Context

While introducing the ancestors of Jesus, Matthew intentionally shows that the kingdom of God invades and redeems broken spaces. The genealogy is legal, proving that the messiah comes from David’s lineage (2 Samuel 7:12-16). It is merciful, as is includes immoral people. It is worldwide, as it includes gentiles. It is also expansive, as it includes women. In first century, Jewish culture genealogies typically traced ancestry through men. For Matthew to add women would have been unusual and would have drawn special attention from readers. Their inclusion highlights the expansive nature of the kingdom of God and the significant place that women have in the redemptive narrative of Christ (Galatians 3:28). Mentioned in Christ’s lineage are Tamar (Gen. 38:13-30), Ruth (Ruth 1:3), Bathsheba (2 Sam. 11), Mary (the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ), and Rahab (Josh. 2:1). Rahab is most known for receiving messengers from Israel in Jericho and protecting them from being discovered by her own countrymen. Like most of the people included in this list of names, Rahab comes from a past of brokenness, but her story is one of redemption, peace, and restoration through the promised messiah.

Commentary

Rahab was a gentile from the Canaanite people. She was also a prostitute by profession. “And Joshua the son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” And they went and came into the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab and lodged there.” (Joshua 2:1) Because the Canaanites were the marked enemies of God’s people and due to her promiscuous lifestyle, Rahab is about as far from righteousness as one could be. Prostitution was condemned among the people of Israel (Deut. 23:17-18). Sexual immorality such as fornication, homosexuality, pornography, and adultery are said to receive the judgment of God, and those who practice such things will be kept from entering the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). The Proverbs repeatedly warn to avoid the adulteress woman (Proverbs 6:24-26).   

In Joshua chapter 2, Joshua sent spies into Jericho to scope out the land for Israel, and those spies find lodging at the house of Rahab. The king of Jericho heard that these spies had come, so he sent messengers to Rahab, demanding that she reveal where they are and turn them over. But Rahab chooses to lie to the messengers, protecting the Israelite spies (Joshua 2:4-7). The interesting thing is the reason Rahab states for extending his kind gesture. “Before the men lay down, she came up to them on the roof and said to the men, “I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction. And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath” (Joshua 2:8-11). Rahab professes that a fear of and belief in the one true God of Israel is what compelled her to receive the spies. It was an appeal to mercy in hopes that, despite her past and her heritage, she would be spared by God and the invasion of the Israelites. “Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that, as I have dealt kindly with you, you also will deal kindly with my father’s house, and give me a sure sign that you will save alive my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death.” (Joshua 2:12-13)

In response to her great faith, God shows Rahab mercy by sparing her and her family from destruction when the Jews conquer Jericho (Joshua 6:22-25). Though she had an immoral past, it took only faith in the name of the God of Israel for her restoration and even contribution to the kingdom of God. Rahab would marry into the Jewish nation, becoming the wife of Salmon. They would give birth to Boaz who was the great-grandfather of David, making her also part of the lineage of the Messiah, “and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king...,” (Matt. 1:5-6 ). Her name is also mentioned in heroic light as an example for us of saving faith in the gospel (Hebrews 11:31, James 2:25-26). Rahab’s story moves from one of ill repute to one of honor, because her faith in the God of mercy gave way to the Messiah who was crucified for her ill repute. Jesus is the fulfillment of the smaller salvation Rahab experienced at the fall of Jericho. His blood sanctifies her sexually broken past and offers a greater salvation to the entire world.  

Key Points

• • Rahab in the Genealogy (Matt. 1:5-6)
• • Rahab’s sexual sin (broken) (Joshua 2:1, Deut. 23:17-18)
• • Rahab’s great faith and rescue (Redeemed) (Joshua 2:4-7, 8-21; 6:25; Heb. 11:31; James 2:25-26)

Discussion/ Application Questions

Matthew 1:5-6  

1. What does the genealogy of Jesus show about the role of women in advancing the kingdom of God and making disciples? 

2. Who are some women who have shaped your faith either directly or indirectly?

3. As a woman, how are you using your gifts to invest in others? What are ways you could better do this?

4. As a man, how can you encourage/empower women around you to use their gifts to edify the body of Christ?

Joshua 2:1, Deut. 23:17-18 (Broken)  

5. What are some factors that contribute to the sexual brokenness of our culture? 

6. Counselors trace most sexual sin to one of three idols – control, significance, or comfort. Which of these are triggers for sin in your life? Can you think of some biblical truths that speak directly to these?

