“In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land” (1:1). Worse than famine, the times of the judges were years of chaos and violence in Israel. Yet, the book of Ruth tells how individuals made intentional choices to honor God. Naomi recognized the Lord’s hand and returned to Israel (1:6); Ruth sacrificially stayed with her mother-in-law (1:16), and Boaz allowed poor foreigners like Ruth to glean safely in his fields (2:3), which the Law commanded (Deut 24:19).

“Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay” (1:16). No matter our circumstances, we have the power to choose to honor God, and by doing so, become agents of his mercy and kindness.