​We’ve been on an incredible adventure, from the towns of Moab to the fields of Bethlehem.  We’ve seen the power of God to direct and control each small detail of life and orchestrate all things according to His plans and purposes.  We’ve watched the faithfulness of Ruth, bitterness and sorrow of Naomi, and the mercifulness and graciousness of Boaz.  We’ve witnessed an unlikely marriage, the redemption of a former outsider, and the blessing of new life.  All this rolled into a single, brief book!

​Now as we approach the end of this story, it would seem that Boaz and Ruth had finally reached their happily ever after.  Their union was blessed and celebrated by the people of Bethlehem, God granted them the gift of Obed, and Naomi finally received hope and consolation in the birth of her grandson.  All seemed perfect, a wonderful ending right in Ruth 4:17. 
 
However, God sees the big picture that goes beyond the short life span of mankind, and according to Him the story, testimony, and blessings of Ruth go far beyond verse seventeen.  In fact there are still five more verses to go before reaching the official end of the book.  So let’s take a look at those verses.  

This passage breaks down the lineage and descent of David showing that Obed became the grandfather of David, thus making Boaz David’s great-grandfather. 
 
(We discussed the significance of Obed being considered Boaz’s in a previous post, so if you need refreshing on that topic pop over to “Too Great a Cost.”)    
 
While we know that David was a direct ancestor of Jesus Christ, let’s review the genealogy of Jesus as recorded by Matthew and focus on the names listed up through David.

“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.  Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king.”
~Matthew 1:1-6a​

​Boaz was not only blessed to have Obed considered his son and become the great-grandfather of David, but he was also destined to be a direct ancestor of Jesus Christ and therefore, an important piece in God’s story of redemption.  What an incredible blessing, and one that Boaz probably never thought would happen!
 
Notice also that Ruth is mentioned in Matthew’s genealogy.  Typically women were never listed in genealogies--only the men--so that a concise line of ancestry was provided.  However, Matthew (and the Holy Spirit speaking through him) deemed it necessary to include five important women in the listing of Jesus’ lineage.  Ruth was one of those five women.  She’s ranked right up there with her mother-in-law Rahab and Mary, both women of exemplary character and great faith.
 
So Boaz and Ruth not only received renown and good repute during their lifetime, but both were honored to be in the direct ancestry of Jesus Christ, the ultimate Redeemer.  And Ruth was especially blessed to have her name listed also.  She was a Moabite, a foreigner, a non-Jew, yet God chose her to become the great-grandmother to the greatest king of Israel, and then be listed in the genealogy of His Son, the greatest Jew, King, Priest, Savior, and Redeemer that ever lived.
 
But what does this teach us?  What can we learn from this final passage of Ruth?  How can a listing of names and descent from over four thousand years ago impact and influence our lives?
 
When we live according to God’s will and plan, He blesses us not just in our earthly lives but also in history.  He uses us to influence and impact not only the people in our immediate sphere and generation, but also those in the generations to come.
 
Ruth and Boaz never aspired to be great or even dreamed that God would use them as He did.  They were simply focused on living their lives in honor and glory to God, following His ways, and walking in His truths.  Therefore, God used them in mighty ways.  And while they were blessed to leave a physical legacy that eventually culminated with the birth of Jesus Christ, I believe Boaz and Ruth also left a spiritual legacy. 
 
David was considered a man after God’s own heart and was the only one to receive such a title.  We know very little about his formative years other than that he was the son of Jesse, youngest of eight sons, and shepherd of his father’s sheep.  So I often wonder if Boaz and Ruth were still alive when David was born.  Was Ruth at least around for David’s childhood and growing up years?  Did he know the story and testimony of his great-grandparents?  And if so, how did that influence his faith and trust in God?
 
We will never know the answers this side of heaven.  However, we can seek to walk as Boaz and Ruth did and pray that God uses us just as He used them. 
 
 
So finally, how are you going to live your life?  Are you willing to follow God’s guidance and direction even when it seems impossible, unattainable, or foolish?  Will you allow God to work in and through you to impact the next generation?  Because of your faithfulness, who will be in your spiritual lineage?

​Well, we’ve finally come to the end of our study in the book of Ruth.  Thank you for joining me!  I hope and pray that you have learned much from this journey and have been blessed, encouraged, and exhorted by the lives and testimonies of our three main characters and by the clear display of God’s mighty hand. 
 
May we rise up to become Boazes and Ruths in our generation who are known by their faithfulness, virtue, valor, worthiness, faith, grace, and excellence of character and reputation.  May we unswervingly follow the Lord no matter the cost, and may we always trust God to provide, protect, and redeem.  And as we seek and obey our faithful God, may He use us as He sees fit to impact and influence our generation and the ones to come.  To God alone be the glory!

​Redeemed.  Loved beyond measure.  Called by name.  Children of God.  Co-heirs with Christ.  This is our new position, new identity, and new place.  We are no longer strangers and enemies of God, but part of His family.  And while God brought this reconciliation through Christ, we also have a responsibility in this work, not to facilitate our salvation—Jesus did that—but to accept it.

Just as Ruth was unable to bring about her own redemption—it was completely in Boaz’s hands—she did have to accept and seek redemption.  Likewise, though we can do nothing to save ourselves, we still need to embrace and accept the need for a Savior.
 
We must claim Jesus as our Redeemer, Lord, and King, humbling ourselves and acknowledging our sinfulness.  This is our responsibility.  The work has already been done, the ransom paid, but unless we’re willing and ready to acknowledge our need for redemption and seek out the Redeemer the blood of Christ was shed in vain. 
 
So have you done this?  Have you lay prostrate at the feet of your Redeemer to seek refuge, protection, and redemption?  Have you accepted the free gift of salvation that God is extending towards you?
 
Ruth was willing to leave the country of her birth and journey to a foreign land, a land and people completely unknown to her.  She left Moab, completely walking away from the gods of her people and the family who raised her, to embrace and adopt the God of Israel and the people of God.  And because of her decision, she was richly blessed by the Lord.
 
Are we willing to do the same?  Are we willing to surrender the gods of our hearts and background in order to embrace the everlasting God?  Would we be willing to leave our earthly families to follow God and His ways should the need arise?  How far are we willing to go in obedience to God?
 
