The Book of Ruth
Loyalty and redemption — a quiet, beautiful story of faithfulness rewarded.
Overview
Ruth is a short, tender story set in the dark days of the judges — a shaft of light. A widowed foreigner named Ruth clings in loyalty to her mother-in-law and to the God of Israel, and finds redemption and a place in the family line of King David, and ultimately of Christ.
It is a gentle picture of God's quiet providence, working through ordinary faithfulness and unexpected kindness.
Key themes
Loyal love
Ruth's steadfast loyalty models a covenant faithfulness that mirrors God's own.
Redemption
Boaz the kinsman-redeemer foreshadows Christ, who redeems the outsider.
Quiet providence
God works unseen through ordinary choices to bring about his purposes.
Key verses from Ruth
Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
One of Scripture's great declarations of loyalty.
The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.
How to read Ruth
Read it in one sitting — it's a complete, beautiful short story.
Watch God's quiet providence behind ordinary events.
See Boaz as a picture of Christ, our kinsman-redeemer.