Thank you for your good questions. Let us read Ruth 1:1-18. “Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread. Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah. And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother’s house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me. The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept. And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people. And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons; Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me. And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her. And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law. And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.”

Orpah did not specifically say why she decided to return to Moab instead of accompanying Naomi and Ruth to Bethlehem. However, we have an indication in verse 15, where Naomi tells Ruth that Orpah had returned to her people and her gods. Orpah chose her false gods over the one true God. In contrast, we see in verse 16 that Ruth chose the one true God over the false gods of Moab. Ruth’s heart had been won by Naomi’s God and nothing would deter Ruth from going with Naomi. God abundantly blessed Ruth by having her be an ancestor of the coming Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. Ruth is listed in Matthew 1:5 as being part of the genealogy of Christ.

The Scriptures do not tell us if Orpah was insensitive to return back to her people. However, Orpah’s decision appears to be more selfish than Ruth’s decision. Orpah did what she thought was best for her. Sadly, she missed out on the blessing that Ruth enjoyed by embracing the one true God. God gives all people a choice. He does not force Himself upon anyone. We read in Proverbs 16:25, “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

We also read in Deuteronomy 30:19, “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.” How is it with you, dear reader? Have you agreed with God that you are a sinner, and trusted on the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior? God the Father loved you so much that He sent His Son, the Lord Jesus, to die on the cross for your sins. We read in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Choose Christ as your Savior and enjoy the blessings of eternal life today!  (DJ)  (603.2)