Coincidence?

God/Jesus Christ

3So she left and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers; and she happened to come to the portion of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.

– Ruth 2:3

6

1During that night the king could not sleep, so he gave an order to bring the book of records, the chronicles, and they were read before the king. 2And it was found written what Mordecai had reported about Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs who were doorkeepers, that they had sought to attack King Ahasuerus. 3Then the king said, “What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” And the king’s servants who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.” 4So the king said, “Who is in the courtyard?” Now Haman had just entered the outer courtyard of the king’s palace in order to speak to the king about hanging Mordecai on the wooden gallows which he had prepared for him.

– Esther 6:1-4

7The One forming light and creating darkness,

Causing well-being and creating disaster;

I am the Lord who does all these things.

8¶“Drip down, heavens, from above,

And let the clouds pour down righteousness;

Let the earth open up and salvation bear fruit,

And righteousness sprout with it.

I, the Lord, have created it.

– Isaiah 45:7-8
(NASB® © 2020)
Mark as Favorite and save for later! (0)
Please login to bookmark Close

“Coincidence” – a term that you would not expect to find in the Bible. When reading this incident, one gets the impression that the Holy Spirit is practically writing “from a human perspective”: it really does seem to be a coincidence that Ruth gleaned in Boaz’s field out of all the fields of Bethlehem. Ruth had no concrete plan but simply went to Boaz’s field (“Ruth happened to come to the part of the field of Boaz”; Ruth 2:3).

But in fact, this was divine providence, with the aim of fulfilling God’s plan that we see in Matthew 1:5: “Boaz begat Obed of Ruth.” So Ruth had no choice but to end up with Boaz. Not a blind coincidence, not a beautiful twist of fate, not a whim of Fortuna, but divine providence. Whatever happens is either caused or permitted by God.

We find this encouraging thought several times in Scripture:

  • Even though on the surface his brothers sold Joseph into slavery in Egypt, years later he recognized God’s hand behind it: “It was not you who sent me here, but God” (Gen. 45:8).
  • It looks like a coincidence …
  1. that Mordecai hears of the conspiracy against King Ahasuerus and uncovers it (Est. 2:21, 22);
  2. that the king cannot sleep on the very night before Mordecai is to be killed (Est. 5:14; 6:1);
  3. that the king had the very book that tells of Mordecai’s heroic deed read to him; that his servants read this same passage (Est. 6:2);
  4. that Haman was down in the courtyard at the exact time the king asked about it (Est. 6:4).

The name “God” does not appear once in the entire book of Esther, but God himself is clearly visible as the one who is working in the background and guides everything so that His plan is fulfilled.

  • Solomon says: “The heart of a king in the hand of the LORD is like streams of water; wherever he wills, he inclines it” (Prov 21:1). Examples of this:
  1. The arrogant, godless king Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 4:27) is humiliated by God and turned into a beast. He later says: “There is no one who can resist his hand and say to him: ‘What are you doing? What are you doing?” (Dan. 4:32).
  2. King Cyrus, who also did not believe in God, was persuaded by the Lord to send the Jews back to Israel (Ezra 1:1). This was no coincidence, no fateful turn of events, but God’s plan for some of the people to return. (Jer 29:10)

Whatever happens in this world or our personal lives is either caused or permitted by God. Nothing escapes his control; we are not a plaything of any circumstances or people. God has everything under control and is directing events in the background. God, not coincidence or chance.

Think of Ruth, who did not really come across Boaz’s field by chance but was led there by God.

“I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the Lord, do all these things” (Isa. 45:7).

“Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure’” (Isa. 46:10).

 

Comments (0)

No comments yet.

Share this article:

You want to contact us? Ask a question or let us know what you think! 

Write a message here!

Leave a Comment

Do you know the Father?

This article is about how God the Father comes close to us in the Lord Jesus and how we can recognize in his actions, his love and his nature that the Father is just as trusting, merciful and trustworthy as the Son reveals him to be.
John 14:9; 12:45
Descipleship

Don’t curse!

Ecclesiastes 10 warns that incompetent leadership brings decay, yet it also cautions us to guard our hearts and words toward those in authority—reminding us that even private contempt shapes our attitude and can lead to unintended consequences.
Ecclesiastes 10:16,20

A woman dressed like a prostitute

In this article, Proverbs 7 is examined as a sober warning about temptation, responsibility, and moral danger, with practical lessons for believers living in a highly sexualized world.
Proverbs 7:10-23

Mothers wanted

In this article, the biblical concept of “mothers in Christ” is explored, using Deborah and New Testament examples to highlight their vital spiritual role among God’s people. The focus is on qualities such as devotion to God, discernment, encouragement, and loving care that continue to be needed today.
Judges 5:7
God/Jesus Christ

Why shouldn’t we pray to the Holy Spirit?

In this article, the question of why Scripture speaks of praying in the Holy Spirit rather than to Him is examined, while affirming His full deity. The focus is on the Spirit’s role as the divine power enabling believers to approach the Father through Christ.
Ephesians 6:18; Jude 20; Romans 8:26-27
Marriage & Family

The precious echo of a father

A doctor tells a moving story from his childhood, reflecting on his relationship with his father.
Genesis 37:13
God/Jesus Christ

The Glory of God

In this article, the relationship between God’s light and love is reflected on, showing how the finished work of Christ removes fear and gives the believer peace before God. The focus is on confidence that flows from knowing Christ is exalted in glory as proof of complete forgiveness and justification.
1 Peter 1:21; Isaiah 6:1,5,7; Luke 5:8

A shift in emphasis

In this article, the foot-washing in John 13 is used to show that Christ’s authority as Lord comes before our understanding as His disciples. The focus is on trusting and obeying Him unreservedly, knowing that He is both Lord and Teacher.
John 13:13,14
Bible Study

David’s Son and David’s Lord

The following article is about the Lord Jesus’ question to the scribes about Psalm 110 and how it reveals the unique glory of his person as both David’s Son and David’s Lord.
Matthew 22:41-45
Encouragements

The Prayer of Hannah

In this article, Hannah’s prayer is considered as a powerful example of bringing deep distress honestly and persistently before the Lord. The focus is on how prayer not only brings answers from God, but also brings inner change and peace even before circumstances improve.
1 Samuel 1:10-15

Sidereus Nunicus

In this article, the vastness of the universe and the growing knowledge of the stars are used to reflect on the greatness, power, and wisdom of God. At the same time, the focus is on the Creator’s love, shown in Christ, who entered His creation to bring help and salvation to people.
Jeremiah 33:22; Isaiah 55:8-9

Be Like a Locust

In this article, John the Baptist’s unusual diet is used to draw spiritual lessons about a believer’s heavenly outlook, appetite for God’s Word, and orderly service.
Mark 1:6