Turning Point

[Megan]

For me, Ruth 2:20 stands out as the turning point of Naomi's
attitude. I'm not sure why it changed so quickly and drastically, but
I can only assume that she must have known the Lord was at work when
he not only led Ruth the fields of a possible kinsman-redeemer, but
also had Boaz stop by the fields, see Ruth and then find favor with
her. This series of "coincidences" appears to have "awakened Naomi's
hope" as my concordence stated.

In reading ahead, Ruth 3:13 also jumped out at me as a possible
turning point. This verse has Boaz promising that he will redeem
them, if the other man doesn't. It is the first time Ruth and Naomi
have been officially under someone's care since their husbands died.

[Amanda]

Megan, I agree with everything you said. Ruth 2:20 does seem to be
the turning point of Naomi's attitude. It is interesting how quickly
her attitude changes from the bitterness we see in chapter 1. This
makes me think her attitude shift may not really have been as drastic
as it appears in the text. From what we read in chapter 1 Naomi is
very bitter and in "blame God" mode, or so it seems to me. But, we
also know that Naomi had made such an impression on Ruth, that Ruth
was willing to follow her to a foreign land. I kind of get the
feeling that Naomi was always looking for God's hand at work. In
chapter 1 all Naomi receives is heartache and trials, minus the
faithfulness of Ruth, but at this point in chapter 2 Naomi can finally
see God's hand at work for good in her life. Naomi did not tell Ruth
where to go glean, but Ruth comes home with a large amount of grain
from none other than Boaz's field. Here is where we see God's
sovereignty at work. I don't think the events of this chapter are
coincidence at all and I think that Naomi's faith was strong enough
for her to realize that as well.