I love the book of Ruth. I have studied and written about it numerous times. So it was with excitement and anticipation that I greeted Michael Whitworth’s selection of Ruth as the subject of his upcoming book. When he was planning the project, I offered to review the manuscript for him. I have done that over the last couple of weeks. The book just came out on Kindle yesterday and will be released in paperback form in early September. Michael is a very talented writer and is putting books out at an amazing clip that are done in high quality. This book is no exception.
I believe this book is the most self-revealing book that the author has written. I really appreciated his perspective on Ruth as a story that demonstrates the providence of God during our difficult and sorrowful times. Michael focuses his story around the analogy of the Bethlehem road that Naomi and Ruth took back from Moab. They came back to Bethlehem, Noami’s homeland empty and bitter, after having left with a husband and two sons who have died in the foreign land. They are destitute and poor, but through the providence of the Lord they are provided for and are used to bring about King David.
Michael writes in a clear and concise manner, yet thoroughly covers the material. He deals with the difficulties of the text and story, but keeps the focus around the theme of providence and God’s love and mercy. One of my pet peeves with Ruth is people making it out into this romantic love story. Michael does not fall into this trap, but demonstrates to the reader how both Boaz and Ruth are described as “worthy” in character and seek to obey the Lord.
As typical of Whitworth’s books he includes “Talking Points” at the end of each chapter for discussion, application, and thought. The strength of the book is it relating the story of Ruth as a story of hope, comfort, and strength to those who are suffering, bitter, and discouraged. Michael reveals how he has walked Bethlehem’s road himself in the death of his father. He “comes along side” the reader who is walking the same road at this time and gives them strength, comfort, and knowledge about God while they are walking the Bethlehem Road.
While this book would be good for a class setting, I want you to know that I think any reader would benefit from this book and come away with a much better understanding of the book of Ruth. It is only 120 pages and is not a long read.
You can purchase the book for a special pre-release price now at Amazon or purchase the Kindle book for $4.99. Click on this link (BUY BOOK) to do so. (By the way if you purchase the book at Amazon through this link, you also help out my site at Life in the Kingdom. Thanks). I just ordered my paperback copy today, you will be blessed to get a copy too.
