Ruth 2: If You Want to See God’s Work, Learn to Read from Right to Left

Welcome to Chapter by Chapter 4 journey Welcome to Chapter by Chapter 4 journey through the greatest book given to the through the greatest book given to the through the greatest book given to the human race, the word of God, the Bible. human race, the word of God, the Bible. human race, the word of God, the Bible. We get to go through it chapter by We get to go through it chapter by We get to go through it chapter by chapter, 7 minutes a day and seven days chapter, 7 minutes a day and seven days chapter, 7 minutes a day and seven days a week. Join us each day and share it a week. Join us each day and share it a week. Join us each day and share it with others so they can join this with others so they can join this with others so they can join this journey that will be life-changing. journey that will be life-changing. journey that will be life-changing. We'll stop at unexpected places on the We'll stop at unexpected places on the We'll stop at unexpected places on the journey and be challenged. Some verses journey and be challenged. Some verses journey and be challenged. Some verses will create awe and wonder. We will have will create awe and wonder. We will have will create awe and wonder. We will have chapters that will be instructive and in chapters that will be instructive and in chapters that will be instructive and in others we'll find joy and comfort. We others we'll find joy and comfort. We others we'll find joy and comfort. We will occasionally be convicted and want will occasionally be convicted and want will occasionally be convicted and want to change, but all in all, the journey to change, but all in all, the journey to change, but all in all, the journey will be worth it. Once in a while, we will be worth it. Once in a while, we will be worth it. Once in a while, we may take a detour on the journey and may take a detour on the journey and may take a detour on the journey and hear from some of God's servants on hear from some of God's servants on hear from some of God's servants on their favorite passages from a chapter their favorite passages from a chapter their favorite passages from a chapter of scripture and let them give you their of scripture and let them give you their of scripture and let them give you their insight. Every journey needs a small insight. Every journey needs a small insight. Every journey needs a small detour occasionally. The best way to get detour occasionally. The best way to get detour occasionally. The best way to get the most from this podcast is read the the most from this podcast is read the the most from this podcast is read the chapter we're discussing before after. chapter we're discussing before after. chapter we're discussing before after. It's his word that transforms. You'll It's his word that transforms. You'll It's his word that transforms. You'll find more and see more than I can ever find more and see more than I can ever find more and see more than I can ever articulate. Welcome to Chapter by articulate. Welcome to Chapter by articulate. Welcome to Chapter by Chapter. And today's chapter is Ruth 2. Chapter. And today's chapter is Ruth 2. Chapter. And today's chapter is Ruth 2. If you want to see God's work, learn to If you want to see God's work, learn to If you want to see God's work, learn to read from right to left. I have a set of read from right to left. I have a set of read from right to left. I have a set of Christian books in my library with a Christian books in my library with a Christian books in my library with a very odd name. It was published in 1966 very odd name. It was published in 1966 very odd name. It was published in 1966 by James Smith and Robert Lee. They by James Smith and Robert Lee. They by James Smith and Robert Lee. They wrote five volumes on the entire Bible wrote five volumes on the entire Bible wrote five volumes on the entire Bible for pastors and teachers. They gave us for pastors and teachers. They gave us for pastors and teachers. They gave us 2,000 expository sermon outlines, Bible 2,000 expository sermon outlines, Bible 2,000 expository sermon outlines, Bible study suggestions, and devotional study suggestions, and devotional study suggestions, and devotional thoughts. The name of this set of books thoughts. The name of this set of books thoughts. The name of this set of books is called Handfolds on Purpose. I is called Handfolds on Purpose. I is called Handfolds on Purpose. I remember seeing that title for the first remember seeing that title for the first remember seeing that title for the first time and thought, "What kind of books time and thought, "What kind of books time and thought, "What kind of books are these?" Until I remembered the book are these?" Until I remembered the book are these?" Until I remembered the book of Ruth. That's where they got the name

