Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse. And the women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David. Ruth 4:16-17 ESV
Naomi took the child born to Ruth and Boaz and named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of King David. Ruth who was a Moabite, who in faith decided she will not leave her mother-in-law made a difference in history. We have to realize when Ruth decided to stick it out with Naomi, she was doing this without getting in return. Naomi left Israel rich but was coming back home empty. There was nothing much for her to leave Ruth. She did not do it for money. She decided to take care of her mother-in-law without the thought of getting anything back. Even if she no longer had any obligation to take care of her. The only connection that they have is that she was a mother-in-law to her. The moment her husband died, the connection is no longer valid especially that Ruth never bore her husband a child before the husband died. She could have said goodbye but she did not. She decided to stick it out with her. That Naomi’s God will be her God and Naomi’s people will be her people. She was willing to leave the past life and the past association and be connected to the people of Israel and their God. And here, God was re-writing the story of her life. From being a widow to getting married. From being childless, to bearing a son. From being ordinary to becoming an ancestor of David, king of Israel. Where is God leading us? What sacrifices can we make without thinking of getting anything back? Take the leap of faith, and later on discover God’s awesome plan unfolding before your very eyes. 20 March
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