Jesse

 Boaz fathered Obed, Obed fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered David.     Ruth 4.21-22

I wonder how different our family tree would look if we got to choose who’s on it.

Here in the book of Ruth, we see Jesse quietly perched on his family tree. God placed him between two Bible heroes, Boaz, his grandfather, a man of strong character, and King David, his son, a man after God’s own heart. 

God chooses who comes before and after us. We choose the kind of legacy we will leave the generations that follow, whether our family's or others'. In Steve Green’s words,  ‘May all who come behind us find us faithful’.

A legacy does not just involve material wealth. Timothy’s grandmother Lois left him a legacy of faith, (2 Timothy 11.5) which is ‘of greater worth than gold.’ (1 Peter 1.7) Proverbs talks of leaving a legacy of wisdom and righteousness. (Proverbs 8.20, 14.26)

Boaz left a legacy of kindness and integrity to his grandson Jesse. (Ruth 4)

Jesse left a legacy of hard work to his eight sons, including David the future king. 

A spiritual legacy is ‘an enormous value to the next generation....a priceless ‘imprint on the future.’’ Brian Dodd

Father, thank You for being with us and with those You’ve chosen to come before and after us. Help us live godly lives that will become a ‘heritage of faithfulness’ to pass on. In Jesus’ name, Amen 

Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me.   Psalm 71.18