July 12, 2026

Ruth 2

Providence in a Field of Barley

Sunday Sermons

In Ruth chapter 1, we follow the story of Naomi, a woman who has moved with her husband and sons to the land of Moab to escape a famine in Bethlehem. At the end of chapter 1, Naomi, having lost her husband and both sons, returns to Bethlehem along with her daughter-in-law Ruth. In the second chapter of Ruth, the women are back in Bethlehem, just as the barley harvest begins. Despite the obstacles of being a widow, desperately poor, and a foreigner, Ruth rolls up her sleeves and sets out to work in the barley fields.

Join Pastor Matt as we study through the second chapter of Ruth and observe how God is working behind the scenes, guiding Ruth to the barley fields of Boaz, a wealthy and worthy man who also happens to be a kinsman of Naomi, of the clan of Elimilech, Naomi’s husband. As the chapter unfolds, we see how God does extraordinary things in ordinary ways through ordinary people.

Speaker

Matt Pierson

Series

Love That Will Not Let Go

Go to Series

Scripture

Ruth 2

Topics
Growth & Discipleship Worldview & Culture

Sermon Notes

Ruth 2

Providence in a Field of Barley

Pastor Matt Pierson

1. Surprised by Hope

“For the Christian believer, hope is not a shallow ‘hope-so feeling’ generated by optimistic fantasies. Hope is an inner sense of joyful assurance and confidence as we trust God’s promises and face the future with His help.”
Warren Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary

2. Character Matters

“Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.”
Proverbs 3:3-4

“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.”
Proverbs 31:30-31

3. God in Happenstance

“You might say, ‘Well, I don’t see much evidence of God’s providence at work in my life.’ I’m tempted to reply, ‘Of course you don’t. God is more subtle than that.’ He wants you to think, search, ponder, and, as we sometimes say, exegete your circumstances. Look at them carefully and scour them a bit, so that you’ll see there’s been a lot of ‘just happens’ that will lead you to praise. Even walking into a particular barley field can be a step into providence.”
Dale Ralph Davis, No Hopeless Future

4. Curious Hearts See God’s Hand at Work

“Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.”
Isaiah 49:16

“In the midst of our confusion and the happenstances and surprises of life there is a sovereign God in heaven whose hand is upon us every moment of the day, a God who reigns over every inch of the universe in which we live.”
Sinclair Ferguson, Faithful God

Discussion Questions

Read the passage together: Before today’s sermon, what did you already know or believe about this passage? Did anything in your understanding shift after hearing the message?

Challenge and Reflection: Was there a part of today’s message that was particularly challenging or surprising for you? Why?

Unpacking the Message: Pick a quote from today’s sermon notes. Discuss what it means to you.

Personal Impact: What’s one specific way you feel called to change or grow after hearing this message?

Practical Application: What’s one step you can take this week to put today’s message into practice?

Connecting Scripture: Are there other Bible passages or stories this message reminds you of? How do they expand or confirm this teaching?

Gratitude: What aspect of God’s character stood out to you in today’s message? How does it inspire praise or gratitude?

Pray the Scripture: After hearing the message, is there a specific area where you feel led to pray? How can we pray for one another in light of today’s teaching?

Songs, Readings & Prayer

Songs

“Holy Holy Holy“ by John Bacchus Dykes and Reginald Heber
“Our Great God“ by Fernando Ortega and Mac Powell
“How Deep The Father’s Love For Us“ by Stuart Townend
“He Will Hold Me Fast“ by Ada Ruth Habershon and Matthew Merker
“Doxology” by Thomas Ken and Louis Bourgeois
All songs are used with permission. CCLI License no. 2003690

Looking for our Hymns of the Week or resources to worship anytime? We’ve curated a playlist of hymns TVC Worship has led on our YouTube Channel!

Call To Worship: How Lovely Is Your Dwelling Place

Leader: How lovely is Your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!
People: Our souls long, yes faint for the courts of the Lord; Our hearts and flesh sing for joy to the living God.

Leader: Who is like You, O Lord, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?
People: It is good to be near God; Make the Lord God our refuge And tell of all His works.

Leader: Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, Who alone does wondrous things.
All: Blessed be His glorious name forever; May the whole earth be filled with His Glory! Amen and Amen!

Confession of Faith: New City Catechism

Leader: Since no one can keep the law, what is its purpose?
People: That we may know the holy nature and will of God, and the sinful nature and disobedience of our hearts; and thus our need of a Savior. The law also teaches and exhorts us to live a life worthy of our Savior.

Classic Prayer: Thomas Lye, 1621-1684

Lord God, You and You alone should be the sole object of our trust. May there be but one string to the bow of our faith: that is You, our Lord. May we not rest in anything other than You. Forgive us when we trust in our heads, for our own understanding is an unsafe place to lean. Forgive us when we trust in our hearts, for they are so deceitful and wicked. Forgive us when we trust in our vigor, for our hands will soon hang down and faint. Forgive us when we trust in any excellences, for the best of us in our best state is altogether vanity. Forgive us when we trust in riches, for riches are fair-faced nothings, taking flight like birds. Forgive us when we trust in human allies, for they prove not to be staffs but broken reeds. But on this the arm of trust may safely lean: Your almighty arm and power; and Your infinite goodness, mercy, and bounty.

TVC Prayer Ministry

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Praying for the Persecuted Church: Sudan

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