RUT

Book
Ruth is a Moabite, a widow fallen into poverty. She accompanies her mother-in-law, Naomi, an Israelite, also a woman, widowed and fallen into poverty. It is a book dedicated to the least of the least, and tells how the excluded and the least are God's preferred instrument for carrying out his plans. Ruth's love begins not with God but with her mother-in-law, then extends to Naomi's God and his people, Israel. God's love for Ruth, however, is unmediated: God loves her, the most unfortunate of women, and will make her an instrument of blessing for Naomi and for Israel; for from Ruth will be born King David, and for the entire world, from Ruth will be born Jesus of Nazareth, a thousand years later. The scars in the lives of Ruth and Naomi become poetry and a blessing for all people.

Author
Samuele Barletta is an Adventist pastor currently serving the communities of Naples, Naples Ukraine, Pompeii, and the Avellino group. He is the author of numerous articles published in Il Messaggero Avventista and, for the "Segni dei tempi" series, the paperbacks I magi d'Oriente (2009) and La Parola incarnata (2018).