A Moabite

In Sunday school today we talked more about Ruth. 

Ruth was a Moabite -- an outsider.  The story might have been written down when the Israelites were coming out of exile to return to Jerusalem.  We read in Ezra a denunciation of marriage to "the people of the lands."  In Chapter 10 of Ezra, the people covenant with God to send away all foreign wives and their children. 

Into this environment is told the story of Ruth, who is a foreigner, and not only that, but a Moabite.  She is honorable -- a hero of the story -- and ends up marrying Boaz.  They are the grandparents of David.  There is a lesson here.

Who are the Moabites in our culture?  Who do we shun and judge?