of Ruth. That's where they got the name of Ruth. That's where they got the name from. It was a name with a story behind from. It was a name with a story behind from. It was a name with a story behind it. It's our story in Ruth 2 today. it. It's our story in Ruth 2 today. it. It's our story in Ruth 2 today. Handfuls on purpose is what a kinsman Handfuls on purpose is what a kinsman Handfuls on purpose is what a kinsman redeemer did for a poor Moabitete widow. redeemer did for a poor Moabitete widow. redeemer did for a poor Moabitete widow. And it would be the beginning of an epic And it would be the beginning of an epic And it would be the beginning of an epic relationship. handfuls on purpose were relationship. handfuls on purpose were relationship. handfuls on purpose were words of generosity and mercy from the words of generosity and mercy from the words of generosity and mercy from the heart of Boaz. Ruth and Naomi have no heart of Boaz. Ruth and Naomi have no heart of Boaz. Ruth and Naomi have no idea that the decision they are making idea that the decision they are making idea that the decision they are making in their lives for marriage and for work in their lives for marriage and for work in their lives for marriage and for work are all in the plan of God. God is are all in the plan of God. God is are all in the plan of God. God is directing their footsteps. Naomi's directing their footsteps. Naomi's directing their footsteps. Naomi's marriage to IMC and Ruth gleaning in marriage to IMC and Ruth gleaning in marriage to IMC and Ruth gleaning in Boaz's field would all prove to be Boaz's field would all prove to be Boaz's field would all prove to be providential. Chapter 2 opens with these providential. Chapter 2 opens with these providential. Chapter 2 opens with these words in verses 1-3. Now when Naomi had words in verses 1-3. Now when Naomi had words in verses 1-3. Now when Naomi had a kinsman of her husband, a man of great a kinsman of her husband, a man of great a kinsman of her husband, a man of great wealth of the family of IMC, whose name wealth of the family of IMC, whose name wealth of the family of IMC, whose name was Boaz, and Ruth the Moabitis said to was Boaz, and Ruth the Moabitis said to was Boaz, and Ruth the Moabitis said to Naomi, "Please let me go to the field Naomi, "Please let me go to the field Naomi, "Please let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after and glean among the ears of grain after and glean among the ears of grain after one in whose sight I may find favor."

one in whose sight I may find favor." one in whose sight I may find favor." And she said to her, "Go, my daughter." And she said to her, "Go, my daughter." And she said to her, "Go, my daughter." So she departed and went and gleaned in So she departed and went and gleaned in So she departed and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers. and she the field after the reapers. and she the field after the reapers. and she happened to come to the portion of the happened to come to the portion of the happened to come to the portion of the field belonging to Boaz who was of the field belonging to Boaz who was of the field belonging to Boaz who was of the family of IMC. Naomi's husband that died family of IMC. Naomi's husband that died family of IMC. Naomi's husband that died in Moab was IMC. But he had a relative in Moab was IMC. But he had a relative in Moab was IMC. But he had a relative back in Israel named Boaz. back in Israel named Boaz. back in Israel named Boaz. God knew that over a decade later that God knew that over a decade later that God knew that over a decade later that this field owner was going to play an this field owner was going to play an this field owner was going to play an important part of Bible history and a important part of Bible history and a important part of Bible history and a Jew would marry a Gentile. These two Jew would marry a Gentile. These two Jew would marry a Gentile. These two women were not coming back simply for women were not coming back simply for women were not coming back simply for food. They were coming back to fulfill food. They were coming back to fulfill food. They were coming back to fulfill the plan of God. When it says that Ruth the plan of God. When it says that Ruth the plan of God. When it says that Ruth happened to come to the portion of the happened to come to the portion of the happened to come to the portion of the field belonging to Boaz, there is no field belonging to Boaz, there is no field belonging to Boaz, there is no happened with God's people. God is happened with God's people. God is happened with God's people. God is putting together what seems to be putting together what seems to be putting together what seems to be unrelated events to accomplish his unrelated events to accomplish his unrelated events to accomplish his purposes. He needed Naomi to marry IMC purposes. He needed Naomi to marry IMC purposes. He needed Naomi to marry IMC for Boaz connection. God would use a for Boaz connection. God would use a for Boaz connection. God would use a famine to get a family from Israel to famine to get a family from Israel to famine to get a family from Israel to Moab so Ruth can come into the picture.

