The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Ruth 4:18-22,
"This, then, is the family line of Perez: Perez was the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, Boaz the father of Obed, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David."
We see this genealogy at the end of the book of Ruth repeated as a section in the genealogy of Jesus Christ as provided in Matthew 1:3-6. In Matthew's genealogy, the names of four women are provided who were Gentiles: Tamar (probably Canaanite), Rahab (Canaanite), Ruth (Moabite, and the current interest in this account bearing her name), and Bathsheba (thought to possibly be a Hittite as her murdered husband was.)
The inclusion of Ruth and the other three women in Matthew's genealogy, while traditionally not done in the culture of Biblical times, is thought to demonstrate two things: the first expressing the importance women have had in God's activities in the world, as Matthew will go on next to introduce us to a very remarkable and important young woman that God used: Mary. Secondly, that Jesus Christ was sent into the "world", and his priority is to have the gospel go out to all people - including the Gentiles. Israel had no exclusive claim to the Savior of the world, as Gentile blood ran in his veins as well. While the offer of God's kingdom was first made to the nation of Israel, it was to go out into all the world, its invitation to Jew and Gentile alike.
The blood of Jesus Christ holds a position of absolute importance in our redemption: "But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption." Hebrews 9:11-12. The blood Jesus Christ offered on the alter in the tabernacle in heaven to pay the penalty for the sins of the whole world included the Gentile blood in his ancestry as well.
Something to think about today. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." John 3:16-18. The Messiah is for all mankind, the world over.
I am reminded of something Peter said, "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9. The "anyone" in Peters passage is defined clearly as Paul spoke to the Gentiles in Athens, "... but now he [God] commands all people everywhere to repent." Acts 17:30. The inclusion of a Gentile presence in the genealogy of Jesus Christ provides something of a comfort for me, a Gentile. Just as the presence of the Gentile blood that ran in Jesus veins, the very blood that paid for my sins, so, likewise, his invitation to join his family includes Gentiles such as me as well.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
"This, then, is the family line of Perez: Perez was the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, Boaz the father of Obed, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David."
We see this genealogy at the end of the book of Ruth repeated as a section in the genealogy of Jesus Christ as provided in Matthew 1:3-6. In Matthew's genealogy, the names of four women are provided who were Gentiles: Tamar (probably Canaanite), Rahab (Canaanite), Ruth (Moabite, and the current interest in this account bearing her name), and Bathsheba (thought to possibly be a Hittite as her murdered husband was.)
The inclusion of Ruth and the other three women in Matthew's genealogy, while traditionally not done in the culture of Biblical times, is thought to demonstrate two things: the first expressing the importance women have had in God's activities in the world, as Matthew will go on next to introduce us to a very remarkable and important young woman that God used: Mary. Secondly, that Jesus Christ was sent into the "world", and his priority is to have the gospel go out to all people - including the Gentiles. Israel had no exclusive claim to the Savior of the world, as Gentile blood ran in his veins as well. While the offer of God's kingdom was first made to the nation of Israel, it was to go out into all the world, its invitation to Jew and Gentile alike.
The blood of Jesus Christ holds a position of absolute importance in our redemption: "But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption." Hebrews 9:11-12. The blood Jesus Christ offered on the alter in the tabernacle in heaven to pay the penalty for the sins of the whole world included the Gentile blood in his ancestry as well.
Something to think about today. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." John 3:16-18. The Messiah is for all mankind, the world over.
I am reminded of something Peter said, "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9. The "anyone" in Peters passage is defined clearly as Paul spoke to the Gentiles in Athens, "... but now he [God] commands all people everywhere to repent." Acts 17:30. The inclusion of a Gentile presence in the genealogy of Jesus Christ provides something of a comfort for me, a Gentile. Just as the presence of the Gentile blood that ran in Jesus veins, the very blood that paid for my sins, so, likewise, his invitation to join his family includes Gentiles such as me as well.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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