Ruth 3:16-18 (NIV)
16 When Ruth came to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked, “How did it go, my daughter?” Then she told her everything Boaz had done for her 17 and added, “He gave me these six measures of barley, saying, ‘Don’t go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’” 18 Then Naomi said, “Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today.”
Naomi wanted a good future for her daughter-in-law Ruth and sent her to Boaz. Ruth had asked Boaz for his protection for herself and Naomi. This would mean that Boaz would take her as his wife and bring her into his household. We are not told if Boaz had a wife or family at that time. However, God had a plan and was going to work it through Boaz, the son of Salmon and Rahab.
I see the world and God’s plan as a tapestry. We mostly see the ugly hanging threads of the back. God sees the front of the tapestry; He sees what we can become. He knows the beginning from the end and weaves His plan through frail and flawed humans for our ultimate good. No one is beyond his reach; you cannot fall too far for the Lord to reach you and draw you back to him. The Lord can and will use any situation, no matter how bad, to create His will for good. The Bible is full of foolish people whom the Lord redeemed anyway!
The meeting went well! Ruth requested Boaz’ protection and he granted her request although there were some complications. Boaz was willing to redeem Ruth and Naomi by purchasing the land which belonged to Elimelek keeping it in the family. By this, he also agreed to take Ruth as his wife. God had brought Ruth into the field of Boaz to glean because He wanted Boaz to see and meet her. There are no accidents! Now, He was working His plan for the bloodline that, through King David, would yield the Christ. My study Bible says “God often uses little decisions to carry out His big plan.” The choice of which field seemed little by itself but it is what got Boaz to notice Ruth. What decisions are you making daily that will influence the future of the world? Maybe you don’t see your choices as so significant but they are. It is said that integrity is doing the right thing even when you think no one is looking. What choices are you making? Are they insignificant? That may have been what Ruth thought. Your choices are important. Listen for God’s still small voice and follow His plan and you will be blessed in all your ways.
Father God, who are we that You are mindful of us; that You care for us? We go through our days thinking that we do not matter but nothing could be further from the truth. Each of us matters to You! Guide us in Your ways that we may fulfill the destiny You have planned for us. There is nowhere we can go that we are out of Your reach. Take hold of us today, protect us and lead us where You would have us go. In Jesus name we pray!