Ruth 1:6-156Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread. 7Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah. 8And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me. 9The Lord grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept. 10And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people. 11And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? 12Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons; 13Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord is gone out against me. 14And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her. 15And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law. (Ruth 1:6‑15).
Ten long years passed by, and at last the message reached Naomi, the wife of Elimelech who had died, that the famine was over. God had had to deal with His people, but He had not forgotten to be gracious, for He delights in blessing. Naomi then decided to return to Bethlehem-judah in God’s land. She then departed out of the place where she was, and started for the land of Judah, with her two daughters-in-law. If there should be one reading these lines who knows that he or she is in a wrong position, as Naomi was, may the Lord lead you out of it too. We are told to first “cease to do evil,” then “learn to do well.” Isaiah 1:16, 1716Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; 17Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. (Isaiah 1:16‑17). The way back may seem hard, and almost impossible, but we may be well assured there is blessing for those who come back where the Lord would have His own, just to please Him.
But what about Orpah and Ruth? Naomi was grieved. Her faith was weak, for she was not yet fully restored in her own soul, and she still thought first of natural advantage. She had never really owned the root-cause of her departure from God’s land, and so she told Orpah and Ruth to return to the land of Moab where, she said, each would find a husband and a home. She thanked them for all their kindness to her and to her sons, telling them how badly she felt for them. She even acknowledged that it was because of her that all this trouble had come upon them, for let us not forget that when we get away from the Lord, we bring trouble upon all those associated with us, as well as upon ourselves.
This unselfishness on Naomi’s part was beautiful, as far as it went, but Naomi had failed of the grace of God. We can be very unselfish, and thoughtful of others too, and yet fail to see their real need, and actually hinder them in the path of faith. This is but the “honey” of nature, and there is nothing for God in it. A Christian in this state can give the most terrible advice, and turn a soul into a wrong path. If seeking advice for your path at any time, dear Christian, be sure not to go to a believer who is materially minded like Naomi, or you will get ruinous advice, as Orpah and Ruth did. Nevertheless God used all this, as we shall see, to bring out the true state of their hearts.
Orpah first said that she would go back to God’s land with Naomi, but we soon see that she was influenced entirely by natural motives. She loved her mother-in-law, and did not want to leave her, but after a little persuasion she soon turned back. The tears that she shed were not because of the course she was choosing, but just natural love. Often parents speak to their children about taking a wrong course, and tears are shed, but let us not be deceived by this. If there is really repentance toward God, the sin will be felt as against God, and there will be a real turning to Him from it. Esau’s tears long before, and Orpah’s tears here, were of no avail before God.
When Orpah turned back, then Naomi told Ruth to return with her to her people and to her gods. It was shameful advice, we must say, from a believer, but just as a little persuasion had brought out what was really in Orpah’s heart, so the mention of “her gods” brought out what was really in Ruth’s heart. What does a little persuasion bring from yours, dear reader?
ML 02/07/1954