This isn’t the Ruth, the Naomi, or the Boaz we thought we knew. Carolyn James has unearthed startling new insights from this well-worn story … insights that have life-changing implications for you. Naomi is no longer regarded as a bitter, complaining woman, but as a courageous overcomer. A Female Job. Ruth (typically admired for her devotion to Naomi and her deference to Boaz) turns out to be a gutsy risk-taker and a powerful agent for change among God’s people. She lives outside the box, and her love for Yahweh and Naomi compels her to break the rules of social and religious convention at nearly every turn. Boaz, the Kinsman Redeemer, is repeatedly caught off-guard by Ruth’s initiatives. His partnership with her models the kind of male/female relationships that the gospel intends for all who follow Jesus. Carolyn James drills down deeper into the story where she uncovers in the Old Testament the same passionate, counter-cultural, rule-breaking gospel that Jesus modeled and taught his followers to pursue. Within this age-old story is a map to radical levels of love and sacrifice, combined with the message that God is counting on his daughters to build his kingdom.The Gospel of Ruth vests every woman’s life with kingdom purposes and frees us to embrace wholeheartedly God’s calling, regardless of our circumstances or season of life. This story of two women who have lost everything contains a profound message: God created women not to live in the shadowy margins of men or of the past, but to emerge as courageous activists for his kingdom.
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"I absolutely loved this study of the Book of Ruth. It healed my feelings towards a woman's "place" in patriarchal society. Definitely recommend to any woman or man who wants to explore God's view and the value He places on women. Ms. James' examination and thought-provoking study definitely gave this already beautiful story much deeper meaning for me and my life...especially my feelings about voicing a different opinion, the possibilities of being championed by God and my male counterparts, and the benefits of strong faithful females' spirit in male/female relationships when balanced with God's loving-kindness."
— Celine (5 out of 5 stars)
" A must read for women! This book will change the way you see the story of Ruth. When darkness has overtaken your life, find out that God is seeking you to be a risk-taker in the story of Christ. Great book! "
— Staci, 1/23/2014" I was surprised at how good this was, and how much I learned. Ruth has always been one of those books of the Bible that I kind of skimmed through, assuming I already knew the story. There was a LOT in there I missed, and much of it explained the historical/cultural context in a way that made it much more relevant. This would be a wonderful book for a small group Bible study -- especially a women's group. "
— Beckimoody, 1/1/2014" My mom loaned my this book and at first I was not excited to read it because I expected the normal sappy romance story of Ruth that I have always heard. Custis over turns that story with a closer look at what really happened and how God used people with no power to do his work in the world. I could hardly put the book down. Custis doesn't shy away from hard questions; I loved this book and look forward to rereading it. "
— Sarah, 12/25/2013" This book takes a fresh look at the Ruth of the Old Testament. It clearly shows her amazing strength and courage and how God used those qualities to bless her and those around her. It made me stop and think about my own life - areas of strength and weakness, courage and fear. It also gave me a fresh perspective of what God sees as lovely in a woman. "
— Donna, 10/16/2013" Changed how I viewed the book of Ruth, it's not a love story! "
— April, 9/23/2013" Another slightly different account of Ruth. It presents Naomi as a female Job, Ruth as a counter cultural force, Boaz as a man of integrity, and most importantly God as faithful and incomprehensible good "
— Rachel, 9/15/2013" don't know, I'm still reading "
— Ingrid, 9/11/2013" A powerful book that unlocks the book of Ruth for modern women. I used to feel sorry for Ruth; now I want to be like her. "
— Shematters, 8/27/2013" The most beautiful commentary on Ruth. "
— Paul, 8/6/2013" Heartfelt, thought-provoking look at a story I thought I knew. "
— Paula, 6/7/2013" Not a reommendation-- too repetitive could have been summed up in 7 pages. "
— Michelle, 4/16/2013" Anything this woman writes is pure gold. "
— Beth, 3/3/2013" Motivated me to reach my fullest potential as a strong woman of God. Highlights accounts of Ruth and hisorical details I never would have known without the authors study and passion for the book. Great read. "
— Kariabridges, 3/1/2013" I loved this book. Even though I have read the book of Ruth many times, the insight that Carolyn Custis James shares is great. I love the fact that she acknowledges that Ruth in her strength does not diminish Boaz in any way. Strong women make strong men even stronger! "
— Sandscate, 1/16/2013" a spectacular book on women and their role in God's kingdom, the role of suffering in our lives, and a view of a biblical "holy alliance" between a man and a woman. Highly recommended for both male and female spiritual seekers. "
— Meg, 11/10/2012" This is really, really good. I've never heard Ruth explained like this before. I learned so much. "
— Cheryel, 9/16/2012" A surprising new look at one of the most loved and read stories in the Bible. Recommended to all who want to explore how God works in our lives. I was a little put off by her writing style in places, which kept me from rating it higher. "
— Margaret, 5/25/2012" Except for one chapter which descended into feminist rhetoric, a great study of Ruth. "
— Geoffrey, 12/13/2011" Good in thought, but lacks a clear and concise argument. "
— Lance, 9/2/2011" Motivated me to reach my fullest potential as a strong woman of God. Highlights accounts of Ruth and hisorical details I never would have known without the authors study and passion for the book. Great read. "
— Kariabridges, 6/30/2011" I found this so much better than the bible study just completed on the Book of Ruth .. .many more insights and contemporary issues. "
— Anne, 4/28/2011" A must read for women! This book will change the way you see the story of Ruth. When darkness has overtaken your life, find out that God is seeking you to be a risk-taker in the story of Christ. Great book! "
— Staci, 1/13/2011" Good in thought, but lacks a clear and concise argument. "
— Lance, 7/19/2010" Amazing book on Ruth! I learned a lot as we read this and studied Ruth on a much deeper level. You will see the story as so much more important than we often portray it to be. "
— Laura, 7/10/2010" I loved this book. Even though I have read the book of Ruth many times, the insight that Carolyn Custis James shares is great. I love the fact that she acknowledges that Ruth in her strength does not diminish Boaz in any way. Strong women make strong men even stronger! "
— Sandscate, 6/4/2010" A powerful book that unlocks the book of Ruth for modern women. I used to feel sorry for Ruth; now I want to be like her. "
— Shematters, 1/30/2010" This is really, really good. I've never heard Ruth explained like this before. I learned so much. "
— Cheryel, 11/18/2009" The most beautiful commentary on Ruth. "
— Paul, 9/12/2009" Not a reommendation-- too repetitive could have been summed up in 7 pages. "
— Michelle, 5/11/2009" I am currently leading a class in this book at church. It is a powerful book. It is easy to read and will make you think. Is the story of Ruth relevant for today? <br/>The attempts to answer the question: Is God good for women? "
— Susan, 1/28/2009Carolyn Custis James travels extensively as a popular speaker for women’s conferences, churches, colleges, seminaries, and other Christian organizations. Her ministry organization, WhitbyForum, promotes thoughtful biblical discussion to help men and women serve God together. Carolyn founded and is president of the Synergy Women’s Network. She is a consulting editor for Zondervan’s Exegetical Commentary series on the New Testament and author of When Life and Beliefs Collide and Lost Women of the Bible. She and her husband live in Boxford, Massachusetts. They have one grown daughter.
Ruth Bloomquist is an award-winning singer-songwriter. She and her husband, Max, having been making music together since 1975.