RPG Adults
LINEAGE OF DAVID THE KING (1)
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
Ruth 4:11-22
Luke 1:57-66
“…what manner of child
shall this be!”
LINEAGE OF DAVID THE KING (1)
The closing scene of the Book of Ruth is an introductory scene to the life of David the king. Naomi took the responsibility to nurse and nurture the son born to Ruth and Boaz, while the women who came to visit and praise God with her took up the responsibility of naming the child. Giving the child a name was a custom that prevailed in the whole Bible with some of the names given coming with a meaning that would express the hope the child bore to its parents.
“And the women her neighbours gave it a name…” (Ruth 4:17). The birth of a child brings family, friends and neighbours together. And probably, as at the birth of John, the neighbours and friends gathered together at the circumcision of the child. At the birth of John, neighbours and friends gathered and took upon themselves to give the child a name, probably because the father was dumb and could not speak. Here also, the women took it upon themselves to give the child a name, but no reason was given as to why they chose to do so.
As you read through the Bible (both in the Old and New Testaments), the significance of naming is unmistakable, both in the naming of children and places. From Adam and Eve expressing their hopes in the names they gave to their children, to Lot’s daughters expressing their doubts, naming their sons after their flight from Sodom. Names were constant reminders of circumstance and specific events in life as can be seen in the names given to the sons borne to Jacob by Leah and Rachel in Genesis 29:32-30:24. Names were also given based on appearance like the naming of Esau based on his appearance at birth (Gen 25:25) or the naming of Pharez and Zerah based on the circumstances during birth. There were also names that were given by God Himself like at the birth of Isaac, of John the Baptist, and of Jesus Christ. The same applies to the naming of places as was seen in Abraham calling the place where he sacrificed in Genesis 22:14 or Jacob naming the place where he met with God both while fleeing Esau and when returning with his family.
THOUGHT: Names are significant and are to be chosen wisely.
PRAYER: Give us wisdom, Father, to choose meaningful names.