Page "Book of Ruth" Paragraph 36

3.

God's providential care.

Though Naomi was a destitute widow at the time she re-entered Bethlehem, yet by the end of the narrative, we see her embracing her grandson as her foster-child.

From empty in chapter 1, she is filled again by God at the end of chapter 4.

There is a parallel with the entry of Mary and Joseph, homeless, into the same town, Bethlehem, before the birth of Jesus.

God's providential care also extends to Ruth.

This is especially seen in chapter 2.

Even though the author of the book states that Ruth " just happens " to find Boaz's field ( Ruth 2: 3 ), the reader may be led to accede to the notion that in Bible terms there is no mere chance, but that chance and God's providence amount to the same thing.

By both chance and providence, Ruth, a destitute, widowed and childless outsider, becomes an ancestress of King David ( Ruth 4: 13 ).