Making choices and decisions are part of everyday life and it is very important to make the correct ones which are pleasing to God. We can read many examples of decision making in the Bible. Just within the Old Testament, we have:
Adam and Eve: listened to the serpent and ate the fruit of the Tree from which God commanded them not to eat.
Lot’s wife: looked back and became a pillar of salt.
Aaron: listened to the people and allowed the building of the golden calf for worship and thereby incurred God’s wrath.
Solomon: allowed his wives to turn his heart away from the Lord and became idolatrous.
For good decisions, we have:
Noah: followed god’s instructions.
Abraham: listened to God in sacrificing Isaac.
David: responded to Nathan’s rebuke and repented of his unlawful union with Bathsheba.
In this article, we want to look at the example of the decision making of Ruth who was a Moabites and a Gentile.
The Close Relationship (Ruth 1:6-13)
Ruth was one of two daughters-in-law of Naomi. Naomi, Elimelech (husband) and 2 sons had previously moved out of Israel to the country of Moab because of a severe famine. It was Elimelech’s choice in taking his family from their home to a heathen land. While there, Elimelech and subsequently both sons died.
We are told in Ruth 1:4 that Naomi’s sons dwelled in Moab with their wives for about 10 years. Naomi decided to go back to her country because she had heard that the famine was over. We can start to see the close relationship between Naomi and her daughters-in-law, probably built up during the past decade. They were all preparing to go back to the land of Judah when Naomi told them to each return to their maiden home. She did not insist that they go with her although she could have. She cared for them. She also wished them well that Orpah and Ruth would find rest in the houses of their second husbands (Ruth 1:9). Naomi also wished that the Lord dealt kindly with them as how they were kind to her and their husbands. Notice then that Ruth and Orpah wept (Ruth 1:9, 14)
The Choice Rendered (Ruth 1:8-13)
We have seen the choice rendered or given to Ruth and Orpah to return to their maiden home in Moab. They instead wanted to go with Naomi back to her people (Ruth 1:10).
However, Naomi explained to them that she had no more sons, that she was too old to have a husband and even if she did, and subsequently had sons, would they wait for her sons to grow up and marry them and refrain from marrying in the meantime? She repeated twice for them to turn back and return to their home instead of following her to the land of Judah.
The Choices Realised (Ruth 1:14-18)
Let us notice what Orpah did. She left and returned to her people and to her gods (Ruth 1:15). Although Orpah wept at the thought of leaving Naomi, she stayed on in Moab in the end. This was the decision she made.
Let us notice how Ruth’s decision differed from Orpah’s. Ruth cleaved or clung tightly to Naomi (Ruth 1:14). She did not want to go. She made a few decisions here.
First, she said she decided to follow Naomi wherever she went. She said “whither thou goest, I will go and where thou lodgest, I will lodge” (Ruth 1:16). Ruth exhibited loyalty and filial piety. She wanted to continue serving and taking care of her mother-in-law despite the death of her husband.
Second, she decided to leave her own people to accept another people. She said “Thy people shall be my people” (Ruth 1:16). Take note that she would be a stranger among the Jews for she was a Moabite. There would also be some things that she could not do (cf. Deut 23:3).
Third, she decided to trust and have faith in Jehovah God. She said “thy God my God” (v 16). She was willing to forsake the gods which the Moabites worshipped and turn to Jehovah, the one true God. Her trust and faith in God was recognised by Boaz who said “the LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.” (Ruth 2:12)
Fourth, she decided to put Moab and their gods behind her (Ruth 1:17). She wanted to be buried in Bethlehem Judah, even though it was away from her own home.
Fifth, she was very determined in her decision to follow after Naomi and Jehovah God. She said that nothing will separate them except death (Ruth 1:17). Naomi also saw the determination in Ruth to go with her and she did not say anything more.
Thus, we see the contrasts between Orpah’s and Ruth’s decisions.
Our Learning
Below are some concluding thoughts and applications for us to consider:
Establish good relationships with people because we can make use of such to bring people to God (cf. 1 Peter 3:1). For those whom we have good relationships with, we constantly make use of our good influence to influence others to change or make the correct decision to follow Christ.
Present the truth and the facts plainly to others as how Naomi did. This is especially needful when presenting the gospel to others and clearly stating the cost of discipleship (Luke 14:26-33).
Make the right choice to follow God even in difficult situations. It was one of the darkest moments in Israel but yet Ruth chose to follow after Jehovah God instead of false gods.
Be determined and not waver when choosing to follow God just as Ruth did. The devil will try to tempt us (1 Peter 5:8) and draw us away but we keep on the course and stay firm on our decision.
We have to make decisions all the time and it is important to make the right ones which will be pleasing to God. Unlike Ruth, Orpah made the wrong decision to return to her people and pagan gods. There will be consequences whichever path a person chooses. This can also be seen in the lives of various individuals in the Bible. We can be encouraged to know that God is loving and full of grace. He extends salvation not only to the people of Israel but also to Gentiles. Let us be encouraged to make the correct decision to be pleasing to God always.
Ask Myself:
What were the positive things Naomi said about Orpah and Ruth?
How did Ruth reply Naomi when she (Naomi) told her to follow after Orpah?
How can we use our personal relationships to influence others or draw people to God?
Answers:
They showed kindness to their husbands and parents-in-law (Ruth 1:8).
She told Naomi not to urge her to leave her. Ruth said wherever Naomi went and stayed, she would go and be there. She also said that Naomi’s people would be her people and she would acknowledge Jehovah God. Ruth added that she would want to be buried in Bethlehem and only death would separate Naomi and her (Ruth 1:16-17).
You may discuss this with the writer or your Bible class teacher.