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).
The gospel according to Ruth concludes as it began: in the most ordinary of ways. We began with the story of a man with two sons. We conclude the book with his genealogy. However, as we have seen throughout this book, no small decision is an isolated event. Every decision has future consequences. It is the grace of God that brought a different end to the family of Elimelech after the fateful decision he made.
The narrative section of this book ends with a statement that reveals the restoration of what appeared to be a disruption in the lineage of the Messiah. The unnamed writer of this book makes Obed’s link to the Messiah clear: “He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.” Jericho’s harlot and Moab’s child joined the line of the Messiah in the redemptive birth of Obed.
Obed, standing at the head of the Messianic line, would pass the baton of the Messiah’s lineage to Jesse. Jesse would then hand the baton to his son, David. David’s city, Bethlehem-judah, would host the birth of the Messiah. David’s throne would become the Messiah’s throne, and to His Kingdom there would be no end.
Yes, God took what seemed impossible and, when there was no hope of a child being born to restore the Messianic line, raised up Boaz as kinsman-redeemer. To Boaz and Ruth, He gave Obed. The birth of Obed in Bethlehem-judah symbolized to generations later the faithfulness of God to keep His word to bring about the redemption of man.
God’s sovereign hand worked in the life of Elimelech and all his progeny to bring glory to His name. What is that little thing over which you fret today? Can He who aligned all of the details in the life of Elimelech—mistakes and all—not do the same for you? Obed was the father of Jesse. Is God your Father?
Think about it...