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The book of Ruth tells us of the man of Judah, a Bethlehemite by the name of Elimelech who traveled to the land of Moab due to the famine in the land of Judah. He went with his wife Naomi and his two sons, Mahlon and Chilion. His sons took wives from Moab whose names were Orpah and Ruth. The man died and also his sons. Naomi heard that there was food again in Judah and she bid farewell to her daughters-in-law and gave them a blessing to remarry. Ruth decided to stick with her mother in law while Orpah went back to her people.

As the story goes on Ruth and Naomi return to Judah and Ruth marries Boaz and eventually becomes the great grandmother of King David.

In my opinion, the book of Ruth shows us something the Jews may not have seen about God. Out of all the people to choose a king from, God chose the lineage that has a Moabites, whose new Mother in law was Rahab the former prostitute from Jericho. This happens while the stand that says, “An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the LORD for ever:”(Deu 23:3). This ban on Moabites is explained in verses 4 and 5. 

From a lineage that has a Moabitess in it was born a King, Prophet, and Priest who occupies these offices forever, that is the LORD Jesus Christ Himself. It appears that though there is such a ban on Ammonites and Moabites, God shows mercy to those who repent and turn to Him and that is what Ruth did.

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