Naomi set out to bless her daughters in law and let them return to their mother's houses. At first, the two of them declared they would stay with the Lord's people. But upon further consideration Orpah with much grief of heart gave her mother-in-law a respectful kiss-alive and left Naomi.
At this they wept again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her.~ Ruth 1:14
Orpah Kiss-alive means much to Naomi. It put an end not only to her relationship with Naomi but also to Orpah's desire to follow God and His people. But can you tell me really why Orpha kiss-alive Naomi to say goodbye?
Orpah’s kiss-alive in reality means, she loved Jehovah but she was not ready to make any sacrifices to serve Him. It means turning her back to Christ and turning back to live in Moab a world full of idols, crime and violence.
Ruth overcame this test. With all her heart she gave herself up to the God of her mother-in-law. This shows it is one thing to follow or declare your love for the ways of the Lord when all is fair. It is quite another thing to cleave to the Lord and his ways when you are discouraged and in difficulties.
Why Orpah turned her back on Naomi
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15
Orpah kiss-alive her mother in law and returned to Moab because she love the "world" in Moab more than Naomi, her people and the God of Israel. She rather return to her own people and to serve their own god. Therefore it was not just a break of relationship with Naomi. It was a return to the past life of idolatry and violence. This was the situation and life in Moab.Ruth 1:15
Do you remember Demas?
Why he kiss-alive Paul? Here is why:
“For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world.” ~ 2 Timothy 4:10
The kiss of outward profession is very cheap and easy. God demands you to get practical and cleave to Him. God wants you to show your desire for Him in action. God wants you to make a clear decision to follow the truth at all time not only in small unimportant matters.
How does this apply to you? Is your heart fixed upon Jesus? Have you counted the cost? Are you ready to follow through your decision?
Are you ready to count everything as loss for Christ?
Yea verily, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ, ~ Philipian 3:8
The two ladies each went different ways. Orpah went into the ease of Moab. No one heard of her again. As for Ruth, she lives on as the Bible recorded her steadfastness and faithfulness. She was place in the noble line of the Lord Jesus Christ.
A return to violence and idolatry
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. ~ Ruth 1:15
You will be blessed if you can renounce all for Christ’s sake. Those who fail in the time of temptation shall return to vanity. You are encouraged not to turn back into the world. Moab represents the world of sin and violence.
Never turn your back on Christ. Hence, your daily devotion prayers and service unto the Lord should also not be like Orpha’s kiss. You should cleave whole heartedly to the Lord of Glory.
God bless you richly as you do in Jesus name.
Action Point:
Decide right now to make Ruth or Boaz your model.
Decide to follow God and His people at all time.
God bless you as you decide for Him in Jesus name.
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