1 During the time of the judges there was a famine in the land of Judah. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament. Ruth was to uncover his feet and lie down. 35 Or who has first given to God, that God needs to repay him? This time it is Orpah who kisses Naomi goodbye. Earth is made bitter to us, that heaven may be made dear. To a certain degree, Orpah reminds me of Vashti. Naomi then chose to return to Israel and encouraged her daughters-in-law to return to their families. The book of Ruth is the story of Naomi and Ruth returning to Bethlehem and how Ruth married a man named Boaz and bore a son, Obed, who became the grandfather of David and the ancestor of Jesus Christ. Consequently, she ended up meeting Boaz who acted as a redeemer to her and ended up marrying her. How unsearchable are his judgments and how fathomless his ways! I can imagine how it alarmed and frightened Naomi when Elimelech died while they were sojourning in Moab. Ruth 1:8 Commentaries: And Naomi said to her two daughters - Bible Hub Even if I thought that there was hope that I could get married tonight and conceive sons, 13 surely you would not want to wait until they were old enough to marry! He tells her there is another living kinsman-redeemer, so Boaz needs to check with him before he can marry Ruth. He had been the hope of Israel, the chosen and anointed one. Boaz notices Ruth in the field and asks about her. She almost gave up her entire past and homeland to embrace a new religion. Instead of becoming a spiritual giant, she became a mother of physical giants. Then 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 that the Lord had visited His people by giving them bread. Naomi tells her to be patient and wait to see what happens between the two men. A name change determined a persons character, life circumstances, and purpose. Naomi blames her circumstances on God. And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, 'Go, return each to her mothers house. But the Talmud tells us otherwise. This is why she said in Ruth 1:16 that the true living God Naomi served will be Her God, too and her people will now be her people as well. But Balaam, confronted by the living God of the Israelites, instead declared favor on Israel before God, and in so doing infuriated Balak (Num 24:10). Only death will be able to separate me from you!. Now I should stop to say that I firmly believe in the sovereignty of God, that God is in absolute control of everything that takes place on this earth. 18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped trying to dissuade her. They did not seem to live by it, so why would they consider it important to teach it to a Moabite? Moabs hostility and opposition to Israel continued on into the period of the Judges. Hearing this, Orpah kissed Naomi, and left, but Ruth "clung to her," refusing to leave her side: But Ruth said, "Do . When Naomi initially sent her daughters-in-law back, she kissed them. Naomi also made it clear that this was because (in her mind) God had dealt harshly with her.16 Naomi measured Gods blessing only in terms of food and of family. Her devotion to Naomi came with a cost. He keeps loyal love; that is, He is a God who perseveres in His love, and thus He is a covenant-keeping God. Around 10 years later, her sons also die, leaving her alone with her daughters-in-law and without a way to support themselves. It leads man away from what is finest in humanity, straight down into inner recesses of degradation, and not as Romantic imagined to full expression of mans grandeur as man. Fearing a similar fate, the Moabite king Balak hired the prophet Balaam to pronounce a curse on Israel (Num 22). Table of Contents hide Ruth's Love to Her Mother-In-Law Naomi's Life Reflected God's Love God Honors Those That Choose Him Ruth's Love to Her Mother-In-Law It is often unusual for woman to choose her mother-in-law instead of her own parents. 10 The rain and snow fall from the sky and do not return, but instead water the earth and make it produce and yield crops, and provide seed for the planter and food for those who must eat. The Hebrew term Elohim is plural, but some render it god here, and others gods. Chemosh appears to be the primary Moabite god, but there may well have been others. 2 These women invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods; then the people ate and bowed down to their gods. They need new or different husbands to marry and to bear children. 