Matt 1:5   Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse

                            

Many people write off the genealogy at the beginning of Matthew's Gospel but it is filled with wonderful truths. This part of the genealogy speaks of how Jesse became David's father. Oh yes, that's where this verse goes! And of course, it eventually leads to Joseph, whose family name Jesus took on. Hence Jesus is known, as the prophecies had said, as the son of David. But to get to David we have to be reminded of this little special part of history.

 

It's a male family tree, as was Jewish custom, but Ruth is included. Now Ruth wasn't even a Jew! Ruth had been a Moabite who had been drawn into the Jewish world. She showed herself to be gentle, full of faith, and loyal. As a result she is taken as the wife by Boaz and they have Obed who becomes David's grandfather. The family line was continued by a non-Jew!

 

This is God gently and subtly reminding the Jews that He had wanted them to be a light to all nations, for His love was for the whole world. He receives whoever will come to Him, as Ruth shows. It doesn't matter who you are, where you come from or whatever your background. If you have a heart to respond to God's love, He will take you and make you part of His family, and bless you and make you a blessing to the rest of the world!