Moab so Ruth can come into the picture. Moab so Ruth can come into the picture. God would then use the death of a young God would then use the death of a young God would then use the death of a young lady's husband so Ruth could remarry in lady's husband so Ruth could remarry in lady's husband so Ruth could remarry in Israel. Then God would use a nation Israel. Then God would use a nation Israel. Then God would use a nation praying that the blessing of food would praying that the blessing of food would praying that the blessing of food would come back to Israel to bring two widows come back to Israel to bring two widows come back to Israel to bring two widows to Bethlehem. And the day a painfilled to Bethlehem. And the day a painfilled to Bethlehem. And the day a painfilled older woman and a Moabitis come to older woman and a Moabitis come to older woman and a Moabitis come to Israel, it would be the young lady's Israel, it would be the young lady's Israel, it would be the young lady's first day of work in a field that would first day of work in a field that would first day of work in a field that would start the avalanche of God's plan coming start the avalanche of God's plan coming start the avalanche of God's plan coming to fruition. Spurgeon was right when he to fruition. Spurgeon was right when he to fruition. Spurgeon was right when he said, "God works all things for your said, "God works all things for your said, "God works all things for your good. If the waves roll against you, it good. If the waves roll against you, it good. If the waves roll against you, it only speeds your ship towards the port. only speeds your ship towards the port. only speeds your ship towards the port. The waves have just put Ruth's boat in The waves have just put Ruth's boat in The waves have just put Ruth's boat in Boaz's port. In the midst of the Boaz's port. In the midst of the Boaz's port. In the midst of the busyiness of workers gleaning from his busyiness of workers gleaning from his busyiness of workers gleaning from his field, Boaz notices a woman he has not field, Boaz notices a woman he has not field, Boaz notices a woman he has not seen before. He sees Ruth for the first seen before. He sees Ruth for the first seen before. He sees Ruth for the first time. And I think it could have been time. And I think it could have been time. And I think it could have been love at first sight because she will be love at first sight because she will be love at first sight because she will be the one that he will marry. His workers the one that he will marry. His workers the one that he will marry. His workers tell him who she is. Somehow Boaz and tell him who she is. Somehow Boaz and tell him who she is. Somehow Boaz and the community have heard about her and the community have heard about her and the community have heard about her and what she has done. Their first what she has done. Their first what she has done. Their first conversation is special. Says this in conversation is special. Says this in conversation is special. Says this in Ruth 2:8. Then Boaz said to Ruth, Ruth 2:8. Then Boaz said to Ruth, Ruth 2:8. Then Boaz said to Ruth, "Listen carefully, my daughter. Do not "Listen carefully, my daughter. Do not "Listen carefully, my daughter. Do not go and glean in another field.

