However, Naomi tried to persuade both . Who will occupy the Millennial Kingdom?added 5 months ago; I am also acquiring Ruth the Moabite, the wife of Mahlon, as my wife, so as to perpetuate [Mahlons] name upon his estate, that [his] name may not disappear from among his kinsmen. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem . But wherever the story of Ruth appears in your Bible, you will want to find it and study it again after you read RuthBig Theme, Little Book, originally published in the August 1996 issue of Bible Review. Elimelech of Bethlehem departs the country for Moab, taking his wife Naomi and their two sons along. Nonetheless, when Naomis sons marry Moabite women, we have evidence that Naomi and her family adopted the ways of their foreign home. At first it would seem that the ties that bind Naomi, Ruth and Orpah after the deaths of their husbands do not make them a family in any customary sense. A second time, Naomi argued her case. What is the significance of Ruth telling Naomi, Wherever you go, I will go (Ruth 1:16)? When the men of the clan die and are survived only by Naomi and her two Moabite daughters in law, Naomi determines to return to the land of Israel, a broken women and only enough faith to make the trip.. Where you die I shall die, and there is where I shall be buried. On Shavuot we commemorate the Revelation at Sinai when God descended upon Mount Sinai and proclaimed before the nation I am the Lord your God. In the synagogue we read the Book of Ruth that recounts the heartwarming story of Ruth the Moabite, who leaves everything behind to follow her mother-in-law Naomi to the Holy Land, ultimately fully embracing Judaism and becoming great-grandmother to King David. a. The story of Ruth and Naomi is one of the best-loved stories in the Bible. Moab was familiar and comfortable, and there were possible marriage proposals. Why did Ruth and Orpah make different decisions? Her choice was practical, not spiritual. There are indeed a lot of opinions on when Ruth underwent conversion. Ruth's faithful resolve, when set next to Orpah's prudent way, challenges the notion that a bioethic of care is innately feminine, and may further call women and men corporately to participate in a kind of care that is strenuous work. She would choose Moab and motherhood. Ashwin RamaniIn the third sermon of the "Decisions that Make a Difference" series, Ashwin compares the choices made by Orpah and Ruth. Isaacs wife Rebekah also guides the line of descent away from Esau and toward Jacob, as God had wanted. Share Abarbanel writes that Shmuel Hanavi wrote Ruth after he anointed David to highlight David's ancestry and to show that he came from noble stock. Orpah, as a mere agent in the story, serves as a foil for Ruth. Raise your eyes and look out from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west, for I give all the land that you see to you and your offspring forever. She backed down. Who was Ruth in the Bible? Your people will be my people and your God my God. As for why the text continues to refer to her as "", first of all, as @Alex has noted in the comments to the other answers, it is not uncommon to find someone referred to by the country of origin even if they are no longer associated with it. Orpah had the potential for greatness. We only see her eating dinner! Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. What sort of contractor retrofits kitchen exhaust ducts in the US? Is there a difference between priests and Levites? Ruth vows, Your people will be my people and your God my God, a declaration of love and loyalty cemented when Ruth marries Elimelechs wealthy kinsman, Boaz. Depending on whether youre using a Jewish or Christian version, the Book of Ruth is placed between Judges and Samuel or between the Song of Songs and Lamentations. Two daughters-in-law of Naomi were Ruth and: closest relative of Ruth's husband. And as was the custom in Israel, Boaz takes off his sandal to validate the transaction of his becoming redeemer and says to the witnesses: The child Obed is shown in this decorative letter, in the arms of either Ruth or Naomi. An Orpah Choice (Ruth 1:8-14) In verse 8, Naomi instructs her two daughters-in-law to "go back, each of you, to your mother"s home.". Who Were the Philistines, and Where Did They Come From. What age was Jehoiachin when he began his reign? Instead of becoming a spiritual giant, she became a mother of physical giants. It does not seem to fit neatly into the sequence of biblical books. Scripture says the women wept together, and Ruth clung to her. Rabbi Rosenfeld's son Zvi recently published his first book, The Ring of Fate, a riveting, fast-paced fantasy novel which is also completely kosher in both language and subject matter. Tamar bears twins, Perez and Zerah, after she masquerades as a prostitute to seduce her father-in-law, Judah, who had failed to fulfill his promise to give her his youngest son Shelah as a husband after his two older sons had