The story of Ruth seems to come to an end in this chapter … or does it? Boaz meets with one of Elimelech’s relatives who could become Naomi’s kinsman-redeemer to continue Elimelech’s line. The man is interested in the land but when Boaz tells him the terms and conditions include marrying Ruth, he changes his […]
This old testament story is a love story unlike modern love stories. It forms part of God’s bigger love story in bringing about a people for Himself. Ruth’s story points us to Jesus and God’s plan of redemption: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal […]
We saw in Chapter 1 that Ruth chose to stay with her mother-in-law rather than return to her own people. In Chapter 2, we see Ruth and Naomi in Bethlehem in a place of desperate hardship. But they discover that God gives grace – gifts we do not deserve – and that he has mercy […]
Today we begin a series in the book of Ruth. The story begins with Naomi returning from Moab to her own hometown, Bethlehem, after her husband and sons die. Ruth, her daughter-in-law, a Moabitess, returns with her. Naomi asks to be called ‘Mara’ because God has caused her life to be very bitter. But we see God’s hand […]