The Mystery of God

Hand in Hand

By Ed Traverse, January 18, 2026

Things might not be as random as they seem


Ruth 2:1-4 Now Naomi had a relative of her husbands, a worthy man of the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz.  2  And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.”  3  So she set out and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers, and she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the clan of Elimelech.  4  And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem. And he said to the reapers, “The LORD be with you!” And they answered, “The LORD bless you.”


God blesses others through the kindness of His people


Ruth 2:8-9 Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Now, listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women.  9  Let your eyes be on the field that they are reaping, and go after them. Have I not charged the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink what the young men have drawn.”


Ruth 2:15-16 When she rose to glean, Boaz instructed his young men, saying, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her.  16  And also pull out some from the bundles for her and leave it for her to glean, and do not rebuke her.”


God’s providence is connected to our obedience


Ruth 2:12 The LORD repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge! ”Boaz declares that the Lord would bless her with a full reward for her kindness toward Naomi