08: The Book of Ruth: From Famine to Fullness

The Book of Ruth is a short but extraordinary gem tucked between the chaos of Judges and the rise of King David — and in this episode, we dive deep into why it matters. Dr. Kathryn Schifferdecker and Rev. Katie Langston welcome Diane Jacobson, Professor Emerita of Old Testament at Luther Seminary, for a conversation that brings the Book of Ruth to life. Together they explore the book's rich literary structure, its key characters — Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz — and the powerful Hebrew themes woven throughout, including chesed (covenant love), goel (kinsman-redeemer), and the journey from famine to fullness that drives the entire narrative.Professor Jacobson also places the Book of Ruth in its post-exilic historical context, revealing how this compact four-act story serves as a bold response to the exclusionary laws of Ezra and Nehemiah — and why its message about foreigners, widows, and belonging speaks with striking relevance today. The conversation traces Ruth's unexpected path from Moabite outsider to ancestor of King David and, ultimately, to a place in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew chapter one. Whether you're reading the Book of Ruth for the first time or returning to it with fresh questions, this episode offers new depth and new delight in one of scripture's most beloved stories.