The book of Ruth is an ancient short story about family, famine, loss, loyalty and love. It provides a welcome interlude after the blood-thirsty violence of Judges. However, as we know by now there is always something more complex going on and something actually more contemporary than we expect. The rich symbolism of the names and the repeated mentions of Moab point us in a direction of irony, pathos and protest. So, how does the book of Ruth function and who is this young foreign woman that captivates the story?
