Ruth 1:4

Letters to the Faithful - Ruth 1:4

Berean Standard Bible

who took Moabite women as their wives, one named Orpah and the other named Ruth. And after they had lived in Moab about ten years,

King James Bible

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.

Hebrew Text:

וַיִּשְׂא֣וּ לָהֶ֗ם נָשִׁים֙ מֹֽאֲבִיֹּ֔ות שֵׁ֤ם הָֽאַחַת֙ עָרְפָּ֔ה וְשֵׁ֥ם הַשֵּׁנִ֖ית ר֑וּת וַיֵּ֥שְׁבוּ שָׁ֖ם כְּעֶ֥שֶׂר שָׁנִֽים׃

Transliteration:

Vayis'u lahem nashim Mo'aviot; shem ha'achat Orpah v'shem ha'shenit Rut, vayeshvu sham k'eser shanim.

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who took Moabite women as their wives

The taking of Moabite women as wives by Mahlon and Chilion, the sons of Elimelech and Naomi, is significant in the context of Israelite law and tradition. The Moabites were descendants of Lot (Genesis 19:37) and were often in conflict with Israel. Deuteronomy 23:3 states that no Moabite may enter the assembly of the Lord, even to the tenth generation, due to their historical enmity with Israel. This marriage choice reflects the dire circumstances faced by Naomi's family during the famine, leading them to settle in Moab. It also sets the stage for Ruth's eventual integration into the Israelite community, highlighting themes of redemption and God's inclusive plan.

one named Orpah and the other named Ruth

Orpah and Ruth, the Moabite women, are central figures in the narrative. Orpah's name is believed to mean "back of the neck," which foreshadows her eventual decision to return to Moab. Ruth, whose name means "friend" or "companion," becomes a key figure in biblical history. Her loyalty and faithfulness to Naomi and the God of Israel are pivotal, leading to her role in the lineage of King David and ultimately Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5). Ruth's story exemplifies the theme of God's providence and the inclusion of Gentiles in His redemptive plan.

And after they had lived in Moab about ten years

The ten-year period in Moab indicates a significant duration of time away from Bethlehem, suggesting a settled life despite being in a foreign land. This timeframe allows for the development of relationships and the deepening of Ruth's commitment to Naomi. The number ten in biblical terms often signifies completeness or a full measure, which may imply that the time in Moab was sufficient for God's purposes to unfold. This period also underscores the severity of the famine in Judah, which forced the family to remain in Moab for so long. The eventual return to Bethlehem marks a turning point in the narrative, setting the stage for Ruth's integration into the Israelite community and God's unfolding plan of redemption.

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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. Thus declares the sacred text of Ruth 1:4, a verse that, though concise, carries profound significance within the narrative of God’s redemptive purposes. Set against the backdrop of the time of the judges, this verse marks a pivotal moment in the story of Naomi’s family, as her sons, Mahlon and Chilion, take Moabite wives, Orpah and Ruth, and dwell in the foreign land of Moab. Within this brief statement lies a tapestry of themes—human choice, divine providence, covenantal identity, and the subtle foreshadowing of God’s inclusive grace that will unfold through Ruth’s faithfulness. The verse invites contemplation of the intersection between personal decisions and the sovereign hand of God, who weaves even the complexities of human life into His eternal plan.

The context of Ruth 1:4 places it within a narrative of displacement and loss. Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, had led his family from Bethlehem in Judah to Moab, fleeing famine in the land of promise (Ruth 1:1-2). This migration, born of necessity, sets the stage for the events of verse 4, where Mahlon and Chilion, the sons of Elimelech and Naomi, marry women of Moab. The phrase “they took them wives of the women of Moab” indicates a deliberate act, a choice that carries significant theological and cultural weight. In the context of Israel’s covenant with God, marriage with foreigners was often viewed with caution, as it risked diluting the distinct identity of God’s people and leading them into idolatry (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). Moab, in particular, held a complex place in Israel’s history, descended from Lot’s incestuous union (Genesis 19:36-37) and later associated with opposition to Israel (Numbers 22-25). Yet, the text offers no immediate judgment on these marriages, presenting them as a fact within the unfolding story, suggesting that God’s purposes transcend human conventions and cultural boundaries.

