Ruth asks Boaz to protect her and claim her as His wife by spreading his garment over her. She is acknowledging her need and humbly coming to the one who is positioned to provide for her. Her submissive heart is an open invitation for her redeemer.God longs to be our refuge, but just like Boaz, He is a gentleman. He will not come where He is not fully welcomed. We must humbly come to God and ask H...  Read More

Luke 1:67-79And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people,And has raised up a horn of salvation for usIn the house of David His servantAs He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old Salvation from our enemies,And from the hand of all who hate us; To show...  Read More

Naomi tells Ruth to go to Boaz and appeal to him as the Kinsman Redeemer. From our perspective, this plan seems a bit risqué, but Naomi is actually counseling Ruth to humble herself and adopt a posture of a servant. Boaz was a man of character, and Ruth was appealing to His integrity by asking him to meet her need.Ruth never questioned Naomi’s instructions. She submitted to the authority over her ...  Read More

Ruth comes home with full hands after a day of gleaning, and Naomi rejoices in the Providential work of God who has orchestrated events to provide for their need. Naomi is teaching Ruth about God’s character – He is kind and provides for His children. Ruth gleaning in the field of Boaz was not a coincidence – God’s redemption was at work in their lives.During difficult times, we must trust that Go...  Read More

God protects His children. Ruth put her faith in God and turned from the pagan gods of her past. As a result, she experienced the Providential care of the Mighty God who covers us with His strength and encircles us with His mercy and love. When we place our full trust in God, we experience the reward of His peace and provision.Boaz speaks a blessing over Ruth, which he is later going to help fulfi...  Read More

God sees our every need and always provides for us. Here the Lord brought hard-working Ruth to the attention of a powerful, wealthy man named Boaz. When we have abundance, we are often used by God to help those who are lacking. Boaz extended kindness to Ruth, rather than hoarding his wealth. The simple obedience of Ruth and Boaz on this ordinary day made room for the extraordinary work that God wa...  Read More

God providentially led Ruth to the fields of Boaz. Some people may call this a coincidence, but the mature believer understands that God is at work in every detail of our lives. Nothing escapes His attention, and our circumstances are never happenstance. He threads grace through every single strand and seams each element together with His redemption.Nothing in our lives is wasted. In God’s economy...  Read More

Naomi has experienced a great deal of sorrow and loss in her life, and she is in a very dark place. She doesn't understand why God would allow all this tragedy to happen. Her losses seem to have no purpose, just pain. She’s lost sight of God’s Providential hand at work in her life.Choosing to not give in to bitterness and doubt is almost a daily battle during some seasons of life. Life in this bro...  Read More

Luke 8:16-18"Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light.  For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light.   So take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, eve...  Read More

The decision to not return to Moab was a defining moment for Ruth. She shows incredible strength of character here by choosing to not take the easy way out. Ruth had no idea what was to come, but she steps completely forward toward a new future. She not only makes a commitment to honor Naomi, but she breaks from the pagan heritage of her past and places her loyalty with Jehovah God.Every day we ar...  Read More

A Prerequisite for Giving ThanksFor our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! (2 Corinthians 4:17 NLT)To give thanks, we must realize as Christians that God is in control of all circumstances that surround our lives, both good and bad.In 2 Corinthians 4:17–18 we are told, “For our present troubles are ...  Read More

Even in her bitterness, Naomi speaks a blessing over her two daughters-in-law. She prays that their lives will turn around and that God will extend grace to them because of their kindness toward her family. The word “kindly” here in the original Hebrew is “hesed,” which implies that a powerful person is merciful to someone weaker. This kindness is not out of duty, but springs up from a faithful lo...  Read More