The Crucible of Sanctification

Ruth opens with great suffering in the midst of great national
suffering. Bethlehem is starving, the people of Israel are doing
whatever is right in their own eyes. Naomi and Ruth lose everyone
that is close to them and there seems to be no hope at all. It is
so bad that Naomi changes her name to "bitter." When we are
suffering we, like so many before us, will wonder about the
sovereignty and goodness of God. The story of Ruth demonstrates to
us that God is both good and sovereign even in our affliction. God
uses the suffering of his people to sanctify them and make them
more like Jesus while working out his good and perfect will in the
world.