7. What are some thing you do or could do to guard against sexual sin and temptation?

8. If you were counseling someone through sexual brokenness, how does the gospel confront adultery, pornography, fornication, and homosexuality while offering forgiveness and hope of restoration?

9. How does the truth of God’s word set us free from such brokenness? How is the way of Christ better than our own passions? (John 10:10)

Joshua 2:4-7, 8-21; 6:25; Heb. 11:31, James 2:25-26 (Redeemed)

10. Describe biblical faith. How can James say that Rahab was justified by welcoming the spies? (James 2:25-26) 

11. How does Rahab being considered a hero of faith and significant part of the redemption story bring you hope in light of a broken past?

12. How are we growing in an awareness and fear of the God of Israel? How are we, like Rahab, deepening our faith in Christ?

13. How does God’s mercy to Rahab (and to you) compel your mercy towards people who have hurt you in the area of sexual sin?

14. How can this story equip and compel us to engage our city with the gospel? (check out www.scarlethope.org )

Prayer Guide

Pray for our church that the hope and light of Jesus would heal in areas where sexual sin has hurt people. Pray for marriages to be strengthened and restored. Pray that lust and pornography would have no lasting victory in our people. 

Pray for our city that those in the adult entertainment industry and those trapped in sexual sin would experience the freedom of Christ. Pray for the Scarlet Hope ministry to have the favor of the Lord as they lovingly engage these hard spaces.  

Pray for our world that God would bring justice and rescue to the millions affected by sex trafficking through all cultures. Pray that God would use the faith of those redeemed from a broken past to rescue others through mission.  

Context

The Bible contains four detailed accounts of Jesus’ life and ministry on earth, often referred to as “the Gospels” (e.g. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). Of the four Gospels, Matthew was written to a predominately Jewish audience with Jewish customs in mind. Under Jewish tradition and in accordance with such customs, genealogy (i.e. tracing one’s family line) was of utmost importance because it gave credence to Jewish heritage, rights, inheritances, and societal acceptance. Matthew begins his gospel by writing of Jesus’ genealogy to achieve two specific purposes: (1) provide grounds for Jesus’ authentic Jewish heritage; (2) proclaim that God’s Abrahamic and Davidic covenants are fulfilled through Jesus as the Messiah (Gen. 12; 2 Sam. 7). In Matthew 1:5, as Matthew provides Jesus’ genealogy, readers are introduced to Ruth. Ruth is unique in that she was not born an Israelite or originally of Jewish faith, but was instead “redeemed” and adopted into the family of God later in life by means of marriage. The inclusion of Ruth in Jesus’ ancestry, therefore, reveals both God’s grace, faithfulness and redemption, as well as His loving kindness which is not limited only to Jews but rather all humanity.

Commentary

Ruth was a contemporary during Israel’s season of Judges (Ruth 1:1). Judges were sent as an indictment on Israel due to their disobedience to God. It was an era described as when Israel did what was right in their own eyes (Judges 2; 17:6). During this time, there was spiritual, social, and political unrest, as well as famine. Elimelech, Naomi, along with their sons and wives (Ruth included) left Bethlehem for Moab. (Ruth 1:1-2). After moving to Moab, Elimelech and his two sons died, leaving their wives widowed and without children (1:4). This great loss landed Ruth in a very desperate situation. She was now impoverished, regulated to gleaning from the fields of wealthier people just to eat and sustain life. Naomi planned to return to Bethlehem but attempted to convince her two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, to return to their own people, gods, and comforts (1:7-14). In response, Ruth declared she would stay with Naomi and pledged herself to follow the LORD “But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” (Ruth 1:16) In addition to her tragic loss, Ruth gave up any support networks she might have had among her own people to follow Naomi and live with her people.  

After Naomi and Ruth returned to Bethlehem, Ruth scavenged for food and gathered left-over grain in the fields. “And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor…” (Ruth 2:2) This was a common practice that God charged the Jews to provide opportunity for the poor among them to work at a chance for sustaining life’s needs. (Leviticus 19:9-10) Unaware of who’s field she was in, Ruth picked grain in a field belonging to a man named, Boaz, a relative of Elimelech (2:1-2). Boaz learned of Ruth’s situation and became amazed with her faithfulness (2:4-7). Throughout several conversations, Ruth seeks Boaz’s help in “redeeming” her. In so doing, Ruth makes a bold marriage proposal to him, knowing that marriage would enable her family line to continue.