1 Shout for joy, O barren one who has not given birth! May the Lord punish me severely if I do not keep my promise! The men in the family die, leaving Naomi alone with her two daughters-in- law, Ruth and Orpah. Anyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with or without credit. My impression is that Naomi had changed not only in her appearance (she may not have aged well in Moab), but also in spirit. The Talmud (Sotah 42b) explains what happened next. She just fell slightly short of an all-out conversion. Along with writing, shes pursuing her dreams of creating a community of brave young women, who she can encourage to live out their dreams amid challenges and imperfection. My problem with the text in Romans 2 was that I couldnt think of an example of what Paul was saying. The third chapter of Ruth begins with Naomis encouragement to marry Boaz. Why did orpah leave naomi? - Answers This translation could label Orpah as stiff-necked since she turned away from her mother-in-law after her husband's death and returned to her people. Instead of trusting God to preserve her husbands line (indeed, the Messianic line), she at least passively (if not actively) approves of their marriage to non-Israelites. The decision of Ruth to stay with Naomi and her devotion to her as well as her willingness to serve the true living God Naomi served showed that Ruth understood what true loyalty and devotion are all about. 11 Clear Signs God Is Answering Your Prayers [For Sure], Does God Answer Prayers For Money All The Time? Even if she were able to bear children, it would be unreasonable for these two widows to wait 20 years for replacement husbands. No, in Naomis mind there was no good reason to remain with her as she returned to her homeland. And they said to her, 'Surely we will return with you to your people. Lot was turned to salt because she looked back at the city. As soon as Orpah parted company with Naomi and Ruth, she went to the absolute opposite extreme. Full Image. This serves as a great lesson to all of us New Testament believers and Christians of how we must serve God and have faith in Him even during tragedy or uncertain times. Clearly, this early incident overshadowed the relationship between these two nations. In Brief Orpah is one of the secondary characters of the Book of Ruth, which tells the reader only that she was Naomi's second daughter-in-law. They insisted on going on to Israel with Naomi. Why did Ruth and Orpah make different decisions? Ruth rejected Naomis appeal to leave her and go back to Moab, choosing instead to believe and behave like a true Israelite. The contrast between Ruth and Orpah. That will serve as a great lesson for all believers today as to what true loyalty and serving God is all about we can apply in our lives today. She had given up all hope. The more Naomi protests her miserable state, the more we are being prepared for a great work of God. What a mighty, magnificent, merciful, awesome God we serve! ), 63 Short God Quotes (To Help You Know God Better. What a relief it is to leave Judges behind and come to the Book of Ruth! The story in the book tells that Naomi plans to return to Israel, and that she tests her daughters-in-law. But when she urged Ruth to return to her pagan god(s), that was the worst unkindness of all. If a person has the potential for greatness (as we all do) and misuses it, he can take those same enormous energies and use them for the bad. Human beings have an enormous potential for greatness. Beware of well-meaning advice that is not rooted in Scripture and that is supportive of what you would really like to do, rather than what God commands us to do. It served her well when her husband, Elimelech, died. We know that this backfired because Balaam could not curse those whom God had blessed.5 When this approach did not work, Balaam counseled Balak how to harm Israel in a very different way by having the Moabite women seduce the Israelite men.6 One might easily infer from this that the Moabites, like the Canaanites, were a sexually immoral people (in a way that tempted the Israelites). The higher the vote, the further up an answer is. They would be a reminder that Elimelech and Naomi had left Bethlehem when the going got tough. Naomi seems to be encouraging Ruth to accompany Orpah as she returns home. Naomi clearly considered that Orpah would remarry and continue a secure life with a new family in her own land and culture. Let us reflect on these contrasts for a moment. When the other man turned down the prospect of marrying Ruth, Boaz publicly declared that she would be his wife. Oprah did not do so. ), 7 Dangers Of Sin To Help You Stop Sinning (+Video Sermon), 13 Characteristics Of A Sinner (That Gives Them Away. Ruth's Defiance: An Exegetical Study - Olive Tree Blog Besides a new husband and son-in-law, a male heir was born. Why Is Quiet Time With God Important [With Illustrations], 7 Major Root Causes Of Sin (That Causes People To Sin. If I have counted correctly, the term is used 48 times in the Old Testament; 9 times in the Pentateuch, 2 times in Ruth, 2 times in the Psalms, 1 time in Isaiah, 2 times in Ezekiel, 1 time in Joel, and 31 times in Job. In this emergency, she was proposing an unconventional solution to their problem. 17 Wherever you die, I will die and there I will be buried. 3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your children will conquer nations and will resettle desolate cities (Isaiah 54:1-3). 