Ruth 4:12
And may your house become like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring the LORD will give you by this young woman."
And may your house become like the house of Perez
The blessing here refers to the lineage of Perez, a son of Judah and Tamar. Perez's line is significant in Israel's history, as it leads to King David and ultimately to Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:3-6). The house of Perez is noted for its strength and prominence among the tribes of Israel. This blessing implies a hope for prosperity and enduring legacy for Boaz and Ruth's family, similar to the fruitful and influential lineage of Perez.

whom Tamar bore to Judah
This reference recalls the story in Genesis 38, where Tamar, Judah's daughter-in-law, bore Perez after a complex series of events. Tamar's actions ensured the continuation of Judah's line, which was crucial for the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham and Jacob. The mention of Tamar highlights themes of redemption and God's providence in using unexpected circumstances to fulfill His purposes.

because of the offspring the LORD will give you
This phrase acknowledges God's sovereignty in granting children and blessings. In the context of Ruth, it underscores the divine intervention in Ruth and Boaz's union, which was orchestrated by God to continue the lineage leading to David and Christ. The offspring, Obed, becomes the grandfather of David, linking Ruth and Boaz directly to the messianic line.

by this young woman.
Ruth, the young woman, is a Moabitess, which emphasizes the inclusivity of God's plan. Her inclusion in the genealogy of David and Jesus highlights God's grace and the breaking of ethnic barriers. Ruth's loyalty, faith, and conversion to the God of Israel are central to her role in this narrative, showcasing how God can use anyone, regardless of background, to fulfill His divine purposes.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ruth
A Moabite widow who demonstrates loyalty and faithfulness to her mother-in-law, Naomi, and becomes an ancestor of King David and Jesus Christ.

2. Boaz
A wealthy landowner in Bethlehem, a kinsman-redeemer who marries Ruth, showing kindness and fulfilling his duty according to the law.

3. Perez
The son of Judah and Tamar, whose lineage is significant in the genealogy of David and Jesus, symbolizing God's providence and redemption.

4. Tamar
The mother of Perez, who, through a complex and challenging situation, ensures the continuation of Judah's line, highlighting themes of justice and divine intervention.

5. Bethlehem
The setting of the account, a town in Judah that becomes significant as the birthplace of David and later, Jesus Christ.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Lineage
God's hand is evident in the lineage of Perez, Boaz, and Ruth, demonstrating His control over history and His ability to bring about His purposes through human actions.

Redemption and Restoration
The account of Ruth and Boaz is a powerful illustration of redemption, where Boaz acts as a kinsman-redeemer, prefiguring Christ's redemptive work for humanity.

Faithfulness and Obedience
Ruth's loyalty and Boaz's adherence to the law highlight the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God's commands, resulting in blessings and fulfillment of His promises.

God's Inclusion of the Outsider
Ruth, a Moabite, is included in the lineage of Christ, showing God's grace and the inclusion of Gentiles in His redemptive plan.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the account of Perez's birth in Genesis 38 provide context for understanding Ruth 4:12, and what does it teach us about God's ability to work through challenging situations?

2. In what ways does Boaz's role as a kinsman-redeemer reflect the character and work of Jesus Christ as our Redeemer?

3. How does Ruth's inclusion in the genealogy of Jesus challenge our understanding of God's grace and the inclusion of outsiders in His plan?

4. What can we learn from the faithfulness and obedience of Ruth and Boaz, and how can we apply these lessons in our own lives today?

5. How does the setting of Bethlehem in the account of Ruth connect to its significance in the broader biblical account, particularly in the birth of Jesus?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 38
The account of Tamar and Judah, which provides background on Perez's birth and illustrates God's ability to work through difficult circumstances to fulfill His promises.

Matthew 1
The genealogy of Jesus, which includes Perez, Boaz, and Ruth, showing the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan through their lineage.

Deuteronomy 25:5-10
The law of levirate marriage, which Boaz fulfills by marrying Ruth, ensuring the continuation of Elimelech's family line.
Good WishesJ.R. Thomson Ruth 4:11, 12
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
Bare, Bore, Family, Gives, Judah, Moreover, Offspring, Perez, Pharez, Pherez, Seed, Tamar
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ruth 4:1-12

     5671   clan
     7719   elders, as leaders

Ruth 4:1-13

     5117   Ruth
     6714   ransom

Ruth 4:12-13

     5724   offspring

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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