Ruth 1:1-5
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… (Ruth 1:1, NLT).

Today, we will begin our devotional study of the Book of Ruth as we consider the topic for this quarter, Embracing Life’s Disruption. The book is situated between the Book of Judges and 1 Samuel. It comprises four chapters and eightyfive verses.

The timeline of the book is situated in the time of the Judges. It is believed by some Bible scholars that the book was written by Prophet Samuel considering the inclusion of the lineage of David at the end of the story. Two sites are of interest in the story, that is Bethlehem, the House of Bread and the land of Moab.

The Book features specific characters of interest, namely Elimelech, Naomi, Ruth, Boaz and the unnamed close relative. Of these characters, Ruth was the only Gentile, yet by God’s grace and mercy, she was grafted into the lineage of Jesus Christ, serving as a pattern that God can and will bring salvation to the Gentiles. This was fulfilled in Christ Jesus.

The Book of Ruth reveals a type (pattern) of Jesus Christ in that it refers to the concept of a kinsman-redeemer. A kinsmanredeemer is a male relative who has the privilege to act for a relative in trouble, danger or in need of vindication. Jesus came as the kinsman-redeemer of God’s people from sin and the power of death. The Bible says “And you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). May the Lord speak to us as we read and study the book.

Your Turn

• Pray and ask the Lord for the help that you need today.

Song: He loves me I can not say why.

Reading through the New Testament: Acts 13