When someone says, "Let me tell you about my mother-in-law," we expect some kind of negative statement or homorous anecdote because the mother-in-law caricature has been a standard centerpiece of ridicule or comedy. The book of Ruth, however, tells a different story. Ruth loved her mother Noami. Recently widowed, Ruth begged to stay with Noami wherever she went, even though it meant leaving her homeland. In heartfelt words, Ruth said, " _Your people will be my people and your God will be my God_ " -(1:6). Naomi agreed and Ruth travelled with her to Bethelhem.
Not much is said about Noami except that she loved and cared for Ruth. In the succeeding months, God led this young Moabite widow to a man named Boaz, whom she eventually married. As a result, she became the great-grandmother of David and an ancestor in the line of the Messiah.
The book of Ruth is also a story of God's grace in the midst of difficult circumstances. Ruth's story occurred during the time of the Judges- a period of disobedience, idolatry and violence. Even in times of crisis and deepest despair, there are those who follow God and through whom God works. No matter how discouraging or antagonistic the world may seem, there are always people who follow God. He will use anyone who is open to him to achieve his purposes. Ruth was a Moabite and Boaz was a descendant of Rahab, a former prostitute from Jericho. Nevertheless their offspring continued the family line through which the Messiah came into our world.
Read this book and be encouraged. God us at work in the word and he wants to use you. God could use you as he used Noami to bring family and friends to him.
*Purpose* : To show three people remained strong in character and true to God even when the society around them was collapsing.
*Setting*: A dark time in Isreal's history when people lived to please themselves, not God ( Judges 17:6)
Key verses: " _But Ruth replied, "Don't ask me to leave you and turn back. Where ever you go, I will go; where ever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, your God will be my God_ " (1:16)
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