Text: Ruth 2:1-23 II, Title: No Coincidences with God, Date/Place: LSCC, 5/14/06, AM
A. Opening illustration: Providence: God is continually involved with all created things in such a way that he 1) keeps them existing and maintaining the properties with which He created them, 2) cooperates with created things in every action, directing their distinctive properties to cause them to act as they do, 3) directs them to fulfill His purposes.
B. Background to passage: The second lesson that I believe the writer is teaching us from chapter two is one of the sweet providence of God. The hand of God is all over the events in this chapter that begin to bring the light out from the darkness in the lives of Ruth and Naomi. This is a question that we all struggle with in our lives from time to time when things don’t go our way, or at least the way we planned. Is God working in this situation? Yes! The scriptures unequivocally affirm this. One writer says, “Life must be lived forwards, but is understood backwards.” And therefore describes the events in chapters 2-4, “God’s deliberately engineered twists of heavenly serendipity.”
C. Main thought: the providence of God is evident in four things in this text.
II. BODY
A. People (v.)
1. We have been led to believe up to this point that there are no possibilities open for help from Naomi or Elimelech’s family. But the writer brings in a man. Just in time. A man of wealth, a man of character, a man of God. But a man of Elimelech’s clan. But this man is just doing his thing, blessing his servants, looking out for his business and for others. But he is the instrument God uses to bless Ruth, who is the instrument that God uses to bless Naomi. God uses people as instrument of blessing in others lives.
2. Gen 50:20, Pro 21:1, 16:9
3. Illustration: When Kelley was going to India, LSCC was going to make a financial contribution from budgeted funds for members that go on mission, but after she sent out letters, God provided the funds so fast that she didn’t need our money. Tell about Nana, Logan, and the computer that has run every PowerPoint worship service and video for over 3 years.
4. Who is it in your life that God is using you to minister to? What traits, talents, and strengths do you have that God is using to bless others? Are there things in your life that hinder you from being useful in the kingdom in the lives of others?
B. Plan (v.)
1. The Bible always affirms that “random” events are always attributed to the Lord. “Acts of God” are really acts of God. And we see several parts of this story that are evidence of the Lord’s hand in action. First is the welfare system that God set up to care for the needy. Next the writer tells us “her chance chanced upon the field of Boaz. The writer is screaming “see the hand of God at work!” Then about that time, guess who showed up, to bless her and reward her for her love of Naomi.
2. Psa 135:6, Pro 16:33, Eph 1:11, Rom 8:28,
3. Illustration: Leslie and Steve Zeisler’s story p. 85-86 in A Conspicuous Love, “There is no attribute more comforting to His children than that of God’s sovereignty. Under the most adverse circumstances, in the most severe trials, they believe that sovereignty has ordained their afflictions, that sovereignty overrules them, and that sovereignty will sanctify them all. There is nothing for which the children ought to more earnestly contend to than the doctrine of their Master over all creation—the Kingship of God over all the works of His own hands—the Throne of God and His right to sit upon that throne...for it is God upon the Throne whom we trust.”—Spurgeon, locking my keys in my car this week.
4. God is sovereign over circumstances, over evil, over nature, over animals, over nations, over feelings, over success and failure, over wind and rain, over heartache, over life and death, over every detail of our lives. He is over the heart of your boss, your spouse, your mortgage company CEO, your car, your house, your finances, your promotions. There is no such thing as luck, chance, or coincidence with God. Nothing is ever beyond his control, out of his reach, above his power. But His sovereignty is compatible with our “freedom.” So you and I must work as Ruth worked, pray as she prayed, to watch the sovereign hand of the Lord move. You and I can have supreme confidence that God is bringing about every detail of our lives to accomplish His purposes of glory to Himself, and good to us. Trust in Him! Warning: this doesn’t mean that everything that comes easy in life is an open door from God. “Men worry about time, but God only concerns Himself with timing” Adrian Rogers.
C. Protection (v.)
1. Boaz told the young men not to touch her or whistle at her. He told her to drink from their water, and walk with his servant girls, and to glean all she wants. He gave her over and abundantly more food than she needed. He made the servants spill extra grain for her. All this was in a day that could be dangerous for women to go gleaning by themselves, especially foreign women. Note one of the reasons for God’s protection and provision from Boaz is because Ruth has taken shelter under the wings of God.
