relationship”). In Deuteronomy 30, following the listing of blessings or cursings for obedience or disobedience of the Lord, Moses stated that when Israel disobeyed, she would receive God’s mercy by returning (repenting) to Him (vv. 2–3, 8–10). Ruth 1:1–6 introduces Naomi’s difficult circumstances. Reviewing the initial events at the level of common values, Elimelech moved the family to Moab because of a famine and the sons married Moabites to provide