So she [Ruth] went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she

was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelech. (Ruth 2:3)

As we have seen so far in Ruth, once the widow Naomi from Bethlehem realized that her daughter-in-

law Ruth, a Moabitess, was determined to return with her from Moab to the land of Judah, she stopped

urging her to remain in Moab. We pick up the story this week as Naomi and Ruth restart their lives from

scratch in the region of Bethlehem in Judah.

They arrived in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning, in April or early May. So, Ruth said to

Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find

favor.” Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter” (Ruth 2:2). So, Ruth went out and began to glean

in one of the nearby fields. Though she didn’t know it at the time, the field where she happened to be

turned out to be a field owned by a relative of Elimelech, Naomi’s deceased husband, whose name was

Boaz. He was also known as “a man of standing.”

Ruth's arrival in Boaz's field is not a mere coincidence but a part of God's providential care. God

orchestrates events in our lives, guiding us toward His purposes. Ruth's story challenges us to recognize

and trust in God's providence, even in the seemingly ordinary events of our lives.

As we navigate life's journey, it's essential to acknowledge that God's providential care is at work, often orchestrating events beyond our understanding. Ruth found herself in the field of Boaz, not by chance,

but by the guiding hand of God.

This aspect of God's providence invites us to reflect on the moments in our lives when we can discern

His guiding hand. These moments may seem ordinary at first glance; but in hindsight, we recognize the

divine orchestration. It's a call to trust in God's plan, even when we cannot fully comprehend the

intricacies of His design.

As we meditate on Ruth's story, consider the "as it turned out" moments in your life. Those times when circumstances aligned, opportunities opened, or paths crossed—ultimately revealing a larger plan at

play.

This recognition of God's providential care brings a profound sense of peace. We can trust that even in

the midst of uncertainty, God is working all things together for our good. Ruth's journey, seemingly a

series of chance encounters, unfolds as part of God's plan for her redemption, provision, and a

significant role in the lineage of King David.

By Jim Connell

Jim is the founder and retired director of Lexington Rescue Mission and the author of JesusIsLordBlog.com.