Ruth 4:13-15 (NIVUK)
16 Then Naomi took the child in her arms and cared for him. 17 The women living there said, ‘Naomi has a son!’ And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.
18 This, then, is the family line of Perez:
Perez was the father of Hezron,
19 Hezron the father of Ram,
Ram the father of Amminadab,
20 Amminadab the father of Nahshon,
Nahshon the father of Salmon,
21 Salmon the father of Boaz,
Boaz the father of Obed,
22 Obed the father of Jesse,
and Jesse the father of David.
I like a story with a surprise twist, and this story is certainly one of these. Who would have guessed that Naomi’s bitterness would have led to Ruth’s sacrifice which would have led to Boaz’s gracious compassion which would lead to a child who would in turn lead to the birth of the greatest King of the Jews. Of course, this isn’t the final twist, take a look at the opening verses of Matthew where this genealogy is continued a little further, because where does David’s line lead to? Another family in Bethlehem. A couple who give birth to a boy and name him, that’s right, Jesus!
You are an amazing Lord, Father, turning despair into hope, bitterness into hope and joy! Help us to find ways to share this message today.
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