by John O’Malley
“And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The Lord make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem: And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the Lordshall give thee of this young woman” (Ruth 4:11-12).
The crowd responded to the wedding announcement with a most unusual benediction. This is not the first blessing in the book. There have been seven benedictions before this one (1:8-9; 2:4, 12, 20; 3:10). Three of them originated from Naomi. Three came from Boaz. Another benediction was spoken by Boaz’s workers. This eighth benediction is unique. This blessing is from the townspeople upon Boaz and Ruth.
The manner in which the benediction came is not expounded upon in Scripture. It seems unlikely that they all had a memorized script from which they quoted. It seems more spontaneous, as if one said something and then another chimed in with their blessing.
Perhaps someone in the crowd spoke up and said, “The Lord make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah.” Perhaps another said, “Which two did build the house of Israel.” Yet another of the gathered witnesses may have cried out, “And do thou worthily in Ephratah,” and another, “And be famous in Bethlehem.” For just a moment, there is silence. Then someone called out, “And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the Lord shall give thee of this young woman.”
Scripture is silent in the manner by which the benediction came. However, the message they spoke is not silent. This was a blessing to remember. It brought to remembrance God’s goodness on the children of Israel in blessing them by fulfilling His promise to Abraham.
Their blessing placed honor upon the two women whose maternal efforts gave Jacob the sons who became the tribes in Israel. The townspeople’s blessing remembered another woman: Tamar, Judah’s wife. They knew to which tribe Boaz belonged; he was of the tribe of Judah. Without Pharez, Tamar’s son, there would be no Boaz.
While it was a blessing that remembered their heritage, it also expressed their honor for Boaz and Ruth. They wished the fruitfulness that came to the house of Israel because of Rachel, Leah, and Tamar to be repeated. They desired that God, in the same manner, would honor this union and bless them with children.
The blessing from the residents of Bethlehem-judah gives believers a wonderful example on encouragement. When Boaz and Ruth chose to do what was right, the townspeople responded with words of support. This couple chose to honor God’s Word, and they were met with encouragement.
Do you know someone who is trying to obey and honor God’s word in their life? Why not seek them out and offer a blessing of encouragement in their life. It may be in marriage, or possibly in ministry where they are making their stand. Their commitment to God to do right makes them stand out. Why not stand with them and support them with encouragement? Why not give them a blessing to remember?
Think about it...