A Little Background

So Boaz took Ruth into his home, and she became his wife. When he slept with her, the LORD enabled her to become pregnant, and she gave birth to a son. [Ruth 4.13]

And so, the lineage of King David takes shape. This same lineage would identify Jesus Christ the Messiah.

The interesting thing about this lineage is that Ruth was from the Moabites, the same group under Balak's rule who seduced Israel's men into idolatry (apparently at the advice of Balaam).

While the Israelites were camped at Acacia Grove, some of the men defiled themselves by having sexual relations with local Moabite women. [Numbers 25.1]

Ruth was a Moabite woman. Interestingly enough, at Naomi's bidding, Ruth went to Boaz in the secrecy of the middle of the night (all clean, perfumed-up and dressed in her best), got under the covers with Boaz and lay at his feet. Here's the deal: most men I know would consider that some serious seduction!

Regardless what took place resultant to Ruth's calculated "approach" to Boaz, it set in motion the course of events that got her married to him. Although Boaz had "noticed" Ruth and communicated with her up to this point, he had made no advances toward her. Ruth's "approach" affected a change in Boaz's future.

For what it is worth as far as background story goes, the Moabites were descendants of Lot. This is the one and the same "righteous Lot" who was rescued from sexually-perverted Sodom where he was living as a respected citizen.

As if the seduction of Israel's men wasn't enough, a little more research reveals even more dicey behavior in this, Ruth's lineage.

As a result, both of Lot’s daughters became pregnant by their own father. When the older daughter gave birth to a son, she named him Moab. He became the ancestor of the nation now known as the Moabites. [Genesis 19.36-37]

So, what does this all mean? It means that through some pretty messed up situations (not to mention King David's indiscretion here), Jesus Christ the Messiah is identified. Jesus is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah (the tribe of Boaz). If Jesus' identity was eventually revealed through these circumstances, it should indicate that He can deal with our circumstances and bring glory to the Father in so doing!

I'll take that!

Father, help us all to remain mindful of all that You accomplished in history through incredibly "unusual" circumstances to help us see Jesus.