III. THE MEETING BETWEEN RUTH AND BOAZ WAS BY PROVIDENTIAL DECREE

"And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech," Ruth 2:3. She did not know Boaz, 19-20.

1. Ruth felt her need. There was no means of eating other than by gleaning so she went looking for a supply.

2. Ruth felt her duty. The blessing of the gospel is for them that hunger and them that seek. John 6:35. We must place ourselves in the fields of grace, under the sound of God's word.

3. Unwittingly, she came to the field of the redeemer. She was like the woman at the well, John 4 and like Zacchaeus, Luke 19:1.

Who is there that loves the Lord but can look back and see how He guided them to the gospel field in which they were fully supplied?

The Bible indicates that the mind and hand of God is upon His people from all eternity.

Before the world was formed - Rev 17:8

Before the time of conception - Jer 1:15, Ps 139:13-16.

During our time of darkness - Gal 1:15.

Throughout our life - Ps 73:23-24, 32:8, 48:14.