Naming Neighbors

June 2, 2009 at 11:20 am | Posted in A Little Alliteration, Biblical neighbors, Biblical Parenting | 3 Comments
Tags: alliteration, Biblical child-rearing, Biblical families, Biblical grandparents, Biblical neighbors, Biblical Parenting, Biblical servants, Boaz, David, genealogy of Christ, genealogy of David, geneaology of Jesus, grandparents in the Bible, heritage of the Lord, Jesse, Naomi, neighbors in the Bible, Obed, parenting in the Bible, Psalm 127, Ruth, Ruth 4, Ruth and Boaz, Ruth and Naomi, servants in the Bible

God had been gracious to Ruth. He had given her the faith to trust Him and be saved. His blessings continued as He led her to her husband, Boaz, and even gave her a son. Through this son, not only was Ruth blessed, but so was the child’s grandmother, Naomi, the child’s people, and even his neighbors.

And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it. And the women her neighbours gave it 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 4:16-17

The name “Obed” meant “servant,” partially as a reminder of Ruth’s humble beginnings, and partially as a praise to God for the great service that would be done through Obed’s descendants, including Jesse, David, and eventually the Messiah. The Bible says that children are a “heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3), and they are! But, as followers of the Lord, and good stewards of this heritage, we must remember to teach them to be servants to the Lord, to their parents, their grandparents, and even their neighbors.

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[...] B.eneficial neighbors (Ruth 4:16-17): Believers should teach their children – and encourage one another – to be a blessing, instead of a burden, to their neighbors. [...]

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[...] B.eneficial neighbors (Ruth 4:16-17): Believers should teach their children – and encourage one another – to be a blessing, instead of a burden, to their neighbors. [...]

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