The Town

Ruth opens with great suffering in the midst of great national suffering. Bethlehem is starving, the people of Israel are doing whatever is right in their own eyes. Naomi and Ruth lose everyone that is close to them and there seems to be no hope at all. It is so bad that Naomi changes her name to "bitter." When we are suffering we, like so many before us, will wonder about the sovereignty and goodness of God. The story of Ruth demonstrates to us that God is both good and sovereign even in our affliction. God uses the suffering of his people to sanctify them and make them more like Jesus while working out his good and perfect will in the world.