go and glean in another field. go and glean in another field. Furthermore, do not go from this one, Furthermore, do not go from this one, Furthermore, do not go from this one, but stay here with my maids. Let your but stay here with my maids. Let your but stay here with my maids. Let your eyes be on the field which they reap, eyes be on the field which they reap, eyes be on the field which they reap, and go after them. Indeed, I have and go after them. Indeed, I have and go after them. Indeed, I have commanded the servants not to touch you. commanded the servants not to touch you. commanded the servants not to touch you. When you are thirsty, go to the water When you are thirsty, go to the water When you are thirsty, go to the water jars and drink from what the servants jars and drink from what the servants jars and drink from what the servants straw." Then she fell on her face, straw." Then she fell on her face, straw." Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to him, bowing to the ground, and said to him, bowing to the ground, and said to him, "Why have I found favor in your sight "Why have I found favor in your sight "Why have I found favor in your sight that you should take notice of me since that you should take notice of me since that you should take notice of me since I am a foreigner?" Boaz replied to her, I am a foreigner?" Boaz replied to her, I am a foreigner?" Boaz replied to her, "All that you have done for your "All that you have done for your "All that you have done for your mother-in-law, and after the death of mother-in-law, and after the death of mother-in-law, and after the death of your husband has been fully reported to your husband has been fully reported to your husband has been fully reported to me, and how you left your father and me, and how you left your father and me, and how you left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, your mother and the land of your birth, your mother and the land of your birth, and came to a people that you did not and came to a people that you did not and came to a people that you did not previously know. May the Lord reward previously know. May the Lord reward previously know. May the Lord reward your work and your wages be full from your work and your wages be full from your work and your wages be full from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge. Then wings you have come to seek refuge. Then wings you have come to seek refuge. Then she said,"I have found favor in your she said,"I have found favor in your she said,"I have found favor in your sight, my lord, for you have comforted sight, my lord, for you have comforted sight, my lord, for you have comforted me and indeed have spoken kindly to your me and indeed have spoken kindly to your me and indeed have spoken kindly to your maidervants, though I am not like one of maidervants, though I am not like one of maidervants, though I am not like one of your maidervants." Ruth's decision to your maidervants." Ruth's decision to your maidervants." Ruth's decision to leave Moab and come to Israel. And leave Moab and come to Israel. And leave Moab and come to Israel. And Ruth's decision to be a comfort to the Ruth's decision to be a comfort to the Ruth's decision to be a comfort to the grieving Naomi was known in the region.

grieving Naomi was known in the region. grieving Naomi was known in the region. Ruth was being talked about amongst the Ruth was being talked about amongst the Ruth was being talked about amongst the Jews and being noticed by a kinsman. She Jews and being noticed by a kinsman. She Jews and being noticed by a kinsman. She made a decision of faith to come and she made a decision of faith to come and she made a decision of faith to come and she made a sacrifice to help a woman in pain made a sacrifice to help a woman in pain made a sacrifice to help a woman in pain while she herself was in pain. Her while she herself was in pain. Her while she herself was in pain. Her selflessness is what gave her the selflessness is what gave her the selflessness is what gave her the reputation. This is what happens when reputation. This is what happens when reputation. This is what happens when you walk in faith and compassion. It you walk in faith and compassion. It you walk in faith and compassion. It triggers the blessing of God. I like triggers the blessing of God. I like triggers the blessing of God. I like Boaz's words to her in the message Boaz's words to her in the message Boaz's words to her in the message version in verse 12. This is what it version in verse 12. This is what it version in verse 12. This is what it says. God rewards you well for what you says. God rewards you well for what you says. God rewards you well for what you have done and with a generous bonus have done and with a generous bonus have done and with a generous bonus besides from God. That's all about to besides from God. That's all about to besides from God. That's all about to happen. The writers of Handfuls on happen. The writers of Handfuls on happen. The writers of Handfuls on Purpose wrote this about the couple. Purpose wrote this about the couple. Purpose wrote this about the couple. While Ruth is busy gleaning, Boaz is While Ruth is busy gleaning, Boaz is While Ruth is busy gleaning, Boaz is busy planning for her success. Ruth was busy planning for her success. Ruth