Introduction
The true story line of the nation of Israel actually flows right from Judges into the book of 1 Samuel. Had we followed that continuous story line we may have found ourselves overwhelmed by the maelstrom of one blast of sinfulness to the next. If the story of the Israelites in the book of Judges and on into Samuel is a wicked storm of idolatry, disobedience, and destruction, then the story of Ruth is the “eye of the storm” that reminds us of God’s faithfulness and blessing to the faithful.