For Ruth, the answer to the last question was over 50 miles to a new place, a new people, and a new culture where she faithfully lived her life in such a way that she become known as a worthy, virtuous, righteous woman.
 
God has blessed us with so much—salvation, redemption, reconciliation, a new name—but often we take all this for granted and neglect our responsibility in the equation.  God didn’t do all this just to make us happy or help us avert eternal death, but He poured out so much love so that we could have a personal and intimate relationship with Him.  That is His goal, His heart, and His greatest desire, and God has done all He can to facilitate that relationship.  The rest is up to us.  Up to you, up to me.
 
So finally, will you embrace the ultimate Redeemer who gave His life for you?  Will you forsake the gods and ways of your past to seek the true and living God?  And will you recognize God’s free gift of salvation for what it really is—an open invitation to a personal relationship with the Maker of the universe?
 
I hope you have, because God is patiently waiting with open, loving arms.

We’re coming to the end of our time together in this wonderful book of Ruth.  Having methodically traveled through the entire book, we’ve learned and gleaned much from this moving narrative in the faithfulness of one Moabite, the power of love, and the blessings given when one waits upon the Lord for all good things. 
 
So as we spend this last week reflecting on all that we’ve learned, let’s take some time to turn our eyes to the One whom this book is really about.

​Boaz.  Naomi.  Ruth.  All three shared center stage in this epic drama set in little old Bethlehem.  However, while each of them have leading roles and are worth studying and learning from, God is the actual star of the show and the One about whom and around whom the entire story revolves. 
 
From the very beginning, we saw how God is in control of all the events and circumstances of life—from the rain that falls to the earth, the seasons and their harvests, the years in one’s life, the people in it, and the blessings bestowed during it.  All things are controlled and given by the hand of God.
 
Therefore, we can trust Him with our lives and have faith that He will bring about good and beauty from the ashes and sorrows of life’s trials and difficulties.  For His ever watchful eye is always upon us and nothing escapes His notice.  What an awesome God we serve!
 
Just as Ruth’s redemption, provision, and new identity came through Boaz, so also we find these things in Christ.  He is our Boaz, our Provider, and our Redeemer.  In Him we are bought from our cruel slavery to sin, redeemed from the life of drudgery we once lived in, saved from the wrath of God that is coming upon all who still walk in darkness, and raised to new life and identity. 
 
But our redemption didn’t come without cost. 
 
While Ruth’s redemption price was measured in gold, ours is fixed in drops of blood.  The cost of our redemption was one perfect life, unspotted and unmarred by sin and freely sacrificed.  And that one perfect life was lived by Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Second Person of the Trinity who became fully God and fully man.  He is the one who lived the sinless life we could not, who freely and willingly shed His blood to pay for our redemption. 
 
Because of Christ’s sacrifice, we are no longer Moabites or foreigners to God, but are called by God’s name, are God’s children, and are co-heirs with Him.  We need not glean from the leftovers and outer edges of God’s field of grace like poor waifs and scavengers, but we now get to enjoy the harvest, reaping all its benefits.
 
This is our new position, our new identity, and our new place.  All because we have been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or stain.  He is our Kinsman Redeemer, our Savior, and our Friend. 
 
Do you not see the amazing, unfathomable work God has done for us?!  How richly He has blessed us, and how far He has gone to redeem us?!
 
But now the question is…what is our response?  What will we do in return?  How does this knowledge and truth change our lives and the way we live them?

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.
~Isaiah 43:1b
 
“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.”
~I John 3:1a

​Over nine months after the scene at the city gate, Boaz and Ruth are happily established as man and wife, and are welcoming into the world their firstborn son.  They seem to have achieved a fairytale ending, but one of the characters in the story appears to still be unhappy.

​Naomi, or bitter Mara as she asked to be called, seems to have remained sitting in her self made pile of bitterness, self-pity, and sorrow.  Despite the fact that she and her daughter-in-law have been redeemed and rescued from their state of poverty, Naomi hasn’t gotten beyond the sorrow of the past yet.  And now, even after the joyous occasion of her grandson’s birth, Naomi can’t seem to shake her depression.
 
So the ever-helpful women of Bethlehem decide to step in and give her a little reality check.  

​In my mind, I picture Naomi sitting in a corner of her mud hut and the neighborhood women crowding around the room sharing a piece of their mind.  But notice that they don’t deliver their speech in a condescending or scolding manner; rather the words are filled with love and redirection towards the goodness of God.  How desperately we need these types of people in our lives and culture at large!
 
Within the reality check and gentle reminder the women of Bethlehem gave to Naomi were mentioned two specific blessings Naomi needed to remember and praise God for:  1) her new grandson, and 2) Ruth.  We’re going to look at these two blessings today.
 
Ruth, the young woman who wouldn’t turn back even in the midst of the strong protests from her mother-in-law.  The one who faithfully worked sun up to sun down gleaning in the fields during harvest so that they could eat.  The daughter-in-law who was willing to obey even the most outrageous commands and joyfully married a man much older than herself.  This was the young woman the Bethlehemites were reminding Naomi of.  She was the blessing that was worth more than seven sons, and in a culture that valued sons more than daughters, this was a huge compliment!
 
The other blessing was a redeemer.  Throughout the book of Ruth, Boaz is typically viewed as the redeemer.  However, in this verse, the women of Bethlehem were referring to Obed not Boaz.  Nevertheless, I love the wording these women used to praise the Lord, “who has not left you this day without a redeemer!”  God did not forsake Naomi and leave her defenseless and without hope.  He gave her Ruth, an extremely industrious and steadfast daughter-in-law, and through her, blessed Naomi with a grandson—something she had probably given up all hope of having.  What a faithful God we serve.
 
Now the question for us is…are we sitting in a similar position as Naomi was, surrounded by doubt, fear, and hurt?  Have we lost sight of the blessings God has graciously poured out into our lives and overlooked His faithfulness?  Are we in need of a reality check?!
 
