The book of Judges is bleak, but even in the days of the judges there were rays of light and hope. The story of Naomi, Ruth, Boaz, and Obed is one of those hope-filled descriptions of the gracious work of God, even in a dark time. The first chapter of Ruth leads Naomi and Ruth from death in Moab back to the land of promise, back to hope in the (only) living God.