We may be very sincere, albeit sincerely mistaken. Hebrews The lesson to us everyday folk is that, yes, there is a spiritual universe that surrounds us on all sides, there are momentous choices, our decisions matter, and at times they are of immense import to us, our descendents and the entire world. Blessed among women shall those be who for Christs sake can renounce all; but forgotten and worse than forgotten shall those be who in the hour of temptation do violence to conscience and turn back unto the world. BBE Then again they were weeping; and Orpah gave her mother-in-law a kiss, but Ruth would not be parted from her. She had made a radical and absolute dedication to Naomi, her people, and her God. (Ruth 1:16: Deciding for God), THOUGHT - Looking at these events from a slightly different light, the events suggest that ten years of Naomis "compromise" in Moab was not accompanied by Ruth confessing the God of Israel. Although Boaz was in line for the rights of the land, there was another guardian-redeemer that had first dibs. Boaz talked to guardian-redeemer himself and, as it turned out, that man did not want the land and Ruth. With Ruth, however, it was evidently not merely strong affection and attachment by which she felt herself so drawn to her mother-in-law that she wished to live and die with her, but a leaning of her heart towards the God of Israel and His laws, of which she herself was probably not yet fully conscious, but which she had acquired so strongly in her conjugal relation and her intercourse with her Israelitish connections, that it was her earnest wish never to be separated from this people and its God (cf. NIV When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her. And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor. (Ruth 2:2) She was in a new town, with new people, and wanted to help take care of Naomi and herself. Is gone back to her people and to her gods . The Moabites didnt serve God and were the enemies of the children of Israel. The message of Revelation is very clear: both the observance of the Torah and the faith of the Messiah are necessary, not either or, as we explained it in Two things one needs to have to get saved? Johnstown was rebuilt and today is a thriving town with a population of approximately 28,000. If that is your experience, then whoever you may be, you will find an opportunity, somewhere or other, of declaring that you are on the Lords side. So may the gods do to me and even more, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time. What a contrast is the oath of Ruth and the evil Jezebel who said "So may the gods do to me and even more, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.(1Ki 19:2) Ruth in a sense pronounces a curse upon herself, elevating the preceding promise to a formal, unconditional level. ERV And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, and to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: ESV But Ruth said, "Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. Not that she has altogether absorbed the Hebrew vision she is somewhere in between. These messages go hand in hand with the observance of the Torah and faith of the Messiah, which was also the message in the Book of Revelation: those who guard the commands of Elohim and the faith of Yeshua will be called the remnant (see Rev 12:17) and saints (Rev 14:12). Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung tightly to her. ", NKJ And she said, "Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law. 1 Kings While a part of the package is offered free of cost, the rest of the premix, you can buy at a throwaway price. O that this morning we may not be content with the form of devotion, which may be no better than Orpahs kiss, but may the Holy Spirit work in us a cleaving of our whole heart to our Lord Jesus. Her trust was evidenced by her journeying into a land to which she had never been! Consider the Old Testament book of Ruth. When Naomi decides to return to Judah, her Moabite daughters-in-law start out with her. 2 Corinthians 3:3; 5:27; 18:6; 1 Chr. Who is this young woman who initially accompanies Naomi but then leaves her and returns to Moab. Orpah Here are 10 lessons that the story of Ruth teaches us. (He 11:7+, cp Ga 3:7, 29+, Ro 4:11+, Ro 8:17+)Paul emphasized that "he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. Later man felt himself so large and important as to fill the entire universe and he restricted God to a small and useful role within mans world. behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods; meaning Orpah, who was the wife of her husband's brother, as the word used signifies; she was not only on the road turning back to her own country and people, but to the gods thereof, Baalpeor or Priapus, and Chemosh, Numbers 21:29 from whence Aben Ezra concludes, that she had been a proselyte to the true religion, and had renounced the gods of her nation, and retained the same profession while her husband lived, and unto this time, and now apostatized, since she is said to go back to her gods; and in this he is followed by some Christian interpreters (g), and not without reason: return thou after thy sister in law: this she said, not that in good earnest she desired her to