Why bother with Bible Genealogy?

The lists in the Old Testament of one begetter after another may seem about as exciting as watching a herd of cows walking single file through a narrow gate. Hardly worth paying attention to. These genealogies, however, are carefully designed to communicate vital truths about God and his purposes. They share several features, though with important variations.

• There’s an emphasis on fathers, so when mothers are mentioned it’s particularly significant.
• Most don’t include every generation within the period. Rather they highlight particular people or make a particular point. For example, the important figures in some genealogies are the fifth, seventh, and tenth positions, as in the genealogy in Ruth 4:18. Matthew’s genealogy is divided into three sections with 14 (2 x 7) names in each to reflect Matthew’s understanding of God as a God of order, and the steady progress of his plan.
• Only the genealogy in Ruth 4 and in Genesis 5:1–32 come at the end of an important episode. Usually, they come before and signal that what follows is under God’s blessing. Indeed, overall, genealogies are a testimony to God’s faithfulness in fulfilling his covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and then on to David. He’s at work in human history, and the lives of each person in the generational chain are valued and remembered – independent of whatever other contributions they may have made.

Many speculate about the purpose of the genealogy in Ruth. Some see it as a later addition to shore up David’s credentials as king. However, it’s simplest to see it as the affirmation of God’s providential action over time and the extraordinary way that he answers the prayers of the people of Bethlehem. Ruth, after all, will become the mother of a dynasty that will shape the nation for over 600 years, as the people of God move from ‘the days when the judges ruled’ to a dynastic monarchy, centred round the temple in one single holy capital, Jerusalem.

The Gateway Seven Series from LICC comprises seven studies from seven books that together will deepen your understanding of the whole Bible and impact your discipleship seven days a week. This blog post was extracted from 'Ruth', you'll find the full range below...