The book of Ruth begins with Naomi facing closed doors. Famine struck Bethlehem. Naomi’s husband, Elimelech, relocated the family to the country of Moab. Elimelech died in Moab. Naomi’s two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, married Moabite women. Mahlon and Chilion died in Moab. They had no children. When the famine was over, Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem. She pressed her two daughters-in-law to remain in Moab. One of them, Ruth, determined to stay with Naomi. When the two widows arrived in Bethlehem, the women of the city asked, “Is this Naomi?” In Ruth 1:20, Naomi answered, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.” ...

There are three main characters in the book of Ruth. Chapter 1 introduces two characters: Naomi and Ruth. Naomi was married to Elimelech. During a famine in Bethlehem, Elimelech, Naomi, and their two sons became refugees in the country of Moab. Elimelech died in Moab. Naomi’s sons, Mahlon and Chilion, married Moabite women. Without having children, both sons died, Naomi was left without her husband and two sons. When the famine passed, Naomi returned to Bethlehem. Her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, followed her. Naomi pressed them to remain in Moab to restart their lives. Orpah obeyed. Ruth clung to Naomi.  When Naomi arrived in Bethlehem, the women asked, “Is this Naomi?” In Ruth 1:20-21, Naomi...

The story of Ruth begins with a time reference: “in the days when the judges ruled.” The Judges ruled during 400 years of moral chaos and corruption in Israel. Judges 21:25 explains: “In those days there was no King in Israel and every man did what was right in his own eyes.”  This was arguably the darkest period in Israel’s history. Yet against this dark backdrop, Ruth records a beautiful story of redemptive love.  Ruth is one of two books named after a woman – the other being the Old Testament book of Esther. Ruth is one of two books named after a Gentile – the other being the New Testament Gospel of Luke....