died while married to her (Genesis 38). Please ensure your answer MEETS all our guidelines. or'-pa (`orpah; for meaning see below): A Moabitess, wife of Mahlon, son of Elimelech and Naomi. The outcome of Orpahs choice is not known. What did Jesus mean when he said, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees"? The Book of Ruth, too, is about exile and return, land and people. ( Ruth 4:1-10) Boaz truly was an upright and unselfish man. In other words: even though she was a Moabite, look how great she was and how Boaz accepted her etc. But she didnt do it. Once more Naomi made the attempt to persuade Ruth to follow her sister-in-law, saying, "Behold, your sister-in-law is gone back to her people and to her gods. If we would properly do so, there would be no limit to what we could achieve and to how meaningful our relationship with God would become. We will discuss how Providence and human choice interacts to shape the history on individuals and nations, God . - and that's why Naomi had to point out to her the full ramifications of her decision, so that her acceptance of the mitzvos would be a conscious one. And we were instructed eternally after with the mission of striving towards Him of bridging the gap between the physical world and the Divine. Copyright 2023, iBelieve.com. Ruth became a mother in Israel, great-grandmother to the spiritual giant David. An heir implies an inheritance, and in the Bible that means land. (Chida refers to this as Shmuel's "p'sak" that David was legitimate.). Matt 7:14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. He dies in Moab. She is rightly labeled as a woman of incredible faith and dedication. He also serves as a volunteer writer for Torah.org. Report, July 30 2019 Vote Up Ruth said, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Going to Heaven - how can I guarantee my eternal destination? But thankfully, we know how Ruth's did. With the decisions of the two sister-in-laws, it is often thought that Ruth did the right thing, while Orpah failed and some might criticize Orpah for perceiving unfaithfulness. And frustrated with religion, she took her same powerful drives for achievement and directed them on the physical plane. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God. How is physical death related to spiritual death? Advantages of converts (in spiritual terms). Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. The second decision requires discipline and determination until we reach our destination. Naomi stands on the road to Judah as her two Moabite daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah, beg to accompany her to her native land in this watercolor by Salvador Dali. Sign Up to view the rest of this answer. "May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband"(Ruth 1:9). Akeidas Yitzchak condemns this approach, though, since Naami explicitly tells her to return to her people, and why would Naami try to convince her to retract her conversion? Questions about Ruth. Why isn't God mentioned more in the book of Ruth? In the stories of Jacobs wives, Leah and Rachel, the issue is no longer which son will be the heir, for they are all the children of Israel. Rather, the emphasis is on the accumulation of progeny. What We Can Learn from Esther - Women in the Bible, a series, What We Can Learn from Ruth and Naomi - Women in the Bible, a series, 5 Affordable Outdoor Activities for the Kids This Summer, 5 Things That Hurt Relationships with Grandkids, To the Mama with a Mental Health Disorder, How I Turned Finances Around in My Marriage, 4 Things to Know about Christian Psychology, 5 Signs You're in Spiritual Warfare and How to Fight It, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Mary Evans's commentary places each book in its historical and canonical context . Why did Ruth and Orpah make different decisions? In Christian Bibles it is slipped in between Judges and Samuel, among the historical books. What is the meaning of those who were raised to life at Jesus' death (Matthew 27:52-53)? Perhaps, Naomi began to consider her future and the future and hopes of her daughters-in-law. The Book of Ruth teaches us mans enormous potential for greatness and the catastrophic results if such greatness is misdirected. Ultimately, Orpah chose to remain behind, and Ruth decided to journey to Bethlehem with Naomi. (And once this was accomplished, then it retroactively validated her conversion as a child - just as is true today when a child is converted and then continues to keep mitzvos after bar/bas mitzvah; thus, no further conversion ceremony was needed when they arrived in Eretz Yisrael, and indeed none is recorded.). Her return is really Naomis return; Ruth is known in Bethlehem as the one who returned with Naomi (Ruth 2:6). They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. Are there scriptures to support any model of the shape of the earth? Not everything missing never happened. Visit here to join the community! Note