Introduction
J. Deering, AncientPath.net

The time:  1322-1312 B.C. (approx)
A time of national darkness - The time of the Judges, and Israel's Rebellion when: "Every man did right in his own eyes." (Judges 17:6)

The Place:  Bethlehem, Judah
  The place of the birth of Jesus The Christ
  The family "hometown"

History:

The Book of Ruth

Ruth gives us an insight into the domestic life of the Nation during the time of its anarchy under the rule of Gideon or Jephthah. Samuel may have been the author, but no one knows where or when it was written. This book, written on a separate scroll, was read at Pentecost, the harvest festival.

Ruth was the great-grandmother of David. This book establishes the lineage of David, the ancestor of Christ. It tells of the beginning of the Messianic family, within the Messianic nation into which over a thousand years later the Messiah was to be born.

There are some interesting things to notice in this book. Ruth was a Moabitess. These people were descendants of Lot. They were heathen. God, in establishing the family which was to produce the world’s Savior, chose a beautiful heathen girl, led her to Bethlehem and made her the bride of Boaz. This is God’s grace. He adopts the Gentiles into Christ’s family. Of course, we know that although Ruth was born a heathen, through her first husband, or Naomi, she learned of the true God.

Boaz was the son of Rahab, the harlot found in Jericho. David’s great-grandmother was a Moabitess and his great-grandfather was half Canaanite.

The book of Ruth gives to us God’s intimate story of His love for His people.