COMMENTARY

Old Testament: Ruth 1:1-18
This is the first of two selections from the book of Ruth. The story is laid in the time of the Judges, a time of violence. However, at the time of Ruth, there was peace between Israel and Moab. Because of a famine in Israel, a husband takes his wife and two sons to Moab. In the course of time the husband and sons die, leaving three widows: Naomi, Ruth and Orpah. In this passage, Ruth refuses to leave Naomi and they both return to Bethlehem.

Epistle: Hebrews 9:11-14
In Hebrews 9, the earthly and heavenly sanctuaries are compared. When Christ came, he entered the holy place with his own blood which earned for us eternal redemption. Before Christ only the flesh was purified. Since Christ, our consciences are purified that we may worship the living God…