INTRODUCTION TO RUTH

The book of Ruth is like a jewel sparkling brightly against dark velvet. The time of the judges was marked by violence. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes 'because there was no king in Israel.' There seemed to be no faith and no faithfulness left in Israel. At this time of moral anarchy, God's eyes turned toward a Gentile woman, Ruth. God was not bound by Jewish nationalism--even though he chose Israel as his covenant people. God looks for men and women of faith in every age and in every nation. Ruth is one of the 5 women whom Matthew includes in Jesus' genealogy.

The book opens with Naomi, Ruth's mother-in-law, being emptied of all human joy and hope (1:21), and it ends with Naomi being filled with joy and hope--because of Ruth. It begins with Ruth's decision to give up her people, her marriage, her gods and her future to commit herself to her sorrowful mother-in-law and to the people of God. It ends Naomi holding a baby in her arms--her joy and Israel's hope.

The book of Ruth is also the story of redemptive love. Boaz falls in love with Ruth and accepts the roll of kinsman-redeemer. Boaz reflects God's redemptive love for Israel and for all humanity. God sets the stage for King David and Jesus.

1. Tragedy strikes an immigrant family (1-7)

The book of Ruth opens with a tragic story. In the days of the judges, Israel was spiritually and morally bankrupt. Bethlehem, the house of bread, was empty because of a famine. Elimelech took his wife Naomi and his two sons and moved to Moab. Then Elimelech died. The two boys grew up and married Moabite girls. Then, Mahlon and Kilion died, leaving no children--only three sorrowful widows.

2. Orpah and Ruth (8-22)

Naomi's husband and sons were dead. Her life was empty. She heard that the famine in Israel had abated, so she decided to go home to Bethlehem. She advised her two daughters-in-law to go back to their own families to solve their marriage problems. Orpah accepted Naomi's advice, kissed her good-bye and left. But Ruth made a decision to give up her own marriage and her future and go with her mother-in-law back to Israel. She would be faithful to Naomi, to Naomi's people and to Naomi's God.

Application: Lord, give me courage to be faithful to you, regardless of human loss.
One Word: A decision of faith