return, at least to her former religion, only relates, though not as approving of, the conduct of her sister, rather as upbraiding it; but to try her sincerity and steadfastness, when such an instance and example was before her. My heart would break in anguish All rights reserved), Searching to know life's true meaning? When we reflect on what we have written above, we will find that a solid foundation is thus established for the conclusion of our study. Joshua 23:8 "But you are to cling to (Lxx use the verb proskollao) the LORD your God, as you have done to this day. Her choice only highlights how extraordinary was Ruths conduct. Hinnehis a marker used to enliven a narrative, to express a change a scene, to emphasize an idea, to call attention to a detail or an important fact or action that follows (Isa 65:17,Ge 17:20,41:17). she said, "your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and her god. The Rabbis state that Ruth was Orpahs sister, as well as her sister-in-law, and both were the daughters of King Eglon of Moab (Ruth Rabbah 2:9), who (according to the same A type of non-halakhic literary activitiy of the Rabbis for interpreting non-legal material according to special principles of interpretation (hermeneutical rules). All rights reserved. Job 19:20 "My bone clings to my skin and my flesh, And I have escaped only by the skin of my teeth. Here at last the secret of the natural heart is unveiled. Ruth loved her mother-in-law and humbled herself to serve and care for her. The Book of Ruth stands in striking contrast to the Book of Judges, and especially to the last five chapters thereof. What are the biblical principles for solid decision-making? 2 Kings Hidden within the choices Ruth made, as well as her sister-in-law Orpahs, is the breadth and depth of the story. Orpah is the widowed daughter-in-law of Naomi and sister-in-law to Ruth. Ruth and Orpah were daughters of Eglon and Balak, kings of Moab. We understand the need of every single client. We will discuss how Providence and human choice interacts to shape the history on individuals and nations, God willing, next week. (Bolding added) (Click). Remembering all that, I should think there is no condition of gentleness, or of obscurity, or of poverty, or of sorrow, which should prevent anybody from making an open confession of allegiance to God when faith in the Lord Jesus Christ has been exercised. Originally published Tuesday, 18 January 2022. Not yet? Vance Havner quipped that "a good woman is the best thing on earth. When Naomi discovered this truth, she instructed Ruth to approach him according to this custom. Ruth identified herself completely and totally with Naomi. Neither of them has any children. But Ruth is special. Hubbard -Naomi then said, Look, your sister-in-law has started back to her people and her god. Likewise, the Nazarenes. Go home, too; follow your sister-in-law. She appears in front of our eyes together with Ruth but quickly fades into obscurity. This will give us a better understanding of the Book of Ruth, the stories of two gentiles: Orpah and Ruth. The higher the vote, the further up an answer is. Genesis 2:24 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. It identified the area he or she considered his or her true home. We have said that it was difficult to separate, in the words, the effects of love to Naomi from those of adoption of Naomi's faith. (See context inThe Book of Ruth- NICOT or borrowThe book of Ruth). A high soul climbs the highway, But when the circumstances put them in the position to make a choice and confirm their election, some of them decide to return to their former condition, while the faithful decide to stay resolute and single-minded in their determination to continue in the election and fulfil their duty of trust and confidence in Elohim and His people. The message of Revelation is very clear: Why was Christianity accepted so easily in Rome? Naomi urges Ruth again saying, Your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Luke Matthew 19:29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My names sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. The burden of this inheritance both informed and influenced the choices that these sisters made. Not much is given to know in the book about this character: Naomis daughter-in-law, Orpah, who falls in the shadow of her sister-in-law, Ruth. Have you counted the cost, and are you solemnly ready to suffer all worldly loss for the Masters sake (Lk 14:28+; Lk 14:33+, Mk 8:34-37+)? Ruth 2:11). Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. Rabbi Elazar said: The Holy One, Blessed be He, exiled Israel among the nations only so that converts would join them, as it is stated: And I will sow her to Me in the land (Hosea 2:23). May one fault Orpah for unforgivable disloyalty to Naomi? Naomi striving to deter them from this resolution saying that even if they were to go with her, there would be no hope for them in a foreign land that they could marry again and enjoy family life once more and have children. (Heb 11:1+) and goes on to add that "without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a Rewarder of those who seek Him. Boaz liked the idea. Text Copyright 2005 by Rabbi Dr. Meir Levin and Torah.org. She was ruined, stricken by God, and filled with bitterness; did she yet have sons in her womb to give as husbands to her daughters-in-law? And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. As Perets will be known as the ancestor of king David (Rth 4:18, 1Ch 2:5) and through him, Tamar became not only the mother of the tribe of Yehudah but also the mother of all the kings of Israel and thus she deserved the place of one of the matriarchs in the genealogy of Yeshua Mashiach; the other one being Ruth. Student @Christ Gospel Church, S.S.Teacher, Observer. The landowner, who took notice of Ruth was a close male relative. Galatians Who is this young woman who initially accompanies Naomi but then leaves her and returns to Moab. That means a double portion, as seen in Gen 48:14-16, when Yaakov adopted the sons of Yoseph as his own. The rest drift to and fro. Ruth was willing to follow Naomi wherever it led! She had lost her own husband and both of her sons. Refrain, Where deaths cold hand shall find thee, May the LORD repay you for what you have done. Orpah And she relinquished all this without a specific promise of future good (hope)! Ephesians What does the Bible say about decision-making? Ruth, the former gentile, who left father and mother, and her native land, because she longed for the Elohim and people of Israel, became the great-grandmother of David. ), Ruth models an adventurous faith, The goldsmith must purify the dross and ore from the gold, but he must be wary lest he makes waste of good metal if over-curious in too often refining. Nahum While Orpah returns and leaves Judaism, Ruth chooses to stay with Naomi, thus proving her former conversion to be a real one. But troubles came from Rome, and they started drifting from their election and distancing themselves from the natives to avoid persecution. We stop believing He will do what is best for us. It is patent that Ruth's love for Naomi was created by the new faith which she had learned from her. 24:32). Do you see what God is saying about the dissolution of the marriage covenant between a husband and a wife? Nehemiah With the words, Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live, Ruth separated herself from her country of origin. Fruitless, foolish, unfounded speculation! By Admin. Bitter and mad at God for what may feel like a ruined life? or'-pa (`orpah; for meaning see below): A Moabitess, wife of Mahlon, son of Elimelech and Naomi. A woman like Naomi surely is worthy of awakening sympathy, but that is not the sign of faith in operation. We become a wholly new person. Micah This means that Orpah also could have been the mother of David. Irrespective of the kind of premix that you invest in, you together with your guests will have a whale of a time enjoying refreshing cups of beverage. But in the Hebrew Scripture (Tanak), it is place in the section of Ketuvim (Writings). Posted by Navah on Aug 7, 2022 We will explore in the following vein the story of Orpah and Ruth, the daughters-in-law of Naomi, a story that poses a challenge for the careful reader. New Living Translation And again they wept together, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye. Return and remain with the king, for you are a foreigner and also an exile; return to your own place. 2 Samuel Leviticus Ruth What does she represent and what does her figure mean to us? Ruth As an aside Israel may have been the promised land for Naomi, an Israelite, but not for Ruth the Moabitess. Instead, Ruth focused on God, her relationships, and the future. and the result of his clinging was that "Jehovah was with him; wherever he went he prospered." And ultimately, the former gentile would also embrace the message about the Prophet Mosheh told Israel to await, that is the Messiah. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. A high way and a low, Hidden within the choices Ruth made, as well as her sister-in-law Orpahs, is the breadth and depth of the story. This is reminiscent of Jesus' reply to those who professed a desire to follow Him A certain scribe came and said to Him "Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go." (g) No persuasion can convince them to turn back from God, if he has chosen them to be his. In thoughts and words and deeds. Thy heart has borne my sorrow, The origin of the Book of Ruth is involved in obscurity. Ruth All rights reserved. THOUGHT - What is the application to saints today? Share But later, community leaders gave speeches about how local industry and homes could be rebuilt. One of only two books in the entire biblical corpus named after a woman (the other being Esther), Ruth encompasses the most feminine dialogue in a complete story along with significant lexical ambiguity. (See page 242TOTC Judges & Ruth). Oh, do not now entreat me; She knew that she had been blessed to have her husband and sons, and then she felt like God just took everything away from her. *As Ruth Rabbah to this verse points out, this kiss was not a mere expression of emotion but constituted a ritual. The Lxx uses the root verb kollao, indicating Solomon "stuck like glue" to these foreign women and their idolatrous gods turned his heart from the living God. She was following in the footsteps of Abraham, who