Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse
- Matthew 1:5
The Gospel of Matthew kicks off with the genealogy of Jesus. The vast majority of the names are males but there are five females’ names, and I think that is significant.
I once heard a pastor discuss how the women in the list were mainly comprised of shady characters – one pretending to be a prostitute to trick her father-in-law, one former prostitute, one being super forward with a male by lying at his feet, and one involved in adultery. Their main point in this was that Jesus came through those whom He intended to save. While this was well-intentioned in trying to show that Jesus came for sinners, I think he grossly missed the point as to why the women’s names were included. 1) Not all the names of the men on that list are outstanding characters 2) I think there is a larger story behind the inclusion of their names.
I could write multiple posts highlighting the stories of each woman – detailing their lives (albeit tangled in sin), how their faith shone in the midst of darkness, and how the Lord blessed them…and perhaps I may sometime, but for right now I want to focus on Rahab and Ruth.
Rahab’s story is recorded in the second chapter of Joshua. She was a Canaanite who lived in the walls of the city of Jericho – the city that the Lord instructed Joshua to send in two spies to gather intel about their enemies. Rahab’s profession was that of a prostitute. The two spies ended up staying at Rahab’s place, which was soon told to the king. The king sent men to her home to search for the men, but she hid them and told the searchers that she did encounter them but did not know where they went. This took incredible bravery and tact. If found out, she faced treason.
When she let out the spies, she boldly proclaimed that she believed and knew that their God – the God of Israel – was the one true God. And then courageously asked that if she protected them, that they too would protect her and her father’s house when they took down the city. An agreement was made. And the rest is history.
The story of Ruth is remarkable; her entire story is recorded in a mere four chapters named after herself. Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi and father-in-law Elimelech came to the land of Moab when there was a famine in the land of Israel. In time, Elimelech died, and his two sons married Moabite women (Orpah and Ruth). Not long after, the two sons died. This left Naomi alone with her two, widowed daughters-in-law and no man to care for them. Word got back to Naomi that the famine in Israel was over, so she decided to head back home and urged her widowed daughters-in-law to remain in their land with their gods. Orpah agreed but Ruth refused. She pledged to Naomi, “your people will be my people, and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16).
Upon being back in Bethlehem, Ruth needed to work to support her and Naomi; for they had no food or money. So, she went to the fields to gather the grain that the harvesters missed. God led her to the field of Boaz. Upon meeting Ruth and hearing briefly of why she was there, Boaz told his workers to leave plenty of grain behind for her.
When Ruth came home and relayed all the details to Naomi, she found out that Boaz was a close relative who could legally redeem and marry her. In those days, a redeemer would buy back the land the widow had lost when her husband died and pledge to care for her. To fast forward through some details, Boaz ended up redeeming and marrying Ruth.
Of course, both stories point to a greater rescuer and redeemer, Jesus, who died on the cross to rescue us from our sins and secure our redemption.
But I want to highlight the stories and faith of these two women. I don’t believe they were solely included to prove that Jesus came to redeem messy people (for I think that’s evident in the entire genealogy). If anything, I think the faith of the women is what God wanted them to be remembered for.
I imagine Boaz as a little boy, sitting on his mother Rahab’s knee as the sun went down, the wind blowing the wheat in the field gently, and asking her to tell the story of how God miraculously parted the Red Sea when He freed His people from the Egyptians. I imagine this was a story that he heard over and over again – because, well, what little kid doesn’t love to have the same beloved story told over and over again? But this time, I see her pausing, taking a deep breath, and telling him HER story of redemption – how she was a Canaanite prostitute who heard about the God of Israel and knew Him to be the one true God. And how He, out of His great love for and mercy towards her; rescued her and brought her into His beloved people. I’m sure she talked about God, His character, and His commands as they sat home eating meals, when they walked along the road as they explored nature, when she tucked him in at night, and when she got him up in the morning (Deut 6:4-9). I believe that she loved the Lord with all her heart, soul, and strength and that was impressed upon young Boaz.
Therefore, I imagine that when Boaz saw the plight of Ruth and heard that she was a Moabite woman who pledged to follow her mother-in-law and provide for her – he didn’t see a Moabite – but saw a woman of remarkable faith. A woman whose heart trusted in the one true God, despite Him not being of her native land and people. I believe he was able to see the steadfastness of her devotion and the valor of her heart because of his mother Rahab who taught him the precepts of the Lord and what it looks like to walk faithfully with Him.
Ladies (gentlemen, caregivers, teachers, youth group leaders, and grandparents) our words matter. Our actions matter. Our children see and hear the things we do and say and believe that to be true. Train up your child(ren) and grandchild(ren) to know about the deep love of the Father and how He redeems even those who seem most unworthy. Tell them the stories of your life before Christ so that they may taste and see that He is good. God gave you a story unique to you and you are to steward that story well and faithfully – for His glory. Your faith impacts the littlest hearts in the biggest ways.
Prayer: Father, help me to use the time I have with my children well. By your grace, give us pockets of time to talk about your goodness and grace and mercy. May I use my story to glorify you and may it draw my children to know you more. Amen.
Reflection:
- Take time to reflect on your redemption story. If helpful, write it out or bullet the main points.
- Are there pockets of time in your family or daily rhythm that could be used more effectively to talk about God and what walking with Him looks like? Maybe the car ride home? At the breakfast table? Or when you walk the dog?
- Is there a child or grandchild or student who you know is going through something challenging? Ask them if you can pray for them and do it right then and there.
