Ruth 4:20
Amminadab was the father of Nahshon, Nahshon was the father of Salmon,
Amminadab was the father of Nahshon
Amminadab is a significant figure in the genealogy of Jesus Christ, appearing in the lineage that connects the tribe of Judah to King David. His name means "my kinsman is noble," reflecting the noble lineage from which he descends. Amminadab is mentioned in the genealogies of 1 Chronicles 2:10 and Matthew 1:4, establishing his place in the ancestral line leading to the Messiah. He is also noted in Exodus 6:23 as the father-in-law of Aaron, Moses' brother, through his daughter Elisheba. This connection highlights the intertwining of priestly and royal lines in Israel's history. Nahshon, his son, plays a crucial role during the Exodus as the leader of the tribe of Judah (Numbers 1:7), indicating the prominence of this family in Israel's formative years.

Nahshon was the father of Salmon
Nahshon, whose name means "enchanter" or "oracle," is recognized as a prince of the tribe of Judah during the wilderness period. He is listed as the first to bring his offering for the dedication of the altar in Numbers 7:12, signifying his leadership and the preeminence of Judah among the tribes. Nahshon's role as a leader during the Exodus and his position in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:4) underscore the importance of his lineage. Salmon, his son, continues this line, and according to tradition, he is one of the spies sent by Moses to explore the Promised Land (though not explicitly named in the biblical account). Salmon's marriage to Rahab, a Canaanite woman who aided the Israelite spies in Jericho (Joshua 2), demonstrates God's grace and the inclusion of Gentiles in the messianic line, foreshadowing the universal scope of Christ's redemption.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Boaz
A prominent figure in the Book of Ruth, Boaz is a wealthy landowner in Bethlehem and a relative of Naomi's deceased husband. He becomes Ruth's kinsman-redeemer, marrying her and ensuring the continuation of her family line.

2. Obed
The son of Boaz and Ruth, Obed is significant as the grandfather of King David, placing him in the lineage of Jesus Christ.

3. Salmon
Mentioned in Ruth 4:20, Salmon is the father of Boaz. His inclusion in the genealogy highlights the continuity of God's plan through generations.

4. Nahshon
Also mentioned in Ruth 4:20, Nahshon is the father of Salmon. He was a leader of the tribe of Judah during the Exodus, emphasizing the royal lineage leading to David.

5. Bethlehem
The setting for much of the Book of Ruth, Bethlehem is significant as the birthplace of both David and Jesus, underscoring the prophetic fulfillment of God's promises.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Genealogy
The genealogy in Ruth 4:20 highlights God's sovereign hand in history, orchestrating events and people to fulfill His divine purposes. This reminds us to trust in God's plan for our lives, even when we cannot see the full picture.

The Role of the Kinsman-Redeemer
Boaz's role as a kinsman-redeemer is a foreshadowing of Christ's redemptive work. Just as Boaz redeemed Ruth, Jesus redeems us, bringing us into His family and securing our inheritance.

Faithfulness Across Generations
The faithfulness of individuals like Boaz and Ruth impacts future generations. Our faithfulness today can have lasting effects on our families and communities, encouraging us to live lives of integrity and devotion to God.

The Importance of Legacy
The genealogy in Ruth 4:20 reminds us of the importance of leaving a godly legacy. Our actions and decisions can influence the spiritual heritage of those who come after us.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the genealogy in Ruth 4:20 demonstrate God's faithfulness to His promises, and how can this encourage us in our personal walk with God?

2. In what ways does Boaz's role as a kinsman-redeemer reflect the work of Christ in our lives, and how can we apply this understanding to our relationships with others?

3. Considering the impact of Ruth and Boaz's faithfulness on future generations, what steps can we take to ensure we are leaving a godly legacy for our families?

4. How does the connection between Ruth 4:20 and the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1 deepen our understanding of God's redemptive plan throughout history?

5. Reflect on the significance of Bethlehem in the account of Ruth and its prophetic importance in the birth of Jesus. How does this enhance our appreciation of God's intricate plan for salvation?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Matthew 1:5-6
This passage in the New Testament provides a genealogy of Jesus, connecting Ruth and Boaz to the lineage of Christ, demonstrating God's sovereign plan through history.

1 Chronicles 2:10-12
Chronicles also lists the genealogy from Nahshon to David, reinforcing the continuity of God's covenant with Israel through the tribe of Judah.

Genesis 49:10
This verse prophesies that the scepter will not depart from Judah, linking the lineage of Boaz and Ruth to the fulfillment of this prophecy in the coming of Jesus.
Lessons from the Book of RuthAbp. William Alexander.Ruth 4:17-22
Little ObedA. Thomson, D. D.Ruth 4:17-22
The Lineage of DavidJ.R. Thomson Ruth 4:18-22
People
Amminadab, Boaz, Chilion, David, Elimelech, Ephratah, Ephrath, Hezron, Jesse, Leah, Mahlon, Nahshon, Naomi, Obed, Perez, Pharez, Rachel, Ruth, Salmon, Tamar
Places
Bethlehem, Ephrathah, Moab
Topics
Amminadab, Ammin'adab, Amminidab, Begat, Begot, Born, Nahshon, Salmon
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ruth 4:13-22

     5086   David, rise of

Ruth 4:18-22

     2540   Christ, genealogy

Library
The Gospel of Matthew
Matthew's Gospel breaks the long silence that followed the ministry of Malachi the last of the Old Testament prophets. This silence extended for four hundred years, and during that time God was hid from Israel's view. Throughout this period there were no angelic manifestations, no prophet spake for Jehovah, and, though the Chosen People were sorely pressed, yet were there no Divine interpositions on their behalf. For four centuries God shut His people up to His written Word. Again and again had God
Arthur W. Pink—Why Four Gospels?

Christ the Redeemer
Q-xxx: HOW DOES THE SPIRIT APPLY TO US THE REDEMPTION PURCHASED BY CHRIST? A: The Spirit applies to us the redemption purchased by Christ by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling. In this answer there are two things. It is implied that Christ is the glorious purchaser of our redemption, in the words, The redemption purchased by Christ,' and it is declared that the Spirit applies to us this purchased redemption, by working in us faith, &c. The thing implied
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Appendix ix. List of Old Testament Passages Messianically Applied in Ancient Rabbinic Writings
THE following list contains the passages in the Old Testament applied to the Messiah or to Messianic times in the most ancient Jewish writings. They amount in all to 456, thus distributed: 75 from the Pentateuch, 243 from the Prophets, and 138 from the Hagiorgrapha, and supported by more than 558 separate quotations from Rabbinic writings. Despite all labour care, it can scarcely be hoped that the list is quite complete, although, it is hoped, no important passage has been omitted. The Rabbinic references
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Job's Faith and Expectation
I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand in the latter day upon the earth. And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God. C hristianity, that is, the religion of which MESSIAH is the author and object, the foundation, life, and glory, though not altogether as old as creation, is nearly so. It is coeval [contemporary] with the first promise and intimation of mercy given to fallen man. When Adam, by transgression, had violated the order and law of
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Ruth
Goethe has characterized the book of Ruth as the loveliest little idyll that tradition has transmitted to us. Whatever be its didactic purpose--and some would prefer to think that it had little or none-it is, at any rate, a wonderful prose poem, sweet, artless, and persuasive, touched with the quaintness of an older world and fresh with the scent of the harvest fields. The love--stronger than country--of Ruth for Naomi, the gracious figure of Boaz as he moves about the fields with a word of blessing
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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