13 Major Traits Of Genuine Faith [+ Wonderful Sermon]. than the children of the married woman, says the Lord. 6 Compelling Reasons Why Christians Must Dress Modestly. And Goliath fell to David in battle in what was in essence a battle between two worldviews physical versus spiritual. 31 Later the older daughter said to the younger, Our father is old, and there is no man anywhere nearby to have sexual relations with us, according to the way of all the world. It is not uncommon for people in such situations to feel such an overwhelming sense of defeat, such contempt for what they have done that they thrust themselves into the very depths of degradation, to punish and castigate themselves at the same time as they vainly attempt to assert the rightness of their actions before themselves and others. While the direction may seem strange in todays context, it was customary for the time. Lessons from Orpah on Success (And what NOT to do!) The pursuit of purpose will ultimately require you to "[forget]those things which are behind and [reach]forward to those things which are ahead" (Philippians 3:13). How could any faithful Israelite encourage someone to return to their (false) god(s)? Instead of arguing, or at the very least begging forgiveness and beseeching the prophets intercession to reverse the decree, he asks that Samuel join him at a public meal to honor me in the eyes of the elders. She views God as harsh and uncaring, doling out affliction and trouble in a way that is completely unrelated to her attitudes and actions. It took two attempts to convince Orpah to turn back and three attempts to convince Naomi that her efforts to turn Ruth away were futile. New husbands could provide for their needs and help them lead comfortable lives. She was determined and resolved she will no longer serve and worship the former idols she left in Moab anymore. What Is the Story of Ruth and Naomi? - Christianity The first thing that struck me were the differences between Orpah and Ruth (that subsequently led to one of these women being perceived as more successful than the other). Text Copyright 2005 by Rabbi Dr. Meir Levin and Torah.org. Put another way, the title of this book is Ruth, not Orpah. Orpah ( Hebrew: Orp, meaning "neck" or "fawn") is a woman mentioned in the Book of Ruth in the Hebrew Bible. Ruth becomes a true Israelite in spite of Naomis persistent encouragement to return to her Moabite roots. The first book tells the beginning of Naomis story, her familys move to Moab, and the mens tragic deaths. Ruths words are her covenant with Naomi, with Israel, and with God, patterned after Gods covenant with Abraham and his descendants: Only death will be able to separate me from you! (Ruth 1:16-17). What can we learn from Ruth's loyalty to Naomi? As the years have gone by, I may have mellowed in the terms I would use to portray Naomi, but my opinion of her has not really changed. This is in stark contrast to Ruth who refused to be put off by her mother-in-law's words, but rather persist and persevere until she finally got her way. That is why some men and women will choose never to marry or to bear children. She has chosen to permanently leave her homeland and family and to embrace Israel, the Israelites, and Israels God as her own, forever. In Ruth 1:21, she says, I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. A RELUCTANCE TO LEAVE. 3 I will bless those who bless you, but the one who treats you lightly I must curse, and all the families of the earth will bless one another by your name (Genesis 12:1-3, emphasis mine). Here is a story that not only warms our hearts, it encourages our faith by unveiling the providential hand of God in bringing salvation and blessing during one of the darkest periods in history. The story of Ruth and Orpah is thus a tale of mankinds enormous potential for accomplishment and the incredibly high stakes involved depending how he uses that potential. But she didnt do it. She recently signed a contract for her first young adult novel, A Big Hot Mess, with Elk Lake Publishing. God thwarted the Moabite menace through the judge Ehud, who assassinated Eglon (Judg 3). Why did Ruth and Orpah make different decisions? These are the times of darkness when godliness should shine forth as a brilliant light. It led to a hopeless fatalism: It doesnt really matter what I say or do; God is against me, and there is nothing I can do about it.. Orpah did not want to leave Naomi and return to Moab, but the desire to be a wife and mother weighed heavily. A version of this article originally appeared in the MarApr 2016 issue of, with the title Bible Study with Logos 6: Uncovering Ruths Sacrifice., An Ancient Story with Astonishing Relevance, Good and Evil in the Bibleand Why Good Doesnt Always Win. She left her own people to live in another land where, at best, she would be considered an outsiderat worst, an enemy. He may yet reverse his course and retake the heights that were surrendered. The contrast between Naomi and Ruth is very clear when the two womens words and actions are viewed from the vantage point of the Abrahamic Covenant. Holy MatrimonyMarriage 1Marriage 2The Tenaim TranslatedThe Kesubah TranslatedMarriage and the Royal FamilyMarital Partners Compatibility of MissionsEverlasting Happiness10 Mistakes Couples Make, AbarbanelShem MeShmuelShabbos: Taam ChaimMikraHaarosGrowing with the ParshaGal Einai Jerusalem ViewsSfas EmesWeekly HalachaOsher HaChaim. It is not only Ruth and Naomi who benefit from Gods work in the Book of Ruth, for everyone who has been saved by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ has been saved by the offspring of Ruth and Boaz. Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. 34 So in the morning the older daughter said to the younger, Since I had sexual relations with my father last night, lets make him drunk again tonight. What Is the Story of Ruth in the Bible? - Christianity Orpah: Midrash and Aggadah | Jewish Women's Archive She would have been very much at home in our Postmodern world. With that said, lets look at todays question, why did Ruth stay with Naomi? (4) While the author does not make a point of it, it seems reasonable to assume that the famine (as well as the deaths of Elimelech and his two sons) was a manifestation of divine discipline. What a difference it makes to believe in a God who is in absolute control and who is also merciful and gracious, causing all things to work together for our good and for His glory, if we believe in Him. Think of all the fields that must have existed in Bethlehem, and her daughter-in-law found herself on the one persons land who could make a difference in her story. Now they took wives of the women of Moab: the name of the one was . She continues with her mother-in-law along the way to the Holy Land. It has been supplied by the translators. It is available on the Internet at: www.netbible.org. Orpah listens to Naomis urging, but Ruth insists on following her mother-in-law. Orpah leaving Naomi and Ruth | Jewish Women's Archive She has been convinced and turns back to her own country. She was going back and it will be for her a new life. 45 Fake Christian Quotes Summarizing Fake Christians. Ruth 4:9 says, Then Boaz announced to the elders and all the people, Today you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelek, Kilion, and Mahlon., Photo Credit:Getty Images/campwillowlake. [someone who] delivers, rescues, and in many cases, redeems property.. She was going back and it will be for her a new life. I hope the above post on why did Ruth stay with Naomi has helped you learn one or two things you can apply in your Christian life as a believer. As they entered Bethlehem, they became the talk of the town. PDF Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah - Laici This takes grit which, according to Travis Bradberry, is: The ability to not give up until successful is also a matter of refusing to become distracted, discouraged or dissuaded. As is clear from the Talmud (Yevamot 47b), they were not doing so as a mere courtesy. 10 From what we learn from the Book of Ruth, one does wonder what role Naomi played in this decision. Naomi, so to speak, put all of her eggs into one basket marriage and bearing children. (8) All of this leads me to conclude that Naomi is not an example of faith, but an excellent example of Israels poor spiritual health. How Does the Bible Teach Us to Handle Anxiety? Orpah (right) leaving Ruth and Naomi. How long did Naomi and her sons live in Moab? Who thinks of Orpah today? Your people shall be my people, and your God my God (Ruth 1:16). But he by no means leaves the guilty unpunished, responding to the transgression of fathers by dealing with children and childrens children, to the third and fourth generation (Exodus 34:6-7, emphasis mine). But what she fails to see is that God is only increasing her problems to the level of human impossibility, so that He can demonstrate His power and grace through her weakness. Naomi refers to her as having returned to "her people and her gods" (1:15). the Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the deadthat is, with my sons, your husbands, while they lived. Naomi attempts to dissuade them three times (vv. The all-powerful God was making Naomis life miserable, so she thought and said. Orpah was Ruth's sister-in-law, having been married to another of Naomi's sons. Ruth and Naomi - Bible Story Verses & Meaning - Bible Study Tools She believes they would be better off that way instead of consenting to the life of a poor widow. This, of course, is Naomis meaning. During this time, Naomi feels the opposite of her name. The best thing for her to do was to return to Bethlehem and live out the rest of her days, dying empty (i.e., childless). The field happened to belong to Boaz, who happened to be a relative of Naomis deceased husband, Elimelek. To find out more about Jenna, visit her website at jennabrookecarlson.com. 