Series: Ruthless
Message: Breaking the Status Quo  
Preacher: Jessyka Albert

Refresh: Open with prayer. Read or listen to Psalm 36:1-4.

Read: Ruth 2:1-7 - Read in the ESV translation for new insights/questions.  

Reflect: The first verse in Ruth 2 clues the audience that there is hope for Naomi. She has a relative of Elimilech’s who is a worthy man of his clan named Boaz. Ruth 1 has been full of loss and bitterness, so we transition with a seed of hope. Following that Ruth asks permission of Naomi to glean in the fields to provide food for her and Naomi’s household. Naomi agrees and Ruth sets out to the fields.

In the original text, it is indicated that Ruth “by chance” ended up gleaning in the field that belonged to Boaz. This seed is now being watered and beginning to grow. We are able to see that God is intentionally at work in the life of a Moabite woman. She goes to a field and it just happens to be of the man that was mentioned in 2:1. In his commentary on Ruth, Wiersbe says:

“God’s providential working in our lives is both a delight and a mystery. God is constantly working with us, in us, and for us and accomplishing His gracious purposes. We pray, we seek His will, and we make decisions (and sometimes mistakes); but it is God who orders events and guides His willing children” (35). 

When Boaz approaches his field, he notices someone he doesn’t recognize, Ruth. He inquires about her and learns that she has been there all day and has not stopped except to take a short break. Ruth is following the Ecclesiastes 9:10 principle of, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all of your might.” The character of Ruth is being painted right before our eyes, a woman of determination and loyalty. 

Recalibrate: 

1. What are some of the “chances” in your life that you now understand God was at work in?
2. What are you doing each day to develop your character?

Respond: Pray for wisdom.

Research: Find stories in the Bible when God was guiding but the individual didn’t see it.