In this verse we see Naomi grieving, Orpah leaving, and Ruth cleaving.
Orpah, whose name means “youthful” or “immature,” shows the reaction of an immature believer - much emotion, but no devotion; conviction, but no commitment. Jesus talked about this in the parable of the sower (Mark 4) . . .
Some hear the Word and spring up quickly, but when the hot sun comes out, they dry up and wither away because they have no roots.
So too, some believers get totally excited when they hear a sermon or a testimony or a concert - but their roots are not grounded in the Word of God. There is no devotional life, simply an emotional hype. And when the hard times come - when there’s a price to pay to follow Jesus - like Orpah, they turn away.
Ruth, on the other hand, cleaves to Naomi.
The same remains true today, for there are those who kiss with emotion, but others who cleave with devotion. The Bible indicates that God isn’t impressed with how high we jump, but how straight we walk. Ruth stayed with Naomi. She walked the walk.
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