How does the narrative of Ruth, a Moabite woman, challenge and expand the traditional understanding of covenant membership and God's redemptive plan in the Old Testament?

A It reinforces the strict separation between Israelites and foreigners, emphasizing the importance of ethnic purity. B It demonstrates that God's covenant blessings are exclusively for those born into the Israelite nation. C It illustrates God's acceptance of foreigners who embrace the God of Israel, highlighting the inclusiveness of His grace and the potential for redemption beyond ethnic boundaries. D It serves primarily as a romantic story with little theological significance beyond the lineage of David.