This week we will look at the second act in the life of Ruth and Naomi. As the story goes, reality begins to set in as Ruth and Naomi have to find a way to live in the community to which they recently returned. Ruth leans on the Law of Moses and goes to glean grain in the fields which were to be allowed for the poor to use as their food. In this small way God was providing for Ruth and Naomi. However; Ruth was blessed much more than she ever could have imagined, because she meets the owner of the field. This character is named Boaz and serves in a profound way, but even Boaz is not the hero. You see, the author points out several times that Ruth “happens” to be doing this or that, the same with Boaz. Yet, with God there is never just “happenings”. He is sovereign over every detail in our lives.

There are two ways to understand that; one is that God is sovereign over our blessings. We might rejoice and be thankful over God’s provision in our lives. On the other hand, you might be going through a time of suffering, or an immense trial. In those times we might be tempted to throw our hands in the air and feel like Naomi, “God is against me!” (Ruth 1:21) You see God’s sovereignty is a double edge sword. I have heard people say, “If God is so powerful, why does evil happen? Couldn’t he stop it? Shouldn’t he!! Why would I worship or trust a God who does not abolish evil?” That’s a question worth engaging, and one that has to be gently dealt with. The reality is that God does not always provide us with an answer, which doesn’t mean He doesn’t care or love us. Instead, he provided us with a person, a person who experienced all the evil and suffering of this world. This person serves as our blessing and teaches us that even when all we see is difficulty, there is a redemptive story unfolding in us and through us. Just as Ruth and Boaz serve to provide for Naomi, so Jesus the Messiah provides his presence to us through His suffering and resurrection and promise to never leave us.