2. Psa 18:2, Luke 12:32, Isa 43:1-3, Job 1:10, Heb 11:36-40
3. Illustration: John Wesley’s father, Samuel, was a dedicated pastor, but there were those in his parish who did not like him. On February 9, 1709, a fire broke out in the rectory at Epworth, possibly set by one of the rector’s enemies. Young John, not yet six years old, was stranded on an upper floor of the building. Two neighbors rescued the lad just seconds before the roof crashed in. One neighbor stood on the other’s shoulders and pulled young John through the window. Samuel Wesley said, “Come, neighbors, let us kneel down. Let us give thanks to God. He has given me all my eight children. Let the house go. I am rich enough.” on the evening of March 1, 1950, choir practice was scheduled in a local church in Beatrice, Nebraska. When the pastor and his wife and daughter were ready to leave for the 7:30 meeting, they discovered that the little girl had soiled her dress and needed to be changed. So they had to come late. A high school sophomore named Ladona had trouble with her geometry problems and stayed to finish her work, even though she usually got there early. Two sisters were delayed because their car wouldn’t start. Mrs. Schuster normally arrived at 7:20, but that night her mother needed her, so she had to stop there first. One man took a nap and overslept. And so, one after another, the members were detained for various reasons. At 7:25, due to leaking gas, the church blew up! Quote from Piper sermon, top of p. 5, Every time a twig snapped, he visualized a wild animal ready to pounce. After what seemed like an eternity, dawn broke and the first rays of sunlight entered the interior of the forest. Looking around, the boy saw flowers, trees, and the outline of the path. Then, to his utter astonishment, he beheld the figure of a man standing just a few feet away, armed with a bow and arrow. It was his father. He had been there all night long
4. Sometimes when we think we are about to die, we realize after it is all over, that God was there the whole time. We never get what we deserve, so anything we get is the providential hand of God blessings us. Affirm God’s protection and provision during the dark times, the lean times, and the painful times. Think of all that He is protecting you from. Make Him the center of your life and satisfaction, and you will know His peace regardless of circumstances. And if for some reason harm comes, view it as the merciful plan of God that will accomplish far more than comfort and health.
D. Perspective (v.)
1. When Ruth arrives back at the ranch with almost two weeks worth of food gleaned in one day, we witness one of the biggest perspective shifts in the bible. God has provided protection and sustenance for these two women, and also the possibility of lasting provision. And Naomi is thrilled! God opens her eyes to that which has always been. She still walks by sight, not by faith. But with the sight that she sees, she proclaims God’s hesed, blesses Boaz, and the goodness of the Lord. And most importantly she brings to light the concept of go’el—the kinsman-redeemer.
2. Saul’s perspective adjustment with Goliath, Naaman’s adjustment with Elisha
3. Illustration: “what Naomi had forgotten is that in all bitter experiences of his children, God is plotting for their glory.” Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a rough hut and put his few possessions in it. But then one day, after hunting for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened; he was stung with grief, see below story of Reggie Jackson,
4. Many times God is waiting for just the right moment to reveal parts of his plan for you until you can’t go on, until you are ready, willing, and able to receive it. We like God to send us the playbook before the season even starts, much less before the first game. God’s perspective is this: He sees everything from beginning to end; He knows what is best for Him and for us; He never makes mistakes or contingency plans; He controls men’s hearts and natures forces, and His hesed extends into every decision He makes. In your pain, remember God’s perspective. And when He speaks clearly to you and shows you a change in your perspective that you need to make, do not harden your heart, but receive it, repent, and follow Him
III. CONCLUSION
A. Closing illustration: Lorrie Anderson, missionary to the head-shrinking Candoshi Shapra Indians of Peru, was looking for a quiet place for her daily time of Bible reading and prayer, so she went down by the edge of the river. After reading the Bible, she took up her prayer list. Eyes closed, she did not see the deadly anaconda weaving through the water until it struck. It withdrew to strike, hitting her arm again and again as it held her, screaming, in its coils. Then suddenly the giant snake, never known to release its prey, relaxed its grip and slithered off through the water. While Lorrie was being treated, a witch doctor from a nearby village burst into the hut and stared at her. She couldn’t believe Lorrie had survived. She said her son-in-law, also a witch doctor, had chanted to the spirit of the anaconda that morning and sent it to kill the young missionary. “I’m certain,” Lorrie said, “that except for the protection of God, it would have worked.” “The Lord is Kind. He is good to all who take refuge under his wings. So let us fall on our faces, bow before the Lord, confess our unworthiness, take refuge under the wings of God, and be astonished by His grace.” –Piper
B. Recap
C. Invitation to commitment
Additional Notes
• SO WHAT???
Weaver had a rule that no one could steal a base unless given the steal sign. This upset Jackson because he felt he knew the pitchers and catchers well enough to judge who he could and could not steal off of. So one game he decided to steal without a sign. He got a good jump off the pitcher and easily beat the throw to second base. As he shook the dirt off his uniform, Jackson smiled with delight, feeling he had vindicated his judgment to his manager. Later Weaver took Jackson aside and explained why he hadn’t given the steal sign. First, the next batter was Lee May, his best power hitter other than Jackson. When Jackson stole second, first base was left open, so the other team walked May intentionally, taking the bat out of his hands. Second, the following batter hadn’t been strong against that pitcher, so Weaver felt he had to send up a pinch hitter to try to drive in the men on base. That left Weaver without bench strength later in the game when he needed it. The problem was, Jackson saw only his relationship to the pitcher and catcher. Weaver was watching the whole game. We, too, see only so far, but God sees the bigger picture. When he sends us a signal, it’s wise to obey, no matter what we may think WE know.
