Ruth 1

This week, we begin studying the story of Ruth.

The book of judges ends "...and [every man] did what was right in [his] own eyes" (Judges 21.25) The Hebrew uses the word for man, not the word for human being, or person, (adam - yes, the first person was named "human being"). If all of the men are behaving badly, it is interesting to find the story of women of faith, compassion, and service, a remedy to the collapsed society of the Judges.

A name is everything in Hebrew, as we hear Naomi change her name from "Pleasant" to "Bitter."

Naomi = pleasant

Ruth = companion, friend

Orpah = neck, back-turner

Mahlon = sickly, weak

Chilion = finished, done (they don't stand a chance, do they?)

The story of Ruth does follow her name - it is a story of friendship, companionship, and love. It is also a story of poverty, desperation and compassion. And it is the story of a God who develops a royal lineage, willing to take yet another detour through the plains of Moab, patiently walking beside us until our story reaches the birth of Jesus (Matthew 1) and beyond, even to us.