Ruth 1-4  After the sad ending of the book of Judges, comes a refreshing reminder, that God still had a remnant of people in Israel.  People that would shape the future of Israel.  Ruth is a young Moabite woman who married the son of Elimelech and Naomi.  When her husband died and Naomi decided to move back to Bethlehem, Ruth chose to go with her.  This choice was not just a simple decision to move.  It meant turning her back on her family, her culture, her religion, and putting herself into a position of total dependence.

God blessed Ruth and Naomi.  Boaz was a man of God.  He insisted on doing what was right in the eyes of the Lord.  He took responsibility for the proper actions. He was kind and compassionate.  He was diligent and wise.  Boaz married Ruth and they had a son, Obed.  Obed became the father of Jesse, who became the father of David.

History is changed by the actions of one young foreign woman.  There would be a king in Israel and he would be a servant of the Lord.  And it started here in the days of the judges, when sin was rampant and everyone was doing whatever they wanted to.  So thankful that God does not give up on us.  He has a plan and He will do it!

Father, we long to see You change the course of our nation as You did in Israel.  Turn us back to You!
Raise up men and women of God to do what is right in Your eyes, to forsake a culture that wants to do its own thing.  Help us to live according to Your Word.  Complete Your purposes in our lives that we may give glory and honor to You always.  Fill us Holy Spirit today.  In Jesus' name we pray. amen