Rumbling through the Book of Ruth!

Let's take a look at the Book of Ruth, a wonderful story of love, commitment, faith and redemption! 

Why should we read Ruth?    Because there are so many lessons to learn!  Click here to start reading: http://www.biblegateway.com/.

Let's start with Chapter One -- This REALLY sets the stage with drama.

First of all, a mistake is made.

Naomi and her husband,  Elimelek, forget to trust God.  There's a drought.  God promises to provide, but this duo bale out.  Time to look for something more in Moab -- Exit the family from Bethlehem (remember that town ???)

There may be food in Moab -- even wives for Naomi's sons -- but there is also death.  Pretty soon, Naomi is a widow.  Good thing the boys are there, and their wives, Ruth and Orpah.  Death comes again.

Yikes!  All is lost!  The boys are gone.  The daughters-in-law are told by Naomi to go home and find new husbands.  Naomi is headed home...to Bethlehem (there's that town again!)

Enter -- Ruth and a very beautiful passage in the Bible.  You may recognize it from the song.  It's even sung at weddings!

It's pretty cool these words were written about a mother-in-law!  May I be so blessed!

"But Ruth replied, “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.” When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her." -- Ruth 1:16-18

Ruth was brave.  Ruth was loyal.  Ruth was faithful.  Ruth was ready to follow her mother-in-law away from her own home and family.  Most importantly, Ruth was committed to the one true God.  She'd follow Him anywhere!  

So... away they go -- back to Bethlehem (there is that name again!) 

Unfortunately, Ruth immediately has a challenge in dealing with a mom-in-law who is depressed.  This grieving woman might have been a handful, but Ruth was dedicated!  (Did I mention Ruth was in love with God?) 

What's going to happen next?
What's the big deal about Bethlehem?
Will Mara pull herself out of her doldrums?
Will Ruth get homesick?

Tune in tomorrow...as we go back to Bethlehem with the girls!!!!