In Sunday school, the story generally focuses on the friendship of Ruth and Naomi. But another beauty of Ruth is that she is the great-great-great-grandmother of David, the house from which Jesus is born.
Our ancestors are important and this is also reflected in the fourth commandment to honour your father and mother. We are the benefactors of the gifts that our ancestors developed during their lifetime. From all accounts Ruth was an exceptional woman. Her story shares how she acts out of loyalty and how she embraces God, denouncing other gods.
It has been said that the book of Ruth is a book of loving-kindness on both the human and the divine levels. We stand firmly in that tradition.
Dear God, thank you for my parents, grandparents and forebearers. They walked with you first and it is through them I came to you. Amen. — BLR