G8   RUTH

This lovely little book reflects some of the customs and way of life current in Israel in the Judges period, but it was probably written many years later as a gentle protest against the exclusive attitude towards non-Jewish people current in post exilic Judaism (cf. the book of Jonah).

In addition to giving a tender picture of love and concern for aliens, the poor and needy and for widows, the concept of racial purity is raised at the end of the book, where it is stated that even the greatly loved and revered King David inherited through Ruth the Moabitess his great grandmother Gentile blood! Had not God a purpose for Gentiles as well as for Israel?