The Details Matter

When you read the Book of Ruth you get lots of very specific details. You get names, places, circumstances, and events. We expect this when we read anything. I love to read history books and dig into the details of what happened. This is because you never get to the bigger picture and the larger outcome, without all the little things. Major moments in world history have turned on the smallest details. When we think about how God works we often focus on the big moments. We think about the empty tomb, the parting of the Red Sea, and the little baby lying in a manger in Bethlehem, and those moments and many others are definitely God at work. The problem is we can’t just focus on the big moments with the big people, like David, Moses, or Abraham. God is also at work in the details and in the lives of what we think of as ordinary people. People like Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz.

You see the details coming out in Ruth Chapter 2. When you finish Ruth 1 you are left in a pretty bad place. Naomi’s husband and sons are dead. Naomi is telling everyone to call her Mara, which means bitter. Naomi and Ruth, Naomi’s daughter-in-law, could easily starve to death. They had little hope. Naomi feels like God’s fist is striking her. It’s not a cheerful chapter, but things are about to change. The reason for this is that God doesn’t just have a plan for the “important people” and nothing for everyone else. Ruth and Naomi aren’t important people. They are just average people dealing with a difficult situation, but God cares for them and has a plan for them just like He does for King David. God’s providence is in effect for all of us. When we talk about providence we mean that God sees the past, present, and future for everyone, has a plan for each of us, and each of us matters to Him. He hasn’t abandoned these two ladies any more than He would abandon the apostle Paul. He is moving behind the scenes of their lives and our lives even when we don’t realize it.

These details God is arranging are seen when you look at when Ruth and Naomi come back to Bethlehem. They come back as the barley harvest begins. This seems like nothing important, but God is involved in the details of this story and the details of our lives as well. The barley harvest meant food would be available. People were allowed to glean in the fields during the harvest. They could come behind the men harvesting the barley and pick up any stalks left behind. It was a way of helping people in need. This practice was commanded in the Old Testament. It wasn’t an accident that Ruth and Naomi came to Bethlehem when they did. They would be able to feed themselves by gleaning.

Ruth 2:1 introduces us to a man named Boaz, “Now there was a wealthy and influential man in Bethlehem named Boaz, who was a relative of Naomi’s husband, Elimelech.” That’s not a great deal to go on, but remember God is working behind the scenes. Boaz doesn’t know his part in what God is doing yet, but it’s coming. All we know is his station in life and that he is related to Elimelech, Naomi’s deceased husband. Why tell us this now in Ruth 2:1? We are told this to show us God has a plan, and that nothing is happening by chance. There are no accidents with God. He will use even our rebellious sin to bring about His plan. He doesn’t cause or endorse the sin, but He knows it’s coming and will use it for His own purpose. Boaz is part of the plan for Ruth and Naomi. God sees the entire picture of their lives, and He sees the entire picture of our lives as well. That’s God’s providence at work. He has a plan and is in control of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. When Ruth and Naomi left Moab God knew the barley harvest was coming, and He knew exactly how Boaz would come into the picture.

When Ruth goes out to glean barley for her and Naomi. She finds herself in one of Boaz’s fields. This detail is given in Ruth 2:3. Does anyone think it was an accident that she found herself in Boaz’s field? I sure don’t. God was moving behind the scenes to take care of Ruth. She didn’t know how this would happen, but God did. He knows your life as well. When we don’t know what to do or what will happen remember that God does know, and lean on Him knowing God has a plan for you.