Across the nation, in every hotel, next to the bed, lay nestled inside a drawer; one can find the sacred writings comprising the Old and New Testaments. Combined of 66 books, the Bible tells Gods story, from creation, to the fall, to redemption, and restoration. But, out of those 66 books, only two bear the name of a woman, one of those being the book of Ruth. It is in this book that we find Ruth, a young women of Moab, after whom the book receives its title. This story takes place in a time when judges ruled the land, a period of religious and moral depravity, national discord and oppression. In its writings, we are given a glance at the lives of Israelite families. As well, it offers a wonderful account of loyalty, true faith and devotion to God.

The introduction of our story points towards the central problem for our characters. …show more content…
The family redeemer says, “Then I can’t redeem it, because this might endanger my own estate. You redeem the land; I cannot do it” (v 4:6). This repetition highlights his reluctance and stresses his denial of the inheritance. Verse 4:11, reveals a likeness to “Rachael and Leah.” Leah was the elder, and the first wife, but Ruth echoes Rachael, she is preferred, and without child. Form here our story, as it began, increases in pace. In distinction to the ten year, childless, marriage to Naomi’s son (v 1:4-5), in just one verse, we find Boaz and Ruth married, pregnant, and having a son (4:13).

The opening of our story gives us insight into its historical piece and placement in history. The account of Ruth takes place sometime during a 400-year period of mayhem and tyranny when the Israelites were not ruled by kings, but by judges. Naomi, and her two daughters-in-law, was left to be childless widows, which placed them amongst the lowest class in their time. With no one to support them, they required the need of generosity of strangers to live. Their situation