Scripture: One Book at a Time
The whole of Sacred Scripture is a single narrative that promises and points to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of the World. It is an epic story, the greatest ever told, and told "one book at a time." Each book makes it contribution to the narrative as God reveals God's self to us and his desire that all be saved.
Lesson 12: The Book of Ruth
From Judges to Ruth
The Book of Ruth follows the troubling Book of Judges. By the end of Judges, no one would describe the Hebrew people of that era, nor their leaders, as great moral examples of faithfulness, loyalty, love or any other admirable trait. Yet the Book of Ruth puts on display someone who possesses all those characteristics and more – and she is a foreigner.
By the end of the Book of Judges, it is clear that once again the Hebrew people need healing, redemption, and a leader who can restore them to covenant fidelity to God.
In our reading, Naomi can be described as someone who has lost the land, lost kith and kin, but seeks to return home – even though she has no home. She is in need of healing and redemption/restoration. Click the image below and read a short essay on the deeper significance of this short story – the Book of Ruth
For those who would like to explore details of this book, please consider videos from Fr. Mike Schmitz’s “Bible in a Year” program. You can find the entire playlist here.
Loyal Love
The Hebrew word khesed is one of the most common descriptions of God in the Hebrew Bible, and it’s almost impossible to translate into any other language! This word is rich with meaning, combining the ideas of love, loyalty, and generosity. Join us as we explore this fascinating Hebrew word and how it shapes our understanding of God’s character.