This, then, is the family line of Perez: Perez was the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz [whose mother was Rahab], Boaz the father of Obed [whose mother was Ruth], Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of [King] David. (Ruth 4:18-22 & Matthew 1:3-6)
Ruth’s story really does leads us directly to Jesus. The family tree that marks the end of Ruth’s story (chapter 4) appears within Jesus’ family tree at the start of his story in the New Testament, in Matthew chapter 1. Ruth’s story is a part of Jesus’ family story. Mathew deliberately points out the mothers of key people in Ruth’s story. Boaz is the ‘good guy’ who saves the day. Yet who is his mum? Rahab the prostitute, who had joined Israel at Jericho when they came up from Egypt. The woman who had lost her entire city and people and had come out of a life of selling her body for bread. Then Ruth, the widow of Naomi’s son, marries Boaz and is the mother of the boy born at the end of the story. This boy becomes King David’s grandfather. Ruth’s story, as it leads us to Jesus’ story, tells us the amazing way God works in and through the turmoil and change that mark our lives and our world. This story shows how he works in a world of broken hearts, and works ultimately for our good in Jesus.
Head: Do I realise in my daily life that God is working in and through the turmoil and change that mark our lives and our world?
Heart: Does my heart believe there is real hope for our wounded hearts in Jesus?
Hands: How can I share this real hope with others today?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I praise you today as the all-powerful and good God who is working in and through the turmoil and change that mark our lives and our world. Please enable my heart to believe there is real hope for our wounded hearts in the message of Jesus. I pray for our ministry teams as each prepares to help us explore Ruth’s amazing story at church this Sunday. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
A song to listen to: No Other Name
Phil Strong
