The Spirit of God does not detain us with many details as to Orpah, but devotes the book to the history of her sister-in-law. Yet, as we may be sure, no injustice is done. Naomi’s good account of her is recorded. She fully and gratefully owns her kindness to the dead and the living. As a wife and as a daughter-in-law, in marriage and in widowhood, Orpah had conducted herself womanly and well. This was her due, and it is a right thing in the sight of God to appreciate and to acknowledge what is lovable in any.
Natural Affection
What an example of this we have in our blessed Lord Himself (Mark 10:21)! But natural amiability, however sincere, has never brought the will into subjection to God. The flesh is always opposed to the Spirit. Naomi’s affliction had quickened her desires after something better than Moab, and she would retrace her steps and return to the Lord, who, in His unchanging love, had again given His people bread. This tested Orpah. Her heart was in Moab, and she could go along with Naomi there, but let Naomi’s heart be set on God, His people, and His dwelling-place, and her real condition is disclosed. She broke the link with all she seemed to love and went back to her people and her gods, yet kind as ever, with the tenderest expressions of affection at parting. Self, however unsuspected, gained the victory. It was thus with the rich ruler (Matt. 19), though he sorrowed over it, for the people of the world, however amiable, never rise above the principles of the world, though the people of God may sink woefully below the principles of God.
Turning Back
This was true of Naomi at first. She was, as we know, full of complaint as to her lot, and she tried to dissuade her daughters-in-law from sharing it. They would have better prospects, she urged, in Moab than with her. In Canaan and among her people they would be but strangers, and she had no more sons to restore the link which death had broken. Why should they go?
Dangerous doctrine, perilous ministry this! In it the soul is made of no account, eternity is forgotten, and God, His goodness and His grace are wholly left out. Alas! it suited Orpah well, but was it not her ruin? How many a conviction of sin has been stifled, how often has an awakened conscience been overcome, how many a young heart has been deceived and turned aside by Christian parents through the hope of some worldly advantage for their children. “Putting their sons and even their daughters into the lion’s mouth,” as another has said, “yet praying God that he may not devour them.”
Singular Decision
Ruth, with singular firmness and decision, refused her mother’s counsel. She looked not on her destitution, but on the Lord and His people to whom she was going. Her heart’s desires were there, and her lips confessed in beautiful terms her resolve (Ruth 1:16-17). It was the happy decision of faith, and God blessed her. He led her on and finally revealed His purposes of grace in the unlooked-for blessings of redemption, made hers, though a Moabitess, by His will and by the faithfulness and love of Boaz.
W. B. (adapted)