The story of Ruth actually starts in a cave in the hills above the smoldering ruins of Sodom but culminates in Bethlehem. God's grace and mercy shine forth in His providential care for Ruth, who, like the rest of us Gentiles, was "excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world" (Ephesians 2:12). Ruth was, like us, graciously drawn in to trust in the one true God. Ruth's redemption took place through a kinsman redeemer, Boaz, who pictures the work of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we are reconciled to God. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 2:13 that in "Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ" who is the fulfillment of the promise to Abraham that every family on the earth will be blessed by his descendant. Praise God for the lavishness of His grace and the wideness of His mercy!