Boaz – Moment to Moment (Bible blog)

My daughter, shouldn’t I find rest for you… (Ruth 3:1)

I was just thinking on the idea of “rest” in this chapter.

Ruth found rest by trusting Naomi, and even more so by trusting Boaz.

Had Boaz not been the honorable man he was, Ruth could have found herself in real danger. But she trusted that her redeemer was good, and she found rest as a result.

That was in stark contrast to the Israelite people of that time. By not trusting their Redeemer, they repeatedly lost their “rest” (Judges 1:18-19, 2:11-12, 3:30-4:2, 5:31-6:2).

I’m thinking about people right now who have lost their rest because they lost their trust that their Redeemer is good.

I don’t want to be like that.

I choose to be like Ruth, trusting my Redeemer is good and his promise true.

Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

No coincidence

She happened to be in the portion of the field belonging to Boaz, who was from Elimelech’s family. (Ruth 2:3)

I wonder if the author of the book of Ruth wrote those words with a wink of the eye.

“She happened to be…?”

There’s no doubt that was God’s leading, and I’m sure the author knew it.

Naomi had thought that God had abandoned her, but God still had a plan for her. And that coincidence had ramifications not only for her, but for us as well. (If you don’t mind spoilers, take a look at Matthew 1:5-6, 16).

When Naomi realized that, hope revived in her heart.

With God, there are no coincidences. He is deliberately working out his purposes. And those purposes are for the good of those who love him. (Romans 8:28)

I have encountered many “coincidences” in my life.

But looking back, those weren’t coincidences at all. And as God’s plans for me have become clearer to me, I’ve come to realize more and more just how good he really is. That’s why I have hope.

Truly, God is one who never abandons his kindness towards us.