Ruth

We recently finished a sermon series at church from the book of Ruth.

I have read it some times before and yes I liked it in the same way I liked the book of Esther.

I know the story and I understood that for many people it is perhaps their favourite book in the Bible.

Our friend Kirk did a good job preaching 4 sermons from the book of Ruth and he gave us lots to think about.

One day back home I read the book of Ruth again alone in the kitchen...


Ruth was such an important story that it was read every year during Passover. For the Jewish
community it was a story that everyone knew.

The amazing thing about this book is that it is not about a Jewish man; it’s not even about a Jewish woman. It is about a Moabite, a woman from a people who were considered enemies of God.
Jews were not supposed to have any contacts with Moabites:

“No Moabite or any of his descendants may enter the assembly of the Lord, even down to
the tenth generation.” (Deuteronomy 23:3)


I read recently and learned that the Moabites were:

• A people who were not kind to the Israelites.
• A people who did not let the Israelites cross over into their land.
• A people who worshipped Baal and other gods.


“Do not seek a treaty of friendship with them as long as you live,” says the
Lord. (Deuteronomy 23:6)

But then here in the scriptures we can read about a woman who is amazing and a Moabite!

Ruth was ill treated as a Moabite as an alien but still she felt loved by God. She put her trust in him. She had great faith.
Sometimes we can feel alien, we can feel ill treated we can feel hopeless and alone but God loves us.
We need to have faith as Ruth, convinced that she was right and they were wrong..