The Practice of Blessing Prayers in Good and Bad Times (Ruth 4.14) ‣ Praying Through the Bible

Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without next-of-kin; and may his name be renowned in Israel! 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 borne him.”

Background

It is no surprise that the last prayer in the book of Ruth is a prayer-blessing. It is the seventh such prayer in the book, and along with the intercession in 1.8–9 and the vow in 1.17, makes for nine prayers in this short story.

This prayer comes after the climax of the story, after the marriage of Boaz and Ruth. A brief paragraph summarizes a year a more: they married, Ruth became pregnant, and had a son. The birth of a first son was a cause for great celebration in that world because a son was an heir who would carry on the family name. He would take control of the land, the profession, and protect the extended family of the household. The birth of this son means that Ruth and Naomi now have a male heir. The story began with Naomi and Ruth losing every male in their family, but ends with the birth of a male. Ruth has a husband, Naomi has a family to care for her, and the family line is secured.

The women of the village rejoice with the family. The women focus on Naomi rather than the new mother. She is the oldest of the family. It was through her that salvation came to them. The women offer the prayer-blessing above because of what He has done for Naomi.