We have come to the end of Ruth, but instead of ending the story with Ruth living happily ever after with Boaz, we end with a genealogy.
If we are honest we’ll admit that most of us don’t like reading biblical genealogies. We often skim over them or skip them all together. They are usually filled with names we can hardly pronounce and people we have never heard of. But genealogies are important – otherwise God would not have included so many of them in Scripture.
Through genealogies we see how God uses ordinary people for His extraordinary work.
As beautiful of a love story the book of Ruth is, we see that Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz are part of a much larger story: a story guided by the hand of God in order to bring about the future events that would lead to the coming of a Savior. We see Him accomplish this by using normal people, like Ruth, with common lives, like that of a field owner, in a small insignificant town called Bethlehem. God, in His sovereign wisdom, uses what we might deem as insignificant and humble to bring about the extraordinary. And what is more extraordinary than the true Kinsman Redeemer being born to the undistinguished descendants of Ruth and Boaz?!
Genealogies also show that we belong. When you study your genealogy you will quickly find out that you belong to a family and a heritage; to a certain culture and ethnicity. But for those of us whose trust is in Jesus, we have the unearned privilege of belonging to the family of God. We have been gifted with a heritage rich in grace, mercy, forgiveness, and sacrificial love.
We belong to a culture where beauty is measured by a changed heart, not the shape of our bodies or the style of our hair; where acceptance is received and given because of the shared blood of Jesus that runs through our veins.
Genealogies are important because in them we see God using imperfect people for His perfect plan. In Matthew 1 we see the genealogy of Jesus and in this list we find a bunch of people who messed up. We have Jacob who was a liar and a thief, Rahab who was a former prostitute, and David – an adulterer and murderer – and yet God brought the Messiah through this line of misfits.
This should give us encouragement. There are no perfect people, and yet God uses us anyway. He uses us through our ordinary lives in order bring about His kingdom work.
Continue in your faithfulness to the calling God has for you no matter how ordinary you may feel it is. You, also, are part of a larger story… a story that involves the kingdom of God.
Looking To Jesus,
0 Responses
When will the summer study begin?
Good morning, Benita! The summer study will be starting on June 12th.
Loved this study on Ruth. When I first saw the name of Ruth as our next study all I could think about was the familiarity. I was wrong. You took it and made it good and interesting. Thank you.
You are so right, Gwen…this study was amazing! It added a whole new level to how I view Ruth and Boaz!
I would like to join the summer study, but it says it is sold out. I don’t mind downloading the study guide, but I would like to join the group. Can I still do that? How do I do it?
I think that’s the name of the study, Pam. I got confused at first too!
You are right, Nicola, that is the name of the study…sorry for the confusion! We are so glad you are joining us for the upcoming study, Pam! It’s going to be amazing! Keep an eye on the blog the week before the study starts, that’s when the post usually is for joining groups.
I purchase mine through Amazon. Have you checked there?
Is there a book/guide that goes with this?
There is a book that will be for sale on Amazon (though it isn’t available yet), and there will be the free downloadable study guide as well, Birdie.
Thanks; I really like the little books that go with these studies.
I enjoy study very much can, t wait for the onther one
Yes, Tamara, this was an awesome study! So glad you will be joining us for “Sold Out”!
Looking forward to it, thanks so much, have really enjoyed the study of Ruth.
So glad you will be joining us, Dee, to learn more about the disciples! It really was great diving into Ruth!
Well I’m new here and so excited to have found this app!! I would love to join as well. What exactly do I do?
Just ordered Sold Out on Amazon. Looking forward to our new bible Study!
I’m new here and I would love to join. What do i Need to do? Purchase the study? Or download? Thanks for any help you can give.
I’m new here as well and I’m wishing I would have found this sooner. It looks like I missed some good bible studies. What do I need to make sure I don’t miss the next one. How can I prepare myself to be ready. Thank you in advance.
I will be joining for the June 12th study. I’m so excited!! I am growing in the studies through the word, comments and blogs. Praise the Lord for all of you.
SeH