had forsaken his family and his homeland in response to Gods command (Ge 12:1-4+, He 11:8, 9+). Leave no room for doubting and fear; Your people will be my people and your God my God. Please ensure your answer MEETS all our guidelines. Thus, Yeshuas genealogy can be traced through two non-native women who became mothers of the tribe of Yehudah: Tamar and Ruth. And now how can I leave thee? After they lived in Moab about 10 years, New American Standard Bible. A life filled with love for the Lord (See Ps 119:25 below). She can push against convention to a generous degree, but it is out of generosity of her temperament, not out of some large metaphysical idea She is certainly not a philosopher, but neither is she after ten years with Naomi, an ordinary Moabite. Ruth "seals the deal" with a solemn imprecatory oath! This acted like a healing balm, and the survivors energetically got to work. The meaning and tendency of the whole narrative of the Book of Ruth is brought clearly to light that Ruth would become a graft from which the kings of Israel would arise. Lamentations 4:4 The tongue of the infant cleaves (Lxx uses the root verb kollao) To the roof of its mouth because of thirst; The little ones ask for bread, But no one breaks it for them. Because Naomi had lost her husband and sons, she was moving back home to Bethlehem as a widow. Note: The story of Ruth took place during the barley and wheat harvest season, which is another reason why the Rabbis chose to read the Book of Ruth on Shavuot. Most of us do.The important lesson is to remember that you should not try to coerce or coax them into the kingdom by a watered down or compromised "Christian" message. Naomi and Ruth returned to the humblest of circumstances, yet God used this situation to work in a remarkable way. Compare Ruth's famous commitment with Peter's profession - "Lord, why can I not follow You right now? The way his soul shall go. NKJ When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she stopped speaking to her. Jeremiah 13:11 'For as the waistband clings to (Lxx uses the root verb kollao) the waist of a man, so I made the whole household of Israel and the whole household of Judah cling to (Lxx uses the root verb kollao) Me,' declares the LORD, 'that they might be for Me a people, for renown, for praise and for glory; but they did not listen.'. When Naomi decides to return to Judah, her daughters-in-law start out with her, but Naomi releases them. Naomi breathed into Orpah something of her own spirit that would accompany her in her sojourn among the idols of Moab. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Soon, he and Ruth married, and a son was born. This can inspire the hope of rebuilding a new life. (NASB: Lockman), Septuagint (LXX): kai ou ean apothanes (2SAAS) apothanoumai (1SFMI) kakei taphesomai (1SFMI) tade poiesai moi kurios kai tade prostheie (3SAAO) hoti thanatos diastelei (3SFAI) ana meson emou kai sou, BGT , English of Septuagint: And wherever thou die, I will die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if I leave thee, for death only shall divide between me and thee, HubbardWhere you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. (See context Believer's Bible Commentaryor borrow Believer's Bible Commentary), John Martin has an interesting note that "In Ruth's mind the decision probably meant that she would never have a husband or children. No one would have blamed Ruth for staying with her own people in Moab where the chances of remarriage were greater. But it was not human love alone that did it. The Bible tells us that when Naomi despaired over the loss of her husband and sons, her daughter-in-law Ruth refused to leave her. Judges 20:42 Therefore, they turned their backs before the men of Israel toward the direction of the wilderness, but the battle overtook them while those who came out of the cities destroyed them in the midst of them. Javascript is not enabled on your browser. Johnstown Flood - See picture of the aftermath, Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Peter's Newsletter: Peter's weekly newsletteroffers encouragement and updates on his latest news. Go back with her (Ruth 1:15). RUTH DECIDES FOR GOD, But Ruth said - A dramatic contrast marking a change in direction in her life from that of a godless, hopeless, pagan Gentile to one grafted into Israel and eventually in the lineage of the Messiah, Who is our Hope (1Ti 1:1+). Wherever you go, Lord, I will go., To become a Christian means to be united with Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:23). With that we are fairly convinced that Ruth and Orpah were such former gentiles; they both loved Naomi and they both headed for the Land, but only one reached it and the other returned to her former condition of a gentile. Genesis Mark 10:29+ Jesus said, Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospels sake. Therefore to leave ones land (Ru 1:15) meant to separate from ones god.". That was the message the apostle delivered to the former gentiles, who left their wild tree to join the natural olive tree of Israel, saying (notice the past tense), You know that you were nations, led away to the dumb idols, (1Co 12:2), and also, remember that you, once nations in the flesh, you were without Messiah, excluded from the citizenship of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without Elohim in the world (Eph 2:11-12). Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, and Ruth hugged Naomi forsaking her father and mother to go with Naomi and resisted the separation from her. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. However, Orpahs sister-in-law chooses a path that doesnt make sense, and God honors her for her loyalty to him and to her mother-in-law. Faith makes a gulf between these two women who are so similar in so many ways. By Adele Berlin Naomi stands on the road to Judah as her two Moabite daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah, beg to accompany her to her native land in this watercolor by Salvador Dali. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last, first. (Mark 10:29-31+), O Love that will not let me go, 9-13/09/2014. Yet as soon as Naomi says, "Im going back to the God of Israel and put my fate in His hands" Ruth stands with her. Did Jesus Say We Must Be Baptized in Order to Be Saved? God rewarded her faith by providing for them and making Ruth an ancestor of Jesus Christ (Mt. Heaven only knows! Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God. Thus, Naomi returned to Israel and Ruth with her, and they came to Beyth Lechem at the beginning of barley harvest. YLT And Ruth saith, 'Urge me not to leave thee -- to turn back from after thee; for whither thou goest I go, and where thou lodgest I lodge; thy people is my people, and thy God my God. And thy God my God. Farmers were to leave food on the ground as they harvested the grain so the poor could pick it up to feed their families. It has, moreover, the value of being a link in the chain of history, showing how God moved forward to the central things of His redeeming purpose through faithful souls. Ruths identity was now fully involved in Naomis. Kissed (5401) (nashaq) means to kiss mouth to mouth or to be attached and the Greek Septuagint verb (kataphileo = fervent, affectionate, tender kiss) adds the interesting nuance of kissing one tenderly, with caressing and as a sign of special affection (the same verb was used by the Septuagint in Ruth 1:9+ of Naomi kissing each daughter-in-law). And another West, (Ps 106:37). Report, July 30 2019 Orpah has her husband, her cradle, her little time. Go back with her. 16 But Ruth replied, Dont urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. This son was named Obed who later became the father of Jesse who later became the father of David who, as we know, is in the direct family line of Jesus Christ! And usually they boil down to a choice between "What do I want?" The Greek verb certainly suggests a tenderness and therefore a heartfelt sincerity in her action. The behavior of Orpah and of Ruth illustrates this principle. This becomes clearer after we learn that Oprah was the progenitor of Goliath who faced Ruths descendant David on the field of battle (ibid). ', NLT Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. What she really wants is to get into Israel to marry a wealthy Hebrew. Don't doubt God's goodness and poison the wellspring of blessing He has for you. So this gave Boaz the go-ahead and he declared there to buy the land and take Ruth as his wife! Their mother-in-law Naomi told them they should go home. 18:24; Jer. Orpah may well be an OT example of "the one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word, and immediately receives it with joy yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away." * At first, they both replied, We will go back with you to your people (Ruth 1:10). Ezekiel 3:26 "Moreover, I will make your tongue stick (Lxx = sundeo = bind together) to the roof of your mouth so that you will be mute and cannot be a man who rebukes them, for they are a rebellious house. This verb emphasizes not only permanence but also unity of the two who have been "glued" together. 0 responses (See context in The Book of Ruth). 1. What Is the Thorn in the Flesh Paul References in 2 Corinthians 12:7? Ruth 1:14 And they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. The higher the vote, the further up an answer is. The task of man leading to redemption is to separate them, to consign each one to tos rightful place. The Story of Ruth | GotQuestions.org. WebVerse (Click for Chapter) New International Version They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. Reprinted by permission. While all this is true, it does not touch the deepest note. They like other non-native joined Israel to become one nation: like Kalev and the Egyptian princess; like Uriah, Luke, and many other gentiles who were grafted in the Olive Tree of Israel (See Romans 11). 21 Then Ruth the Moabitess said, "Furthermore, he said to me, 'You should stay close to my servants until they have finished all my harvest.'". Before getting too taken by emotions and excited about Ruth's interest in him, Boaz made sure that the right thing was done first. May he become famous throughout Israel! Machlon and Kilyon took wives from the women of Moav: Orpah and Ruth (Ruth was the wife of the elder son Machlon (Rth 4:10). And sohinnehis used as an exclamation of vivid immediacy (e.g., readGe 6:13)!