THE INDOMITABLE WILL OF GOD
Ruth 1-4
The story of Ruth is a story of life on the ground; ordinary people making decisions in response to changing circumstances. How do they make those decisions? What do they base those decisions upon? Where does God stand in those decisions? The story does not tell us any answers but as it unfolds we are able to discern some of the main characters.
Ruth, in Boaz’s eyes, was a good woman. He saw Ruth’s decision to accompany her mother-in-law — despite the fact that she would likely have a better chance in life if she remained in her own homeland — as kindness towards her — she did so for Naomi’s sake — and he blessed her. This was a good woman, willing to look after Naomi, even to the extent of abandoning her own culture and gods for her sake, despite the odds.
Boaz himself could see beyond her foreign background and culture to recognise the good in Ruth. He was a godly man, careful to do what is right in God’s eyes and in the eyes of society. He was generous and kind.
Naomi, having nowhere to turn to, decided to return to her homeland and to her God, even though she had turned bitter; at least she was bitter in God’s presence.
Would God’s will be thwarted by our decisions? Did David’s lineage, and subsequently Jesus, depend on Elimelek leaving Israel, or his children succumbing to death 10 years after their marriages, or Ruth’s determination to look after her bitter mother-in-law? We don’t know. This is the only timeline we know. We know each was free to make their choices but at the end, God’s indomitable will marches on. And in its wake a bitter widow who returned to God was blessed with a grandson, a loyal daughter-in-law was blessed with a loving husband who truly loves and values her, a pious, kind and generous man found a good woman and down the road, after many generations, came David, king of Israel, and even further down, Jesus, our Saviour and Lord. Praise be to God!