When Happenstance Is Not an Accident We See God's Plan

Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld- Ruth im Feld des Boaz.jpg (Public Domain)

Naomi had a relative. He was from Elimelech’s side of the family. He was a man of outstanding character named Boaz.

Ruth, who was from Moab, said to Naomi, “Please let me go to the field of anyone who will be kind to me. There I will gather the grain left behind by the reapers.” Naomi told her, “Go, my daughter.”

So Ruth went. She entered a field and gathered the grain left behind by the reapers. Now it happened that she ended up in the part of the field that belonged to Boaz, who was from Elimelech’s family. Ruth 2:1-3 GW [see full devotional text in the link below]

Does anything just happen? When something unexpected happens, it’s often seen as chance or happenstance. This is more or less the oversimplified view of evolution—the earth’s terrain, oceans, atmosphere, and all life just “happened.”

The concept of an “accidental evolution” of the world would be scoffed at in ancient times. They knew some creative being brought everything into existence, even if they didn’t know who (Romans 1:20).

Most people throughout the world, in ancient times and now, believe everything takes place according to a grand, choreographed cosmic plan. As Solomon pointed out, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV). Whatever happens, is meant to be, destiny, or fate.

But I wonder, why do we have to categorize the events of life as one or the other? Is there a divine cosmic plan, or does each person determine their own destiny?

Could both be true without being in conflict? Yes, I believe so. God is sovereign, but He created us with free will. The history of Israel as recorded in Scripture confirms and reveals this. It’s a paradox, but the one is not mutually exclusive of the other.

It's called the Providence of God when God intervenes in people’s lives to accomplish His purposes. This story in Ruth illustrates that. We see God intervene to bring Ruth to the field of Boaz who is related to Elimelech. As the story of Ruth unfolds, we’ll see how consequential this is.

An Agrarian Life

The short story at the beginning of chapter two sets the stage for the central theme of redemption in Ruth. We’re told Naomi had a relative in Bethlehem named Boaz, who was a man of integrity and status. As chapter two unfolds, he becomes a central character in this redemption story.

The ancient world was based on an agrarian economy. Their calendar revolved around planting and harvests, and of course, the weather. Laborers were needed to plant, reap, and manage the fields. This was the world Ruth knew.

Built into the Mosaic Law was a provision for the poor as well as foreigners to gather or glean the grain left behind by the paid harvesters (Leviticus 19:9-10). Ruth, knowing their economic plight as widows without a source of income, sought Naomi’s permission to glean in someone’s field. She hoped to find favor in the eyes of a landowner or foreman who might hire her as a laborer.

This was Ruth’s plan, but God had a much greater plan.

“Now it happened that she ended up in the part of the field that belonged to Boaz, who was from Elimelech’s family” (Ruth 2:3). Did Ruth just happen to find the field of Boaz, or is there more to the story? Ruth chose to go out to glean and her choice led her to glean in the field of Boaz. But God had a greater plan, and it included Ruth with her initiative and choices.

A Pastoral Scene

Ruth goes out to follow the paid harvesters and glean behind them. After their mid-morning break, Boaz—the owner of the field—came out to check on his workers and the harvest. And he notices Ruth.

The way Boaz greets his workers and takes note of Ruth’s presence gives some insight into the character of Boaz. He greets all of them with a blessing and they respond to him with a blessing. It shows how Boaz treated those reaping the harvest with respect and appreciation.

Boaz knows them and they know him, and he realizes there’s a new face among them whom he doesn’t know. When Boaz asks the foreman about her, he speaks well of her and identifies her as the young Moabite woman who came with Naomi from Moab.

The foreman testifies to Ruth’s hard work, as well as asking for permission to glean. Everyone seems to be aware of the goodness of Ruth’s character and her commitment to Naomi and the God of Israel. This is significant since she’s a foreigner, a Gentile, by birth.

This brief introduction of the story of Ruth and Boaz begins with further insight into Ruth’s character and some insight into the integrity of Boaz, which will continue to be revealed and later tested.

We will also see how human free will is woven together with God’s sovereign will in the tapestry of God’s story of redemption. This is how the story happens, but it’s not an accident, nor by chance, and it isn’t fate.

Reflection—

We tend to categorize events in life as either chance or fate. God is sovereign, but He created us with free will. The history of Israel, and of humanity, confirms and reveals this. It’s a paradox, but the one is not mutually exclusive of the

Prayer Focus—

When faced with decisions and opportunities in life, choose to trust in the Lord. Ask Him for wisdom and guidance. Step out in faith. God honors our free will and guides us according to His will.

This is an excerpt from the book Stories of Redemption by Trip Kimball (available on Amazon)