person … who has his
worries and troubles, can solve his problems
better and more quickly in the house of the Lord
than anywhere else. If he will do the temple work
for himself and for his dead, he will confer a
mighty blessing upon those who have gone
before, and … a blessing will come to him, for at
the most unexpected moments, in or out of the
temple will come to him, as a revelation, the
solution of the problems that vex his life. That is
the gift that comes to those who enter the temple
properly” John A. Widstoe Oct 1970
16. 5 adjectives
1. Patient
2. Prayerful
Hillary Weeks “HE HEARS ME”
3. Appreciative
R1 1 Samuel 1:21-22
4. Covenant Keeper
Temple Blessings
vs. 11 “vowed a vow”
5. Testifier of Truth
R2 1 Samuel 2:2-10
What adjectives would you use to describe Hannah?
Welcome to Sunday School, it’s another great day in the Pacific Northwest! Excited to be here: VISITORS? NEW?
Opening Prayer:
I need two scripture readers today that will get a special treat that goes along with our theme of wheat---
I’ve had this question on the board for you to think about—Yell out some of your answers!
I recently attended Steve’s 98yr old Grandmother’s funeral; she had a long time to come up with an answer to this question.
Her solution was to write the talks that would be given at her funeral so that all the adjectives used to describe her were “Approved”
The follow-up question here is What can you do today to match that description?
WE are studying today the lives of 2 women Ruth and Hannah. Looking at 5 adjectives that could have been used at their funeral. One thing to note is that in the grand scheme of things they didn’t change the course of the world. They were both ordinary wives, mothers, women.
Sometimes to me it feels like these roles are devalued in our society—the moral influence of women and these roles are looked down upon.
What evidence have you seen of this?
D. Todd Christofferson does a great job of emphasizing the role of mothers/wifes and women in our society
Do you agree with him?Why
As for Background on these chapters– here is where we fall in the Bible Timeline with Ruth and Hannah
Isaraelite nation is being established; not certain of exact dates 1100B to 1500BC
Let’s start with a little background to the book of RUTH—IF you haven’t already read it,
this afternoon you should re-read the Book of Ruth, it’s only 4 chapters but it is power-punched and delicious!!
Elimelich and his family travel from Bethlehem to Moab WHY?
Famine
Let’s read in Ruth 1:3-5 and see what happens next
They lived there 10 years and took wives
Here is a breakdown of Ruth’s family tree--- leads to King David which of course is the Genealogy line of the Savior
many believe that is why Ruth is included in the Bible
Ruth is King David’s Great Grandmother
Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem R2 Here’s what she tells her daughter-in laws Ruth 1:11
I love this quote from Naomi, I think she has a sense of Humor
Here is Ruth’s famous response to Naomi vs 16-17--- QUESTION what happened to the other daughter-in-law Orpah?
Let’s keep reading what happens to Ruth and Naomi vs 19-20
Mara means sad or bitter Naomi means sweet and pleasant
Question: Have you ever felt like the Lord has testified against you?
Once in Bethlehem—Ruth and Naomi make a plan Chapter 2:1-2
So that is how the sweet love story between Boaz and Ruth gets started—she goes to “Glean” in his field What is this?
R2 Levitucs 19:9-10 IT is in the Law of Moses (still in effect today. Potato fields of Idaho)
Here is where Boaz starts to put the moves on Ruth—I’m a romantic at heart!!
Would you like to marry your brother-in-law or your husbands nearest male relative?
Any widows want to review the marriage laws they are in Deutronomy
GLITCH
Ruth doesn’t leave it all to Boaz-she makes the next very bold move—under the direction of her mother-in-law R1 3:7-9
What is happening here?
Let’s review a bit of Ruth’s life and talk about 5 adjectives that could’ve be used to describe her
LOYAL—of course her words were to Ruth saying Thy people shall be my people—Thy God by God!—What did Ruth give up?
INDUSTRIOUS– 2 widows back in that day were absoulutely destitute by Ruth gleaning the sheaths of wheat
did you know it takes about 5 cups of grain to grind down into the wheat for 1 loaf—no Wonderbread store in town
GENEROUS –she brings all her hard work back to Naomi and shares: I think if I had to work that hard for a loaf of bread I would be a bit more greedy
VIRTUOUS– this is actually the adjective that Boaz uses to describe Ruth when he discovers her at his feet R2—Ruth 3:1
what does it mean to be virtuous? Proverbs refers to a virutous women is more precious than rubies
DISCREET—when she was laid at Boaz’s feet proposing to him- he made a request of her Ruth 3:14
do we sometime partake in gossip/Heresay?
Thomas S Monson referred to Ruth as a HEROINE? How do you think she is?
Let’s turn to the story of Hannah in 1 Samuel chapter 1----Sidenote here that Hannah made it to the cover of the OT guide this year!! Kudos to her!
There is a man named Elknah---R1 Here is Hannahs family tree at this point
Continue in vs 6-7 Who is adversary? Other wife---we see this where else in the bible? Sarah and Hagar! Rachel and Leah!
Let’s read in vs 8 what her husband says
love this guy—gets Husband of the year award!! MEN—follow his example!!
The church has produced a great little 3 minute video depicting Hannah’s story—Let’s watch and see what happens from here
Who was the man?----ELI the High Priest
Who was her child?---SAMUEL, grows to be arguably one of the best prophets of his generation, navigates Kings with Saul/David very obedient!!
Let’s talk about 5 adjectives that could have been spoken at Hannah’s funeral– so many to choose from I just selected these
PATIENT—what do we see about her that makes her patient? Waiting on the Lord’----This word is my nemesis MY own mother…Steve/never used any!!
PRAYERFUL– I think of her as having an ENOS moment here at the temple, great song by Hilary Weeks
APPRECIATIVE—might seem like an odd one but let’s read vs 21-22
I read this as a mom that really is treasuring her time with her son, knowing she will give him up at a young age
It’s real easy as a mom to take our young kids for granted TREASURE THEM
COVENENANT KEEPER—that understood the blessings to be had at the temple
COVENANT KEEPER– another way she is like this is in vs 11 “vowed a vow” unto the Lord
I’m all for making bargains but not so good on the follow thru, could I have really given up my son when he was “weened”?
TESTIFIER OF TRUTH—a portion of her testimony is recorded in chapter 2; very powerful LISTEN UP
What adjectives would you use to describe Hannah?
Hannah has a HAPPILY EVER AFTER!!—let’s read in Chapter 2: 20-21
I think the real takeaway from this lesson leads us back to this list on the board-----If this is what we want then we better….
Live the way you want to be remembered just like Ruth and Hannah did.
I’m so thankful for righteous men and women that we can emulate our lives after
I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen
Bro Thayne has the lesson next week #21 A continuing story of Eli the High Priest and Samuel the prophet
Closing Prayer:
