The Gospel of Ruth: Loving God Enough to Break the Rules

by Carolyn Custis James

This isn't the Ruth, the Naomi, or the Boaz we thought we knew. Carolyn James has unearthed startling new insights from this well-worn story ... insights that have life-changing implications for you. Naomi is no longer regarded as a bitter, complaining woman, but as a courageous overcomer. A Female Job. Ruth (typically admired for her devotion to Naomi and her deference to Boaz) turns out to be a gutsy risk-taker and a powerful agent for change among God's people. She lives outside the box, and her love for Yahweh and Naomi compels her to break the rules of social and religious convention at nearly every turn. Boaz, the Kinsman Redeemer, is repeatedly caught off-guard by Ruth's initiatives. His partnership with her models the kind of male/female relationships that the gospel intends for all who follow Jesus. Carolyn James drills down deeper into the story where she uncovers in the Old Testament the same passionate, counter-cultural, rule-breaking gospel that Jesus modeled and taught his followers to pursue. Within this age-old story is a map to radical levels of love and sacrifice, combined with the message that God is counting on his daughters to build his kingdom. The Gospel of Ruth vests every woman's life with kingdom purposes and frees us to embrace wholeheartedly God's calling, regardless of our circumstances or season of life. This story of two women who have lost everything contains a profound God created women not to live in the shadowy margins of men or of the past, but to emerge as courageous activists for his kingdom.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Christianity, Theology, Faith, Religion, Spirituality

210 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2008

About the author

Carolyn Custis James (M.A. in Biblical Studies) is an evangelical thinker who loves God enough to break the rules--rules of cultural convention which attempt to domesticate the gospel message of the Bible.

Carolyn is president of WhitbyForum, a ministry dedicated to addressing the deeper needs which confront both women and men as they endeavor to extend God's kingdom together in a messy and complicated world. She is the founder of the Synergy Women's Network--an exciting new ministry for women in ministry leadership. www.synergytoday.org

Her books have been described as "provocative", "honest", and "deeply moving".

Reviews

[Dalaina May · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a missionary with a degree in intercultural studies and 20+ years of walking with the Lord, and this book literally took the legs out from beneath me as the author looked at the book of Ruth from a cultural standpoint (my favorite point she made was that Boaz must have been either married or a widower with sons to have the kind of standing in the community that he had. That changes things, doesn't it?).
Wow! Why haven't I heard this stuff before? I checked out the bibliography page, and this author did her homework. As a student of cultures, the whole time I was thinking "Well, duh! Of course. That makes so much sense." I did not agree completely with every conclusion that she drew from the data, but was certainly intrigued and spiritually challenged. I can honestly say that my view of the book of Ruth is forever changed after reading this book. I am so glad that I read it and have encouraged many of my friends and family to do the same.

[Traci Rhoades · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came highly recommended. It reads like commentary, taking readers through the four chapters of Ruth. Really intriguing commentary, pulling information from a ton of resources.

You can tell this Bible story has gripped the author for some time. I liked her passion for what she has learned, and will carry her teachings with me every time I make my way through Ruth.

Excellent!!

[Catbird · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved her approach and study of the two principal characters of the Book of Ruth (Old Testament book of the Bible.); she addresses the sensitive topics of widowhood, infertility, poverty and social dependence unabashedly and with great insight. It was refreshing to read a take on Ruth that didn't smack of "Cinderella"; in fact, it was much more like Job.
However, Custis James' writing style didn't suit my taste. I felt that she spent too many words (chapters, even) telling me WHAT she was GOING to tell me, instead of just telling me.
I became quickly tired of the phrase, "and that's the gospel of Ruth"...while simultaneously thinking to myself, "I know you think that it is, but you haven't told me WHY it is!" Once I plowed through the first 3 or so chapters, she did, in fact, explain why it is...though almost too late. I would recommend it to women looking for a more accurate, real-life view of this precious book of the Bible.

[David Dunlap · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Old Testament Book of Ruth is so much more than a lovely little romance story tucked between two dramatic historical books (Judges and 1 Samuel), and author James does a splendid job of bringing out all the issues, conflicts, and blessings 'hidden' in the story. She likens Naomi to a female Job, and shows how a pagan outsider (Ruth) becomes a true believer in God...and the great-grandmother of King David himself. She draws Boaz in bold colors and points to him as a worthy partner of both Ruth and Naomi in expressing the goodness of God...and His claims on the believer's life. I found the book deeply moving at times. -- It was written for women, I suspect, but it is valuable reading for *anyone* who wishes to see more clearly how God works out His redemptive purposes in the life of His people.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carolyn Custis James provides her perspective on the book of Ruth with insights beyond the typical Cinderella view of Boaz as the Handsome Prince or a Knight in Shining Armor who comes to the rescue of Ruth and her mother-in-law, Naomi. I appreciated the author's view of the villagers in a patriarchal culture who link "Ruth to some of the brightest female luminaries in Israel's constellation." As a nation builder, Ruth portrays the important role of women's calling in His kingdom. Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz demonstrate mutual submission and share a passion to live for God.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is by far the best book study I have ever done. It's not a long book, but there is so much meat to pull from the bones of the story of Ruth, Naomi and Boaz that goes way beyond just a cursory reading. The author does a good job of awakening the reader to seeing the reality of a widow's life in ancient Israel, and the nuances of the law that Ruth's and her compatriots actions challenge.

I cannot recommend enough.

[Emily Hoover · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have had the impression that the story of Ruth is mostly a light-hearted romance story tucked away in the Old Testament, and its only importance is to highlight the fact that Ruth is in the lineage of Jesus. But whoa! It’s so much more than that! I love how Carolyn Custis James gives cultural and theological insights into the story of Ruth. I have been impacted by Ruth’s courage and God’s kindness in this story, and I feel a deep resonation with Ruth and the ways that she had to barge through cultural barriers.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carolyn Custis James has incredible things to say about the Book of Ruth. First she starts out by explaining that the hero of the story isn't Boaz, Naomi, or even Ruth. It is hesed- a Hebrew word for the incredible, self sacrificing love God has for his people. James says, "Whenever we study God's Word, our main quest is always to discover what He is telling us about himself." Through the Book of Ruth, she says, God is telling us of his ovewhelming love for women. Not only that, she says, but he is illustrating the crucial role He expects them to play in his kingdom building.

She shows how Ruth, through every step in her journey displays incredible resourcefulness, courage, and self sacrifice. She breaks social norms again and again as she challenges those around her (including Boaz) to live up to the spirit of God's laws. She does this first by requesting more privileges than gleaners usually get (2:6). Then, in a surprising reversal of "gender roles", she not only proposes to Boaz in his own house (3:9) but also challenges him to redeem Naomi's family name as the legal kinsman-redeemer. She shows the hesed of God. As James says,"Ruth showed herself to be anything but a modest, self-effacing foreigner. Rather she emerges as courageous, if not slightly brash. Probably aware of possible rejection and ostracism, she willingly took a sizable risk in order to benefit her mother in law."
Fortunately for the story, Boaz steps up- going above and beyond in allowing Ruth privileges in his field, giving her and Naomi more than enough to live on, agreeing to marry Ruth, and also redeeming the land of Naomi's dead husband. Although Boaz often takes his cues from Ruth, their combined efforts achieve results that separately were out of reach. Without Boaz, Ruth was a barren widow, forced to live on the charity of society- with Boaz she became much more. And Boaz, already an upstanding member of the Jewish community, with the influence of Ruth became an ancestor of Jesus Christ. This, James says is a wonderful illustration of the "Blessed Alliance"- men and women standing together to fight the battles God lays out for them.


While this book is empowering, it is not all snuggles and warm-fuzzies. In fact, quite the opposite. When Naomi and Ruth set out from Moab, they are both widows without children- Naomi because her husband and both of her sons have died. Ruth is widowed and was barren for all ten years of her marriage. In Naomi and Ruth's world, this meant they had no income, no means for support, and no name. James uses this as an opportunity to touch lightly upon her personal struggles with infertility as well as devoting entire chapters to both widowhood and barreness. She speaks candidly of pain, doubt and confusion, noting that the phrase, "'His ways are not our ways,' doesn't satisfy or soothe a wounded heart." Through barreness, widowhood and depression she shows how both women lived with, "God's love and a lot of pain together in the same picture."

The book began with the question, "Is God good for women?" Carolyn Custis James uses the lives of two women- battered by almost everything the world could throw at them to answer with a resounding, "yes". She says:
His goodness flows steadily to his daughters as we live and breath, endure sorrows and heartaches, fight battles and partner with our brothers, stumble, fall and struggle back to our feet in this broken, messed-up, very real world that he is redeeming. He doesn't coddle us, for he wants us to be strong. He takes us through deep waters so we will learn wisdom and know him for ourselves. Our lives are not perfect. We have empty places in our hears. But we are grounded in the truth that he loves us, and that's what keeps us going. He is changing us. He wants us to change our world.

[Dayna Dueck · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of her key points is that Naomi (and Ruth's) suffering is equivalent, or likely much worse, than Job's. And by imposing Western romantic ideas on this story, we largely miss the point. This is a story about God.

"In the aftermath of loss and grief, Naomi's questions came to me as I struggled to put God's hesed for our family alongside such a tragic outcome. Then I asked myself who I would rather hear from in my struggle with God? Someone whose life is picture perfect and doesn't have a scratch? Or a broken-down Naomi whose views of hesed have withstood the multiple assaults of grief and loss, isolation and poverty, depression and despair?" (119)

Eugene Peterson quote: "We live in a time when everyone's goal is to be perpetually healthy and constantly happy... if any one of us fails to live up to the standards that are advertised as normative, we are labeled as a problem to be solved, and a host of well-intentioned people rush to try out various cures on us. The gospel offers a different view of suffering: in suffering we enter the depths; we are at the heart of things; we are near to where Christ was on the cross" (132)

People of prayer as participants in providence...
"They move automatically from prayer into action, getting up off their knees to participate energetically in the answers to their own prayers" (133)

Important to note that Ruth and Boaz are not starting a family. They are rescuing one. There is a huge difference.
NAOMI has a son. (4:7)
Two image bearers--male and female--joining forces to advance God's kingdom on earth. (206)

A better question to ask of God: "Might I have a bit of earth?"

[Hannah Rasmussen · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I heard Carolyn Custis James speak about Ruth five years ago, she emphasized how Ruth, Naomi and Boaz show sacrificial covenant love and partner with God's work. She then asked us to evaluate our relationships with God and the opposite sex. Although I had been a committed Christian for years, it was during that reflection time that God first revealed what his grace really meant. So The Gospel of Ruth truly spoke the gospel to me! James constantly demonstrates that Ruth is no fairy tale romance. It is a theological masterpiece revealing how God's people accomplish his purposes in astonishing ways. Her interpretation stuck with me for years.

Finally, I am reading the book itself as I write a Hebrew exegesis paper. I am impressed by James' depth of research. She has truly devoured commentaries on the subject. James accurately says this is the book she was formed to write. Her personal experiences of being a woman, of barrenness and of loss make this book truly accessible for anyone. She masterfully communicates theological concepts through telling and explaining story - just like the book of Ruth. You can tell when someone is writing about the revelation that saved them - and that's a message with the power to turn readers' lives upside down!

[Susan]

Carolyn Custis James approaches many of the familiar themes of the book of Ruth from a new angle. I loved her exploration of Naomi's experiences and struggles with God. This book challenged me to think about this beautiful story from a different perspective--something I always appreciate from a Bible study.

Her feminist viewpoint seemed to drive her interpretation at times--many of the conclusions she drew did not seem to be supported by the text itself, but rather from conjecture drawn from historical portraits of the time period/culture. I felt like too much weight was given to cultural possibilities rather than sticking with what the passage says. This was especially true in her assessment of the conclusion.

Worth reading, but with the understanding that her exegesis is sometimes driven by her feminist hermeneutic.

[Bonnie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was prepared to love this book. The idea of taking the story from the perspective of Ruth's mother-in-law Naomi was one that intrigued me. I was hoping to pre-read this and pass it on as a book for a group at our church.

The beginning showed much promise and had me hooked. Unfortunately I found the chapters which talked about the plight of widows and barren women to be wordy. Once the original thought was brought home it was repeated and repeated and repeated without much new insight, which caused me to begin skimming in order to get to the next thought. My interest was not piqued again after that point.