Just like the women of Ephrathah pointed Naomi back to the goodness of the Lord and reminded her of the blessings she had, so also we need to be reminded of the great people God has placed in our lives.  Therefore, let’s take a moment to reflect and evaluate the people God has brought into our lives. 
 
Do you have a Ruth who is constant, faithful, hard working, and a source of provision in your life?  Is there someone in your life that you had long given up hope of even knowing?  What types of blessings and people has God surrounded you with to encourage and uplift you along this journey called life? 
 
Even if we can’t name a human companion who would compare with the attributes of Ruth, we do share one of Naomi’s blessings.  Just like the Lord did not leave her without a redeemer, we also are not left without the same hope.  Jesus Christ is our Redeemer, our Provider, and our Savior.  But do we view Him, our Redeemer, as a gift and undeserved blessing from the Lord?  Are we ready to bless and praise His name and make it famous in our land?
 
The Bethlehemite women blessed God for the gift of a redeemer and sought to make his name great in the land of Ephrathah even though he was an imperfect, human infant.  So will we not do the same with our eternal Redeemer—the very Son of God?  Will we not accept Him, love Him, and be forever grateful for His redemption?
 
For Naomi, the reality check she was given worked, and she joyfully embraced her new grandson and doted upon him.  How is your reality check working?  Are you ready to take the Savior of the world, welcome Him into your heart, and lovingly adore Him?
 
I know I am.  Let’s close in worship to our great Redeemer.

​The redemption was finalized.  The cost was paid.  Details settled.  Legal work completed.  It was finally official:  Ruth, formerly known as the Moabite widow of Mahlon, was now the wife of Boaz and honored citizen of Bethlehem.
 
However, before the union of Boaz and Ruth, the people and elders of Ephrathah wanted to bestow a special blessing upon the new couple.

​What a gathering!  We see from the beginning of the quoted text that there were a good amount of people gathered at the gate witnessing the transaction between Boaz and the other kinsman.  Along with the elders or city council of that time, there were also curious spectators.  However, despite the crowd and diverse backgrounds and jobs of these witnesses, all were unanimous in their blessing upon Boaz and Ruth. 
 
What a beautiful picture of unity!  If only the modern Body of Christ would come together in unity despite the diversity and different responsibilities held within the church and rise up with one voice to pronounce blessing upon God’s work. 
 
Back to Ruth 4.  What was included and communicated in the blessing of the people of Bethlehem to Boaz and Ruth?  They asked the Lord to bless this marriage with children and use them to continue to fulfill His covenant with Abraham to make Israel great among the nations.  They also exhorted them to continue to act worthily in Ephrathah and to uphold their high moral character and well-known reputation.  Now remember that Ruth was not present for the entire proceedings.  She was at home waiting and watching for her redeemer to return.  However, this blessing was for both of them.
 
Did you notice the word worthily?  Sounds familiar, right?!  It should, for the word worthily here in chapter four is the same Hebrew word used in chapter two to introduce and describe Boaz.  Boaz and Ruth already had a reputation of worthiness, virtue, or valor.  So they were already considered a worthy man and a worthy woman.  Nevertheless, the people of Bethlehem encouraged them to continue to walk worthily and to seek a righteous and good reputation.
 
So what does that teach us?  What does it reveal to you?
 
As I was studying and meditating on this passage, the message that came to me was never ride on the character and reputation of the past, but always seek to improve and to continue walking righteously before the Lord.
 
Boaz and Ruth had already achieved the status of worthiness and good repute; however, they were neither to stop living righteously nor cease seeking stronger character and a better reputation.  Likewise, while we might already have a stellar reputation among our sphere of influence and may already be considered a man or woman after God’s own heart, we still have growing and maturing to do.  Compared to others, our lives might look pretty good and put together; however, next to the perfection of Jesus Christ we all have a long ways to go.
 
Therefore, even if you are the most righteous and godly person in your family, neighborhood, youth group, or church body, never cease growing and cultivating a righteous, God-honoring life and never stop pursuing a good reputation for the glory of God.

​Last time we learned that one kinsman redeemer considered the cost of redemption too great, and therefore, gave up his right of redemption.   But thankfully Boaz, the next of kin, did not view marriage to Ruth as an undue burden; rather he takes full responsibility for her and brings about her redemption.

“Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, ‘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.’”
~Ruth 4:9-10​

This is the pinnacle moment, the climax of the story, the single event towards which all the others were working.  This is the redemption of Ruth! 
 
But…it doesn’t feel that exciting, does it? 
 
As I was studying and reflecting upon this section of text, I kept feeling a bit of a let down.  Almost like the dramatic ending and exciting moment of redemption that I’d been expecting never came to fruition.  Seriously, this moment—the redemption of Ruth, the point of the story—consists of Boaz making two statements.  How boring!  How simple!
 
Then, as I was prayerfully seeking the Lord for His revelation, it came.  The significance, power, and awesomeness of this event finally sunk in.
 
As Boaz stands in the legal court of his day and claims responsibility for Ruth’s redemption, he lists the history and social status of all those belonging to Ruth and Naomi’s family—Elimelech, Mahlon, and Chilion.  He references Ruth as a Moabite and widow, two titles that have brought hardship and grief to her life.  But this is the last time those two terms would be used to identify her!  In fact the names of Elimelech, Mahlon, and Chilion are never again mentioned in Scripture.   From this point forward, Ruth’s identity was no longer associated with her past.  She was no longer considered the widow of Mahlon or a Moabite, rather she was hereafter called Boaz’s wife. 
 
This is a beautiful thing and the core essence of redemption!  Not only was Ruth and her property under new lordship and ownership, but she was also gaining a new identity.  The former realities of her life were being replaced with a new status.
 
Notice, however, that this didn’t happen with a lot of fanfare or fuss, but rather in a simple almost rudimentary act of legal work.  Boaz was merely claiming the property of the deceased and taking upon himself the responsibility of Ruth.  Ruth wasn’t even present for this huge shift.  She was at home patiently waiting for her redeemer to bring about her redemption.  She had no part or responsibility in the matter.  Everything came about through Boaz.
 
