Background Scripture: Ruth 1-4; Luke 3:23-38
Lesson Context: The book of Ruth culminates in a genealogy of David (Ruth 4:18-22). Genealogies are found in literature from around the ancient Near East. Genealogies recount a ruler’s lineage and were intended to legitimize a monarch’s reign. This function of genealogy hints at one reason the book of Ruth was written: to show God’s providence in King David’s ancestors, whether during or shortly after his kingship, or even after Israel was divided into two. Tracing Jesus’ lineage to David in Luke’s genealogy, covered in part (Luke 3:23-38), answered an important question: What right had Jesus to claim to be the king in Israel who fulfilled God’s promise to David? How could Jesus be the Messiah? (International Sunday School Lessons, KJV 2024-2025)
l. Naomi’s Family (Ruth 4:9-17):
A. Boaz Acts (vv. 9-10). v. 9 “And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s of the hand of Naomi.” Boaz joyfully proclaimed-legally sealing the transaction-that he would redeem both the property and the posterity of Elimelech, and (best of all) take Ruth, the woman he loved, as his wife. “You are witnesses this day.” This explains why a marriage ceremony is important, and why it should be recognized by the civil authorities. Boaz had a love for Ruth that was public, a love that wanted to be publicly witnessed and registered. v. 10. “Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his breathren, and from the gate of his place. Ye are witnesses this day.” This is the first time we learn that Ruth had been the wife of Mahlon; this identification was likely due to the legal nature of the proceedings. “That the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brethren and from the gate of this place.” This is a good description of the idea of preserving the posterity of the deceased. Boaz’s decision to marry Ruth led to a blessing for him: he was included in the genealogy of Jesus. (David Gutz’s Bible Commentary)
B. The People Bless (vv. 11-12). v. 11. “And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The Lord make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel, and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem.” This all took place at the city gate, the typical meeting place in Israel for legal proceedings. No doubt, the crowd cheered! The men thought Ruth was beautiful and the women thought Boaz was handsome. Everybody could see what a romantic, loving occasion this was. “Like Rachel and Leah.” These two had thirteen children between them and were the “mothers” of the whole nation of Israel. This was a big blessing to put on Boaz and Ruth. (International Sunday School Commentary, KJV 2024-2025) (Enduring Word Bible Commentary) v. 12. “And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the Lord shall give thee of this young woman.” The account of Pharez’s birth is found in Genesis 38. Tamar was entitled to a levirate marriage when her husband, Er, died. But several failures found Tamar back in her father’s house with no prospect of continuing her dead husband’s lineage. When she tricked Judah into sleeping with her, Tamar conceived Pharez and his twin brother, Zarah. Ruth’s situation was not identical, but it is notable that both Tamar and Ruth were foreign women who became ancestors to Jesus (Matthew 1:3, 5). (International Sunday School Lessons, KJV 2024-2025).
ll. Jesus’ family (Luke 3:23, 31b-32):
A. Near Ancestors (v. 23). “And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli.”
“Being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph.” According to ancient custom, genealogies were almost always traced through the father, not the mother. This was a problem in the unique situation of a virgin birth. Luke began with Joseph because he followed proper form and included no women in his genealogy. (David Gutz’s Bible Commentary)
b. Distant Ancestors (vv. 31b-32). v. 31b. “Which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of David.” Nathan was the son of David by “Bathshua” (Bathsheba). The gospel of Matthew traces Jesus’ line through Solomon rather than Nathan. Undoubtedly, what was most important to both writers was showing that Jesus can trace His earthly lineage straight back to David. (International Sunday School Lessons, KJV 20240-2025) v. 32. “Which was the son of Jesse, which was the son of Obed, which was the son of Boaz, which was the son of Salmon, which was the son of Naasson.” Jesse was David’s father, Obed his grandfather, so on. Naasson was the tribal leader of Judah during the wilderness period. (International Sunday School Lessons, KJV 20240-2025)