[Ashley Bacon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a helpful tool while studying Ruth. It is in-fact a commentary, but story-like and incredibly layperson friendly! The author drew some conclusions that I may not have and am not 100% convinced of, however it was a great read and a valuable asset to my study of Ruth. I highly recommend!

[Dustin Bagby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fantastic! Most helpful book on Ruth that I've read and is a MUST if you're teaching/preaching a series through Ruth. A powerful read!

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book #61 in 2022
5 stars

Wow. This was a really good commentary / reflection in the Book of Ruth, or as Carolyn Curtis James calls it, “The Gospel of Ruth.”

James opens up the book wrestling with the question, “Is God good for women?”, then takes us through the journey of Naomi who lost everything and changed her name to Mara which means “bitter.”

Naomi is, in many ways, the Bible’s female Job.

Along the way we learn of James’ own family tragedy, the loss of her brother-in-law to an accident on the mountains.

“Job and Naomi both ended up with more questions than answers, and so do we. There is a mystery to God’s ways, and we will never know why he doesn’t answer our prayers, stop the blizzards, change the hardened heart, or stop the endless suffering in this world. But from time to time, we do have flashes of clarity, and we have a bit of clarity in Naomi‘s story.”

I’ve had this book on my shelf for a number of years, but never read it. I regret that now, but I am thankful to have learned from Carolyn Curtis James, and I look forward to reading more of her works. This book not only changed the way I understand the story of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz, but is changed me.

Five stars. I heartily commend this work.

[Mandy Keel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid 4.5 stars. Helped me look at Ruth from a different perspective and would highly recommend.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely a wonderful book! Is God good for women? Find the answer here. I know I will be reading this one again.

[Julianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't believe I forgot to review this book! It's a gem. She digs into the cultural context and original languages with care & thoughtful application. With each chapter, I became increasingly more blown away by the beauty of God's grace & provision for His people in the book of Ruth- which I should mention, I already had quite a bit of a sense of from the story itself!

I originally decided to read this book after Phylicia Masonheimer recommended it on one of her podcasts episodes, and mentioned that we tend to misread the story of Ruth because we disregard (or simply don't realize) the cultural context and the themes of honor found within its pages. Honor is something I'm trying to learn more about, because I feel like my own perception of what it means, biblically, is a little hazy. While Carolyn Custis James doesn't really dig into the concept of honor in the way I was hoping/assuming she would in this book, she DOES dig into the concept of hesed a lot- and I could be mistaken, but the more I pray and learn about honor in the Bible, the more I'm convinced that it looks like self-sacrificing love. ❤

[John-Jaimi Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book, The Gospel of Ruth:Loving God Enough to Break the Rules, by Carolyn Custis James, because our son who is attending Moody bought it to support the speaker at the 2017 Mission Conference Week. It was a quick read. I thought the author took a lot of liberty when interpreting the the book of Ruth. She did a through job in her research and I appreciate her work and passion about her interpretation of the book. A few things I can agree with, her belief that we are God's image bearers- male and female- serving God together. My disagreements in philosophy begins with her sub-title " Loving God enough to break the rules", I believe that there is a way things work within the creation of God's design and I would not conclude that His design involves blessing of "rule-breaking". Her description of rule breaking does not ring true with my understanding of the book of Ruth. I have a more traditional view of roles and think that view is supported by the book of Ruth. I find that I can agree that we as believers of Jesus Christ, are all students and still learning. I appreciate her having the book of Ruth at the front of the book for easy reference and her statement that The Hero of this story is God, and we must not allow any other hero or heroine to displace Him.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me way too long to read this book since Aimee Byrd gave it to me for my birthday last year. I lost the powerful impact the author was building due to my laziness. However, I’m super thankful for underlining and always taking the time to review what stuck out to me. Then when I reviews my notes I was like, dang this is a really great book about the power of a woman and the high view of women in scripture! Ruth was a compete outcast! Widowed, barren, and a foreign (forbidden) pagan woman from Moab. But she intercepted the Hebrew culture and saved the lineage of the messiah! The book of Ruth is an amazing picture of the gospel where a female initiated and a male responded! 🙌

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so proud I finished this book. It actually took me 4 years from when I first picked it up until now. That is not because this book isn't good, but because my priorities were not on reading... especially reading anything that has to do with the Gospel. I really think this book is important for every christian woman AND man. It does a beautiful job giving more context and richness to a book that many of us don't think twice about. I love how the author does not shy from painting God as a "feminist" and she does this flawlessly through her study of Ruth.

