Booz, Obed and Jesse Matthew 1:5

Matthew was a Jew, writing specifically to the Jews about a Jew whose name was Jesus. Matthew employs many Old Testament references throughout his book as to prove that Jesus is indeed the Messiah for whom the Jewish people awaited. Matthew began his book with the words, “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham”. Matthew continued, “Abraham beget Isaac; and Isaac beget Jacob; and Jacob beget Judas and his brethren; And Judas beget Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares beget Esrom; and Esrom beget Aram; And Aram beget Aminadab; and Aminadab beget Naasson; and Naasson beget Salmon”, and in chapter one and verse five of his book, Matthew begins to share the lineage of Jesus through “Booz of Rachab, Obed of Ruth and Jesse” where we read:

And Salmon beget Booz of Rachab; and Booz beget Obed of Ruth; and Obed beget Jesse;

The verse reads, “And Salmon beget Booz of Rachab; and Booz beget Obed of Ruth;” Matthew began with the words, “and Salmon” which means “raiment or a garment” “beget Booz” or “fathered and engendered Booz or Boaz whose name means in him is strength” “of Rachab” or “from Rahab” which refers to “a harlot of Jericho and means wide”; “and Booz” or “in him is strength” “beget Obed” which means “fathered and engendered Obed whose name means serving” “of Ruth” which refers to “from Moab whose name means a female friend”. Matthew continued to share the genealogy of Jesus by adding “Rahab, Boaz, Ruth and Obed” to His lineage.

The verse continues, “and Obed beget Jesse.” Matthew added the words, “and Obed” which means “serving” “beget Jesse” which means “fathered and engendered Jesse whose name means wealthy”. Matthew added “Jesse” who was “David's” father to Jesus' genealogical line.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we discover more of the people whom God used to bring forth the Messiah Jesus. “Salmon” married “Rahab” who was a harlot in Jericho had “Boaz” who married “Ruth” who was a Gentile from Moab and had a son named “Obed” who had a son named “Jesse” who was King “David's” father. Once again we see how God used people whom we might thing unusual for the lineage of the Messiah. “Rahab” who was a town prostitute within the city of Jericho whom the people of Israel conquered in the promise land with Joshua as their lead. (See Joshua chapters 2 and 6), and “Ruth” was from the foreign Gentile land of “Moab” (See the book of Ruth). Each of these women were ancestors of Jesus, and their husbands became His forefathers. God had a plan for Jesus to be “Savior and Lord” through these people, and those who shall think through these ancestors shall perceive God's pre-planned way for people to be saved.

Next time Matthew continues Jesus' lineage with “Jesse, David and Solomon”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.