The naming of the wives, Orpah and Ruth, introduces two figures who will play contrasting roles in the narrative. Orpah, whose name may suggest “back of the neck” or turning away, will eventually return to her people (Ruth 1:16), while Ruth, whose name may evoke “friendship” or “refreshment,” will cling to Naomi and become a central figure in God’s redemptive plan. The specificity of their names grounds the story in historical particularity, yet their Moabite identity underscores the theme of God’s grace extending beyond Israel’s borders. The marriages of Mahlon and Chilion to Orpah and Ruth, while seemingly a personal matter, set the stage for Ruth’s inclusion in the covenant community, foreshadowing the universal scope of God’s salvation. The phrase “and they dwelled there about ten years” indicates a prolonged sojourn in Moab, a period marked by stability but also barrenness, as the text later notes the absence of children from these unions (Ruth 1:5). This decade of dwelling in a foreign land deepens the sense of alienation for Naomi’s family, yet it also prepares the way for the transformative events that follow.

Theologically, Ruth 1:4 speaks to the mysterious interplay of human agency and divine providence. The decision of Mahlon and Chilion to marry Moabite women reflects their adaptation to life in a foreign land, a choice that might be seen as pragmatic or even compromising in light of Israel’s covenantal calling. Yet, the narrative of Ruth reveals that God uses these very choices to accomplish His purposes. Ruth’s marriage to Mahlon, though brief and childless, becomes the means by which she is drawn into the orbit of God’s people, eventually becoming an ancestor of King David and, through him, of Jesus Christ (Ruth 4:17-22; Matthew 1:5). This underscores a central theme of the book of Ruth: God’s sovereignty operates through the ordinary, even flawed, decisions of His people, weaving them into a tapestry of redemption that transcends human understanding.

The verse also invites reflection on the theme of covenantal identity. By marrying Moabite women, Mahlon and Chilion blur the boundaries of Israel’s distinctiveness, yet the narrative does not condemn their actions. Instead, it presents Ruth’s eventual faithfulness as a testimony to God’s ability to incorporate outsiders into His covenant. Ruth, a Moabite, will declare her loyalty to Naomi and to the God of Israel (Ruth 1:16-17), embodying a faith that surpasses that of many within Israel during the turbulent period of the judges. Her inclusion challenges narrow conceptions of God’s people, pointing to the promise made to Abraham that through his seed all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3). The ten years in Moab, though marked by loss and barrenness, serve as a crucible in which God prepares Ruth for her role in salvation history, demonstrating that His grace knows no ethnic or cultural bounds.

In its canonical context, Ruth 1:4 resonates with the broader biblical narrative of God’s inclusive love. The book of Ruth stands as a counterpoint to the isolationist tendencies of Israel during the judges, where “every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). Against this backdrop of moral and spiritual chaos, Ruth’s story shines as a beacon of faithfulness and divine providence. The marriages to Orpah and Ruth echo other biblical accounts where foreign women, such as Tamar and Rahab, are incorporated into God’s people, foreshadowing the New Testament’s proclamation of a gospel for all nations (Matthew 28:19). The ten-year sojourn in Moab, while seemingly a detour, aligns with the pattern of exile and return woven throughout Scripture, where God uses periods of displacement to refine and redeem His people.

In the arc of salvation history, Ruth 1:4 holds a pivotal place, for it introduces Ruth, whose lineage will lead to David and ultimately to Christ. The Moabite woman, through her marriage to Mahlon, becomes a vessel of God’s grace, her story culminating in the genealogy of the Messiah (Matthew 1:5). This verse, therefore, is not merely a historical note but a theological milestone, pointing to the universal scope of God’s redemptive plan. The inclusion of Ruth among the ancestors of Jesus underscores the truth that God’s salvation embraces all peoples, fulfilling the promise that “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3).

In conclusion, Ruth 1:4 is a verse of quiet yet profound significance, encapsulating the complex interplay of human choice and divine providence. The marriages of Mahlon and Chilion to Orpah and Ruth, set against the backdrop of exile in Moab, mark a moment of both loss and divine preparation. The naming of Ruth foreshadows her pivotal role in God’s redemptive narrative, while the ten years in Moab highlight the patience of God’s providence, working through time and circumstance to accomplish His purposes. This verse invites awe at God’s ability to transform human decisions into instruments of His grace, gratitude for His inclusive love, and hope in His sovereign plan that weaves even the foreign and the forgotten into the lineage of the Savior. Thus, in the simple act of taking Moabite wives, we behold the seeds of a redemption that will encompass all nations, to the glory of God.

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Grace be unto you, beloved brethren and sisters, and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our Redeemer and Sustainer. I write to you with a heart stirred by the witness of Holy Scripture, that you may be strengthened in hope, abounding in faith, and established in love.

Let us consider the word recorded in the days of the judges, in the book of Ruth, where it is written: “They took for themselves Moabite women as wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. And they lived there about ten years.” In these simple words, the Spirit of God bears witness to His providential work, which often unfolds through the ordinary and the unexpected.

