After reading this short article, check this great commentary in the book of Ruth: http://bit.ly/bbs8Tg.
It was a great day in Bethlehem. Boaz redeemed Ruth and a son was born from them. It was such a happening in the town that the whole neighborhood celebrated. The narrative gives the idea of Obed, the newly born baby, being carried through the streets of the city with dances and singing until they arrive at Noemi’s house and there the child is placed on her bosom. In addition to bringing to the boy to her grandmother, the women of the town also proclaim blessings upon Obed. Their words are not merely wishes, they are declarations of the boy will certainly be.
The first thing they said about Obed is that he would be for Naomi a “restorer of life.” This is said in contrast with the bitterness of the first chapter. Naomi’s husband and her two sons died and she is left alone with no way of supporting herself (1:3-5). Her sadness was so that she even changed her name (1:20-21 ). But now, the Lord had provided her a redeemer, the newly born lad, and he would become a source of life, joy and hope for Naomi.
Brother and sister, have you been a source of joy or of sadness and bitterness for your parents and for those around you? There are many ways in which we can achieve such a terrible thing. Tardiness to listen to instructions and counsel or even disobedience is some of the ways we can bring bitterness to our parent’s life. We can also do so by hanging around the wrong companies, those who leads us far from the standards of the Word of God for our lives, or even by not achieving the performance expected from us in our school assignments. On the other hand an obedient, hard working and bible-loving child a certainly one of the greatest sources of gladness to parents’ heart. Do you remember the expression of pleasure and joy you proportionate your parents when you do things right? Isn’t it great? Don’t you want to see that smile constantly on their faces?
The second thing they say about the baby is that he will be a sustainer of Naomi’s old age. The child would not only provide life and joy for her but also maintain it. It is very interesting to note this preoccupation in the Old Testament with elderly folks. The fourth commandment (Mt. 15:4) clearly obligate all of us to obey our parents (and those in authority) and one of its implications it to take care of them when old age come (as well as of those who are in authority).
Do you care for your folks now? Are you worried, for example, with your grandparents, always serving them when they are in need? What about your parents? Are you aware of your responsibility now to care for them, always helping them in their necessities or when they assign you to do some kind or work in your house (like to cut the grass, clean the yard, and take out the garbage)? What about the elderly folks in your church? Do you worry and care for them making out facilities a safe place for them? Do you avoid running inside the church when they are around or helping them to carry things, opening doors or moving around when they need? Be sure that these are all ways to be a godly child just as Obed.
Brother and sister, this is certainly the will of God for your life: that you would be a godly child. He gives you clear instructions and examples in his word not for you instruction alone but for you practice. On the other hand, without Christ, you can do nothing. Apart from the Holy Spirit of God, you certainly will have neither strength nor desire to be that godly Christian. Therefore, flee to him! Pray that he would daily change your heart, that he would by his mercy and power mortify day by day the sinfulness that abides in you and he would make you more and more like your Savior.
