“In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, a severe famine came upon the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah left his home and went to live in the country of Moab, taking his wife and two sons with him. The man’s name was Elimelech, and his wife was Naomi. Their two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in the land of Judah. And when they reached Moab, they settled there. Then Elimelech died, and Naomi was left with her two sons. The two sons married Moabite women. One married a woman named Orpah, and the other a woman named Ruth. But about ten years later, both Mahlon and Kilion died. This left Naomi alone, without her two sons or her husband.”
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Ruth‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

During a famine in Israel, Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their two sons moved to Moab. After Elimelech’s death, Naomi’s sons married Moabite women but later died, leaving Naomi alone.

The story of Ruth is an interesting one because of where it is situated in Scripture. It is clearly and soundly set within the book of Judges. In this book, we see an increasing mistreatment of women as time moves on. Therefore, Ruth, set in the same period, seems a stark contrast to its time period. Here we emphasize the importance of the female friendship and what a loving relationship can look like. In this way, Ruth provides some solace that even in tragic and horrific times, a godly relationship can bring blessings to all. It is further telling that Ruth is a foreigner as well as a widow. These two simple facts mean that this story of blessing is expansive in scope. It is applied not only to a class of people who were being progressively victimized, but without the legal protection of husbandship, nor the cultural protection of being a Jew. The story shows us how love and friendship and faith can provide security and family to the most unlikely of people. It should also be noted that it is through this story, much like Rahab before her, that Gid chose to project his familial line. From Ruth, will come David and eventually Jesus. Even in the dark times, there is much hope when people genuinely, in faith, love each other.

Story Context: The story of Ruth, set in the book of Judges, contrasts with the increasing mistreatment of women during that time.

Central Themes: The story emphasizes the importance of female friendship and the blessings of godly relationships, even in tragic times.

Significance of Ruth: Ruth, a foreigner and widow, represents hope and the power of love, friendship, and faith, even for those without legal or cultural protection.