Let's start off by reading Ruth 1! Also, I'll be reading the Message translation if you want to be reading the same one as me. The reason I'll be reading the Message is because sometimes the way things are phrased can really get you thinking, especially if you've heard a story a lot. Also, there will be some questions to think about so it might be beneficial to you to write down the answers.
Orpah, Ruth and Naomi have all lost their husbands but they've decided it's time to move on. Orpah leaves and kisses everyone with her final farewell but Ruth refuses to leave Naomi. Ruth knows that she will probably end up poor and without a husband even though she is young if she stays with Naomi. Yet, she still refuses to abandon her mother-in-law.
I can picture the whole scene happening in my head so clearly. Orpah says goodbye and leaves. For her calling is elsewhere. But Ruth won't give up begging Naomi and gently tugging on her clothes. She kneels to the ground in respect but won't actually listen to Naomi's wish. Then, Naomi finally holds out her hand to show that Ruth is welcome to stay with her. I'm sure this whole process required a lot of tears and prayer and it was definitely God's will that the two stay together.
Are you an Orpah or a Ruth? What I mean by this is are you being called to stay or leave? This could refer to a place, a hobby, a group of people, or maybe even a job. It's not that Orpah was worse than Ruth for leaving. I think Orpah just served a different purpose in life than Ruth. Ruth stayed because she knew God wanted her to. Wouldn't the story have turned out differently if Orpah didn't leave? If you have to make a big decision soon, ask yourself this. Does God want me to follow Orpah or stay like Ruth?
We won't ever know exactly why Orpah left but we can give a guess to know why Ruth stayed. I think that Ruth realized that Naomi has already given her so much and lost so much more. Naomi doesn't really have much hope or happiness. We can tell that by her saying call me "Bitter" instead of Naomi. Ruth will be with her to bring joy from God. Just like God never leaves us even when bad things are happening or we get angry at him, Ruth didn't leave Naomi. Ruth helps us understand Jesus and His devotion to us. He stays with us on our whole journey. We may get tired or bitter or mad but He is there to support us and help us up.
So for the things you decide to stick with, are you bringing true joy and hope? If you're leaving a lot of things like Orpah, will you bring true joy and hope instead of complaints and brokenness?
This is what I got out of Ruth 1! Thanks so much for reading and I hope you find this bible study helpful, Kiki :)