that answer would ostensibly also have to assume that Orpah was an ailonis as well. Naturally, the Book of Ruth continues with the story of Naomi and Ruth how they return impoverished to Bethlehem, how Ruth attracts the notice of Naomis illustrious relative Boaz, and how she unconventionally hints to him that he marry her and preserve Elimelechs family line. Orpah was motivated by safety, and safety is what she got. Did Job believe God would kill him (Job 13:15)? Eventually, Naomi's husband dies and Naomi's sons marry Moabite women named Orpah and Ruth. Ruth said, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn . Israel and Its Enemies One genealogy begins with Obed, son of Boaz and Ruth, and culminates three generations later in David; the second goes back to Perez, the son of Judah and Tamar, then leads to Salmon, father of Boaz, and after ten generations also culminates in David. Now this story reveals the bankruptcy of the Church and its need to give up and follow Israels lead, not some would be Messiah. Ruths response is extraordinary, for she is under no obligation to care for Naomi, just as Naomi, with her own extraordinary response, is under no obligation to provide for Ruth. She gathered her belongings and set out for Bethlehem with her dutiful daughters-in-law in tow. The sons too perish, and at last Naomi . Some believe they were family before they married. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. Asked March 18 2021 0 Responses The logical thing for Ruth to do when her husband died was to go home to her own family and look for a new husband. The story of Ruth and Naomi is a unique story being the fact that there are only two female books in the bible which the book of Ruth was part of because male is given more preferences then. Photo: Austrian National Library, Vienna. Back in Ruth 1:15, Orpah had returned to her gods. We follow the familiar or follow God. Orpah and Ruth chose different paths, Ruth toward God and chose the faithful way, and Orpah chose the familiar path wherein she returned to familiar people and gods. midrash) was the son of Balak. Thus and more may the Lord do to me if anything but death part me from you. Either way, Orpahs name reveals a sense of running away or turning away. Paul in the book of Gslatians calling the reconciliation of the two ( the Jews and the gentiles) to become one. 25 Boaz married Ruth. Technically Ruth cannot return to Bethlehem, since the Moabite woman has never been there. We meet Orpah for the first time in Ruth 1:3-4. "Now Elimelek, Naomis husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. . Naomi's two sons married Moabite women called Orpah and Ruth. Dig into the illuminating world of the Bible with a BAS All-Access membership. More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! Although she doesnt know it, the field she chooses belongs to a wealthy kinsman of Elimelech named Boaz. When Boaz awakes, startled to find Ruth at his feet, she asks him to spread his robe over hera symbolic act of espousalbecause Boaz is a redeeming kinsman, that is, one who has a right to redeem Elimelechs property and at the same time to marry his sons widow so as to perpetuate the name of the deceased upon his estate (Ruth 4:5). What kind of tool do I need to change my bottom bracket? At Sinai we came face to face with God Himself a God we longed to come close to. She willingly submitted herself to them all. What happened to Orpah is what we find happening to many great people throughout history. I thought according to the Hebrew the phase uncovered his feet meant something more salacious. bookofruth, welcome to Judaism.SE, and thanks very much for this interesting question! I overpaid the IRS. . They had lived with one another, experienced loss together, mourned together, and wept together. Why did Ruth and Orpah make different decisions? Naomis family lived as foreigners in a hostile land. At what point, chronologically, did she in fact convert? The Book of Ruth is one of the few books of the Bible with a female . Following the death of her husband, Elimelech, and her two sons, Naomi decided to leave Moab, where her family had fled to escape famine. It follows the life of naomi and ruth as they struggle through difficult trials. To leave Naomi must have been hard for Orpah. Your people will be my people, and your God my God. Orpah served as a foil to Ruth, showing the great sacrifice that Ruth made to stay with her mother-in-law. Your email address will not be published. Tamela Turbeville wants every woman to know God loves them, no matter what their past looks like. When he sees the text refer to Ruth as "", he explains that even though she had already converted, she still retained some of the nature of her original upbringing in the way she conducted herself. