Forbidden Yet Favored: A Love that Changed History
Text: Matthew 1:5, Joshua 2, Ruth 4
Illustration:
"The Marriage That Never Argued Again"
A newlywed couple was traveling by horse-drawn cart during their first year of marriage. The sun was high, the road was long, and their horse—well, she had had enough.Suddenly, the horse stopped in the middle of the road and refused to move.The wife calmly got down, walked up to the horse, and said, “That’s one.”The husband raised an eyebrow but said nothing.She tugged at the reins, urging the horse forward. The horse took a few more steps before stopping again.She sighed and said, “That’s two.”The husband, now slightly concerned, leaned forward, watching.The horse started again but after a few more steps, it stopped completely, refusing to move another inch.Without hesitation, the wife pulled out her holster, shot the horse dead, and dusted off her hands.The husband, completely shocked, shouted, “What did you do?! That was our only horse! How are we supposed to travel now?”The wife turned to him, looked him straight in the eyes, and said, “That’s one.”
From that moment on, they never had an argument again.Moral of the story: Sometimes, silence is the key to a long and peaceful marriage!
Introduction
Love—the greatest theme in Scripture. Not just romance, but redemption. Not just feelings, but faith. Love is the language of God’s grace, the rhythm of His redemption, the story of salvation.
As we step into Love Month, let’s journey through a love story that shook history—one that wove a prostitute, a widow, and a redeemer into the royal lineage of the Messiah. This is no fairy tale; this is faith’s triumph over failure, grace over guilt, and redemption over rejection.
I. Rahab – A Love That Saves
(Joshua 2, Matthew 1:5)
Jericho’s walls stood high, but inside them lived a woman lowly in the eyes of men—Rahab, a Canaanite, a harlot, an outsider. Yet God, in His mercy, saw not her past, but her purpose.
1? Her Faith in God’s Power
• When the spies came, she did not see them as enemies but as emissaries of the true God. “I know that the Lord has given you this land…” she declared (Joshua 2:9).
• She saw what the Israelites sometimes missed—the power of the Almighty was unstoppable.
2? Her Act of Love
• She risked her life to hide the spies, trusting in a God she barely knew. And in return, she was given a sign—a scarlet cord draped from her window, a foreshadowing of the crimson blood that would one day redeem all mankind.
• Ellen White wrote, “By faith Rahab perished not with them that believed not” (PP, p. 492). Her faith saved her, and through her, God saved a generation.
3? Her Place in the Lineage of Jesus
• From the brothels of Jericho to the bloodline of the Messiah, Rahab became the mother of Boaz—her past rewritten by grace (Matthew 1:5).
• Her life whispers a timeless truth: God’s love is not about where you’ve been, but where He’s taking you.
Lesson: Grace does not consult your history before drafting your destiny!
II. Boaz – A Love That Redeems
(Ruth 2-4)
Rahab’s son, Boaz, grew up knowing what redemption looked like—for he himself was born of a woman once despised. He learned love is not based on status, but on sacrifice.
1? Boaz Showed Grace to a Foreign Widow
• Ruth was a Moabite, an outcast among Israelites. Yet when she gleaned in Boaz’s fields, he saw not her nationality, but her nobility.
• “The Lord recompense thy work…” he told her (Ruth 2:12). Boaz gave her more than grain; he gave her grace.
2? Boaz Became Ruth’s Kinsman-Redeemer
• He stepped in when others stepped away. He redeemed what was broken and restored what was lost.
• Boaz was a shadow of the One to come—Jesus Christ, our ultimate Redeemer.
3? Their Union Led to the Birth of a Legacy
• Boaz and Ruth had Obed. Obed had Jesse. Jesse had David. And from David’s line came the King of Kings!
• Ellen White confirms, “Through the lineage of faithful men, God preserved the knowledge of Himself upon the earth” (PP, p. 761).
Lesson: True love redeems—it does not reject. It covers—it does not condemn.
III. Ruth – A Love That Commits
(Ruth 1:16-17, 4:13-17)
Orpah turned back, but Ruth pressed on. She walked into the unknown, guided by faith. Her love was not fleeting—it was faithful.
1? Her Devotion to Naomi
• “Where you go, I will go… Your God will be my God” (Ruth 1:16). Ruth’s love was covenant, not convenience.
2? Her Trust in God’s Plan
• She worked in Boaz’s field, unaware that God was weaving her story into eternity.
3? Her Role in the Lineage of Jesus
• A Moabite, a foreigner, became the great-grandmother of King David. If God could use Ruth, He can use anyone.
Lesson: Love is not just a feeling; it is faithfulness in action.
IV. Jesus – The Ultimate Love Story
(Matthew 1, John 3:16, Ephesians 5:25)
From Rahab’s faith to Ruth’s devotion, from Boaz’s redemption to David’s kingship—their stories all pointed to Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of the world.
1? Jesus Came from a Lineage of Redeemed People
• His family tree was filled with outsiders, sinners, and broken people. Why? Because He came to save the lost, not the perfect.
2? Jesus is Our Kinsman-Redeemer
• Boaz redeemed Ruth with wealth, but Christ redeemed us with His blood. “In Him we have redemption through His blood” (Ephesians 1:7).
3? Jesus’ Love is Sacrificial
• “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25). The cross was not just suffering—it was surrender.
Lesson: The greatest love story is not Romeo and Juliet—it is Christ and His Church!
Conclusion: A Love That Transforms
As we reflect on Love Month, let’s not settle for the world’s definition of love. God’s love is:
? A Love that Saves – Rahab’s faith brought her into God’s family.
? A Love that Redeems – Boaz’s sacrifice restored what was lost.
? A Love that Commits – Ruth’s loyalty led her to a divine destiny.
? A Love that Transforms – Jesus’ blood rewrote our eternity.
💡 Call to Action:
• If you feel unworthy, remember Rahab—grace rewrites the past.
• If you are waiting for love, remember Ruth—God’s timing is perfect.
• If you are called to love, remember Boaz—love reflects Christ.
• And most of all, if you need redemption, Jesus is calling you today!
Prayer:
"Lord, thank You for a love that saves, redeems, commits, and transforms. Just as You redeemed Rahab, Ruth, and Boaz, redeem us today. May we love as You love, and trust in Your perfect plan. In Jesus’ name, Amen."
