There are some vivid word pictures here. And they are just as vivid today as when they were first written.

Many of us in Canada have had encounters with bears. I know I have. Most of the time you’re safe if you don’t do anything to provoke the bear.

Welcome to one of the only stories in the Bible told from a woman’s perspective. Quickly read, it is a beautifully told ancient love story. But slow it down, and you find penetrating truths about God’s goodness and about faith.

Today, we meet the main character, Ruth, who could never have imagined we would know her name 3,000 years later!

If we’re honest with ourselves, most of us have been there. Bitter about our circumstances. Maybe even bitter about God’s involvement – perhaps blaming him for causing the problems, perhaps blaming him for allowing the problems to occur.

Naomi is so honest about the condition of her heart, she actually demands to be renamed!

Naomi is not alone. There are times when we all wallow in bitterness so thoroughly that we are blind to God’s solution to our problems. We all suffer that sickness at some point.

In Naomi’s case, she has traveled all the way from Moab to her hometown, a journey estimated to take at least a week on foot. Yet, apparently, it never crossed her mind to ask a kinsman to redeem Ruth.

Here’s where it gets hard to identify with Ruth. She abandons all fear, steps out in faith and places herself in a position of complete vulnerability. Let’s admit it: that sounds like a crazy idea.

Ruth has already left her country, her family and her people and has risked being raped by going alone into fields to pick up leftover grain (2:8-9, 22-23). The ancient world was not kind to women; just by being a foreigner and a widow, she was at risk.

Sometimes the Old Testament makes for tough reading, but don’t miss the gold nuggets.

Here, Ruth is considered property to be purchased, a vessel by which a piece of land can be secured by men. Yes, that is how the men saw it. Which might irk some of us.

But note that Boaz was different. He saw Ruth as a person.

I have to go. I should go. I want to go. I can’t wait to go. Which of these phrases best describe your attitude towards your worship gathering? For David it was, “I can’t wait!” You can hear his overflowing joy for corporate worship. He exclaims, “I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem (Psalm 122:1-2)!”