Boaz-Jesse
Advent Devotion
Boaz – Husband of Ruth, great-grandfather of David (Ruth 2-4; Matthew 1).
Obed – Son of Boaz and Ruth, grandfather of David (Ruth 4:17-22).
Jesse – Father of King David (1 Samuel 16; Ruth 4:22).
The story of Ruth is one of redemption, faithfulness, and God’s providence. Ruth, a Moabite widow, faced despair when her husband died, leaving her without protection or provision. Despite her uncertain future, she chose to stay with her mother-in-law, Naomi, saying, “Where you go, I will go… your God my God” (Ruth 1:16, ESV). Ruth’s loyalty led her to Bethlehem, where she worked tirelessly to provide for Naomi, gleaning in the fields of Boaz, a relative of Naomi’s late husband.
Boaz noticed Ruth’s character and kindness and became her protector, ultimately taking on the role of her "kinsman-redeemer." By marrying Ruth, Boaz restored her family’s name and secured their future. This story of redemption didn’t end with Ruth and Boaz. They had a son named Obed, the grandfather of King David. Through this line, God would eventually bring Jesus, the ultimate Redeemer.
The descendants of Boaz and Ruth show how God’s plan unfolded through generations. Their son Obed fathered Jesse, who became the father of King David, the man after God’s own heart. David’s rise to kingship marked a significant turning point in Israel’s history, establishing the royal line from which the Messiah would come. From a seemingly insignificant family in Bethlehem, God orchestrated His redemptive plan, preparing the way for Jesus, the Son of David, to be born.
Ruth’s journey from an outsider to a beloved family member beautifully foreshadows the Christmas story. Like Ruth, Jesus entered a world filled with brokenness and loss. Born in Bethlehem, the same town where Ruth found her new beginning, Jesus came to fulfill God’s promise of redemption for all people, including outsiders and those marginalized. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus became the true Redeemer, restoring our relationship with God and securing eternal life for us.
At Christmas, we celebrate that through Jesus, God’s love and redemption reach everyone, regardless of background or past. Just as Boaz welcomed Ruth, Christ welcomes each of us into God’s family. Ruth’s story reminds us that no one is beyond God’s care and that in Jesus, we find ultimate redemption—a gift worth celebrating this Christmas season.