Orpah and Ruth — Two Choices

Orpah and Ruth had a lot in common. On the road from Moab, they made two very different choices.

Alike in many ways. Both were women of Moab. Both had married sons of Naomi, and both had lost their husbands (Ruth 1:4-5).

Both were kind. Naomi said, “The Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me” (Ruth 1:8). Both had loved Naomi's family well.

Both set out. Both left the place where they had lived and started on the road to Judah with Naomi (Ruth 1:7).

Both wept. When Naomi kissed them, “they lifted up their voices and wept” (Ruth 1:9).

Both said they would come. “Surely we will return with you to your people” (Ruth 1:10).

Naomi's warning. Naomi told them honestly that she had nothing to offer. In Judah they would be foreigners, poor widows without a future (Ruth 1:11-13).

Orpah's choice. “Orpah kissed her mother-in-law” (Ruth 1:14). She went back. Her choice was understandable. She obeyed Naomi, and she was going home.

What Orpah went back to. Naomi said, “your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods” (Ruth 1:15). Moab worshiped a god called Chemosh. Going home meant going back to him.

Not a bad person. Orpah is not a villain in this story. She loved Naomi and cried when she left. But a kind heart is not the same as a heart that belongs to God.

Ruth's choice. “But Ruth clung to her” (Ruth 1:14). Ruth would not let go.

What Ruth chose. “Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God” (Ruth 1:16). Ruth chose the Lord, even though she did not know what would happen next.

A hard road. Ruth did not know anyone in Bethlehem except Naomi. She did not know where she would live or how she would eat. She trusted God anyway.

Under God's wings. Later Boaz blessed her by “the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge” (Ruth 2:12). Ruth was as safe with God as a baby bird under its mother's wings.

The difference. Both women loved Naomi. Only one chose Naomi's God. Loving God's people is good, but we must also choose God Himself.

Choose today. Joshua told Israel, “choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15). Every person must make that choice.

What to do. Think about this: Is the Lord your God? If you are not sure, talk to a parent or pastor this week.

Ruth's choice changed her whole life. It also shows us what it means to follow Jesus today.

Wherever You go. Ruth said, “For wherever you go, I will go” (Ruth 1:16). Following God means going where He leads, even into the unknown.

A daily choice. Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23).

For life. Ruth promised, “Where you die, I will die” (Ruth 1:17). Her choice was not for a week or a year. It was forever.

Choosing God's people. “Your people shall be my people” (Ruth 1:16). When we follow Jesus, we join His family, the church.

Welcomed in. “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19).

Brought near. “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13). Jesus died and rose again to bring outsiders home.

God shows no partiality. “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:34-35).

What Ruth gained. Ruth gave up Moab and gained a Redeemer, a family and a place in God's story. “Boaz begot Obed by Ruth” (Matthew 1:5).

The family of Jesus. Ruth became the great-grandmother of King David. Jesus was born in David's family line.

Every nation. One day a great crowd “of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues” will stand before the Lamb (Revelation 7:9). Ruth from Moab will be there.

Jesus never leaves. Ruth said, “Entreat me not to leave you” (Ruth 1:16). Many Christians hear an echo of Jesus' promise: “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

Love the stranger. God told Israel, “Therefore love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt” (Deuteronomy 10:19). In Bethlehem, God's people would welcome Ruth.

Jesus first. Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24). Following Jesus means He comes first, before friends, games or anything else.

Receiving Jesus. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).

What to do. If you have chosen Jesus, thank Him and tell someone. Maybe you have not chosen Him yet. You can pray today: Jesus, You are my Lord, and Your people are my people.