My eyes caught two interesting phrases in that small little narrative work named “Ruth”. Her story and those phrases brought a bright light of hope into the dismal gray caste during the ancient Judges. You see, much like today, “everyone was doing as they saw fit” (Judges 21:25). The judges were flawed and their reformations often too quickly forgotten. Everyone defaulted to selfishness…except Ruth. The Author of the narrative took great pains to identify Ruth as a woman of virtue, loyalty, character, and faithfulness. When Ruth was urged by her despairing mother-in-law, Naomi to take care of herself and seek after her own pleasures, Ruth replied with these well chosen words “don’t urge me to leave you, or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God” So where was God in these matters, and what about His covenant-faithfulness to selfish Israel who had turned from Him and Ruth who had turned toward Him?
Well the two little phrases in 2:3-4 are key…”as it turned out” and “just then”. What does that sound like to you? When fit with the entire narrative of Ruth story, one begins to see the marvelous and miraculous work of God. He was providentially guiding circumstances and relationships to provide and protect Ruth and Naomi. Ruth’s scavenging for leftover wheat turned out to be the field of a heretofore unknown relative. Additionally on that occasion of Ruth’s scavenging, that relative just then showed up. Hmm. Amazing and God-orchestrated. God was indeed supernaturally working out daily care for the needy but also orchestrating His covenant promise to bring blessing (Christ) to the World. And He did it through a faithful woman Ruth. Check out Gen.12:2-3; Matt.1:5,16.
0 Comments