Rahab and Ruth

This winter I've hosted a Bible study in my home for women in our neighborhood. We've been working our way through Kelly Minter's study of Ruth. This week, we'll wrap it up with the genealogy listed in Ruth 4.

Let's be honest. Most of us skip the genealogy lists in the Bible. We don't know all of these people, and we want to get on to the "good stuff." At the end of the book of Ruth, we find some of that "good stuff" in the family tree.

Kelly Minter directs us to a more detailed family lineage in Matthew 1: 2-6, specifically verses 5 and 6.

Salmon fathered Boaz by Rahab, Boaz fathered Obed by Ruth, Obed fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered King David.

Matthew 1: 5-6 (HCSB)

King David became the most remembered king in Isreal's history, and his family line eventually led to Christ.

But who are these women who are named in a patriarchal culture?

Let's start with Rahab.

In Joshua 2:1, we discover right away that Rahab was a prostitute. She sheltered the Israelite spies who came to check out the promised land after they had spent 40 years wandering the desert. According to this lineage, she eventually married Salmon a descendant of Judah.

So what about Ruth?

In Ruth 1:4, we're told Ruth is a Moabite woman who married an Isrealite man who died before they had any sons. A study of the relationship between Isreal and Moab leaves no doubt that Isrealites were not to inter-marry with the Moabites because of their behavior toward Isreal. (Deuteronomy 23:3-6)

Why does this matter?

Over the last few weeks, we've been memorizing verses related to the Roman's Road to Salvation. This week's verse, Romans 5:8, reminds us that nothing we've done is so bad it will prevent that blood of Christ from covering our sins.

Look at Rahab and Ruth. Both were considered outside the realm of acceptable people whether because of their chosen occupation or because of the pagan culture in which they were raised. God used both of them to bring about the Savior of the World.

He will use you too. No matter what you've done. No matter how bad you consider your sinfulness. It's not outside His ability to forgive.

Memorize this verse with me today. A reminder for those us who are already believers that God has covered our sin, whatever it is, and that He will cover the sins of anyone who comes to him. And a call to anyone who hasn't yet accepted this free gift of salvation that it is for you.

Below you'll find our two images for the week. One for your mobile device wallpaper and one to share on social media.