Jesus' Family Album December 4 Devotional

MATTHEW 1:5b-6a | ^5b and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, ^6a and Jesse the father of King David.

A genealogy reflects the interplay between God’s sovereign grace and our human actions. A third remarkable woman within Jesus’ family tree illustrates this. Naomi left Judah with her husband and two sons because of famine, to settle in foreign territory in Moab. Her sons marry Moabite women and then tragedy strikes and Naomi’s sons and husband die. Her family line has been cruelly decimated and she decides to return to Judah to mourn, knowing it’s too late to remarry and have a second family. Her Moabite daughter-in-law, also bereaved, leaves her own country to accompany her and care for her. Through divine providence and hard work, Ruth’s character impresses one of her husband’s relations, named Boaz. His marriage with the faithful and faith-filled Ruth continues the line of the Messiah. God’s great plan depends again on the sacrifice and love of a remarkable woman.

Who has been faithful to you in your life when things were hard?

Gracious God,

Thank You for Ruth and for the faithful people in our own lives, who embody Your covenant love that does not give up.

Amen.