How does Ruth 4:22 connect to Jesus' genealogy in Matthew 1:5-6?

Setting the Scene: Ruth 4:22

“Obed was the father of Jesse, and Jesse was the father of David.”

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The Stepping-Stone Line: Obed → Jesse → David

- Ruth and Boaz’s son, Obed, anchors the story in real history.

- Obed fathers Jesse, whose name will resonate through prophetic promises (Isaiah 11:1).

- Jesse fathers David, Israel’s greatest king and recipient of the everlasting covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-16).

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Matthew 1:5-6: Ruth’s Family in Jesus’ Genealogy

“Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David. David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah . . .”

- Matthew repeats the exact line preserved in Ruth 4:22.

- By naming Ruth, Matthew highlights God’s grace to Gentiles and women—unexpected carriers of the Messianic promise.

- David stands as the pivot: from him the royal line flows to “Jesus, who is called Christ” (Matthew 1:16).

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Why the Link Matters

- Validates prophecy: Jesus must come from David’s line (Jeremiah 23:5; Micah 5:2).

- Confirms Scripture’s unity: a single, unbroken genealogical thread ties Judges-era Bethlehem to the manger in the same town (Luke 2:4-7).

- Showcases covenant faithfulness: God preserves the line despite famine, exile, and human failure.

- Displays redeeming love: Boaz’s role as kinsman-redeemer prefigures Christ’s greater redemption (Titus 2:14).

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Take-It-Home Highlights

- Ruth 4:22 is more than a closing verse; it is a bridge to the Gospels.

- Matthew 1:5-6 deliberately echoes Ruth, proving Jesus’ royal, legal right to David’s throne.

- Every name in the genealogy testifies that God’s promises never stall; they march forward through ordinary families to reach their extraordinary fulfillment in Christ.