What comes to your mind when you hear the word providence? Some love that word and some hate it. It has been the cause for many theological debates over the centuries. One thing we cannot argue is the fact that God's providence is seen throughout the Bible. Can there be any benefit to us in knowing the providence of God? As we read further in Ruth chapter 2, Naomi and Ruth will help us see its importance.
Providence has been given many - some lengthy - meanings. I'll just provide a few. "God conceived as the power sustaining and guiding human destiny." (Webster) "Providence is that continuous agency of God by which He makes all events of the physical and moral universe fulfill the original design with which HE created it." (Dr. Strong) One of my favorite explanations is by Dr. J. V. McGee, "Providence is the hand of God in the glove of history".
Many expositors of Ruth have made providence the theme of the book. John Piper entitled one of his writings on Ruth as, A Sweet and Bitter Providence. Mike Black, a frequent teacher at Believer's Chapel in Dallas has given Ruth chapter 2 the heading, Chance, Choice or Providence? In his teaching he makes the point that the events in the lives of God's people either happen as a result of chance, choice or providence. In one sense chance and time happen to all as Ecclesiastes 9:11 tell us. Any of us at any given moment can be the subject of a "chance" meeting or event.
Concerning choice, Mr. Black says, "the choices we make, make us." Our choices are important. There is however, a great deal in our lives that is unexplainable by either choice or chance. If the events of our lives are by chance, why were we the ones in that car wreck instead of someone else or vice versa? If the events be by choice, what choice did we really have as to the place, time and family in which we were born? Could or would we make better or worse choices depending on these events? What advantage would the one born and living in a highly educated land have over one born in the jungles of Papua New Guinea as far as choosing a Med-School or Law School degree - or even the income to provide for one. Whose "choice" could be praised for that? There must be a better explanation. I believe that this little story of Ruth lets us see the other side of chance and choice. Ruth shows us the God of providence working out His plan for these two widows, for their kinsman redeemer and for God's purpose for the ages.
God's purpose for the ages is to glorify Himself through the work of His Son, Jesus Christ. His glorification is seen in the Redemption of believers to Himself as we mentioned last time. It also includes the setting up of God's Kingdom. Scripture makes mention of that Kingdom again and again. We are even encouraged to pray for it. (Matthew 6:10). In fact if you own a Bible concordance, it would be worth it to look up the name Kingdom and see how many times it is mentioned. Perhaps in your reading, you could start taking note of the mention of the Kingdom of God.
In order to set up a kingdom, there must be a king. Besides all its applications for life, marriage, love, chastisement, employment, death, the character of God's people and His care for the widows and poor, the little book of Ruth is written as a precursor to the coming King and His Kingdom. This King would not only rule over the nation of Israel but in the hearts of God's people - not only for time, but for eternity. In order for there to be a King there must be a birth and in order to have a birth there must be the coming together of a man and a woman. This second chapter of Ruth shows us that first meeting of the man and woman who will give birth to the line of the coming king of Israel. This earthly king will be in the genealogy of the coming King of all, the LORD Jesus Christ. Would anyone venture to think that this meeting was just a chance?
After returning to Bethlehem with Naomi, Ruth sees the need of providing food for herself and her mother-in-law. In this chapter of Ruth we see the everyday events of life meeting the eternal purpose of God. Ruth asks and is encouraged by Naomi to go into a field to work. Chapter 2:3 says, So she departed and went and gleaned in a field after the reapers; and she happened to come to the portion of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech. From the human standpoint, Ruth just happened to come to that field - but, there is another side of this event. That is God's side.
The book of Ephesians 1:11 says that we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to HIS purpose who works ALL things after the counsel of His will.
Someone has said that "predestination is His plan and providence is the working out of that plan". We read that God has planned a Kingdom and in the book of Ruth we can see Him working out that plan. Proverbs 16:9 says, The mind of a man plans his way but the LORD DIRECTS his steps. The psalmist also speaks of the steps of a righteous man in Psalm 37:23, The steps of a righteous man are ordered by the LORD. The Gospels tell us that a sparrow does not fall nor do we lose a hair on our heads that is not known to our Heavenly Father. There are literally hundreds of Scripture references to the fact that God's hand is in the glove of man's "happenings". He orders, purposes and predestines all things according to HIS will which He brings about in His providence.