Similarly, our Redeemer doesn’t need our help in the redemption process.  Often we try to help God do the “best” thing when we should instead stay home and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.  He’s the One who accomplishes the work, who stands in our place in the courtroom of God, claiming us as His own.  For just as Boaz stood in the city gates to claim Ruth as his and give her a new identity, so also Christ stands in the throne room of God declaring us before the Father as bought, redeemed, and new. 
 
We are no longer linked to our past failures, sorrows, and sins, but are co-heirs with Christ and sons and daughters of the living God.  No longer is our name foreigner, alienated from God, but loved, cherished, and adored.  Praise the Lord!
 
However, all this did not come without cost.  While we don’t know the monetary price Boaz had to pay for Ruth’s redemption, our ransom price was one perfect life.  One life lived in perfection, holiness, and absolute righteousness before the Father, and then willingly sacrificed and given for us.  It was no ordinary price, no simple act or easily accomplished deed.  Nor was it measured in ounces, coins, or currency.  The price of our redemption was innocent blood poured out for us.
 
Most would consider it too high a cost and not worth the sacrifice.  But our Redeemer didn’t.  He willingly paid our ransom and brought about our redemption even at the sacrifice of His own life.  What a beautiful Savior!
 
So now the question for us is…have we embraced our new identity in Christ?  Are we living as God’s redeemed children?  Or do we take lightly the sacrifice of our Savior? 
 
May we never lose sight of the cross and Who took our place and paid our ransom with His blood.  And may we never forget that just like Ruth we are no longer a Moabite or foreigner, but now a beloved child of God.  So live like it! 

​Are you now excited and fired up about Ruth’s redemption?!  Do you see the significance of Boaz’s statements?  What other thoughts/truths did the Lord bring to your mind and heart when you read Ruth 4:9-10?

​Before we get into our first study in Ruth 4, let’s take a look at the beginning of verse one.

​Sound familiar?  It should.  We’ve seen this phrase before in chapter two and looked at the difference between coincidence and providence, and we’ve seen that in God’s kingdom nothing falls to chance.  Now here we have the same phase again as the other redeemer came by the gate at the right time and Boaz was able to promptly settle business with him.  God’s timing is always perfect! 
 
Now on to today’s study…

“Then he said to the redeemer, ‘Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, is selling the parcel of land that belonged to our relative Elimelech. So I thought I would tell you of it and say, “Buy it in the presence of those sitting here and in the presence of the elders of my people.” If you will redeem it, redeem it. But if you will not, tell me, that I may know, for there is no one besides you to redeem it, and I come after you.’  And he said, ‘I will redeem it.’  Then Boaz said, ‘The day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the widow of the dead, in order to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance.’  Then the redeemer said, ‘I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I impair my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption yourself, for I cannot redeem it.’”
~Ruth 4:3-6

​Why did the other kinsman change his mind?  We see that when Boaz first broaches the subject of buying Naomi’s property, the other redeemer jumps at the chance.  However, once the fine print was laid out and he found out that marriage to Ruth came with the deal, he immediately backed out. 
 
Why?  Why did he want the land, but once Ruth was added to the picture, he rejected it?  What was so distasteful about marrying Ruth?  She was a pretty, young woman who had an excellent reputation among the Ephrathites.  It doesn’t appear that he was married, so that couldn’t have been an issue.  So what was the issue?
 
The cost was too great.
 
The other kinsman was more than willing to acquire more land and purchase what was Elimelech’s, but he was unwilling to take on the responsibility if it cost him too much.  It wasn’t a money issue, but a long-term possession and materialism issue.  He was concerned about forfeiting his inheritance to a son raised under a different man’s name.  In short, the other kinsman was too focused on the earthy trivialities of inheritance.  He wasn’t focusing on the things of God.
 
Now we look at this story and at the law of the levirate marriage found in Deuteronomy 25 and think it is different, unconventional, and a little weird.  So we kind of understand the other redeemer’s perspective and reasoning.  I know I wouldn’t want to buy or redeem land if I knew it meant I had to marry a complete stranger!  However, the levirate marriage was God’s will and plan for the perpetuation of His people and provision for the widows.  So while the other kinsman viewed it as inconvenient and we may think it odd, it was God’s will.  And one should never mess with or go against God’s clearly dictated plans!
 
Boaz understood this and was unafraid to jeopardize his own heritage in order to do the right thing.  He could have had the same excuse as his fellow kinsman, but he didn’t, and God blessed him.  Throughout the Bible and its genealogies, Obed is never referred to as Mahlon’s son even though by Jewish law he would considered to be, but is always recorded as the son of Boaz—the son who fathered Jesse, who fathered David.  
 
Because Boaz was obedient to God’s will and was unafraid to redeem Ruth and give her everything, God blessed Him and placed him as the great-grandfather of David and direct ancestor of Jesus.  On the other hand, the other kinsman, who was unwilling to sacrifice his earthly inheritance, has been completely forgotten.  We don’t even know his name.
 
So the question for us is…will we be like Boaz or like the other redeemer?  When following God’s will requires sacrifice and risk, will we obey or will we view the cost too great? 
 
Consider our Redeemer and the choice placed before Him:  follow God’s will and lay down Your life for the sinful people or stay with the Father in glory.  Praise God that Jesus did not consider our cost of redemption too great, but was willing to sacrifice everything and share His eternal inheritance with a sinful people!
 
If Christ did all this for us, how can we not give Him all that we have and are?!  And remember, God never asks us to give up or lose something that is greater than what He has in store for us.  So may we take to heart and follow this command of our Redeemer and never consider the cost too great.

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.  For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”
~Luke 9:23-24​

​As we look at these last few verses from Ruth 3, the word that pops out at me is wait.  No one likes waiting.  It carries with it a need for patience and a sense of lacking.  However, our lives are full of waiting for both small and large things.  

​Small things, like standing in line at a checkout register, being placed on hold while on the phone, and sitting on the freeway during rush-hour traffic, while the big things could include waiting for God to bring a help mate, seeking God’s will for the future, waiting for the blessing of children, or waiting for the call back about a recent job interview or adoption application.  Throughout our lives we will experience periods of waiting, sometimes the answer will come back quickly and other times it will not.  But no matter the duration, God still asks us to wait—and to wait patiently, trusting in Him.
 
