Ruth 4:11-17
May the LORD make this woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, from whom all the nation of Israel descended! May you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem (Ruth 4:11, NLT).

As we round off our study of the book of Ruth, I encourage us to pay attention to our use of words today and how the people in Bible times used theirs. Chapter four is full of examples of how the  elders and the women intentionally used positive words and prophesied a great future into situations.

First, the elders blessed the union of Boaz and Ruth. They prophesied and expected the Lord’s blessing on the couple and the new bride in particular. They expected them to have children that would be great and be like their past heroes. They blessed Boaz too (see verse 11). I believe we can learn from them and become more vocal in the way we pray and use words of faith that God places on our heart.

Second, the women praised God and prophesied over the new born son. They said, “May he become famous throughout Israel” (Ruth 4:14B NIV). Unknown to them, this boy was going to become the grandfather of Israel’s greatest and most popular King, David. His throne became a type of the rulership of the Lord Jesus in generations to come.

It is my prayer that we will be committed to embracing and practicing the culture of blessing others. When we do it with faith, God will bring our words to pass in our lives. Our environment will also change for the better.

Your Turn

• Pray for yourself.
• Pray for fellow believers that we would be bold to pray and prophesy with faith.

Song: Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised.

Reading through the New Testament: Galatians 6