Proverbs 31 tells of the importance of a godly, hardworking woman. But, the best description of this woman is found in Jesus’ grandmother, Ruth. The story of Ruth tells of a kind, loyal, virtuous, and industrious woman (Ruth 1:16-17; Ruth 3:11; see also Proverbs 31:10-31). God blessed Ruth’s efforts.
Ruth grew up a pagan Gentile, a Moabite (Ruth 1-4) but met the true God through Naomi and her family from Bethlehem. Bethlehem was small town about five miles southwest of Jerusalem. From Bethlehem, King David would be born (1 Samuel 16:1) and Jesus the Messiah (Micah 5:2). God led this young Moabite woman to a man named Boaz, an Israelite who lived in Bethlehem. As a result, Ruth became the great-grandmother of King David and a direct ancestor of Jesus the Messiah, the Blessed One. What is even more interesting, Boaz was a descendant of Rahab, a former prostitute from Jericho and helper of the Israel people (Joshua 2; Joshua 6). Rahab is described in the Holy Scriptures as a great woman of faith (James 2:25; Hebrews 11:31).
Rahab and Ruth are perfect examples of God's love for all people! Taken together, these Gentile (non-Jewish) women reveal God’s ability to love and work with all sorts of people, regardless of their race, sex, or nationality. The Jews were not the only people God loved. Jesus was born as a Jew and through Him, the entire world can come to know God (Acts 10:35). The story of Rahab and Ruth reveal God loves and accepts all who faithfully seek and follow Him. Rahab and Ruth are two of only five women mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:5).
The story of Ruth ends by announcing the birth of a baby boy named Obed. The birth of Obed leads to King David, Israel’s first great king and eventually to Jesus the Messiah, the greatest King of all (Revelation 19:16)!
Ruth grew up a pagan Gentile, a Moabite (Ruth 1-4) but met the true God through Naomi and her family from Bethlehem. Bethlehem was small town about five miles southwest of Jerusalem. From Bethlehem, King David would be born (1 Samuel 16:1) and Jesus the Messiah (Micah 5:2). God led this young Moabite woman to a man named Boaz, an Israelite who lived in Bethlehem. As a result, Ruth became the great-grandmother of King David and a direct ancestor of Jesus the Messiah, the Blessed One. What is even more interesting, Boaz was a descendant of Rahab, a former prostitute from Jericho and helper of the Israel people (Joshua 2; Joshua 6). Rahab is described in the Holy Scriptures as a great woman of faith (James 2:25; Hebrews 11:31).
Rahab and Ruth are perfect examples of God's love for all people! Taken together, these Gentile (non-Jewish) women reveal God’s ability to love and work with all sorts of people, regardless of their race, sex, or nationality. The Jews were not the only people God loved. Jesus was born as a Jew and through Him, the entire world can come to know God (Acts 10:35). The story of Rahab and Ruth reveal God loves and accepts all who faithfully seek and follow Him. Rahab and Ruth are two of only five women mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:5).
The story of Ruth ends by announcing the birth of a baby boy named Obed. The birth of Obed leads to King David, Israel’s first great king and eventually to Jesus the Messiah, the greatest King of all (Revelation 19:16)!
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God bless you! You are loved by God (Romans 5:5).