Re:Verse reading–Ruth 2:1-12, 17-23; 4:1-14 (day seven)
Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left with her two sons. They took for themselves Moabite women as wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. And they lived there about ten years. Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died, and the woman was bereft of her two children and her husband. Ruth 1:3-5
This story is stuck with the death of three men. With no man left in the household ancient readers would have assumed this story does not end well for Naomi. The most likely scenario is for Naomi and Ruth to become beggars, hoping for the aid of a distant relative. Practically, Naomi’s story is drifting into hopelessness.
However, those that know the LORD are never hopeless. While the world looking in assumed Naomi would become a drifter, the LORD knew she had her most meaningful days ahead of her. Life was not over, by God’s grace it was just about to get good. Naomi’s next faithful steps would set her up as royalty. God provided and brought her a grandson, a grandson that would be the great grandfather of King David, who would be the line of our King of Kings Jesus Christ. The world assumed Naomi would drift into meaninglessness, but God knew she was royalty all along.
God has a plan for everyone. Amazing!