Ruth 1

"Now it came about in the days when the judges governed ..." (1:1). Ruth's story happens in the same era as Judges, a horrible time in Israel's history when "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25). The poor were vulnerable, and women alone were targets. In this chaotic, violent time, we meet Ruth. She is not an Israelite, and as a young widow has every reason to stay with her family in Moab.

"Your people shall be my people ..." (1:16). Sacrificial love is this: disregarding her own safety and dreams, Ruth bound her future to Naomi's.