[Amanda Anger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book by recommendation of a friend, and I really enjoyed the in-depth treatment of this small book of Ruth. The Gospel is a message of redemption at the cost of sacrifice, and this book explains how the small OT book of Ruth fits into the Gospel narrative.

I enjoyed both learning more about the culture at the time of Ruth and Naomi, as well as learning modern stats about women and how the story of Ruth applies to us in this century.

[GEA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carolyn Custis James takes us on a journey back in time to when a famine hit the land of Judah. The agonizing decision to stay or leave is made and the devastating consequences are clear. God is the provider and protector of His people and Elimelech as the leader of his home relinquishes that and takes it upon himself. He takes his family to a neighboring country of Moab where God specifically said to not go or to entertain thoughts of emigrating there, yet Elimelech chooses to do so. As we follow his family of four, himself, his wife Naomi, and 2 sons, Mahlon and Chilion we come face to face with death of the men. The sons had married but their wives, after 10 yrs are barren. Now Naomi is bereft and without the source of financial means as was customary for that time she hears of news that her hometown has revived and there is food there. Her decision to leave Moab after living there at least 10 yrs, maybe more is graphically portrayed. The two daughters-in-law decide to join her but Naomi instructs them to return to Moab. Orpah does and we see the sadness and feel the pain in the hearts of these women. Unbeknown to Naomi, the other, Ruth has made a decision to accompany Naomi back to the holy city of Bethlehem, even with Naomi telling her this a foolish decision. Ruth is undeterred and claims Yahweh as her God. Through four chapters we glean as Ruth gleans and we are made wiser than when we began. God truly is a God who loves women and protects them in ways we could not even begin to understand.
Carolyn asks the question: Is God good for women, and in the end, she answers that question with an affirmative. She helps the reader to see the truth that God is not only faithful to His people but to Naomi and Ruth. Ruth steps out boldly to glean in a field that just happens to be the field of the kinsman-redeemer of theirs. The owner is intrigued by this mysterious woman who is an unknown and through a set of circumstances he allows her to glean and he protects her from men who would have unsavory intentions. Step by step we are faced with how God uses men and women in our lives to teach us the principles of the God of His people: Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides and protects.

Carolyn Custis James is a master at character analysis. She analyzes each character to help the reader see how God is weaving a tapestry of His people through circumstances and events.
What a blessing this book has been and great preparation for my teaching of this book in a few weeks to precious "Ruth's" that will be a part of this class.

[Tracy Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m hesitant to endorse a book about the Bible, not wanting to endorse everything said by the author, as we are sure to differ in some points. But I really enjoyed reading this one, and it helped me to look at Ruth with a fuller view of the world around her and the situations she was in.

What I liked:
There are parts of Ruth that this author stops and fleshes out, that I otherwise had read past. Like the famine & displacement to a foreign land and the impact of 10 years’ infertility for both girls (and by extension for Naomi too), ending not with pregnancy, but with their husbands’ premature deaths. I gained an appreciation for the depth of Naomi’s suffering and made more sense of why that tragedy & the hardships of the journey must have taken their toll on her appearance, altering it so much that she wasn’t even recognized upon her return. The events of her life left her completely at risk, with no place in society, and feeling completely empty, despite having Ruth loyally by her side.


What I disliked:
I disliked the author telling some side stories rather than sticking to the text. When she was expanding on the text itself it was engaging and insightful. When she detoured with personal experiences I was ready for them to wrap up and get back to the text.

She did make a couple claims I disagreed with, but overall I enjoyed the book.

[Josiah Richardson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This commentary of sorts on the book Ruth was a mixed bag. On the one hand, the author simply has spent so much time studying the book of Ruth from many angles - it is impressive. On the other hand, Chesterton’s words ring true that somebody “does not know what he is saying until he knows what he is not saying.” So what is the author not saying? That is precisely the point that is unclear. Is breaking free from the rules a good thing? What are the rules? Why shouldn’t we remain bound?

Again, to paraphrase Chesterton, there is a sort of reformer that seeks to tear down fences that they don’t understand their purpose. That is foolish. One ought to know why the fence was there in the first place before one goes about tearing the fence down. It seemed like the author thought that Ruth was bound by the patriarchal context of her day and she was able to break free of that by taking charge in the ways that we are told she did. Further, in a male dominated world, it seems like women are told they are following God’s command by flipping that hierarchy upside down. Whatever good and helpful thoughts the author had about Ruth and her context in Scripture was tainted by reducing the story of Ruth to one of those “tough girl” stories that actually obfuscates the importance of Ruth altogether.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read for every child of God. I will never think of Ruth the same again. I will never look at suffering sisters in Christ the same again. Suffering is part of our life as God uses it for our good and his purpose. May we grow as compassionate and driven image bearers of Him!

Naomi’s life is one full of sorrow, she is left a widow and childless, with no hope of passing her husband’s inheritance in Judah. Like Job, she has suffered greatly. Ruth, a widow and barren woman, by faith forsakes her home and follows her mother-in-law Naomi back to Judah and vows to never leave her. The book of Ruth is much more than a beautiful love story or a popular wedding text but is the truth of the Gospel in narrative form. Against the backdrop of a patriarchal culture during the time of the Judges and the sorrow of widowed and barren women, the story of Ruth is a beautiful demonstration of the providence of God, His redeeming grace through Christ, and how each of us, male and female, as image bearers are used by God to build His church during some the church’s darkest times. It points us to Christ and his amazing sacrificial kindness to his people that seeks their good in this very broken sinful world.

[Woody Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned much and was challenged by James’ exposition of the Book of Ruth. Her last sentence, a common refrain throughout the book, “This is the Gospel of Ruth,” echoes the truth the author is building toward - God is the true hero of the story as He moves His plan of redemption forward to the coming of the Messiah!

James brings the biblical characters to life, showing how the Book of Ruth is told from the point of view of Naomi, whom God restores to faith. Ruth, having chosen a life of faith in Yahweh, together with Boaz, the kinsman redeemer, form a “Blessed Alliance” - “Two image bearers, male and female, joining forces to advance God’s Kingdom on earth” (p.206).

James writes out of the crucible of family tragedy and personal disappointment, identifying fully with what Naomi and Ruth suffered and with how God works to redeem our stories. If you read this book, and you really should, make sure you read the footnotes, for there is theological gold to be mined therein. Read. Enjoy. Grow spiritually!

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Women needed men to survive back in biblical times. They didn’t have the right to own land or make a living for themselves. Now we are independent and can have earnings to make our own living. Women have come a long way! But the author also discussed how widowhood and being childless still can have a huge impact on a woman’s life.
I liked how the author started with the book of Ruth from the Bible. It served as a refresher of the scripture.
I didn’t realize that Ruth was asking for special treatment when she asked Boaz to allow her to glean behind the harvesters.
The author says, near the end of the book, that Ruth gave her baby to Naomi. I didn’t really understand that fact when I read the Bible.
I think the moral of the story is…women are no longer dependent on men to give their life meaning or for survival.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is not an easy task to write a biblical studies book that is both informational and formational, challenging you to consider your own journey as you journey with the characters of the Scriptural narrative. Custis James executes this beautifully, providing food for thought on the implications of this story, while also providing helpful exegetical background. Presenting this story with a sturdy Christian feminist lens, Custis James elevates the significance of Ruth and Naomi without burdening their characters with the role of feminist icon. This would be a good read for a pastor doing a sermon series on the book of Ruth, as much as it would make a great small group study, or even something to read in your personal devotional life. There is something here for every Christian reader.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the most interesting discussions of the book of Ruth that I’ve read. There were a few points where I feel multiple interpretations of a certain thing could be possible and I wish she’d discussed her sources more to show why she came to a certain view, but overall this is a good book to chew on. I especially like the way she views Naomi as a sort of female Job story, and also sees the book as a whole as one that showcases the Blessed Alliance of women and men together, both showing the hesed of God by living into the spirit of his love and law, far more than the letter of what is required.