Look at Boaz.  Yesterday we delved into his story and long season of singleness, a lengthy period of waiting on God.  But his waiting paid off, and God brought Ruth into his life.  Now it’s Ruth’s turn to wait.  Back to Ruth 3…
 
Boaz sought to protect Ruth’s reputation and didn’t want word getting out about her visit to the threshing floor, so he sent her home early, while it was still dark.  So she returned to Bethlehem and found Naomi up and waiting for her.  It was the wee hours of the morning, long before the sun was even close to rising, but Naomi was still up, waiting to hear the news about how things went. 
 
Therefore, Ruth tells what happened during the night, about Boaz’s promise, and how he acted on his promise by giving her six measures of barley.  Although the exact measurement of six measures is unknown, this was still a generous gift!  Probably more than her first day’s gleaning, and it was barley fully processed.  No additional work needed.  How blessed Ruth must have felt!  After three months or so of backbreaking labor gleaning and processing those gleanings during the harvest, this ready-to-eat offering must have been such a luxury!
 
So Ruth did her part, she went and did all that Naomi told her; now everything was up to Boaz and what he could arrange with the other kinsman. There was nothing more Ruth could do, she had already placed her requests at the feet of her redeemer and it was up to him to act.  So now she had to patiently wait.
 
I wonder if she got anxious, excited, or curious about how things were going.  It must have felt like a really long day.  And though it was only one day, it could have taken a week or month.  What if the other kinsman was out of town or ill? 
 
Fortunately, Ruth got a speedy answer to her question, but that’s not always the case.  God operates on His own timetable and most often it does not run in sync with our schedule or timeline.  No, generally waiting encompasses an indefinite period of time that God uses to shape and build our character.
 
Therefore, are we willing to wait on God?  After we’ve placed our needs at the foot of our Redeemer, are we willing to patiently wait for Him to act in His time?  Do we trust that He will do what He promised and bring about our redemption? 
 
Just as Boaz gave Ruth a gift during her waiting period, so also the Lord graciously bestows upon us gifts and blessings while we wait for Him.  Tragically, we often miss these blessings because we’re too focused upon the one thing we want God to do.  So let us be men and women who patiently wait upon the Lord, and who have eyes that are open and ready to see the gifts and blessings He gives to us while we wait upon Him.

“I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope.”
~Psalm 130:5 
​
“The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.  It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.”
~Lamentations 3:25-26
​

More on this concept of waiting here.

​Before we wrap up chapter three with our final post, I have some bonus material for you.  We have studied Boaz’s character in depth and from various angles over the last few weeks and seen his strength of character and how the Lord blessed him because of it.  However, there was one thing he lacked—a wife.  Of all the ways God had blessed and prospered Boaz, the only thing He withheld was a life partner. 
 
Why?  Why wasn’t Boaz married when Ruth met him?

​Being single in Old Testament was no small thing.  The Jews took to heart God’s command to be fruitful and multiply, and to them marriage and raising heirs to pass on the family heritage was extremely important.  In many ways, a person’s value and level of blessing from the Lord was measured by the number of children they had.  So, for Boaz to still be single and childless at his age would have been a disgrace and shame to his family.
 
So again, why wasn’t Boaz married before meeting Ruth?  Throughout the pages of the book of Ruth, we see an extremely eligible bachelor, strong in moral and spiritual character, and materially blessed by the Lord.  Therefore why was he still single when Ruth entered his life?  We learn from the text that he was a good amount older than Ruth and no longer considered a young man.  So what took place in the ten, fifteen, twenty years before Ruth entered Boaz’s life?  Were there no eligible girls in Bethlehem?  I doubt it.  Did none of them catch Boaz’s eye?  Possibly.  However, based on what we’ve seen of Boaz’s character, the reason why I believe Boaz was unmarried was because his standards were high.  He wasn’t about to settle for ordinary, okay, or pretty nice.  No!  He wanted the best.  A Proverbs 31 woman. (Though he didn’t have the passage to study since his great-great-grandson wrote it down!)  He was a worthy man, full of virtue and the fear of the Lord and he wanted a wife of similar character. 
 
But with such high standards, what happened?  Nothing.  For decades, no one met his expectations.  Yet, Boaz still held out and trusted God for a worthy woman.  And his waiting eventually paid off.
 
But being past the prime of his life, Boaz had probably given up any hopes of matrimony, and resigned himself to being single for the rest of his life.  Even when Ruth came onto the scene and her character attracted him, he still expected her to marry someone else, namely someone younger.  But God had other plans.  He destined Boaz to be the great-grandfather of David and ancestor of Jesus Christ, and these were things that could not be accomplished as a single man!  The Lord withheld the gift of a wife, so that Boaz could be available when Ruth needed a redeemer and together they could fulfill their role in God’s bigger plan of redemption.
 
So what does that teach us about singleness?  For those of us in our season of singleness, what lessons can we learn from Boaz and his long wait for a wife?  Looking at Boaz’s story, do you think you can trust God more with your future dreams of marriage and child-raising?  Will you wait for Him to bring the perfect one, in His time and His way?
 
It’s not like Boaz woke up on the threshing floor, saw Ruth, and then decided he’d like to be married.  I’m sure Boaz had the desire to be a husband and father long before, but God wanted him to wait.  Wait for His best and His perfect timing.  And Boaz obeyed.  He didn’t lower his standards and jump ahead of God, but waited for many years and was greatly blessed because of it.
 
So may we take to heart the testimony of Boaz and his seemingly indefinite season of singleness.  And may we always trust God in His timing and purpose and never lower our standards! 

“Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.  Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.”
~Psalm 37:3-5​

​Okay, we’ve finally come to the big moment, the pinnacle of the entire story of Ruth.  The part where Ruth steps out in faith and seeks redemption at the foot of her redeemer.  She had time to prepare for this moment, and we know what’s about to happen.  But one of the main characters had no clue what was about to unfold.  Can you guess who that was?

​Boaz had no idea what was in store for that fateful night on the threshing floor.  According to his plans the agenda for the night was simply work hard to get the grain processed, have a little party with his employees, and then try to get a good night’s sleep while lying on the floor.  None of this included a meeting with the young Moabitess or a marriage proposal!
 
