So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went in to her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel! And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him.” Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her bosom, and became a nurse to him. Also the neighbor women gave him a name, saying, “There is a son born to Naomi.” And they called his name Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David. (Ruth 4:13-17)
During our study of the book of Ruth, we have seen the providential hand of God at work. It was God who orchestrated Ruth and Naomi’s return to Bethlehem at the time of the harvest. Furthermore, God guided Ruth to the field belonging to Boaz, who would ultimately become her husband. Through the marriage of Ruth and Boaz, God blessed them with a child who brought joy and hope to Naomi and helped to restore her faith. None of these events were coincidences. They were all the product of God’s providential care and wisdom, transforming tragedy into blessings.
God also used the story of Ruth to bring a blessing to the world.
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon. Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the king. (Matthew 1:1-5)
Normally genealogies are not the most exciting parts of scripture, yet the often contain very important information. Consider what we can learn from the genealogy of Jesus.
First, notice that Jesus is called ‘the Son of David.’ God promised David that his descendants would rule over Israel forever (2 Samuel 7:12-13). The term “Son of David” thus came to be associated with the Messiah, the promised deliverer.
Secondly, notice that David came through Boaz and Ruth. “Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the king.” David was the great-grandson of Boaz and Ruth.
The story of Ruth is a beautiful of God’s tender care of a young Moabite woman. It is also a story of God’s redemption of the world. Ruth is a part of Jesus’ ancestry. Through her, God brought His Son into the world.
Ruth serves as an encouraging example of unwavering faith and trust in God’s plan. The Bible teaches us that God is always working all things together for our ultimate good and His eternal purposes, even when we cannot see or understand what He is doing. I pray these studies on Ruth have provided you with blessings and insights for your own journey of faith.
God bless you, Brethren.
* Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is taken from the New King James Version.
"Seeds of Faith" 