Ruth is a cameo story of tragedy and triumph, love and devotion, and redemption set in the context of the days of the Judges. It is a story of a Moabite woman who forsakes the idolatrous and pagan practices of her own people in order to cling to the people of Israel and the God of Israel.

The author is unknown. The time reference for the writing of the book is given in the first verse of the first chapter. The exact date of the writing of the book is unknown.

Ruth is the Hebrew title of the book and may be a Moabite modification of the Hebrew word, ‘ reuit ', which means, “friendship”, or “association”. The Greek equivalent to the title is, ‘ Routh ', and the Latin title is, ‘Ruth'.

The narrative of the book is unified by the theme of a quest for home, as Naomi undertakes a quest to find a home for her loyal daughter-in-law, Ruth. When Naomi attempts to renounce her ties with her daughter-in-law, she wishes that each may find a home ( 1:9 ), and later Naomi asks whether it is appropriate that she seek a home for Ruth ( 3:1 ).

A seeking and finding a home is exactly what the story recounts. For Ruth it involves both a physical journey (from one country to another), and a spiritual journey (from allegiance and trust, as indicated by her choice in Naomi's God as her God – 1:16 , and by the reference of her taking refuge under God's wing – 2:12 ).

It is a story of virtue rewarded (as Ruth finds a husband, a home, a son, and a place among God's people – even a place in the Messianic lineage).

Brief Outline:

• Chapter One: Tragic background to the love story.
• Chapter Two: The courtship between Ruth and Boaz.
• Chapter Three: The night of betrothal.
• Chapter Four: The wedding and celebration.

For Christians there is much to learn from the images of this story. We also are pilgrims and sojourners in this world. Once we were estranged to God, via sin. We however, sought His adoption through marriage to Christ Jesus, His only begotten Son. We are now His chosen people through the blessed entity of the church (the bride of Christ – Ephesians 5:23 -27 ). It is for us a pattern of finding a home (a spiritual home with God – I Timothy 3:15 ), and the same virtues displayed by Ruth in trusting God, are what lead us to that home.

Good Reading !