Poor unsuspecting Boaz!  He had no idea what was coming his way…

​Can you imagine Boaz’s surprise when he woke up in the middle of the night and found a woman lying at his feet?  I’m sure that was the last thing he was expecting!  One commentator noted the wisdom of Naomi to have Ruth uncover Boaz’s feet so that during the night his feet would get cold and wake him up.  Smart woman!
 
The term “spread your wings” can also be translated “spread your cloak” and meant to cover with protection.  Ruth was submitting herself to Boaz’s authority and asking him to cover her with his protection and provision.  While Ruth was using this term in reference to marriage and the levirate law, there is a deeper symbolism here for us.  Boaz is a picture of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.  So may we be like Ruth who lay at the feet of her redeemer, submitted to his authority, and asked for his protection!
 
Notice Boaz’s reply to Ruth.  He obviously wasn’t offended by the fact that she, a foreign young woman was lying at his feet, nor was he disturbed by her request.  In fact, he was blessed by it!  His immediate response was to pronounce a blessing upon her!  To me, this shows Boaz’s affection for Ruth.  Even though he kept his affections for her purely platonic, Boaz still loved Ruth and was more than willing to perform his duty as kinsman redeemer.  

​Did you catch the word Boaz used to describe Ruth’s character and reputation among the people of Israel?  Sound familiar?  It should!  Back at the beginning of chapter two, Boaz was introduced to us as being a worthy man and we studied the meaning and significance of that description.  Interesting that in her short time among the Israelites, Ruth should also gain a similar reputation.  It’s a powerful testimony to the influence of living one’s life fully trusting in God’s direction and provision. 
 
So Boaz makes his promise and pledge to Ruth that unless the law prohibits it, he will redeem and marry Ruth.  I find it interesting that Boaz makes no slight against the nearer kinsman.  He is more concerned about Ruth’s well-being and provision than who will provide it.  This is true love—one not based upon romantic feelings or selfish desires, but upon the best interests of the other. 
 
Can the same be said of us?  When we make promises, are we thinking of the other person and what’s best for them, or do we really have our own interests in mind?  What’s our agenda when we do something good for another?
 
And what is our response when we’re rudely awakened in the middle of the night by the needs of others?  Do we respond with gentleness and grace?  Or are we put out at being bothered?
 
Boaz was just going about his business, finishing up the process of harvesting the crops, and then guarding the finished product at night.  He was not expecting a special visitor in the middle of the night, nor a marriage proposal.  But when popped the question, he responded with grace and selfless love and acted honorably in the midst of a potentially compromising situation.  Boaz didn’t belittle Ruth or put down the other redeemer who wasn’t doing his duty.  No.  In all ways he acted with honor and grace, and continually referenced the Lord. 
 
May we strive to further emulate the wonderful character qualities of this worthy man!  May we seek to do the right thing in all situations, pour out generously the grace of God, and show others unconditional, selfless love.  

​Naomi, the matchmaker, was at work.  After thinking long and hard about how she could facilitate marriage between Boaz and Ruth, she finally instructed her daughter-in-law on an unusual plan.  Here’s what Naomi proposed: 

​You read that and are probably wondering, “What kind of plan is that?”  Well, Naomi was thinking of the levirate marriage and Boaz’s responsibility as a kinsman redeemer.  As a relative of Elimelech, Ruth’s father-in-law, it fell upon Boaz to perform the duty of redemption, but he wasn’t acting.  Now later on we’ll see why, but all Naomi was seeing was an eligible bachelor who wasn’t doing his duty to her and her family.  So she takes action!
 
Poor Ruth!  Not being an Israelite by birth or growing up with the customs and laws of Israel, what was going through her mind when she heard this proposal plan?  Was she filled with incredulity?  Nerves?  Anxiety?  Put yourself in her shoes.  Ruth was a young foreigner who had only been in Israel for a matter of months, and now she was supposed to approach a leading man of Bethlehem at night and propose marriage!  And Naomi didn’t give her instructions on what to or not to say, but just the actions she was to take.  Can you imagine her trepidation, fears of rejection, and awkwardness? 
 
Nevertheless, Ruth responded with complete obedience.

​Although Ruth did have the right to approach Boaz with a marriage proposal due to the levirate law, the usual method for taking care of this was by approaching the elders of the city not by joining the man at night while he was sleeping.  So what took place on the threshing floor put Ruth in a very compromising position.  She was putting her reputation and future on the line by joining Boaz that night.  But Ruth explicitly trusted him.  Because of his past kindness to her and honorable reputation, Ruth was willing to place herself in a vulnerable position and trust in the goodness and grace of Boaz.  What a testimony to Boaz’s character and reputation!
 
So what about you?  What’s your reputation among those looking on?  Would those in your life be confident that should you be placed in a compromising position, you would act honorably and right?  Does your character and reputation rival Boaz’s?
 
Now remembering that Christ is our Kinsman Redeemer, let’s put ourselves in Ruth’s shoes.  Are we willing to place ourselves at the mercy of our Redeemer?  Will we step out in faith even when our reputation is on the line and trust the goodness and grace of God?
 
May we be those who are known by everyone as trustworthy, honorable, and righteous people.  And may we bring honor and glory to our Redeemer by fully trusting in His goodness and grace!

​Some of you may recognize this line from Fiddler On the Roof*.  While I only watched this musical once and remember just this one little line from the entire movie, it came to mind as I was reading and studying Ruth 3. 
 
Take a look at chapter three, and the introduction to another one of Naomi’s great ideas…

​I often wonder what prompted Naomi to pursue this line of thought.  As you see from the text, Boaz is winnowing barley, so this took place immediately after the end of the harvests.  So why was Naomi so quick to push Ruth towards Boaz?  What did she see between them that made her think of this idea?  I doubt Ruth, the receiver of Boaz’s grace, had any thoughts of marrying the lord of the harvest!  She was busy working away to provide food for her and Naomi. 
 
So what was Naomi doing?  If you notice in chapter two, Ruth was the one who thought about going out to glean in the fields, and she was the one who did the back-breaking labor of gleaning and beating the barley so that they could have food on their table.  So again, what was Naomi doing?
 
