Ruth 1:14

New International Version

At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her.

For meditation

Over the years, this scripture has interested me so much and helped me evaluate my commitment to people and projects. It measures the level of our determination to serve God well.

The circumstances may be different, but the truth is still the same. A person’s commitment to Christ gets tested when the realities of life hit them right in the face. Until then, their confession of faith may be by emotion. Peer and relational association can drive it too. Both factors could have played into Orphah’s decision to accompany Naomi to Bethlehem (Ruth 1:8-10).

Orpah and Ruth meant well when they made that decision. No one could question their determination. But when Naomi explained the implications of their decision to them (11-13), reality kicked in for Orpah. She thanked her mother-in-law with a goodbye kiss and returned to her people (14). Her resolve had melted.

Orpah exemplifies all those who start well with Christ but fall away when the cost of their discipleship becomes a reality. The bill weighs too heavily on their life, so they make a clean break for the world. We find a good example in John 6:46-66.

The people enjoyed the ride with Jesus for a while. They marveled at His teachings and miracles, so they committed to follow Him. Rome was in trouble—or so the people thought. But after feeding over five thousand people with a child’s lunch pack, Jesus was telling them something different. He said He is the Bread of Life, therefore everyone who desires life must eat His flesh and drink His blood (53). Wow!

“This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” (60)

“From this time many of his disciples turned back and [they] no longer followed him” (66).

But thank God there are people like Ruth and the other disciples who stuck with Jesus to His death and resurrection.

Naomi could not shake the commitment of Ruth when Orpah left (Ruth 1:15-17).

Likewise, when Jesus asked the twelve apostles if they too would leave as the others left, Peter said:

“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:67-69).

That is the commitment Jesus requires from us. It is born out of faith, and its strength sustains us through the storms and valleys of life (2 Corinthians 11:25-26). It defines our mindset about every situation. As Paul says in Galatians 2:20):

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Is that your mindset in Christ?