Giving up what could have been?

But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, "Go, return each of you to her mother's house. May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. The Lord grant that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband!" Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept. And they said to her, "No, we will return with you to your people."
Ruth 1:8-10 (ESV)

Naomi understood that she had nothing to offer these young ladies. In her day, a family without men was a disaster, and an older woman to look after would hinder these young ladies from finding a new husband and life.

At first, they both understood that nobody would care for Naomi if they left, and they refused the notion. But, as time went on and Naomi honestly told them again that their hope of a better life with her was slim, Orpah agreed and left.

Ruth, however, knew Naomi would need care, and refused to go, and in essence, was giving up what could have been. Ruth has a book in the Bible named after her. Orpah is forgotten.



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