Mercy from Heaven. Hope in the Distance, Part 16

When Naomi arrived in Bethlehem, she said: "Don't call me Naomi; call me bitter." (Ruth 1: 20, MSG)

This may seem a strange thing to say, but even though the two women had made it back to Bethlehem safely, Naomi knew their troubles were far from over. Let's remember that she had lost her husband, Elimelech, and both her sons; and without husbands, who would provide for their needs?

Ruth had an idea: "I'm going to work; I'm going to glean among the sheaves, following after some harvester who will treat me kindly." (Ruth 2:2 MSG). It was hard work, but at least she would have food for herself and her mother-in-law.

Boaz owned the fields where Ruth began working. He saw her out gleaning grain and by asking questions of his workers, he would learn that she was Naomi's daughter-in-law (See Ruth 2:5-7). What Ruth didn't know was that Boaz was a "…relative by marriage, a man prominent and rich, connected with Elimelech's family." (Ruth 2:1 MSG).

Boaz showed great kindness to Ruth, asking her to glean only in his fields "Listen, my daughter. From now on don't go to any other field to glean-stay right here in this one. And stay close to my young women. Watch where they are harvesting and follow them. And don't worry about a thing; I've given orders to my servants not to harass you. When you get thirsty, feel free to go and drink from the water buckets that the servants have filled." (Ruth 2:10-9, MSG). Eventually he even, "…married Ruth. She became her wife." (Ruth 4:13, MSG)

In the beginning Naomi may have been discouraged; but Our Heavenly Father came through in time to help Naomi and to bring her hope. Now she had nothing to worry about. She was completely safe, for Ruth and Boaz would take care if her. Even the people of the village said to her, "Blessed be God!" (Ruth 4:14, MSG)

One day a new student came at my school. She was a refugee from Palestine, and she spoke no English. She had an English-speaking TA assigned to her, and occasionally a translator; but even though the students in her class tried to make her feel comfortable, she was completely isolated by the language barrier. As you can imagine, she felt afraid, and she was very, very shy those first few weeks.

Because many students at my school knew I would welcome this girl, they brought her to me and introduced us. Though I did not speak her language, she seemed to understand what I was saying to her. She left with a smile on her face. A few weeks later, we were in the gym for an assembly. I again started talking with her, and everyone was amazed when she laughed in all the right places. Her assigned TA came to me later: "Do you speak Palestinian?"

I could only shake my head. I didn't even know how to say "hello" or "thank you" in the girl's native tongue.

"But she understands what you say to her!"

I couldn't explain it, but somehow she did understand my conversations with her, and they made her feel comfortable.

Here again our Heavenly Father came through big time, bringing her hope where there was none, and it made such a difference to her that even her assigned TA could see the change.

Nothing is impossible for our Father.

Rob Chaffart