Ruth, as a foreigner, is another exception. She is a woman of Moab who turns to God and His people. Her story relates to Moses’ rule that heirs should be raises up for a man who dies childless. It does this by arranging for the widow to marry her dead husband’s relative (Numbers 27:11; Deuteronomy 25:5-9). The relative who redeems Ruth is Boaz, a kind and wealthy man who cares for her and her mother-in-law Naomi. His leading role is evident in every part of the account, including this wording:
Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “…I have bought [Ruth] to be my wife.” So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife” (Ruth 4:9, 10, 13).
From the union of Boaz and Ruth comes a son, Obed. The brief line of fathers lists Perez, Hezron, Ram, Amminadab, Nahshon, Salmon, Boaz, then Obed who “fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered David” (Ruth 4:17-22). Matthew’s more complete genealogy leads to Jesus Christ. Matthew names many Old Testament fathers, but refers to only three Old Testament mothers: Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba (Matthew 1:1-16). Each of these is exceptional, perhaps a reminder that God works His plan even in unexpected ways.