This does not mean that God is the author of sin. James tells us that God neither tempts man with nor is tempted to sin. Sin happens because we do not yield to the rule of the One who is to be King in our lives. God can and does use sin for His Glory and our good. The best example of this is of Joseph who was sold by his brothers into slavery and later makes this statement to them, Do not be angry with yourselves, you meant evil against me but GOD meant it for good. (Genesis 50:20)
Joseph then goes on to tell his brothers who had sinned against him that he is going to provide for them. How could he be so kind to his brothers after they had treated him so horribly? The reason is because he recognized the PROVIDENCE of God in the events of his life, even in the sinful ones. God was going to bring good out of evil and HE is the only One who can do that. The highest example of this being Our LORD Jesus on the cross when we hear him cry in Luke 23:34, Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing. In His humanity, how was Jesus able to say this? It was because He had previously prayed, Father, if it be possible let this cup (the cup of suffering and death, separation from His Father for the first time in all eternity) - let this cup pass from me, nevertheless, not MY WILL, by Your will be done. (Matthew 26:39). He recognized the PROVIDENCE of God in His life - even at the Cross.
Here too, in Ruth chapter 2: 3-7 the events unfolding before us are not just chance but PROVIDENCE. We see the providence of God in bringing Ruth to just the right field in which to work and at just the right time. We are not told from the human standpoint how she chose that field. Perhaps she had asked around as to who was the best and kindest field owner who might show her grace, favor and employment. Perhaps, as she passed she saw many other women gleaning and the fruitful baskets they were filling. Perhaps, she just had a desire to turn into that field. We are not told, but we do know that "God was directing her steps" as to place and time.
We see also that God was directing the steps of Boaz, the kinsman redeemer, as to place and time. We read that he actually had been in the town of Bethlehem but for some reason he decided to make a visit to his field - just at the right time to see Ruth! We see God working in bringing this woman to this man and this man to this woman for His eternal purpose. He is using the everyday events to bring about His eternal purposes.
God is doing the same thing with the events in your life. Each of us daily have events in our lives that to us just seem to "happen". Perhaps they are just ordinary events of life - like working in a field, going to the grocery, chauffeuring your children from school and back. Later we look back and realize that there was more meaning in that "happening" than can be explained by chance. Have you not found that to be true in you life? Perhaps we don't even know for years or may not know until eternity exactly how God is going to use that seemingly insignificant event in our lives for His eternal purpose.
God is not indifferent to the"'happenings" in your life? There may even be hard events - sad ones - disappointing ones at times, but even in those hard times God is "directing your steps" for His Glory and your good as He did in the lives of Joseph and his brothers. Are you anxious about your circumstances? Has someone sinned against you and you just cannot forgive? Perhaps you have sinned against someone else and find it hard to forgive yourself. Remember the words of Joseph - "don't be angry with yourselves, you meant it for evil but GOD meant it for good". Our peace comes in recognizing that "God MEANT IT" and in submission to HIM as KING - saying, "not my will but yours be done." We can rest only as we realize that God has a purpose in it all. As Charles Swindoll has said, "Our peace comes in resting in God's providence not resisting it."
For those who belong to Him, His purpose is for their good and His glory. Who knows what events will unfold in your life today that will have a far reaching eternal value for you and for others and ultimately for the Glory of God. God calls you to be faithful in the everyday events and duties of life. We may not know what eternal purpose He has for them. Ruth and Boaz did not know when they met that they would give birth to a child who would be in the line of the great king of Israel. In fact, at the time of their meeting, there was NO KING in Israel. So, believe that God has a purpose in the events in your daily life, even if they seem insignificant or hard. Trust Him today - submit to HIS RULE - HIS KINGDOM in you life. He is a KING, but a kind, benevolent King, who has loved you enough to die for YOU and to "order all your steps". Put your TRUST in HIM!
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea;
and rides upon the storm.
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea;
and rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright design
and works His sovereign will.
of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright design
and works His sovereign will.
You fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds you so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
The clouds you so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
in blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But, trust Him for His grace,
Behind a frowning PROVIDENCE
He hides a smiling face.
William Cowper
But, trust Him for His grace,
Behind a frowning PROVIDENCE
He hides a smiling face.
William Cowper
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