Open: Spend a moment just clearing your mind and asking God to show you something from his Word.
Recap: Were you able to act on something yesterday as a result of your reading from Ruth?
Starting Point:
- Was there ever a time in your life where you missed something big and you regretted it later?
- Are you now, or was there a time in your life in which you felt very lonely?
Read: Ruth 1:6-15 (Orpah’s decision)
Some things to consider:
- Naomi decides to go home because economically things are better in her homeland and maybe she can restart some of the family and friendship connections that she has there.
- Women were often in trouble in ancient times when their husbands died. There were no pensions or social security – widows were pitied but often overlooked. Or worse, people would prey upon their insecurities and rob them.
- Naomi decides to go home by the road to Judah – a very well-traveled route (used by the patriarchs in the Old Testament). But to get to that road she had to travel through some very scary areas that were riddled with robbers and thieves.
- The entire walk home would have been a reminder of how she went out to Moab with a family and now has nothing left.
- Naomi knows that Ruth and Orpah have lives ahead of them in Moab – if they returned they could easily remarry. Within five years they could have a few kids and a future as a wife.
- Orpah politely refuses (along with Ruth) but the second time Naomi tells her to return, she does so. Orpah was ready to go back to her life in Moab.
What is it saying?
· In this passage, what is one thing that sticks out to you that God seems to be saying?
What should I do?
· If God is saying something in this passage, what do you feel he is leading you to do today?