For seven years, there was poverty and famine in the land of Bethlehem in Judah. Judges 6:1-6 tells how Israel’s enemies, the Midianites, had invaded their land, ruined their crops and did not spare any living thing. Because of this or a similar oppression during the era of the Judges, Naomi, her husband and their two sons had moved to Moab to escape the famine.
In Moab, Naomi’s husband Elimelekh passed away. She lost their two sons too.
The book of Judges reveals that Naomi’s people faced many cycles of famine and oppression due to their evil deeds. But now Naomi had heard that Israel once again was blessed with enough food and she decided to go back.
So, Naomi, with Orpah and Ruth, her two daughters-in-law, were on the road heading to her native land. Just three widows with no children and no grandchildren.
Then, Orpah said goodbye to her mother-in-law, and turned back to Moab.
I wonder what happened to Orpah? She had her chance to go to another land. That land represented the blessings of God. God had a good plan for Naomi, Orpah and Ruth, no matter how imperfect their lives appeared to be. They had gone through so much adversity and needed much courage. But Orpah didn’t grab that opportunity to embrace the future blessings God had prepared for her.
Orpah chose not to move forward with God. However, Ruth kept going with Naomi. Ruth ended up getting married again and had a baby. That baby boy became not only the grandchild Naomi needed to care for her later on, but the grandfather of the great King David, and ancestor of Jesus.
Father God, I ask you to forgive me if I have faced difficulty in my life because of disobedience. Help me to walk with you by faith in obedience. May everything fall into place regardless of what I’ve been through.
Throughout this day: Magnify God in your mind. Believe that nothing is too late. Nothing is too difficult for him, as He is a God of love and we can rely on his grace.
Photo Credit: Yulia