The story of Ruth begins in a very dark place, in a very hard time for a real family with real struggles and very real hardships. The family picks up everything and leaves the hardships and the famine of Israel, but this seemingly good plan quickly becomes worse when Elimelech dies.  The sons marry Moabite women and live for ten years and then also die.  All of this leaves Naomi in a desolute and destitute position in this ancient economy where the livelihood came entirely through the opportunities afforded the men of the household.  Without men in her household any longer, Naomi is in trouble. Though all seems lost now, this by now means is the conclusion of this wonderful account of God's faithfulness in spite of human failure and struggle.  God will be gracious and merciful to Naomi, just as he is to us!

The book of Ruth recounts the faithfulness of God in a time of incredible unfaithfulness to God. The people of God were defined by their sinfulness in the concluding statement of the book of Judges, In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did whatever seemed right to him. It is during this time, that the lives of Naomi, Ruth and Boaz are lived out. Despite the wickedness of the day, God is faithful and still at work to fulfill his promises to his people.  God uses a foreign woman, a depressed and bitter widow and an average man to add names to the promise of a coming Messiah, a redeemer. Both Matthew and Luke reference Boaz and Ruth in the genealogical line of Jesus. In our darkest hour, we can still trust that our great and gracious God is at work and he will absolutely accomplish his purpose and fulfill his word to his people. 

Graceway Church of Michiana exists in South Bend, IN for the purpose of Exalting our great God and Savior, Edifying and Encouraging believers and Engaging our Community. 

Graceway Church is committed to being a God Exalting, Christ Centered, Spirit Motivated, Word Focused local body of Believers!