| RUTH MEETS BOAZ The question soon arose for Naomi and Ruth, 'How are we going to live?' We saw in the previous chapter that they had arrived in Bethlehem at the time of the barley harvest. Ruth said to Naomi, 'I am quite willing and strong enough to work') for both of us. I will go out and pick up ears of barley which the reapers may miss and I'll see what I can gather.' Naomi agreed for her to do this. The Lord led Ruth to one particular field. No doubt there were many fields around Bethlehem but God had a specific plan for Ruth and her future and it was bound up with the life of Boaz, a rich relative of Naomi. In the laws given through Moses, God had made provision for widows and fatherless children. The next of kin had to take the widow into his home and provide for her (Deuteronomy 25:5-1 0). Naomi knew Boaz was a relative but did not know there was another man even closer in relationship. We do not know why Naomi did not ask for the help of either of these men before. We can only say God allowed all these circumstances to develop so that his perfect will for Ruth could be worked out. ' During the day, the owner, Boaz, visited the reapers and immediately saw one girl who was a stranger to him. The servant in charge of the reapers told him that Ruth was a Moabitess who came to Bethlehem with Naomi. He added that she had come earlier and asked could she glean in that field. She had shown herself a good worker and everyone seemed pleased with her. Did all this happen just by chance? Or did all those circumstances combine together under the hand of God? The answer is obvious. In the same way, God will work out everything for our good if we will take our hands off our lives and leave our future with him. A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Can you say 'I, being in the way, the Lord led me'? Genesis 24:48. | 
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