The story so far…From Genesis to Judges, the Bible tells the story of God’s creation of the universe and everything in it, humanity’s fall, and the beginning of His redemptive plan. God forms a covenant with Abraham, promising land and descendants. His family grows into the nation of Israel in Egypt, where they become enslaved. God delivers them through Moses in Exodus, gives them the Law in Leviticus and Numbers, and brings them to the edge of the Promised Land in Deuteronomy. Under Joshua, they conquer Canaan. In Judges, Israel repeatedly falls into sin, is oppressed, and delivered by God through appointed leaders called ‘judges’. Then comes the book of Ruth.

Book 8 - Ruth

The book of Ruth, set during the time of the Judges around 1100 - 1050 BC, is a short yet powerful narrative that highlights God’s providence, faithfulness, and the unfolding of His redemptive plan through ordinary lives. It centres on key characters: Naomi, an Israelite widow; Ruth, her Moabite daughter-in-law; and Boaz, a wealthy relative of Naomi’s late husband.

The story begins with tragedy. Due to famine, Naomi and her family move from Bethlehem to Moab. There, her husband Elimelech dies, followed later by her two sons, leaving Naomi and her Moabite daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, widowed. When Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem, she urges both women to stay in Moab. Orpah agrees, but Ruth famously refuses, declaring, “Your people shall be my people, and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16). This declaration marks Ruth’s deep personal commitment to Naomi and God.