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. Part of above ideas based on thoughts heard from R. Mattis Weinberg. And they continued to live there about ten years. Login or Sign Up to view the rest of this answer. Get a roundup of new Word by Word articles in your inbox each Friday. The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. Well, her decision to follow Naomi led to her: This is why, of the two, she is the most celebrated. Who killed Orpah in the Bible? - Heimduo The Fall of the House of Orpah Torah.org It was my friend Dave Austin who reminded me of the danger of pragmatism from this text. So the woman was left all alone bereaved of her two children as well as her husband! And the Torah taught us just how to do it. Ruth 1 1 In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. (One was named Orpah and the other Ruth.) And we were instructed eternally after with the mission of striving towards Him of bridging the gap between the physical world and the Divine. On the outside, it didnt look like Naomis life held much promise. Major Gift. Ruth returns home to Naomi with a large amount of barley and tells the story of her conversation with Boaz. go, return each unto her mother's house: the mother's house is mentioned, and not the father's, not because they had no father living; for it is certain Ruth had a father as well as a mother, Ruth 2:11 but because mothers are most affectionate to their daughters, and they most conversant together; and because women in those times had apartments to themselves, and who used to take their daughters to them when become widows; though such was the strong love of those young widows to their mother-in-law, that they chose rather to dwell with her, while she lived in Moab, than with their own mothers: the Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me; that is, with their husbands, who were dead; as the Targum is, that they refused to marry men after their death; or rather it respects their affectionate care of their husbands, and behaviour towards them when living, as well as the respect they showed to their memory, at and since their death; and also their filial duty to her, both before and since; and particularly, as the Targum expresses it, in that they had fed and supported her. Ruth Loved Naomi Dearly. She urged her daughters-in-law to return to their mothers home, with the expectation that the LORD would bless them with security in a marriage to a new12 Moabite husband. We find Ruth contrasted with Orpah, and then with Naomi. They would be a reminder that Naomis sons their husbands had not married Israelite wives. She backed down. Elimelech and his sons all died in Moab, leaving Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah widowed. Ill attempt to support my conclusions as we proceed in our study of this book. And yet as the story of Ruth unfolded this time, it suddenly became obvious to me that Naomi was no role model. And they dwelt there about ten years. This article is part of our People of Christianity catalog that features the stories, meaning, and significance of well-known people from the Bible and history. In an effort to escape the famine, a man named Elimelech took his family to Moab, where he intended for his family to sojourn until the famine ended.10 How could he have imagined how long his family would stay? Of what ultimate significance is this honor when it is not destined to last? Ruth is never dealt with as a second-class believer. There is no indication that they were led by God to leave. Who even remembers her name? 38 The younger daughter also gave birth to a son and named him Ben-Ammi. . If her daughters-in-law could snag a good (Moabite) husband, bear some children, and have a bountiful harvest they were indeed blessed, at least as Naomi viewed it. Both the Benjamites sin and their judgment are similar to what happened in Genesis 19. Orpah almost became great. 15 They show that the work of the law is written in their hearts, as their conscience bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or else defend them, 16 on the day when God will judge the secrets of human hearts, according to my gospel through Christ Jesus (Romans 2:12-16, emphasis mine). 45 Christian Friendship Quotes That Will Touch Your Soul. She also gained a son when Ruth gave birth to Obed. To walk in the steps of Abraham, one like Ruth would need to: (1) leave her relatives; (2) leave her homeland; and, (3) trust God to bless her as she sought to bless her mother-in-law. And so this older daughter persuaded her younger sister that both of them needed to get their father drunk, and then each should lie with him, so that they might produce offspring for their father. It had been at least ten years since Naomi and her family had left them. Two times they hold firm; on the third Orpah weakens and returns.
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