The book of Ruth introduced us to two ladies, Orpah and Ruth who may be considered as two ladies running the race of destiny. They had several things in common but were soon going to be separated by the one thing that set them apart.
Together, both Orpah and Ruth had decided to follow their mother-in-law, Naomi back to the land of Israel, a gesture that was regarded by Naomi as both uncommon and unnecessary. Naomi consistently appealed to her two daughters-in-law to rescind their unreasonable and senseless decision to commit the rest of their lives to the service of an old and hopeless old woman like her. Following bouts of passionate persuasion from Naomi, Orpah finally saw reasons with her, kissed her mother-in-law and bid her farewell. Thus she discontinued her journey and decision to go with Naomi whithersoever she went. Ruth on the hand remained resolute and nothing said or done by Naomi to dissuade her was sufficient to keep her from her inward conviction. Nothing but death was ever going to separate her from Naomi. At that point and moment when Orpah turned back and Ruth renewed her commitment to follow, these two ladies were instantly separated not only in time and space, but more so in destiny; the one went back to where she was coming from and the other to a glorious future.
Scenes like this are quite familiar in our everyday life. They represent times and moments when those who had shared same visions and aspirations with us suddenly turn back as they listen and respond to the voice of reasoning that tends to tell them there isn’t any hope on the path that their hearts had chosen. They represent moments in our lives when everything around us seems to discourage us from continuing on a certain path, and yet an irrepressible voice within us seems to scream into our ears that we cannot afford to give up on our goals or on the pursuit of this way that leads to our peace.
Whereas Orpah followed the path of reasoning and circumstantial evidence, Ruth stuck to her inner conviction. This often is the dividing line between those who eventually gain the testimony and those who lose it- the way we act when the wind of circumstances and the opinions of others blow very strongly against our inner conviction. Whereas Ruth went on ahead to a settled life as God rewarded her persistent faith in her conviction by connecting her in a most miraculous way to be married to Boaz, one of the wealthiest men in Bethlehem, Orpah was never again to be reckoned with in the scheme of things.
It seems to me that the test nature threw at them through the persistent persuasions by Naomi that they both go back was indeed a test of their conviction. Quite often in life, we are faced with such situations where we must choose between forging ahead with what we know we should do and going back because of seemingly unpleasant circumstances.
Today, God is calling us to a resolute life; to a life that does not give up easily on our goals. Even when those we started out with give up and turn their backs on the mission, God wants us to hold on and hold up to the very end, knowing that we would reap a harvest if we faint not (Gal. 6:9). We are reminded not to base our decisions on the feelings or decisions of others. We are encouraged to emulate the example of Ruth who in spite of Naomi’s insistence that she goes back stuck to her mission. In a world where not many want to stand only even when the cause is right, we are encouraged to follow the example of Ruth who held on to her conviction even when her partner turned back. We are reminded that all the stones of discouragement hurled at us are all part of the battle against finding our place in destiny. The man or woman of destiny must therefore remain focused and committed to the original cause even when he or she finds himself or herself standing alone.
Pastor Jerry Orhue
Senior Pastor, Gracevine Chapel
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