was busy planning for her success. Ruth was getting help from Boaz and didn't even getting help from Boaz and didn't even getting help from Boaz and didn't even know it. It says this in verse 15 and know it. It says this in verse 15 and know it. It says this in verse 15 and 16. And when she was risen up to glean, 16. And when she was risen up to glean, 16. And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, "Let her glean among the sheav, and "Let her glean among the sheav, and "Let her glean among the sheav, and reproach her not, and let fall [snorts] reproach her not, and let fall [snorts] reproach her not, and let fall [snorts] also some of the handfuls of purpose for also some of the handfuls of purpose for also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them that she may glean her, and leave them that she may glean her, and leave them that she may glean them, and rebuke her not." James Smith them, and rebuke her not." James Smith them, and rebuke her not." James Smith and Robert Lee wanted to be just like and Robert Lee wanted to be just like and Robert Lee wanted to be just like Boaz when they wrote their volumes. Boaz Boaz when they wrote their volumes. Boaz Boaz when they wrote their volumes. Boaz asked his workers to drop grain for Ruth asked his workers to drop grain for Ruth asked his workers to drop grain for Ruth to pick up in the field. She would

to pick up in the field. She would to pick up in the field. She would discover food that was laid out for her discover food that was laid out for her discover food that was laid out for her by the owner of the field. The two by the owner of the field. The two by the owner of the field. The two authors intended these printed sermon authors intended these printed sermon authors intended these printed sermon notes and outlines to act as handfuls notes and outlines to act as handfuls notes and outlines to act as handfuls of helpful material dropped of helpful material dropped of helpful material dropped intentionally to feed ministers, intentionally to feed ministers, intentionally to feed ministers, pastors, and workers in the church. pastors, and workers in the church. pastors, and workers in the church. Naomi's pain will start to get healed Naomi's pain will start to get healed Naomi's pain will start to get healed when she sees the hand of God upon her when she sees the hand of God upon her when she sees the hand of God upon her daughter-in-law and the handfuls on daughter-in-law and the handfuls on daughter-in-law and the handfuls on purpose. She will start to see that God purpose. She will start to see that God purpose. She will start to see that God is working on behalf of her family. You is working on behalf of her family. You is working on behalf of her family. You hear it in her voice when Ruth brings hear it in her voice when Ruth brings hear it in her voice when Ruth brings back a bushel of wheat for the family back a bushel of wheat for the family back a bushel of wheat for the family that Boaz secretly gave to her. It says that Boaz secretly gave to her. It says that Boaz secretly gave to her. It says this in Ruth 21:17. So she worked there this in Ruth 21:17. So she worked there this in Ruth 21:17. So she worked there all day and in the evening when she had all day and in the evening when she had all day and in the evening when she had beaten out the barley she had gleaned it beaten out the barley she had gleaned it beaten out the barley she had gleaned it came to a whole bushel. She carried it came to a whole bushel. She carried it came to a whole bushel. She carried it back into the city and gave it to her back into the city and gave it to her back into the city and gave it to her mother-in-law with what was left of her mother-in-law with what was left of her mother-in-law with what was left of her lunch. So much Naomi exclaimed, "Where lunch. So much Naomi exclaimed, "Where lunch. So much Naomi exclaimed, "Where in the world did you glean today? Praise in the world did you glean today? Praise in the world did you glean today? Praise the Lord for whatever was so kind to the Lord for whatever was so kind to the Lord for whatever was so kind to you." So Ruth told her mother-in-law all you." So Ruth told her mother-in-law all you." So Ruth told her mother-in-law all about it and mentioned that the owner of about it and mentioned that the owner of about it and mentioned that the owner of the field was Boaz. Praise the Lord for the field was Boaz. Praise the Lord for the field was Boaz. Praise the Lord for a man like that. God has continued his a man like that. God has continued his a man like that. God has continued his kindness to us as well as your dead kindness to us as well as your dead kindness to us as well as your dead husband. Naomi cried excitedly. Why, husband. Naomi cried excitedly. Why, husband. Naomi cried excitedly. Why, that man is one of our closest that man is one of our closest that man is one of our closest relatives. Well, Ruth told her, he said, relatives. Well, Ruth told her, he said, relatives. Well, Ruth told her, he said, to come back and stay close behind his to come back and stay close behind his to come back and stay close behind his reapers until the entire field is reapers until the entire field is reapers until the entire field is harvested. This is wonderful, Naomi harvested. This is wonderful, Naomi harvested. This is wonderful, Naomi exclaimed. Do as he said, stay with his

