The Book of Ruth: God’s Plans

Today I wish to turn my attention to those who, in this particular season of their lives, find themselves disappointed. I understand that this does not necessarily imply a lack of faith in God and in His goodness, but rather a sense of not seeing the hand of God working visibly during this time.

There are those who face financial difficulties and cannot perceive the positive changes they long to see. For others, disappointment may come from a marriage that does not reflect divine ideals. There are those who, even though they have everything they could desire to be happy and fulfilled, still feel sad, lonely, and anxious.

There are also those who find themselves going through a stage of life they never imagined they would have to face. In such circumstances, one tries to hold on to faith and to hope for a better future.

First of all, I want to express my sincere sorrow if you find yourself in one of these situations. I understand the emotions you are experiencing, for I too am living through a season of my life that I never anticipated. My heart is heavy, just like yours.

My prayer is that today God may accomplish what only He can do: speak to our hearts, instill in us new hope, and strengthen our faith. That in the midst of difficulties we may find comfort, and that the light of His presence may illuminate the path, bringing healing and renewal. That we may cling to the certainty that, even when we do not understand the reasons for our trials, God is at work for our good.

May our faith be renewed, and may we hope for a brighter tomorrow, guided by trust in the One who holds our destiny in His loving hands.

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Chapter 4 of the Book of Ruth

In chapter 1 of Ruth’s story, we hit rock bottom together with her, Naomi, and Orpah—women who had lost their husbands. They found themselves emotionally wounded, alone, without hope, without work, and without financial support. At a decisive moment, Ruth chose to abandon her old life and the idols of Moab to follow Naomi and Naomi’s God to Bethlehem.

In chapter 2, Ruth emerges as an example of work, patience, and service. Instead of giving in to despair and selling her body to survive, she decides to glean in the fields of a man named Boaz. With faithfulness, she serves and provides both for herself and for her mother-in-law, waiting and hoping in God for change.

In chapter 3, Ruth takes the initiative to gain clarity about her relationship with Boaz. She surrenders to God’s will when Boaz explains that there is a closer relative with the right of redemption over her. Ruth continues to place her trust in God, preparing the way for chapter 4.

In chapter 4, we see the providence and goodness of God revealed. Boaz is able to redeem Ruth, allowing them to marry. Ruth’s story culminates with God’s blessing upon her life: she is no longer forced to glean, she has a future, she is married to Boaz, and she has a family with whom to celebrate God’s goodness in her life.

This journey, from chapter 1 to chapter 4, can reflect the various stages of our own lives. If we find ourselves in chapter 1—afflicted and disappointed—we must remember that God loves us and cares for us. In chapter 2, during seasons of waiting and working, we must remain faithful to God, knowing that He is preparing His plans for us. In chapter 3, when we take initiative and surrender to God’s will, we can trust that His plans are better than we can imagine. In chapter 4, we see the fulfillment of God’s goodness in our lives.

Whether you find yourself in chapter 1, 2, 3, or 4 of this story, know that God is good, faithful, and His Word is true. Let yourself be guided by His loving hand through every stage of your life, trusting that His plans are meant to prosper you.

Chapter 4: Boaz meets with certain men at the city gate, a significant place for concluding agreements and business. In the end, he is able to marry Ruth, taking on the responsibility of providing for, protecting, and blessing her as her kinsman-redeemer. This takes place in the presence of the city elders, who pray and bear witness to God’s blessing.

Verses 11–12: The elders respond with blessings, invoking that Ruth, as she enters Boaz’s household, may be like Rachel and Leah, women foundational to the nation of Israel. They ask God to make Ruth prosper and to grant her a name in Bethlehem. This moment demonstrates how God’s love overcomes prejudice and transforms the life of Ruth, a foreigner with two marriages behind her.

Verse 13 highlights the marriage between Boaz and Ruth. Boaz takes Ruth as his wife, and the Lord blesses her with the grace to conceive. This passage shows how God can transform years of disappointment and loneliness into an extraordinary blessing. Ruth’s story—having remained a widow for ten years in Moab—is an example of how a chapter of life may last longer than expected, but God, through His grace, can bring blessing and prosperity.

Reflecting on this, it is essential to understand that God can transform any situation. Even when it seems that prayers are unanswered or circumstances remain unchanged, the story of Ruth teaches us to hold on to faith. God can intervene in unexpected ways, and His grace can transform our lives, enabling us to face difficulties, heal, accept, and live with hope.