Boaz desires to redeem Ruth and take her as a wife but knows there is a kinsman redeemer who is closer to her than himself. (Ruth 3:11-12) He then speaks with the nearest kinsman of Elimelech about purchasing Elimelech’s land and gaining Ruth as a wife (4:1-3). The nearest kinsman expressed interest, however, Boaz reminds him that “the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the widow of the dead, in order to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance” (4:5). The nearest kinsman became concerned that Ruth would share his inheritance with her future children. Boaz, in turn, purchased the land and declared he would marry Ruth to perpetuate the name of her dead husband and also bringing her into the family of Israel and ultimately the royal line. “…and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the Father of David the king.” (Matthew 1:5-6) This king David would bring us Jesus the Messiah.

In the beginning of the story, circumstances of this broken world forced Ruth lived in physical poverty. Ruth did not have food to preserve her life and did not have children to preserve the lineage of her dead husband’s family. Likewise, Ruth lived in spiritual poverty as a pagan who worshipped the gods of Moab, until she turned and followed the God of Israel. Even though there were uncertainties in Ruth’s life, Ruth was faithful to obey God. God provided for Ruth and made a way where there was none. Like Ruth, we have an opportunity to experience a great redemption; we can experience redemption from our spiritual poverty through having a relationship with Jesus—the God man who came from the line of Ruth. We can also live with hope that He sees us and providentially works in our lives for His glory.  

Key Points

• • Ruth in the Genealogy, and her example of faithful obedience (Matthew 1:5; Ruth 1:16-22)
• • The Lord is a refuge in Ruth’s suffering (Broken) (Ruth 2:1-23)
• • God is a faithful redeemer of Ruth’s suffering (Redeemed) (Ruth 4:7-17)

Discussion and Application Questions

Matthew 1:5; Ruth 1:16-22

1. When tragedy strikes and life becomes difficult, what is often your first response (e.g. fear, anger, peace)?

2. Similarly, where do you first look for support and/or your peace when these trials arise?

3. Looking to Ruth 1:6, have you sought the Lord in times of need and cried out to Him? If not, why?

4. Knowing that the Lord “pays attention to our needs,” what in your life distracts you from trusting Him and being obedient?

5. Following Ruth’s example in v.15-17, are you willing to surrender to the Lord in the midst of uncertainty even when it costs you everything?

Ruth 2:1-23 (Broken) 

6. Similar to v.8, have you had times in your life where you saw the Lord provide blessing(s) through someone you least expected?

7. Although we know the Lord is our refuge and faithful to provide, why do we struggle to trust Him and wait upon His timing?

8. During times of financial stress and struggle what are thoughts about God, and or yourself that creep into your heart?

9. Just like the tragic loss of Ruth’s husband sometimes poverty and suffering can fall on us due to no fault of our own. How can a right view of the fall in Genesis 3 help our hearts and minds when suffering?

10. Do you recognize that your actions and decisions, during the times we suffer, are a representation of your faith to others? How ought we guard our witness in every-day life?

11. Can you recall times in your own life where the Lord far exceeded your expectations and provided for a need in ways you did not expect (v.18-20)? Share with others!

Ruth 4:7-17 (Redeemed)

12. In Ruth 3:9, Ruth cried out and acknowledged her need for a “redeemer.” Have you cried out to the Lord as your redeemer and found rest in Him? Discuss what brought you to this point…

13. Just as Ruth seeks and follows Boaz’s directions in Ruth 3:11-14, are you seeking and following the Lord’s direction when He leads? How can you better do this?

14. Are you living with confidence each day, knowing the Lord’s timing is good and perfect?

15. In review of our own life, what motivates you to seek and obey the Lord (i.e. duty vs. desire)?

16. How can you use this concept of kinsman redeemer to share the gospel with someone?

17. Like Ruth we are all Moabites in need of grace and redemption. How does this story motivate your helping of others?

Prayer Guide

Pray for our church that in light of these passages, we would be encouraged and emboldened to share the greatest redemption story ever told—Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection—with those around us because of a desire to see people come to know and follow Jesus. Pray for opportunities to be a Boaz for someone who is in need in our lives. Pray for hope and comfort for those who have lost loved ones to death and are grieving during the holidays.  

Pray for our city that we would see many redeemed through coming to know Jesus and walking in a personal relationship with Him. Pray that in Louisville, Highview Baptist Church would specifically be a light in the midst of darkness. Pray for the homeless, the immigrant, and the impoverished among us that God would provide for their needs through Christians who love their neighbors.  

Pray for our world that through the transforming power of the Gospel, people would come to recognize who Jesus was, is, and forever will be. Pray also that the Lord would raise up men and women on fire to live out their faith to our lost world.