Where is God? In the midst of impossible situations.

Hey, this is Shri at Bible Project. In this episode, we're learning from Ruth.

She grew up in a nation that violently opposed God and his people, and then she lost everything.

Despite these impossible circumstances, Ruth became an example of God's loyal love.

Today, Kyrisa will lead us in a reflection on God's merciful character,

and the hope he offers to all who trust in him through hard times.

In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. This is a really bad start.

The days of the judges were some of the darkest of Israel's story, and famine is bad news.

And it gets worse. Our main characters, Ellie Melek, Naomi, and their sons, move to Moab,

and the sons marry Moabite women, Ruth being one of these women.

Whenever you come across a setting or a place in the Bible, try and ask what significance does this

place have in the story of the Bible? The biblical authors are really selective in what they include.

So what's the author trying to draw attention to by telling us where the story takes place?

Moab is one of Israel's first and worst enemies in the biblical story. In fact,

one of the key passages in the Torah that speaks of the coming Messiah is in an oracle against Moab.

A star will come out of Jacob, a scepter, in other words, a king will rise from Israel.

He will crush the foreheads of Moab. Moab is an enemy of Israel and their God.

The story of Ruth brings up an important question. The biblical story centers on the people of Israel.

But what about the other or enemy nations like Moab? What's God's disposition toward them?

The story of Ruth shows us that God's love is not limited to one nation.

In fact, he extends faithfulness and care to those from one of Israel's fiercest enemies,

a Moabite named Ruth. The character of Ruth depicts a faithful woman, a widow, from this

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