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January 25 Daily Devotional

A Servant of the Lord Is Born

Peter G. Feenstra

Also the neighbor women gave him 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)

Bible Reading

Ruth 4:17

Devotional

The Lord is praised by the women of Bethlehem for the birth of a servant. Obed is born into the world as a servant of Jesus Christ. The women knew this and that is why they call his name “Obed”. His name means “servant” and appropriately defines the task he will have to accomplish. He will renew and sustain life (4:15).

Through Obed the Lord raises Naomi out of her afflictions. Obed will be a servant of the Lord with a view to the coming of God’s kingdom. He serves the church gathering work of the Lord Jesus. This little Bible book could easily have been called Obed instead of Ruth. Service is a theme which dominates the entire book. God’s people are redeemed and saved for service. Why did the Lord choose Ruth and why did Orpah return to her native land? It happened because the Lord was calling Ruth to be His maidservant. She would be worth more than seven sons to Naomi. All the events can be summed up in one word: service.

As New Testament church we may extend that even further. Obed’s birth served the coming of our Saviour. Obed’s task was to serve the advancement of God’s kingdom, a task given to all God’s children. We are not born to be successful but we are called to be obedient servants. Obed, born to Boaz and Ruth, had to serve the coming of the Servant of the Lord, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Did you know that one of the Old Testament names given to Christ is Obed—Obed Yahweh, the servant of the Lord? He emptied Himself of all His godly glory and became a servant so that He might restore us to life. Sadly, the Obed of the LORD would not receive the praise of His own people.

The birth of Obed assures Naomi and all Israel that the Servant of the Lord is coming. In Him all reason for grief, sorrow and bitterness are taken away. Let each of us live as faithful servants of the Lord, counting on the mercy and unfailing love of our God. Service characterized the lives of the Old Testament saints as they awaited the coming of the King. And isn’t this the way we are to live as we await His return?

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