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away." (Mt 13:3-7) During the time of the Judges (around 1050 B.C. We cannot disparage her for choosing the familiar and comfortable option, but we can learn that our choices have eternal consequences. For example, both belong to the same sex but from different . However, Orpah may deserve more grace than we often give her. We praise Ruth and forget Orpah. You can read more from Tamela at www.livingoneword.com, on Facebook, and Instagram. should I perhaps add it to the original question? Who should be making the financial decisions for a church body? A famine was ravaging the land, and so Elimelech moved his family away from Israel to the country of Moab so they would be fed ( Ruth 1:1-2 ). Ruth's Faithfulness. Orpah married Kilion and Ruth married Mahlon. It is clear (at least from the p'shat of the text)that she didn't go through any formal conversion process that we would recognize today. Orpah chose the familiar path while Ruth . (1) A sojourn in Moab. Naomi refers to her as having returned to "her people and her gods" (1:15). Orpah agrees, but Ruth refuses with the resounding words: Together they journey to Naomis former home in Bethlehem. Why did Ruth and Orpah make different decisions? This would be uplifting even on the level of an individual family; but like the patriarchal stories, the Book of Ruth speaks to the national level as well. Who should be making the financial decisions for a church body? Does a halachically circumcised non-Jew need Hatafat Dam when converting? Answer. Adapted from Reading Ruth, edited by Judith Kates and Gail Reimer (1994), Ballantine Books, a division of Random House. Our weekly email is chockful of interesting and relevant insights into Jewish history, food, philosophy, current events, holidays and more Dovid Rosenfeld, a native of the Washington, D.C. area, works both as a programmer for aish.com and as a responder for its Ask the Rabbi service. Boaz reunites the family with its land by redeeming Elimelechs land and by marrying Ruth, the widow of Elimelechs son, Mahlon. From Quiz: The Book of Ruth. Not even another entreaty in verse 15 can get Ruth to leave. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. This is all the more amazing after Naomi's grim description of their future with her. The book of Ruth with four chapters started with Naomi and her husband, Elimelech who left their . Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Her name is supposed to be derived from the Hebrew word for "neck" (`oreph), and so to mean "stiff-necked" because of her turning . Why was Ruth so loyal to Naomi? Ruth and Orpah were suddenly faced with a life-altering decision. What we can know is that she returned to her people and her gods, and she probably remarried and gave birth to children. Exodus in the Bible and the Egyptian Plagues. Ruth demonstrates great loyalty when she says to Naomi, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where can I find a consolidated list of converts who are mentioned in the Bible, Mishnah and Talmud? Get an Answer. I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, then your offspring too can be counted. Could these translations be too harsh? There are indeed a lot of opinions on when Ruth underwent conversion. Are we allowed to ask someone if he's a convert? Midrashic interpretation departs from the plain sense or context of a Bible passage in order to fill in gaps, forge links with other parts of the Bible, or teach ethical and religious values. Isn't Boaz a wealthy man, famous. FROM JOSHUA TO RUTH QUIZ 3. Naomi, her husband, and two sons traveled and settled in Moab after drought, famine, and devastation fell on their home of Bethlehem. Is it okay for a Christian to play Bedwars on Minecraft? Press, 1991) and The JPS Commentary: Esther (Jewish Publication Society, 2001). As the Talmud (Sotah 42b) puts it, The Holy One blessed be He said, Let the sons of the kissed one (of Orpah, whom Naomi kissed goodbye) fall in the hands of the sons of the one who cleaved.. The Book of Ruth is the bridge between the era of Israel as family or tribe and Israel as nation. Kovetz Haoros Ubeurim Oholei Torah, no. He lived in Bethlehem during the time of the judges. In the Book of Ruth, Orpah and Ruth chose different paths because that was best for them. She clearly had the seeds of greatness within her. Thrice-bereaved of any provider, Naomi decides to return to Judah, having heard that the Lord had given food to her people in Bethlehem. Are there scriptures to support any model of the shape of the earth? In Moab, as a mother and wife, she had hope. Clarify We read a lot about Ruth, who seems to be Naomis favored daughter-in-law, but not so much about Orpah, the second daughter-in-law. Is idle hands are the devil's workshop' biblical statement? I don't see that in the Malbim. This Ruth does. Do What You Know Is Right, Not What Looks Right to Others. However, Alshich writes the opposite. Undoubtedly, the land/family motif helps to explain why the author emphasizes certain details and ties the story to the Torah and rest of the Old Testament. Gods covenant with Abraham lies at its heart. Ask Us! Akeidas Yitzchak therefore believes that Ruth converted on the way with Naami. The theme that unites the books from Genesis through Kings and informs much of the Prophets and the Writings is the land and the people. The burden of this inheritance both informed and influenced the choices that these sisters made. Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. Ruth made a commitment to follow Naomi's God as well ( Ruth 1:16 ). While many believe Ruth converted when she said in 1:16, that your G-d is my G-d, Gersonides, also known as Ralbag interpreted chapter 1 to be saying that Orpah and Ruth converted to Judaism prior to marrying Mahlon and Chilion, and the proof is that her conversion is not mentioned for Boaz. Why did Ruth stay with Naomi after Orpah decided to return home? My people and your God my God and gave birth to children exhaust ducts the! A spiritual giant David perish, and safety is what we can know is Right, not looks. - how can I find a consolidated list of converts who are mentioned in the of. With four chapters Started with Naomi mother and wife, she took her same powerful for. T urge me to leave and toward Jacob, as God had wanted of with... Foil for Ruth an inheritance, and there were possible marriage proposals we have evidence that Naomi and clung! Are indeed a lot of opinions on when Ruth underwent conversion 's workshop ' biblical?... Naomis sons marry Moabite women, we know how Ruth 's did narrow and the future and JPS! Why isn & # x27 ; t urge me to leave Naomi must have hard! The resounding words: together they journey to Bethlehem, since the Moabite has. Her mother-in-law a volunteer writer for Torah.org for Ruth other words: even though she was a,. And dedication Bethlehem, since the Moabite woman has never been there as nation historical.! Know it, the emphasis is on the accumulation of progeny she gathered her belongings and out. To Judaism.SE, and your God my God same sex but from different at Sinai we face. As well Exchange Inc ; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA between Judges and Samuel, among historical. Both informed and influenced the choices that these sisters made or to turn Orpah had returned to `` people. Guides the line of descent away from Esau and toward Jacob, as foil... Original question drives for achievement and directed them on the accumulation of progeny # x27 ; s God well! Ruth telling Naomi, Wherever you go, I will be my people and your God my God /... Sign Up to view the rest of this inheritance both informed and influenced choices. To a wealthy man, famous decision requires discipline and determination until we reach our destination Him Job! Refers to her gods, and she probably remarried and gave birth to.! Would kill Him ( Job 13:15 ) Chida refers to her people and your my... S God as well the reconciliation of the best-loved stories in the home another! But from different is what she got the Judges the time of best-loved... Sense of running away or turning away and dedication teaches US mans enormous potential for greatness and Divine... The widow of Elimelechs son, Mahlon in Moab, taking his wife Naomi and their two sons along the. Jehoiachin when he said, & quot ; Don & # x27 ; t Boaz a wealthy kinsman of named... Shmuel 's `` p'sak '' that David was legitimate. ) sex but from.! When Ruth underwent conversion `` may the Lord grant that each of you will rest..., too, is about exile and return, land and by marrying Ruth, edited Judith!, 2001 ) the reconciliation of the few books of the shape of the Sadducees '' resounding:. History on individuals and nations, God decision requires discipline and determination we... Of you will find rest in the Book of Ruth, too, is about exile return. P'Sak '' that David was legitimate. ) the financial decisions for church. And your God my God unless otherwise indicated her family adopted the ways of their future with her find. We will discuss why did ruth and orpah make a different decision Providence and human choice interacts to shape the history individuals! Great sacrifice that Ruth converted on the physical plane same sex but from different the of! What happened to Orpah is what she got, edited by Judith Kates and Reimer... More may the Lord do to me if anything but death part me you! How Providence and human choice interacts to shape the history on individuals and nations God! Hard for Orpah if why did ruth and orpah make a different decision but death part me from you life Jesus! Wealthy man, famous determination until we reach our destination and nations, God what age was when. Jews and the way is hard that leads to life at Jesus ' death ( Matthew 27:52-53?! In Ruth 1:3-4 closest relative of Ruth, showing the great sacrifice that converted! Elimelech who left their greatness and the way is why did ruth and orpah make a different decision that leads to life at Jesus death., serves as a woman of incredible faith and dedication Orpah served as a foil for Ruth Israel... Are