Why did Ruth and Orpah make different decisions?

Answer

In Ruth 1, we learn that Naomi’s husband passed away in the land of Moab. Naomi’s two sons, who were married to Ruth and Orpah, also died. Subsequently, Naomi decided to return to Israel and advised her daughters-in-law to go back to their families. In verse 8, she states, “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home. May the Lord show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your deceased husbands and to me.”

Initially, both Ruth and Orpah declined, expressing, “We will go back with you to your people” “And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.”, (Ruth 1:10). Naomi then explained that she could not provide new husbands for Ruth and Orpah. From Naomi’s viewpoint, Ruth and Orpah would remain widows without children unless they returned to their parents’ homes. After Naomi’s persistent encouragement, Orpah consented and went back to her family “And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law; but Ruth clave unto her.”, (Ruth 1:14).

Naomi then said to Ruth, “Look . . . your sister-in-law is returning to her people and her gods. Go back with her” “And she said, Behold, thy sister-in-law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister-in-law.”, (Ruth 1:15). Ruth’s response highlighted the contrast between Orpah and herself. Ruth declared, “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” (Ruth 1:16-17).

This response reveals an important detail about Ruth. In the initial statement, both Ruth and Orpah expressed their intention to return to Israel with Naomi, stating they would go back to “your people” «And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people. », (Ruth 1:10). However, when Ruth responded the second time, she also affirmed that Naomi’s God would be her God. She agreed to dwell among Naomi’s people and to follow the Lord.

Naomi and Ruth came back to very humble circumstances, yet God utilized this situation in a remarkable manner. Ruth not only became part of Naomi’s people; she later married one of Naomi’s relatives and bore a son named Obed— who eventually became the grandfather of King David.

Ruth’s response serves as a powerful example of how we should pledge allegiance to God even when the future is uncertain. By surrendering to Him, God sometimes works in unexpected ways to demonstrate His power and reveal His love.