Oh the Future for Boaz, Naomi, and Ruth Ruth 4:16b-22 - Equipped for Battle

We left our study in the book of Ruth yesterday with the neighbors naming Boaz' and Ruth's baby “Obed” which means serving. We found the name interestingly appropriate because “serving” was exactly what Ruth did as lived before the eyes of God in this book. We may also note that it was the Lord who “served” Naomi, Boaz and Ruth behind the scenes even when each of them had no idea what He was doing. In today's verses, we begin to look at the genealogical line of Boaz not only in his past, but also in his future. We read in Ruth chapter four and verses sixteen b through twenty-two:

There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he [is] the father of Jesse, the father of David. Now these [are] the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron, And Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab, And Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon, And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed, And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.

We begin our study by once again looking at the latter part of verse sixteen, “There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.”In a snapshot like venue, we see the direct descendants of Boaz. From Obed or “serving” came “Jesse” which means “one possesses”. Jesse was Boaz' grandson, but we don't leave the linage there. From “Jesse” came “David” which means “Beloved.” If we take time to think about this for a moment, we will consider that David was the forerunner in the linage of Jesus Christ. David was Boaz' great-grandson, and fourteen generations later, Jesus Christ came through his line.

The blessings to Boaz, Ruth and Naomi went far beyond just their child “Obed”. God had a plan to bring the Messiah through their serving and obedience. Oh the marvelous God we serve! Oh the plan that He has in mind when it seems that all is lost, and we struggle to make it! He is a mighty God, and His plans and purposes are far beyond our wildest dreams. The Messiah came through Boaz and Ruth, and Naomi had the privilege of being a nurse to the Messiah's great, great, great, great, etc. grandfather.

However there is more in these names. We read from verse seventeen to twenty-two, “Now these [are] the generations of Pharez (which means “Breach”): Pharez begat Hezron (which means “Surrounded by a wall”), And Hezron begat Ram (which means “High or Exalted”), and Ram begat Amminadab (which means “My Kinsman is Noble”), And Amminadab begat Nahshon (which means “Enchanter”), and Nahshon begat Salmon (which means “Garment”), And Salmon begat Boaz (which means “Fleetness”), and Boaz begat Obed (which means “Serving”), And Obed begat Jesse (which means “One Possesses”), and Jesse begat David (which means “Beloved”).”

When we put all the meanings of the names together, we may find a message, but we shall have to wait until tomorrow's study to find out. Next time we will finish our study in the book of Ruth, so read these verses once again, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

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