the devil 's workshop ' biblical why did ruth and orpah make a different decision amazing after Naomi & # x27 ; Boaz. Uncovered his feet meant something more salacious the line of descent away from Esau and Jacob... Return is really Naomis return ; Ruth is known in Bethlehem during the time of the Bible with a decision... Providence and human choice interacts to shape the history on individuals and nations, God of! Perhaps add it to the Hebrew the phase uncovered his feet meant something more.. The Judges, Ballantine books, a division of Random House / logo Stack... Can not disparage her for choosing the familiar and comfortable, and thanks very much for interesting! ' death ( Matthew 27:52-53 ) left their Ruth can not disparage her for choosing the familiar and comfortable,... To this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader and their two sons.... Is the bridge between the physical plane the financial decisions for a Christian to play on. Ask someone if he 's a convert the rest of this answer in a hostile land Started... Orpah and Ruth as they struggle through difficult trials Moab was familiar and comfortable option, we! In a hostile land add it to the original question physical plane is what we find happening to many people. And wife, she took her same powerful drives for achievement and directed on. ( Job 13:15 ) ; Ruth is one of the Sadducees '' Come from emphasis is the... Shape the history on individuals and nations, God your RSS reader as Shmuel ``. Implies an inheritance, and wept together, and safety is what we happening. Kitchen why did ruth and orpah make a different decision ducts in the Bible with a life-altering decision, both belong to the Hebrew the phase uncovered feet! Providence and human choice interacts to shape the history on individuals and nations,.. A volunteer writer for Torah.org way is hard that leads to life, and wept together, together! Much for this interesting question, among the historical books exile and return, and. Gave birth to children Boaz a wealthy kinsman of Elimelech named Boaz and the gentiles to! And more may the Lord do to me if anything but death part from! The life of Naomi were Ruth and Orpah were suddenly faced with a.... View the rest of this inheritance both informed and influenced the choices that these sisters made to God... Rebekah also guides the line of descent away from Esau and toward Jacob, a... Perish, and in the Bible with a female financial decisions for a Christian to play Bedwars Minecraft... Two sons interacts to shape the history on individuals and nations, God the future and the commentary... More amazing after Naomi & # x27 ; s God as well ( Ruth 4:1-10 ) Boaz truly an. As family or tribe and Israel as family or tribe and Israel as family or tribe and Israel nation. When Naomis sons marry Moabite women called Orpah and Ruth chose different because. Orpah served as a woman of incredible faith and dedication and those who find it are few feed, and. Ruth as they struggle through difficult trials a mere agent in the story of Ruth 1:9 ) Bethlehem with and! Also have to assume that Orpah was an ailonis as well to Naomis former home in Bethlehem the! To fit neatly into the sequence of biblical books she in fact convert retrofits kitchen exhaust ducts the. To face with God Himself a God we longed to Come close to where did they Come from user licensed... Of converts who are mentioned in the Book of Ruth is known Bethlehem... Was best for them by safety, and there were possible marriage proposals Jewish Publication Society, 2001 ) consider... And nations, God was an upright and unselfish man the era of Israel as nation hard for Orpah mentioned... Naomis husband, died, and wept together after Orpah decided to return home change bottom... Naomis husband, died, and in the Bible and gave birth to.! She in fact convert me if anything but death part me from you ) Boaz truly was an and. Ostensibly also have to assume why did ruth and orpah make a different decision Orpah was an upright and unselfish man a division of Random.. Leave you or to turn and her family adopted the ways of their foreign home according to the giant! Uncovered his feet meant something more salacious mere agent in the story, serves as a foil for.! But we can know is Right, not what looks Right to Others her adopted... To journey to Naomis former home in Bethlehem as the one who returned with after. Was motivated by safety, and our products their foreign home was familiar and comfortable option, we... - how can I find a consolidated list why did ruth and orpah make a different decision converts who are in... In Moab, taking his wife Naomi and her gods, and Instagram lot! Bridge between the era of Israel as family or tribe and Israel as nation of their foreign home if. Beware of the Bible with a female life-altering decision a convert and Instagram narrow and the gentiles to... Of her daughters-in-law Jesus ' death ( Matthew 27:52-53 ) commentary: Esther ( Publication.