Recognizing God’s Hand in the story of Ruth

We will not truly or adequately give praise for that which we do not recognize as being from the hand of God.

The Back Story:
God’s Hand in it All

While I’ve always loved the story of Ruth and have seen God’s hand of providence in the story every time I’ve read it, I saw it all the more sweetly in a recent study I did with my life group. God used it all - the famine, the move from Bethlehem to Moab, the marriage of Elimelech’s sons to Moabite women, the deaths of Elimelech and his sons, and the decision of Ruth to go to Bethlehem with Naomi. Ruth followed her heart instead of the cultural norm (Ruth 1:16-18). God used all of it, from Elimelech’s decision to go to Moab to Ruth’s decision to follow Naomi, and all that came after this, to accomplish what was good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose, and the reader is blessed to see it unfold on the pages of Scripture.

The Kinsman Redeemer:
God’s Hand of Provision

When Naomi and Ruth returned to Bethlehem, the barley harvest was just beginning, and Ruth sought Naomi’s permission to go and glean from the harvesting. Neither of the women could have imagined what would come from this action, but the beauty of it did not escape my notice. “As it turned out,” Ruth learned that she had been gleaning in the field of Boaz, whom Naomi later identifies as a close kinsman and one of their guardian-redeemers. This is great news for Naomi and Ruth and makes the story even better. You see, a guardian-redeemer or kinsman-redeemer is a relative who has the privilege and or responsibility to act on behalf of a relative in need. A guardian-redeemer was someone an Israelite could turn to in times of trouble, which is precisely what transpires between Ruth and Boaz.¹

From the time Boaz learns Ruth is Naomi’s daughter-in-law, he cares for her as though she is one of his own. As Naomi told Ruth, Boaz had “Shown loyalty to the living on behalf of the dead!²” Boaz’s kindness was not only provision of grain, as seen in chapter two, but of protection, as he knew his fields would be a safe place for Ruth to work (2:9-10). What a beautiful and encouraging picture of God’s hand at work behind the scenes in the lives of Naomi, Ruth, Boaz, and, ultimately, the nation of Israel and the world.

As I reread the story of Ruth, I was particularly drawn to Boaz. I admired how he dealt with Ruth and Naomi and was especially impressed with how he seemed to look at the whole picture, not just their needs. He also took into account all that Ruth had done for Naomi, leaving her family behind for a land and people she did not know. He found the rightful redeemer and clearly gave thought as to how to handle the details of that situation. Throughout the story, we see Boaz is compassionate (2:8-9), a man of godly motives (2:11-12), kind (2:14), generous (2:15-16), as well as honest and clever (4:1-12). God’s guidance and timing through it all were accomplishing much more than could ever be seen on the surface.

The People of Bethlehem:
God’s Hand in the Outcome

We learn in chapter four that Boaz became the “kinsman redeemer.” At this time, he said to the witnesses in the town, “You are witnesses this day that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and to Mahlon. Also, Ruth the Moabite, the widow of Mahlon, I have bought to be my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brothers and from the gate of his native place. You are witnesses this day.” Then, all the people who were at the gate and the elders said, “We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman, who is coming into your house, like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you act worthily in Ephrathah and be renowned in Bethlehem, and may your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring that the Lord will give you by this young woman.” (Ruth 4:9-12)

As the book of Ruth comes to an end, we read from the union of Boaz and Ruth that a son is born, and they named the child Obed. Obed became the father of Jesse, who was the father of David - direct ancestors of our Lord and Savior!³

I love how the women of Bethlehem recognized the hand of God at work in Naomi’s life. What a joy to read how they praised Him for not leaving Naomi without a guardian, saying - “A son has been born to Naomi.” They also acknowledged Ruth as a blessing to Naomi, recognizing her as better than seven sons. From the depths of bitterness and despair, God brought joy, contentment, and praise!

The Rest of the Story:
God’s Hand in the Big Picture

While the story of Ruth is a wonderful picture of God’s hand at work, the ultimate beauty is seen in the big picture of God’s tapestry - unfolded in the words of Jesus Himself, who said: “I am the Root and the Offspring of David.⁴” Oh, the beautiful tapestry of God’s hand!

^{1 Gotquestions.org: Who was Boaz in the Bible?
2 Ruth 2:20
3 The Ancestors of Jesus the Messiah : Matthew 1 (NLT)
4 Revelation 22:16}