According to the text, the answer appears to be nothing.  Naomi’s sole action in chapter two was to tell Ruth to keep gleaning in Boaz’s fields.  She didn’t offer to go out and help Ruth glean or to in any way contribute to the labor of preparing food to eat.  And contrary to what some think, she didn’t have the excuse of being elderly!  Back in chapter one, Naomi hinted at the possibility that she could bear children should she remarry (1:12).  So she obviously wasn’t beyond childbearing years.  Therefore, why didn’t she help Ruth out with the gleaning and processing of barley?  Why didn’t she play an active role in the work of chapter two? 
 
She was too busy having a pity party. 
 
Upon her entry into Bethlehem, Naomi announced her bitterness of heart and depressed state, and since then we haven’t really read anything about her or her thoughts and heart mindset.  Until now.  Now she’s suggesting Ruth marry Boaz.  But was Naomi really proposing this union for the benefit of Ruth, or was she really thinking of herself?  Even though she opens the topic with these nice words of “should I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you?”, was Naomi really thinking, If Ruth marries the wealthy Boaz, she’ll take me along with her and then I’ll be well taken care of and provided for.  Were these types of thoughts going through her mind as she started matchmaking? 
 
We’ll never really know.  However, I do find it interesting that so far, all of Naomi’s actions and ideas have stemmed from a desire to improve her life.  She left Bethlehem for Moab because her and her husband were looking for food.  Then when Elimelech dies along with Naomi’s two sons, she heads back home, but only after hearing that the Lord had again blessed Judah.  Now, when she hears that Boaz is showing Ruth special favor, Naomi begins planning their wedding! 
 
I kind of picture Naomi sitting in a little mud house, and each evening asking Ruth about her day in the fields and who she talked with.  Then after hearing about the generosity and kindness of Boaz throughout the three months of the barley and wheat harvests, she starts planning on how to bring Boaz and Ruth together. 
 
Whether this was the case or not, Naomi obviously put a lot of forethought into this topic, because she immediately approached Ruth with her plan—instructions and all—once the harvest is over and Boaz began working on the threshing floor.  Why Naomi was spending all her time scheming, planning, and thinking and not working is beyond me.  However, we see that up to this point all of her decisions and actions have sprung from an attitude of discontent and a “grass is greener on the other side of the fence” mindset.
 
But how often are we just like Naomi?  We may point fingers at her and act all surprised and astonished at her actions, but at the end of the day, we are often just like her.  We look around at our current state and season in life and then look at others and wonder what we could do to improve and make our lives better.  We plot and plan about how to grow our resources and assets, improve our livelihoods, and achieve a certain level of happiness whether through changes in marital status, children, location, vocation, friends, churches, etc.  But the crux of the issue is not our lack of things or people in our lives, but our heart attitude. 
 
We get so busy being discontent and planning life improvement projects, that we neglect our work in the harvest fields.  Just like Naomi stayed home and didn’t glean in Boaz’s field, so often we sit fretting about lives and miss the blessing of gleaning the bountiful harvest of the Lord.  On the other hand, Ruth worked in the fields and therefore, received the blessing, grace, and provision of Boaz, the lord of the harvest.  The former is remembered as a matchmaker, while the latter a faithful worker. 
 
So the question is…which do you want to emulate and be associated with?
 
May we be faithful workers in the fields of the kingdom of God, that we may receive the blessing, grace, and provision of our Lord of the harvest.  And may we remember this valuable lesson from Naomi and be careful to not let discontentment dictate the course and direction of our lives. 

“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’”
~Hebrews 13:5
 
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?   …  But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
~Matthew 6:25, 33

​Grace: favor, blessing, and goodwill bestowed upon one who has not done anything to deserve or merit it.  It’s the outpouring of unexpected, unearned literal or figurative gifts from one in authority or power over us.  This was what we received from Christ in the forgiveness of sins and life eternal He offers, and as we learned last time, what Ruth received from Boaz in his extremely generous provision of protection and food.  But for Ruth, did that mean she no longer needed to work?  Did Boaz’s outpouring of grace provide for Ruth in such a way that she no longer needed to glean in the field? 
 
Let’s find out…

​Even though Boaz was extremely generous with Ruth, he didn’t give her free handouts.  His generosity was not like a welfare check that simply needed to be cashed, and he wasn’t providing for Ruth by giving her bucketfuls of ready-to-eat barley so that she could lie around all day.  No!  She still had to work for her food because his provision was out in the field waiting to be gleaned by her willing hands.  Boaz’s kindness was in the fact that he was providing her protection while she worked, water when she got thirsty, and a place for her to work not in any way eliminating her need to work.  Ruth knew this and was extremely grateful for it.  So after her meeting with Boaz she didn’t head for home, but went straight back to gleaning. 
 
Remember back a few posts ago, when Boaz asked his foreman who Ruth was?  Do you member the foreman’s reply?  Along with Ruth’s name and nationality, the head reaper also included the detail that Ruth had arrived in the field in the early morning and upon receiving approval had starting gleaning.  Now according to the passage above, Ruth continued her work in Boaz’s field until evening.  That’s a really long day of backbreaking labor!  And even though she left the field at evening, her work wasn’t done yet.  She still needed to beat out her gleanings and sift it to get ready-to-cook barley.  But at the end of the day, her labor was well rewarded. 
 
Ruth’s first day of work produced an ephah of barley, which is approximate to the measure of our bushel.  This was a lot of barley for one who had to pick up each shaft individually in the trail of the busy reapers.  So Ruth was faithful to diligently work hard and maximize the grace and favor Boaz extended towards her.  And she not only gleaned in his fields that first day, but continued working to the end of the barley and wheat harvests, or for the next three months.
 
Now as we’ve looked at Ruth’s life and work ethic, the question for us is…what is our prospective on work?  Are we willing to work hard even after meeting the Lord and receiving gifts from Him?  Are we faithful to continuing working the fields until the end of the harvest?
​
Like Boaz did for Ruth, our Lord Jesus Christ has shown us abundant grace and favor.  However, we tend to sit at home and enjoy it rather than continuing to work in His harvest fields.  And this was not what the Lord intended for us!  So let us learn from the faithful, hard work of Ruth, and continue on in our Master’s harvest fields, gleaning for His glory and praise!

