RUTH, primer

RUTH

Trying to survive when the odds are against you can be difficult.
Read the story of Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi to find out how a brave and loyal woman survived under difficult circumstances to become the great-grandmother of King David.

What Makes Ruth Special?
Ruth is a beautiful story that teaches many things, among them:
• God’s purposes may be fulfilled in unexpected ways;
• God works in the lives of people who are faithful;
• Helping others and being loyal to family and friends can change lives and bring happiness;
• God’s goodness is for everyone, not just for people who are born Jews;
• God cares about all people and is at work in their everyday lives.

Why Was Ruth Written?
There are only two books in the Old Testament named after a woman, Ruth is one of them, and the other is Esther. The book of Ruth is like a modern short story. It tells of the adventure of Ruth, a Moabite, who left her country to live in Israel with her mother-in-law Naomi. Ruth was married to one of Naomi’s sons. After Naomi’s husband and sons have died, Naomi decided to return to her homeland, Israel, this time with Ruth.

Moabites worshipped idols and were enemies of the people of Israel. When Ruth pledged to Naomi, “your people will be my people and your God my God,” (1:16) she pledged her allegiance to the God of Israel and took upon herself the care of this childless widow. The women of Israel praised Naomi, “your daughter-in-law… loves you more than seven sons of your own would love you” (4:15). The story of Ruth is a beautiful story of friendship between two women and how together, they overcame the odds and difficulties of life and survived.

The last verses of the story (4:18-22) tell how Ruth and her descendants became ancestors of Israel’s greatest king, David. Ruth is also included in the genealogy of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.


Famous Verse: Ruth 1:16, 17
“Please don't tell me to leave you and return home! I will go where you go, I will live where you live; your people will be my people, your God will be my God.” (CEV)