Ruth Gives Birth to Obed

God's Exceptional Choice  The Septor Given to Judah Jacob Called Israel Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5)  Ruth 4:9-17 New International Version 9 Then Boaz announced to the elders and all the people, “Today you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelek, Kilion and Mahlon. 10 I have also acquired Ruth the Moabite, Mahlon’s widow, as my wife, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property, so that his name will not disappear from among his family or from his hometown. Today you are witnesses!” 11 Then the elders and all the people at the gate said, “We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the family of Israel. May you have standing in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem.12 Through the offspring the Lord gives you by this young woman, may your family be like that of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah.” Naomi Gains a Son 13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When he made love to her, the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.14 The women said to Naomi: “Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! 15 He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.” 16 Then Naomi took the child in her arms and cared for him. 17 The woman living there said, “Naomi has a son!” And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David. For Reflection Boaz saved the recently widowed Ruth from humiliation and social embarrassment. Ruth bears a son, Obed. This child becomes part of the lineage of Jesus. Again, God's mercy guides the course of history. Pray Give thanks to God for his mercy. Pray for the ordinary walking around people who have answered God's call. Forward to a friend Sign up for our mailing list!