Day 1141: A son is born - Ruth 4 vs 13 - 18

13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And he went in to her, and the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. 14 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! 15 He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.”

16-17 Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse. And the women of the neighbourhood 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.

18 Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez fathered Hezron, Hezron fathered Ram, Ram fathered Amminadab, Amminadab fathered Nahshon, Nahshon fathered Salmon, Salmon fathered Boaz, Boaz fathered Obed, Obed fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered David. Ruth 4:13-18 English Standard Version

What joy there is when a child is born! And in this case, as it would be with Mary over a 1000 years later, the child was a son. What was said by the women concerning his birth? (vs 14)

They may have been speaking of Boaz, for the word 'goel' (redeemer) is always used for the man who fulfils his duty to raise up offspring for his relative. But the context suggests they also saw the son as a kinsman-redeemer who would be a blessing to Naomi in her old age. They say 'may his name be renowned in Israel'. Both Boaz and Obed are names that are recorded in Scripture as being part of the chain that led to the birth of Christ.

And so Naomi became the joyful nurse of young Obed. The ‘Got Questions’ website says: “Obed is a vital link in God’s plan to bring salvation to the world. When Naomi’s husband and two sons died, it looked like Elimelech's family line came to a dead end. But God choose a non-Israelite, a bachelor farmer, and a series of 'coincidences' to eventually bring David into the world. Jesus is often referred to by the messianic title 'Son of David', and David is often titled 'son of Jesse'. And since Jesse was the son of Obed, Obed’s name is forever linked with the promised Messiah of Israel.”

Matthew's genealogy mentions just four women leading up to Joseph, Mary's husband. There was Tamar, who gave birth to Perez; Rahab, who bore Boaz; Ruth, who gave birth to Obed; and 'the wife of Uriah', who bore Solomon. Tamar was a Canaanite, and Perez was the result of an incestuous union. Rahab was a prostitute from Jericho (who became a believer). Ruth was a Moabitess, and 'the wife of Uriah' committed adultery with David, and bore Solomon. Hebrews 2:14-18 rightly says that the Messiah “had to be made like His brothers in every respect, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” Three of the four woman were from outside of Israel. With all that history, what makes the birth of Jesus so special?

Matthew gives us the answer. He says: “Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.' All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 'Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel' - which means, God with us.” (Matthew 1:18-23)

May God be with us all this Christmas, just as He was with Boaz and Ruth, and Naomi. And may He turn all our sorrows to great joy when Jesus Christ returns again.