God alone determines the course of history. His naming of people is significant, and the book of Ruth can be studied through the lens of the characters' names.

Esau was prophesied to be the father of a nation, Edom, and the Bible gives us plenty of clues about the character of his descendants.

Balaam, a Mesopotamian soothsayer, has four oracles in God's Word. Despite coming from an enemy of God's people, these oracles are true and worth our study.

Gentile nations without God's revelation were held accountable for basic principles of humanity. God reserves the severest penalty for Judah and Israel.

Europe has seen millions of migrants, mostly Muslims, stream into their nations to the point that it has become a primary topic politically.

The King of the South (Daniel 11:40) might be a confederation of Arabic/Islamic nations continually at war with the people of Israel.

Many biblical examples, including Jesus, David, and Jacob, all fled for their lives in a prudent common sense move. Discretion is often the best part of valor.

Balaam illustrates the paradox of someone who knows God's will, but willfully and deliberately disobeys, presumptuously thinking he could manipulate or bribe God.

As the Good Samaritan took pity on what normally would be his adversary, we are obligated to be sensitive to the needs of those around us, enemy and friend.

As a nation, we have rejected wisdom in favor of foolishness, bringing about major calamities: famines, pestilence, earthquakes, cosmic disturbances.

Lot equivocated with God's instructions, looking for escape clauses, showing him to be self-centered and worldly wise, compromised by the values of the world.

Balaam, motivated by self-interest, believing that the ends justify the means, willing to do anything to get his way, is spiritually inferior to a donkey.

Although many lessons of the book of Ruth allude to Old Covenant teachings, Ruth prefigures New Covenant principles such as mercy, Christ's care, and acceptance.