My brother, my sister, God wants us to be committed and faithful in everything we do as He is because His plans and purposes cannot be accomplished on earth through people who don’t want to be committed or faithful to each other or to Him. Let’s see how the two daughters-in-law of Naomi reacted when Naomi said she was going back to Bethlehem (house of bread) despite being desperate at the idea of their separation. The Bible says: “At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her. Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her” (Verses 14-15).
On the one hand, Orpah had the opportunity to go with Naomi and Ruth but she chose to remain in her comfort zone, with her family and friends. She actually returned to her gods, thus refusing to experience the wonders of the one true God because she chose to stick with what she knew! My friend, beware what you know or what you think you know! The truth is, it wouldn’t have done Orpah no good to go to Bethlehem anyway because her heart was still in Moab and maybe she had been waiting for an opportunity to leave the old widow. Yes, just like Orpah, many church members left Moab and went to Bethlehem but their heart is still in Moab: they have joined a church but they are not a part of the Church. They fill a seat every service but their heart is still in the things of the world and as soon as an opportunity to leave arises, they quickly grasp it as Orpah.. My friend, God will always give you an opportunity to leave the sinful world behind and become a part of His family.
On the other hand, Ruth decided to leave her comfort zone and take the journey to Bethlehem with Naomi. “But Ruth replied: ‘Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.’ When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her” (verses 16-18). The key word here is that Ruth was DETERMINED! Yes, it may look like she was determined to follow an old widow who had nothing to offer her… Basically, she committed to remain faithful, not seeking her own interest, not knowing what would become her. Oh God is good! This decision was very important as it was fitting God’s plan for Jesus to be born in Bethlehem…
My friend, you may not know God’s plan for your life, just be determined, committed and faithful. Just look at the genealogy of Jesus Christ in (Matthew 1:5-16). Not only did Ruth leave the wicked land of Moab and found a new home and a new family in Bethlehem, but through Naomi she was to become part of something great because of her decision to follow the Lord… Ruth is in the lineage of the Messiah… and Orpah is nowhere to be seen! Ruth has a whole book in the Bible. Orpah is nowhere to be seen! Yes, there is devastation behind any bad decision. Your blessing may come from only ONE right decision! My friend, Ruth’s greatest decision was not to follow Naomi. Her greatest attribute was not her devotion to Naomi. Her greatest choice was summed up in the statement “your God will be my God.” She was looking for God and she found Him through her faithfulness and commitment to her mother-in-law. Ruth is an example for us to know that God does not make mistakes when He brings some people around us… especially, those who have the fear of the Lord! The choices we make individually determine God’s level of intervention in making us fit in His plans and purposes. Stay blessed in Jesus’ name.