Things Happen, Really?

How many times have you heard the phrase "things happen"? I believe most of us could say we have heard it often. From family and friends, on television, maybe even from well meaning folks trying to help us through a difficult moment or event in our lives, "things happen." Yet as believers we know that is not the end of the story, there has to be more.

In chapter two of the Book of Ruth, verses 1-3,  we find an example of this. The chapter opens with the writer telling us Naomi had a kinsman on her husband's side of the family, a man of substance named Boaz. The chapter then moves to a conversation with Ruth telling Naomi she would like to go out into the fields and glean for grain, since Ruth and Naomi have no one to support them. Naomi tells Ruth to go, and Ruth sets off. At this point we are not told who the fields belong to. Soon we find Ruth gleaning behind some reapers / harvesters and then we bump into somewhat of a strange phrase. Some versions use the words "she happened" or "as luck would have it" or "as it turned out" she ends up in the part of the field belonging to Boaz. But here we might ask ourselves if the writer of Ruth is making a big theological mistake. Things happen? Really?

As believers we all have been taught that things don't just happen. All things, all events, fall under the sovereignty and the providence of God. To think any other way would be unspiritual at best. Yet, I believe there is more than meets the eye here. I believe the writer is trying to get our attention, so we will look deeper. Ruth's ability to understand these events is limited.  She cannot see, at this moment, how God will use Boaz to work his purpose in her life. Sound familiar? Like Ruth, we are at times limited in our scope of understanding. However, we have the added resource of God's Spirit and his complete word. We can lean on his Spirit, we can read his word, we can compare past events, and we can see his providence at work and how he is able to accomplish his purpose in our lives.

So the questionable phrase "she happened to" that I pointed out above may not be as questionable as we might think. The writer of Ruth is not on shaky theological ground. The phrase is used to drive home a deeper point, even when our understanding is limited, God is still working out his purpose for his people. He has not stopped being our God, even when our understanding of the events around us are limited.

In the end I am reminded of Paul's words to the Romans, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called accruing to his purpose." Romans 8:28 (NIV)
Amen!

RefRev