God’s Hand of Guidance Everyday

Introduction

There is a story of a man who survived a ship-wreck only to discover he was the only person washed up on a deserted island. After much painstaking labor, he constructed a hut which provided shelter and a small sense of home. Then, one day, the unimaginable happened. He returned from hunting to find his hut burning to the ground in a billow smoke. He thought he was ruined, but the next morning a ship arrived to rescue him. “How did you know I was on this island?” he asked amazed. “We saw your smoke signal,” was the surprising reply. What seemed like a tragedy was actually the very cause of his rescue. God often works in surprising ways that are so big we can’t miss them. However, every day He is also guiding and providing in little ways we call providences. They are often so small we miss them, but they are all around us. As you study Ruth 2:1-7 you will see a little providence, so small it would be easy to miss. And yet that little guidance, which seemed like chance, began a series of things which led to the birth of the Savior.

Observation

Pray

Before reading and studying this passage, ask God – its Author – to help you understand it and apply its truths to your life.

Read Focus Verses

Read Ruth 2:1-7 and notice how the story progresses in these verses.

Who’s Who

Who was Elimelech?

Mighty Man

How is Boaz described in verse 1?

Ruth’s Plan

What was Ruth’s plan to provide for herself and her mother-in-law in verse 2?

Dwelling

Where did Boaz live?

Greetings

What greetings did Boaz and his employees exchange when he came to visit them?

Observant

Who or what did Boaz notice as he looked into how things were going?

Good Report

How did the work crew captain describe Ruth?

Interpretation

Mighty Man

Notice the meaning of the word God uses to describe Boaz in verse 1.

Boaz

In 1 Chronicles 2:10-12 we see that Boaz came from a leading family in the tribe of Judah.

Gleaning

Gleaning is picking up the grain or other crops that are left after the harvesters have gone through. Notice what God’s Law about gleaning was for Israel in Leviticus 23:22.

A Reason Why

God gives a little more instruction about gleaning and why His people were to leave the gleanings for the poor in Deuteronomy 24:19-22.

In Your Own Words

Restate in your own words what God told Israel about gleaning.

Ruth’s Character

According to God’s Law, Ruth had the right to glean in any Israelite field. What does Ruth reveal about her character when she says she will glean in the fields of one who will allow her to glean?

Boss Boaz

Based on these verses, what kind of boss was Boaz?

Finding a Job

Would you have wanted to work for Boaz? Why or why not?

Masters Do the Same

Notice how God instructs bosses to treat their employees in Ephesians 6:9.

How and Why?

How are employers to treat those who work for them according to Ephesians 6:9, and why?

What Kind of Worker

What kind of worker was Ruth?

Happenings

How does Ruth 2:3 describe the way Ruth came to Boaz’s field instead of another?

Behind the Scenes

See what Psalm 37:23 says about what was going on behind the scenes of this bit of ‘chance.’

A Mighty Hand

Who was guiding Ruth so that it seemed she just ‘happened’ to be in the right place to glean?

Work

Ruth saw a need and worked hard to meet it. How have you been challenged by Ruth’s example of diligence?

Boss

Boaz blessed his employees in the name of the Lord, was aware of what was going on, and what was new or different. How have you been challenged by Boaz’s example of leadership and authority?

Gleanings

Are there ways God might want you to leave little bits of your resources – time, energy, skills, money, things – to provide for the poor?

Looking for Providences

As you go through life how can you establish a habit of looking for providences – the ways God guides and provides?

Wrapup

Closing

We hope this study has encouraged you to look for God’s hand of guidance and provision in little everyday happenings.

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