Ruth 1:1-5

Pain, Trial, Suffering are no respecter of persons.

Judges 21:25

1. Naomi’s Misery

Ruth 1:19-21;

• Setback #1: Famine in Israel
• Setback #2: Became a widow
• Setback #3: Daughters-in-law barren
• Setback #4: Sons passed away

Can you imagine Naomi’s plight?

• Is this fate?
• Is it just bad luck?
• Is it the devil?
• Is it God’s judgement?
• What had gone wrong?
• Why did it happen to me?

Question 1: Does God afflict Naomi by making her life bitter as she had claimed?

Question 2: Did Naomi really come home empty?

2. God’s Invisible Hand

Ruth 1:6; 16-17; 22; 2:2; Lev 19:9-10; Ruth 2:3

• God’s invisible hand directed Ruth to that specific field on that specific day and time.
• God’s invisible hand steered Boaz to show favour to Ruth
• Ruth: about 35-50 pounds of grain
• Average worker: 2-5 pounds of grain per day
• Ruth was able to provide aplenty for Naomi.

The invisible hand of God is directing the smallest and most random details in your life.

Ruth 2:19

It was the Lord who:

• Stopped the famine
• Bound Ruth to Naomi in love and devotion
• Directed Ruth’s steps and granted her favour

God has turned Naomi’s mourning into dancing.

• the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me (1:20)
• The Lord’s kindness (hesed) has not forsaken the living or the dead (2:20)

The closer relative refused to marry Ruth. Boaz seized the opportunity to marry Ruth.

God’s invisible hand:

• Provided Ruth a husband to fend for Ruth and Naomi
• Enabled Ruth to conceive and a son born to Naomi
• Turned Naomi’s shame and disgrace into the highest honour
• Naomi — Obed — King David — Jesus Christ

God is at work to always give each of us a future and a hope!