¹⁸ Now this is the genealogy of Perez: Perez begot Hezron; ¹⁹ Hezron begot Ram, and Ram begot Amminadab; ²⁰ Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon; ²¹ Salmon begot Boaz, and Boaz begot Obed; ²² Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David.

Now we come to the epilogue of the book of Ruth. The purpose of this genealogy is to demonstrate that God provides for the lineage of the Messiah. There are 10 generations in this genealogy.

4:18

Now this is the genealogy of Perez:

Perez’s genealogy documents God’s providential care. It is clear that God providentially guides in the lives of the people of the book of Ruth. As God worked through Perez’s line, so He worked through Boaz’s line. Ultimately God worked through Boaz and Ruth so that the Messiah would come from Boaz’s line.

Perez begot Hezron;

Hezron was from the family of Jacob that went to Egypt (Ge 46:12; cf. Mt 1:3).

4:19

Hezron begot Ram,

First Chronicles 2:9 refers to Ram. 

And Ram begot Amminadab;

Amminadab was the father-in-law of Aaron (Ex. 6:23).

4:20

Amminadab begot Nahshon,

Nahshon headed the house of Judah (Nu 1:7; 7:12; 10:14).

And Nahshon begot Salmon;

Salmon was the father of Boaz (Mt 1:5).

4:21

Salmon begot Boaz,

Boaz’s ancestress was Rahab, the Canaanite harlot in Jericho.

and Boaz begot Obed;

Obed was the son of Boaz and Ruth.

4:22

Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David.

Obed became the father of Jesse, who was the father of David (1 Sa 16:1-13). Matthew traces Jesus’ lineage to David (Mt 1:1-16; 15:22; 20:30-31; 21:9, 15; 22:42).

Ro 1:3, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh . . .

2 Ti 2:8, Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel . . .

Re 22:16, “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”

PRINCIPLE:

God will ultimately fulfill His purpose in time and space.

APPLICATION:

One day Jesus, the Kinsman-Redeemer, will sit on the throne of David (2 Sa 7:12-16; Re 20:4-6). He will do what Adam (first theocratic king) failed to do—become a theocratic King (one who rules for God) who conquers evil and fulfills God’s purpose for time.