When Trouble Strikes

The Bible often gives the first glimpse of famous people in the form of a footnote. The Book of Ruth, and the story of this well-known woman in the Bible, actually begins with barely mentioning her. Overshadowed by her mother in law, Naomi, Ruth hardly appears to be one for whom a book in the Bible should be named. That is just like the Lord! In the early verses of Ruth’s story, the focus is not upon her, but rather upon the family into which she would eventually marry. When famine arises, death pounces, and trouble strikes, the story of an obscure Moabite woman begins to take shape. Ruth, as many figures in Scripture, comes to us via an unimpressive entrance. In studying her life, we are once again called to slow down, pay attention, and look for the mighty hand of God to move in subtle, unlikely ways.