​The providence and perfect timing of God never fails to amaze me.  We’ve seen how God brought Ruth to Boaz’s field and sent Boaz out from Bethlehem so that they could meet among the barley.  However, what was Boaz’s response and reaction upon meeting Ruth?  Did he look down upon her in judgment because she was a foreigner?  Or did he look upon her with kindness as a widow protected by the Lord and a kinsman?  What did Boaz do next? 
 
Well let’s go back to Ruth 2 and find out!

​There are so many wonderful tidbits in this passage that we’re going to pull them out one-by-one.
 
“…my daughter…”
 
This is a term of fatherly endearment and definitely not used in a romantic sense.  So Boaz was obviously not viewing Ruth as a prospective bride.  In his eyes, she was merely a young woman in need of protection and provision and a relation of his through marriage.  His feelings for her were purely platonic and akin to an uncle with a favorite niece.
 
“All that you have done…has been fully told to me.”
 
Boaz knew all about Ruth, her background, and why she returned with Naomi.  So obviously in a little town like Bethlehem, Ruth was one of the central points of gossip and news.  And like most gossip, I’m sure that not all of what was said about Ruth was pleasant or positive.  There were probably whispers like “Can you believe who Naomi brought back with her?!  A Moabite!!!  She allowed her good Jewish son to marry a foreigner!”
 
Yet despite possible negative reports, Boaz chose to look upon the details and decisions of Ruth’s life as a trust and belief in the LORD, God of Israel.  He didn’t look down on her for what she had done, but rather praised her and pronounced the Lord’s blessing upon her.  This was something Ruth was obviously not accustomed to receiving from the local people, because she immediately questions the words and motives behind Boaz’s gracious offer.  Wasn’t she surprised when Boaz answers her question by revealing that he already knew all about her and then pronounced a blessing upon her in the name of the Lord! 
 
Boaz poured out much grace upon Ruth by noticing her and then providing for her needs.  And doesn’t this sound like our life story?  Weren’t we at one point scavenging among the leftovers and meager share the world offers, when Christ stepped into our lives, noticed us, and provided for us by giving innumerable treasures and provision in Him even though He knew about our sordid background?  Were we not at one point the alien and foreigner to God who was shown unknown grace and mercy?  Wasn’t that us not so long ago?
 
I know it was me.
 
So just as Ruth was humbled and floored by Boaz’s actions and blessing, we also should be amazed and humbled by our blessings in Christ.  We must never loose the humility, wonder, and gratefulness that meditating on the boundless grace of God should ignite in our hearts.  But our daily response to such amazing grace should be like that of Ruth: 

​Therefore, let us resolve to begin each day humbly bowed before our Father in wonder and awe that we, foreigners and aliens to God, should be seen by Him and welcomed into His kingdom as sons and daughters of the King of Kings.  Now how’s that for an outpouring of grace?!

​Throughout our lives we often experience series of events that statistics and probability say should never have happened.  These events, chance meetings, or unexpected opportunities are called by the world as coincidence, chance, or really good luck.  But as Christians, we should know better.  We should know that it is God who moves in the affairs of men, and is the One who orders the timing of the events in our lives.
 
But sometimes we forget.

​Sometimes we get sucked into the lie of the culture that tells us we were created by chance, that random atoms floating in space suddenly collided and created the world as we know it, that our lives our governed by random happenstance, that nothing and no one guides and directs the course of our lives.  This is absolute falsehood.  The Bible tells us that God is the One who created the universe, and that He guides and directs the affairs and history of man.  As the wisest man in the world wrote:

​So why do we so easily forget that God is the orchestrater of our days?  Why do we credit chance, luck, or our own craftiness for the great “coincidences” and opportunities that come our way?  How can we so quickly ignore God in the equation?
 
I believe it is because we fail to see and acknowledge God’s hand of direction in the little, small details of our lives.  We’ve already touched on this lesson a few posts ago in “The Big Significance of Little Details.”  However, as we continue our Ruth study, one of the biggest examples of God’s sovereignty and direction are found in two seemingly small details from chapter two.   

​The entire book of Ruth is centered around the love story between Ruth and Boaz.  But as we go through this book we see that Boaz and Ruth might have never met had it not been for two small “coincidences”. 
 
Notice in the text that Ruth went out to glean barley.  She wasn’t looking for a husband, nor was she seeking attention or free handouts.  Rather, Ruth pursued what was due her both as a widow and as a foreigner, and she worked hard for her lot.  Then the text goes on to reveal that Ruth “happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz” and that “behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem.” 
 
Wow!  Did you catch what just happened?  Ruth happened upon Boaz’s field, and being a foreigner she wouldn’t have known which property belonged to whom.  Coincidence?  What about Boaz?  He just “happened” to journey out from Bethlehem to visit the harvest?  The word behold here has the connotation of “what do you know,” “voila,” or “and it happened.” 
 
Now realize that without these two events the meeting and scene in the field between Boaz and Ruth would never have come to pass.  So was all this just lucky timing, proper alignment of the stars, or coincidence? 
 
I think not.  Remember that chapter two started with an introduction to the person of Boaz.  So God was already setting the stage for this event, and as we’ll see later on in the chapter, He has some special plans for Ruth that require her marriage to Boaz.  So I think the One who spoke the universe into existence and holds the stars in place can organize and bring about the events leading to the meeting and start of a relationship between two people, don’t you?  And if He orchestrated the smallest details of Boaz and Ruth’s lives to bring about His plan and purposes, don’t you think He’ll do the same for you? 
 
There are no coincidences in God’s kingdom.  Everything is done and happens for a specific purpose and reason.  Even the things that appear to go wrong in our lives or are falling apart at the seams are circumstances that God is using to bring about our good and His purposes.  Not that He’s causing them, but rather He is using them to accomplish His perfect working in our lives.  So let us never again attribute something to chance or coincidence, but always be ready to recognize the hand of our Almighty Lord in the smallest, most seemingly insignificant details of our lives.  And let us remember this reassuring promise from Romans 8:28: