Ruth tells the story of a Moabite woman's loyalty to her Israelite mother-in-law and her redemption through Boaz. This short narrative demonstrates God's providence and introduces an ancestor of King David and Jesus Christ.
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๐ About This Book
Purpose
To tell the story of faithful love and divine providence - showing how God works through ordinary people to accomplish his redemptive purposes.
Audience
Israel, demonstrating God's acceptance of Gentiles and establishing David's lineage.
Key Themes
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Did You Know?
- One of only two books named after women (Ruth and Esther)
- Ruth was a Moabite - a people cursed in Deuteronomy
- She became the great-grandmother of King David
- The book is read at the Jewish feast of Shavuot (Pentecost)
- Contains the beautiful declaration of loyalty: 'Whither thou goest, I will go'
- Boaz is a picture of Christ as our kinsman-redeemer
- The entire story takes place during barley and wheat harvest
- Ruth is one of only four women mentioned in Jesus' genealogy
- The book has only 4 chapters and 85 verses
- Naomi means 'pleasant' but she renamed herself Mara meaning 'bitter'