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Ruth 1

Good Morning “Those Who Faithfully Stick.”  Today we begin the short book of Ruth with chapter 1.

The book of Ruth serves as a transition between 2 parts of Israel’s covenant history.  Genesis - Dueteronomy focuses on how the decedents of Abraham became a great nation and Gods covenant with Israel.  The 2nd part, Samuel - Chronicles focuses on Israel’s Kings and Gods covenant with David as head of Israel’s royal line.  Remember… the whole Bible is the story of Jesus and the world’s offer of redemption through Him.  Ruth begins in the time of Judges and finishes with the genealogy of David.  

Ruth the Moabite, by faith ultimately becomes the mother of Obed, who we find in the line of David in chapter 4.  David is then the great grandson of Ruth the Moabite.  Moabites were forbidden from becoming part of Israel to the 10th generation.  So how could this be?  The curse was upon Moab — typically the men, the boys, and the non-virginal women.  When Jewish men took virginal foreign wives, they were often considered a part of Israel. Ruth’s first husband had paved the way for her status to be changed to that of a childless Jewish widow, protected by the Law and considered one to whom the Levirate Marriage laws (both re-marriage & property) applied. Even within the line of David, and ultimately the line of Jesus, we see Gods redemptive heart.

After the deaths of their husbands, Naomi urges Ruth to return to her homeland, so that she might find a husband and remarry.  Ruth is more concerned with Naomi than herself, and responds. “…Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.”“
‭‭Ruth‬ ‭1‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Ruth who demonstrated genuine faith was not turned away, instead by faith she takes her place in the line of David and ultimately Jesus!  God never excludes those with true faith, but instead welcomes them in.  

Ruth demonstrates a degree of faith we all should model.  When in makes no worldly sense - she sticks!  

Love you all!  Dig in!