Ruth Introduction
Introduction
The book of Ruth is short but important. It connects two parts of Israel’s history as God’s chosen people. The first part of the history is in the books from Genesis to Judges. It is about Abraham’s family that came after him. It tells about how these people became a great nation. It tells of their agreement to love God. And in the promise they also agreed to obey God’s laws and commandments.
The second part of Israel’s history is in the books of Samuel and Kings. These books follow the book of Ruth. They tell the story of the agreement God made with David and his sons. David was the greatest of Israel’s first kings. These books also tell the stories of the kings of Israel who follow after David.
The book of Ruth connects these two parts of Israel’s history. This book begins in the time of the judges of Israel. It ends with the list of the family line of David.
The purpose of this book might be to say it was okay for David to be king. David was the great-grandson of a Moabite woman named Ruth. But there is a problem. The people of Moab did not help the Israelites when they left Egypt. So, the laws of Israel did not allow for anyone from Moab to join Israel. That law was true for 10 generations. So how could the great-grandson of someone from Moab be king? This book shows how Ruth had true faith in God, even though she was from Moab.
The book of Ruth also tells about how God’s plan is accomplished in the world. It is a story about God’s love and care for his people. The story reads like a play with four main parts. It begins when Ruth and Naomi return to Israel. They are protected by God’s laws. And they experience God’s love and care. They are cared for when Ruth is allowed to pick grain for food. That care is also seen when an Israelite man named Boaz marries Ruth. When Obed is born to Boaz and Ruth, the family line of David gets started. In all these events God is present. God’s laws are followed and his love can be seen.
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Ruth Introduction: NIrV
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Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version®, NIrV®
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