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....