No one looking in, as we did, on the early story of Naomi and Ruth, would have anticipated a happy ending. We probably would have expected them to struggle to get by until one or both of them died. They had suffered great loss and along with it hope for a better future.

Yet, as we'll see today, not only did their story end with unexpected joy and comfort, but God used their experiences to keep what would become a critical family line alive. We'll see that we have been blessed, as Ruth and Naomi were, but what God di for both of them.