Ruth is a small book with a big message. It is personal, prophetic, and filled with theological insight. The book centers on a gentile woman named Ruth, and through all the challenges she faces we see a demonstration of God’s providence, grace, love, and redemption. It’s a story with a happy ending.
Ruth was from Moab, and her mother-in-law, Naomi, was an Israelite. They were living in Moab when Ruth’s husband died. By faith, Ruth decided to return to Israel rather than remain in Moab, as she had embraced the true God of Israel as her own. Returning to Bethlehem, Ruth experienced the hand of God at work in her life. She made a connection with a man named Boaz, who was “one of [their] closest relatives” (Ruth 2:20). That role ensured that her husband’s lineage would continue, and the couple’s love story is a living illustration of God’s care and protection for His people.
The book of Ruth shows that God can take a tragedy and out of it make a miracle to advance His kingdom.
Through her marriage to Boaz, Ruth became the grandmother of King David, the ancestor of Jesus Christ, who would redeem His people. In her story we witness the lengths to which God went to ensure that Jesus would be legally qualified to be Israel’s redeemer and the Savior of the world. This simple woman played an important role. The book of Ruth shows that God can take a tragedy and out of it make a miracle to advance His kingdom.
Here’s a short video that highlights five key themes in the book of Ruth. May you be blessed by it!
