13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And he went in to her, and the LORD gave her conception, and she bore a son. 14 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! 15 He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.” 16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse. 17 And the women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.
18 Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez fathered Hezron, 19 Hezron fathered Ram, Ram fathered Amminadab, 20 Amminadab fathered Nahshon, Nahshon fathered Salmon, 21 Salmon fathered Boaz, Boaz fathered Obed, 22 Obed fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered David.
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
Boaz married Ruth and they had a son. Ruth had been barren in Moab but now God rewarded her for her faithful obedience by giving her a son. Naomi moved from the long-running despair of her time in Moab to a quick turn around to blessing in Bethlehem. It’s likely that Naomi and Elimelech’s move to Moab had been an unwise move outside of God’s will. Now that Naomi and Ruth have moved back under the protection of God’s wing, they find themselves showered with God’s blessing. Naomi returned in grief but is now blessed with a redeemer herself because her husband’s inheritance and family line have been preserved. Not only that but Ruth turned out to be a bigger blessing to her than seven sons. Naomi nursed the child and he was named Obed which means “Servant of the Lord.” Ruth’s decision to commit to Naomi had far-reaching consequences. Her faithfulness continued a family line that would include king David, and ultimately Jesus Christ.
Warren Wiersbe concludes his commentary with this interesting insight:
The Moabites were not to enter the congregation of the Lord “even to the tenth generation” (Deut. 23:3). But the little Book of Ruth closes with a ten-generation genealogy that climaxes with the name of David!
Wiersbe, W.W., 1993. Be Committed, Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
Never underestimate the power of the grace of God.
Will you make the decision to commit to God and live His way even if you can’t see what benefit lies ahead? This is what Ruth did when she chose to cling to Naomi and said, “Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” even though she was likely to remain a poor widow. God rewarded her faithfulness not only by giving her a husband and son but by grafting her into the family line of Christ.
Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan
The Flood Recedes and the Rainbow: Genesis 8-9