exclaimed. Do as he said, stay with his exclaimed. Do as he said, stay with his girls through the whole harvest. You girls through the whole harvest. You girls through the whole harvest. You will be safer there than in any other will be safer there than in any other will be safer there than in any other field. Naomi said in Ruth 1 that the field. Naomi said in Ruth 1 that the field. Naomi said in Ruth 1 that the Almighty has dealt bitterly with her and Almighty has dealt bitterly with her and Almighty has dealt bitterly with her and God has afflicted her. This woman who's God has afflicted her. This woman who's God has afflicted her. This woman who's been angry with God over desperate been angry with God over desperate been angry with God over desperate circumstances is now starting to see God circumstances is now starting to see God circumstances is now starting to see God work things out for her. Naomi is now work things out for her. Naomi is now work things out for her. Naomi is now saying, "Praise the Lord and God has saying, "Praise the Lord and God has saying, "Praise the Lord and God has been kind to us." I love what the old been kind to us." I love what the old been kind to us." I love what the old Puritan writer John Fll said. He said, Puritan writer John Fll said. He said, Puritan writer John Fll said. He said, "The providence of God is like a Hebrew "The providence of God is like a Hebrew "The providence of God is like a Hebrew word can only be read backwards. Hebrew word can only be read backwards. Hebrew word can only be read backwards. Hebrew is read from right to left. That's is read from right to left. That's is read from right to left. That's backwards to us for the English backwards to us for the English backwards to us for the English language. Jesus is a Jew. That's the way language. Jesus is a Jew. That's the way language. Jesus is a Jew. That's the way he reads. And that's how God's people he reads. And that's how God's people he reads. And that's how God's people need to learn to read circumstances in need to learn to read circumstances in need to learn to read circumstances in life. Before we accuse God, we need to life. Before we accuse God, we need to life. Before we accuse God, we need to learn what it means to read right to learn what it means to read right to learn what it means to read right to left. We need to see the fingerprints of left. We need to see the fingerprints of left. We need to see the fingerprints of God over each moment. And the Living God over each moment. And the Living God over each moment. And the Living Bible makes Naomi's accusations real to Bible makes Naomi's accusations real to Bible makes Naomi's accusations real to us when it says in Ruth 1:20, "Oh us when it says in Ruth 1:20, "Oh us when it says in Ruth 1:20, "Oh Almighty God has dealt bitter blows to Almighty God has dealt bitter blows to Almighty God has dealt bitter blows to me. I went out full and the Lord has me. I went out full and the Lord has me. I went out full and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why should you brought me back empty. Why should you brought me back empty. Why should you call me Naomi when the Lord has turned call me Naomi when the Lord has turned call me Naomi when the Lord has turned his back on me and sent such calamity?"

his back on me and sent such calamity?" his back on me and sent such calamity?" See, reading backwards is best explained See, reading backwards is best explained See, reading backwards is best explained by author Philip Yansy when he said, by author Philip Yansy when he said, by author Philip Yansy when he said, "Faith means believing in advance would "Faith means believing in advance would "Faith means believing in advance would only make sense in reverse." Naomi's only make sense in reverse." Naomi's only make sense in reverse." Naomi's problem is she was reading the story problem is she was reading the story problem is she was reading the story from left to right and not in the from left to right and not in the from left to right and not in the reverse. When you read that way, you reverse. When you read that way, you reverse. When you read that way, you never notice providence. You only notice never notice providence. You only notice never notice providence. You only notice the painful moments. Naomi just switched the painful moments. Naomi just switched the painful moments. Naomi just switched her reading direction with the help of her reading direction with the help of her reading direction with the help of Ruth's bushel and Boaz's generosity. God Ruth's bushel and Boaz's generosity. God Ruth's bushel and Boaz's generosity. God just showed up for Naomi. And now she is just showed up for Naomi. And now she is just showed up for Naomi. And now she is back to reading from left to right. back to reading from left to right. back to reading from left to right. Thank you for joining chapter by Thank you for joining chapter by Thank you for joining chapter by chapter. every chapter from the greatest chapter. every chapter from the greatest chapter. every chapter from the greatest book, the Bible, the word of God. 7 book, the Bible, the word of God. 7 book, the Bible, the word of God. 7 minutes a day, seven days a week.