by John O'Malley
“And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David” (Ruth 4:17).
Considering the manner of the people of God, it would seem likely that these events in the previous three verses have taken place within the first eight days of the newborn’s birth. Jewish law required that the baby would be circumcised and also, typically, named. It would be likely that the neighbors of Naomi had come on this auspicious occasion to rejoice with the redeemed family of Elimelech.
Naomi’s neighbors observed the events in the life of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz. They saw God bring the wandering Naomi home. They beheld the loving way Ruth had helped Naomi, and her faithfulness in Boaz’s field. They witnessed the redemption of all that belonged to Elimelech, Mahlon, and Chilion.
Truly, this was the hand of God at work in their little town. They could hardly contain their blessings and congratulations. In the joy of the moment, coupled with their enthusiasm, the crowd cried out, “There is a son born to Naomi, and they called him Obed.” The name was not a family name to them. He was not named after Elimelech or Boaz. Obed is a name that literally means “serving.” The word describes his action, serving, more than his position, as a servant.
The neighbors saw Obed’s arrival as if there were a special task for him. He would be serving. He would serve God as he restored hope in the hearts of the little town of Bethlehem. He would serve as the symbol of the grace found in the law of God. Obed’s birth marked a moment in time where the people recognized God’s hand at work in their midst, in that He served.
In their cries to name Obed, it is interesting to see the women announce that there is a son born to Naomi. They knew it was Ruth who conceived of Boaz. They knew it was Ruth who delivered a son. Yet they cried out, “There is a son born to Naomi.” Their cry merely indicated their heart. As Naomi drew Obed to her bosom, so they were drawing Obed to their collective bosom. They saw Naomi had been blessed by God with a grandson and, vicariously, a son to continue the line of Elimelech and the greater line of the Messiah.
The law of God that made provision for Boaz to be kinsman-redeemer also revealed itself in Obed to be a law of grace. The son that was born into the family of Elimelech now stood at the head of the line of the Messiah. Obed was serving. He was serving the God who had promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that theirs would be a great nation from whom the Messiah would come.
Is there an “Obed” quality in your life? Are you serving? Is God content with your serving? You were redeemed to serve. Failure to serve disgraces your redemption. Why not make it your prayer today to please Him in the way you are serving?
Think about it...