Immigration, infertility, fidelity, and catastrophes that make one question God—all these are threads woven through the tale of Ruth. They make this book in Scripture (God’s word to us) a book for today.

The following words of commitment are incorporated in some wedding ceremonies: “Wherever you go, I will go; where you will lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die—there will I be buried.” They are taken from the Book of Ruth. If you are familiar with this short book, you know that Ruth declares these words not to either of her husbands, but to her mother-in-law, Naomi!

I’ve always loved the story of Ruth and for some time desired to write her story as a novel. Finally, it is now published. The barely four pages in the Bible are lengthened to 253 pages.

Why this story? During a famine in Bethlehem, Naomi’s family were refugees in the neighboring country of Moab. There her husband and two sons died. Ruth, a Moabite, was married to one of them (even though she is a Gentile who worshipped pagan gods). When Naomi wishes to return to her hometown, Ruth voluntarily accompanies her. She too becomes an immigrant. Both women experience prejudice, especially because their countries have been foes. Their story is relevant today when so many immigrants are suffering.

In Bethlehem, with no man to support them, Ruth and Naomi are in the worst state possible: destitute widows. Ruth’s love for Naomi spurs her to choose this fate. The other daughter-in-law, a foil to Ruth, decides not to leave Moab, where she has a chance to marry again. In Bethlehem, Ruth gleans in the fields with other poor people to support her and Naomi—no easy task. Who doesn’t know someone who sacrifices their life for the sake of a loved one? Maybe you are one of them:

• A man or woman faithfully cares for a spouse who has an incurable disease.

• A mother devotes herself to a disabled or mentally ill child, sometimes for decades.

• Then there are those who risk their lives for fellow human beings: first responders, doctors and nurses.

A friend might do something tremendous that demonstrates love for for his or her friend.Someone might even help a stranger. Recently at a cross country race in race in Spain, Ivan Anaya from Spain was near the finish line. He noticed that Abel Mutai, a Kenyan in the lead, slowed because the signs confused him. Ivan slowed too and pointed Abel in the right direction instead of forging past him to win the race. He let Abel win the race.

Naomi is a female Job. After losing her husband and sons, she is devastated. She says, “Call me Bitter.” Naturally she wonders why God has allowed this to happen to her. Likewise, Ruth can’t understand why for ten long years while married to Naomi’s son she has not become pregnant.

But God, whose love is everlasting, has not forsaken these two women. Spoil alert: Boaz, a noble Moabite landowner, rescues them by marrying Ruth.

Ruth is rewarded for her faithful love. She becomes the great grandmother of King David and therefore has a place in the family tree of Jesus. In the Gospel of Matthew she is one of three women (all Gentiles) included in the Savior’s genealogy.

If you have never read the Book of Ruth, or if it’s been a while since you did so, you might read my novel: Book of Ruth, A Tale of Great Loves (available on Amazon) Better still, read the four-page story in your Bible and pay attention to what God is saying to you.