Ruth 4:18–22 ‘Salmon the father of Boaz, Boaz the father of Obed, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David.’ (vv21–22)
At the start and finish of the book of Ruth we have a clue as to why this is included in God’s library.
This book is a wonderful contrast to the preceding book of Judges (mentioned in verse 1), which has some of the toughest narrative in the whole of the Bible.
But we have moved from the storms to the sunlight in this book, with key themes of companionship, romance and redemption.
We have seen that the narrative centres upon Boaz being the kinsman redeemer within that culture and society, and able to bring Ruth into the people of God.
The key text comes at the very end, with the family tree and the discovery that Ruth is now part of the line of David (Israel’s finest king (4:21 –22).
This will be significant in the New Testament, for she’s included too in the ancestral line of Jesus. All of this is totally outside of Ruth’s power.
She does the right thing by sticking with Naomi, and the narrative flows from there. You may or may not be pleased with your human family tree, if you even know it, but you have been included in the divine family tree of the people of God, and caught up with God’s purposes such that you and your offspring can be a blessing to many.
Maybe it’s time to start a new dynasty, to pray for those not yet born, that the generations to come would have a godly and positive impact. And as you ‘do the right thing’ today, who knows how God may use that, for His glory and your good.
A Prayer To Make:
Thank You, God, that You promise blessing on the generations of your people, and so I look to You to draw near to my nearest and dearest. Amen.
An Action To Take:
Make a list of those in your close family and pray a blessing on each.
Scripture To Consider:
Exod. 34:1–7; Ps. 33:1–11; Matt. 1:5–16; Rev. 22:12–17