The text emphasizes that even when we do not immediately see God’s work, faith continues to be a beacon in the storm. In chapter 1, Ruth experienced the pain of loss and loneliness; in chapter 2, she worked and waited; in chapter 3, she took initiative and surrendered to God’s will. Now, in chapter 4, we see the manifestation of divine grace and God’s goodness in Ruth’s life.

The invitation is never to underestimate what God can do through prayer, faith-filled decisions, and continual trust—even when it seems that nothing is changing. Ruth’s story is an encouragement to look beyond present circumstances and to trust that God is working in silence, preparing something extraordinary for those who trust Him.

Our God is able to do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. We see God’s power manifested in meeting Ruth’s needs (Ruth 4:14–16). The women praise the Lord because He did not allow Naomi to remain without a redeemer, celebrating divine providence.

Naomi’s story is an example of how God can work even when life takes a direction different from what was planned. Naomi never imagined leaving Bethlehem for Moab or becoming a widow. Yet God was working even when everything seemed to go against her plans.

God’s plans are always better than ours. The love Ruth showed Naomi was so great that it was worth more than the love of seven sons. This story is an encouragement for those who find themselves in unplanned situations or are disappointed by current circumstances. It calls us to remember God’s goodness and to trust that His plans are always higher than ours.

In many unforeseen circumstances of life, we must affirm that God’s plan is better. It may be difficult when things do not go as expected, but the story of Naomi and Ruth teaches us to look beyond and to trust that God is working for a greater good, even when we do not immediately see the results.

Personally, the author shares a life experience in which an unplanned tumor led to a better plan than expected. This demonstrates that God’s plan does not stop because of circumstances but continues to unfold for our good.

The author urges us to declare that, even in the midst of disappointments and unwanted situations, God is preparing something better. He invites us to thank God for not granting what we desired, because the divine plan is always superior.

The final encouragement is directed to those who find themselves in ‘chapter 1 or 2 or 3 of Ruth,’ emphasizing that there will be a ‘chapter 4’ in their lives, and it will be better. Even if they do not see what they desire now, they must trust that God’s plans are always the best. Life may take unexpected turns, but God is at work to bring good into their lives.

One of the main themes of the Book of Ruth is the providence of God—that is, the way God uses natural circumstances to fulfill His supernatural will. This narrative does not present spectacular physical miracles like the parting of the Red Sea, but it shows us God’s miraculous providence permeating Ruth’s story.

Ruth’s life is a clear representation of God’s action and goodness, and the understanding of divine providence becomes sharper when we look back. Today, we are disciples of Jesus Christ, and every aspect of our lives is connected to Him. Jesus is our Lord, Savior, Redeemer, King, Righteousness, the gate through which we have communion. We are His branches, and the story of Ruth demonstrates how divine providence intertwines with daily life.

In Ruth 4:17, we see the genealogy of Obed, who became the father of Jesse and, later, the grandfather of David. This is significant because Ruth, once considered a foreigner and far from God, becomes an essential part of the genealogy of Jesus Christ according to the Gospel of Matthew.

Looking back, we notice a progression in Ruth’s story that culminates in verse 4:17. At first, Ruth saw herself as a foreigner, but over time, through the love of Boaz and the providence of God, her identity changed. This is evident in the way Ruth described herself: from feeling unworthy even to be compared with the maidservants (chapter 2), to identifying herself as a servant (chapter 3), and finally becoming a wife and mother (chapter 4).

Ruth’s transformation reflects the transformation many of us experience in our spiritual lives. At first, we feel far from God, but through divine providence and the love of Jesus Christ, our identity changes. The past is overcome, and we become what God has called us to be.

The story of Ruth is also our story in Christ. Just as Ruth initially felt distant from God, many of us can identify with that sense of spiritual estrangement. Yet God sent His Son Jesus to love us, showing us His love and offering the possibility of redemption and transformation.

The Scriptures in Ephesians, cited by the author, confirm this transformation. We were dead in our sins, following the world and the prince of the powers of darkness, but God, rich in mercy, loved us, made us alive with Christ, and seated us in the heavenly places in Him. We have been brought near to God through the blood of Christ and now belong to the family of God.

The final message encourages those who feel spiritually estranged or unworthy of drawing near to God. The story of Ruth demonstrates that, despite the past, God has something better for us. If we still find ourselves halfway between ‘Moab and Bethlehem,’ we are urged to remain faithful to God, for He is able to exceed every expectation.

In conclusion, as we wait for change in our lives, we must remember that God is working behind the scenes, preparing something extraordinary. The story of Ruth assures us that God’s blessings are real, and divine providence works in every circumstance for the good of those who love Him. Looking back, we will see that God’s goodness was with us at every moment, in every situation—even in this very moment.