Vessels of Valor : A Tale of Two Decisions

Decision making can be a difficult task for any person. We are going to look at two young women and what their lives can represent to us in modern day times.

Orpah- Sister in law to Ruth, Daughter in law to Naomi. Young widow.

Orpah represents:

Free Will
Common Sense
G-D given thinking in decision making-the ability to plan and reason
Carnal thinking

Ruth- Sister in law to Orpah, Daughter in law to Naomi, and also young widow.

Ruth Represents:

Blind Faith
Total Trust in a G-D she can not see
No Fear in the unknown
Ruled by the Spirit, not the flesh

When all odds were against her, Ruth, a Moabitess, most likely would never be able to marry again in Judah according to Jewish law. There were no guarantees on her future in Judah. Given the choice, to remain in Moab would have been the “common sense” option if she’d ever want to see her greatest desire fulfilled: to be a wife again and a mother. Orpah chose this route. Was it a sin? No. She was doing what she thought was best for her. Did she miss out on any blessings? One would never know, but we do know she parted on good terms. Often times we are led to believe that Orpah was somehow less than godly or less blessed because she chose the route she chose. Carnality in Christianity is not just stating the obvious. In other words, many believers are carnal and not sinning. They are simply led by relying on their abilities to solve problems and think through solutions as humans do. Often times the carnal believer misses out on the blessing of being completely and totally led by the Spirit of G-D. However, this does not mean that G-D does not use our humanness to get us to the places He wants us to be. Therefore, we can not draw the conclusion that Orpah was less blessed.

Going against all odds, Ruth declares Naomi’s G-D will be her G-D. He is enough for her, she decides. Naomi’s people will be her people. Even when diagramed, and careful consideration regarding her plans to stay or go, Ruth knew in her heart of hearts that the G-D of Israel was alive and His people would have favor in His eyes. I don’t even think it was an earthly favor she was looking for, after all, the circumstances that brought her in laws to her land of Moab in the first place was one of famine. Knowing full well she could be staring straight forward into a greater hardship than just being a widow all her life, she embarked by faith into the great unknown. This woman wasn’t motivated by her own desires, it was a passion for G-D she was driven by, along with the yearning to yield to His Spirit burning inside of her.

Despite Naomi’s pleas, who later names herself “bitter”, Ruth was unshaken by her attempts to persuade the girls that there was no hope for them. Ruth’s faith in a G-D that she tasted and saw was good, despite the death of her husband, brother and father in law, over came the pressures of a negative woman telling her it was for “her own good” to turn back. Naomi was even persistent, seeing Ruth stayed regardless of Orpah’s decision. Naomi again tries one more unsuccessful offer for Ruth to turn back. She even sowed seeds of doubt claiming that the “hand of the L-rd has gone against her.” (Ruth 1:13) Had Ruth listened, our Messiah’s lineage would have been greatly affected as the pre-destination of Ruth being King David’s great grandmother would have been disturbed. Ruth is a perfect example to us to resist well meaning friends/relatives, who may even be believers, who try to undermine the will of the L-rd in our lives. Be aware of what or who influences you.

Decisions can be difficult to make sometimes. How can one know if they have made the right decision? Seek G-D, seek His presence, and you will automatically walk in His will. Determine if you have that inner deep peace. If your lacking total confidence in Him, and peace in your heart, chances are, you are not making the correct decision. Be careful to not find your peace in circumstances or earthly promises. Spend time with G-D and get to know Him. Fine tune your listening skills to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit. Things are not always as they seem and the natural life is greatly effected and even controlled by the spiritual. Put G-D first, over all your decisions. If a potential promotion looks good, or to stay in a location that is difficult looks bleak, this does not necessarily mean that you should move, or take that new position. Maybe He wouldn’t want you to accelerate at your job, or at this time, for His purposes. I once was demoted in a position that I had at work for no reason at all. I claimed persecution, it was unfair, and I even argued to the core to try to re-gain my position. In the end, after defeat, I learned that my new co-worker that I’d be with for 8 to 10 hours a day, would be accepting the L-rd within a few weeks time of my demotion. She was being delivered from some of the very same things that I had taken part in before my salvation. That woman needed someone who could relate to her, not condemn her, and to love her and disciple her. I was overjoyed in my “demotion” because my “demotion was G-D’s promotion”!!

He wants you to trust Him to provide for your children’s college fund and your retirement income. As uncomfortable as your location may be, in any circumstance, this doesn’t mean your supposed to get out of it. Perhaps He wants you to remain in that small town because He’s going to use your voice. Not everything He asks of us will be easy or comfortable. Remember, Ruth had to sleep one night on the threshing floor. She gleaned from fields after the harvest, which was a humbling task. This spoke of her position: poor. Yet, through her humility and obedience and walk of faith, she became the bride of her Kinsman Redeemer.

“The fear of the L-rd is the instruction of wisdom and before honor is humility.”
Proverbs 15:3