It was a time when a new generation took over Israel. The warnings of the previous generation were ignored. The new generation desired to fit in with society around them, and the result was that they knew not the Lord, nor the works which the Lord had done in the past for Israel. They worshipped Baal and committed unspeakable abominations. In contrast to all this evil, a foreigner had amazing conviction, commitment, and courage to follow the God of Israel and live a virtuous life. As a result, this person went from poverty to prosperity, and became, in character, more like a member of God’s covenant community than many native-born Israelites.

Howard Baker