In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, a severe famine came upon the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah left his home and went to live in the country of Moab, taking his wife and two sons with him. The man’s name was Elimelech, and his wife was Naomi. Their two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in the land of Judah. And when they reached Moab, they settled there.

Then Elimelech died, and Naomi was left with her two sons. The two sons married Moabite women. One married a woman named Orpah, and the other a woman named Ruth. But about ten years later, both Mahlon and Kilion died. This left Naomi alone, without her two sons or her husband.

Ruth 1:1-5

But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.
Ruth 1:16

• Judges ends at a very low point. 
• God had delivered His people from slavery in Egypt. 
• God had defeated the Canaanites to give His people the Promised Land. 
• Israel cycled through centuries of idolatry and rebellion. 
• The leaders had abandoned God. 
• The priests had abandoned God. 
• The situation looks hopeless. 
• But God has a plan. 
• God’s plan for a Deliverer turns us to Moab…and a Gentile woman. 
• The story of Ruth reminds us of important Biblical truths. 
• Mankind is sinful. 
• Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:23
• Mankind is under judgment. 
• Deuteronomy 28:15; Romans 6:23
• God is in control. 
• Psalm 37:23; Proverbs 16:9
• Mankind needs a Redeemer. 
• Deuteronomy 25:5-10; Leviticus 25:25; Romans 8:3; Mark 10:45
• Salvation is by faith.
• Ruth 1:16; Romans 10:8-9
• Salvation is available for all. 
• John 3:16; Acts 4:12

Remember that all are in need of redemption…tell them of the Redeemer!