O beloved, behold the wisdom and mystery of the ways of our God, whose purpose moves through the lives of men and women in times of both sorrow and joy. Elimelech and his family had journeyed to the land of Moab because of famine in Bethlehem; they sought refuge in a foreign land, among a foreign people. There, in the land of sojourn, two Moabite women—Orpah and Ruth—entered into the family of Israel through marriage. Though the marriages were of the sons of Naomi, and though they dwelt in Moab for ten years, the hand of the Lord was quietly at work preparing a story of redemption that would echo through the generations.

Therefore, beloved, be not dismayed when the path of your life takes you through places of hardship or across the borders of the familiar. The providence of God is not hindered by circumstance nor by the divisions of nations. He is the Lord of all the earth, who directs the steps of His children and weaves their stories into His greater purpose.

Consider how Ruth, a Moabite woman, whose name was unknown among the people of Israel, was appointed by the Lord to be an ancestor of David, the king, and of the Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh. In the days of sorrow, after the loss of her husband, Ruth clung to Naomi, saying: “Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” In this, she forsook the gods of her fathers and cast herself upon the mercy of the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings she came to take refuge.

Take heart, therefore, beloved, and remember that the grace of God knows no boundary of blood or birth. In every nation, those who fear Him and do what is right are accepted by Him. The story of Ruth teaches us that the Lord delights to gather the outsider into His covenant family. None who turn to Him in faith will be turned away.

Moreover, let us learn patience in the unfolding of His plan. For ten years Ruth and Orpah lived in Moab, and no fruit of great promise was visible to human eyes. Yet the eye of the Lord was upon Ruth, and her steadfast love and loyalty would shine forth as a testimony to all generations. Likewise, beloved, do not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Let us also be mindful of our own calling to extend grace and welcome to those who come from afar. As Ruth was embraced by the people of Israel, so must we welcome those whom the Lord draws to Himself. The Church of Christ is not a fortress for the righteous alone but a house of prayer for all peoples. Let every heart that seeks the mercy of God find a place of refuge among us.

And let those who walk in the way of Ruth be encouraged. If you have left behind the land of your birth, the customs of your people, and have set your hope upon the living God, know that your labor is not in vain. The Lord sees your faithfulness, and He will reward you in ways beyond your knowing. Your story, though hidden now, is being written by the hand of God for the glory of His name.

Finally, let us remember that the story of Ruth points us to the greater Redeemer, even Jesus Christ our Lord, who has redeemed us not with silver or gold but with His precious blood. Just as Boaz took Ruth to himself and restored her joy, so Christ has taken us, once strangers and aliens, and made us fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.

Therefore, walk in hope, beloved of the Lord. Trust in His providence, follow His ways, and abound in love toward one another and toward all. The God who worked through the quiet years in Moab is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is faithful, and His mercy endures to all generations.

Now may the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, establish, strengthen, and settle you. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

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O Lord God Most High, the eternal and faithful One, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of Naomi and Ruth, we lift our hearts and voices before You in worship and in humble petition. You are the Sovereign Lord, who reigns over all the earth; You are the God of providence, whose purposes unfold through the generations, whose wisdom is unsearchable, and whose mercy is without end.

We remember, O Lord, the words recorded in the book of Ruth, where it is written: “They took for themselves Moabite women as wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. And they lived there about ten years.” In this simple word, we behold the mystery of Your providence and the quiet movement of Your redeeming purpose.

For though Your people sojourned in a foreign land, though sorrow would soon visit the house of Naomi, Your unseen hand was at work. From among the women of Moab, You called forth Ruth, a vessel of grace, through whom You would weave a story of loyalty, redemption, and hope that reaches even unto us who believe this day.

Therefore, O Lord, we give You praise and thanks, for You are the God who brings light out of darkness, who brings hope out of despair, and who calls the stranger into the household of faith. You are the One who gathers from every tribe and tongue and nation, that all peoples may know Your mercy and walk in Your ways.

We pray now, O gracious Father, for all who find themselves in strange lands or unfamiliar seasons. For those who have left behind the familiar, whether by necessity or by calling, be their refuge and their guide. As You were faithful to Ruth in the land of Judah, so be faithful to all who seek You in this day. Let them not be discouraged by the passing of years, nor by the seeming silence of heaven, but may they trust in Your steadfast love which endures forever.

We pray for those who grieve, as Naomi grieved in Moab. For those who have known loss, who walk in the valley of sorrow, may Your comfort be near. Lift up the downcast; bind up the brokenhearted. Teach us, O Lord, that Your mercies are new every morning and that no sorrow can separate us from the love of Christ.

We pray also, O Lord, for the unity of Your Church. As Ruth, a Moabite, was brought into the family of Israel, so You have brought us, once far off, near by the blood of Christ. Let there be no division among us, no wall of hostility. Let every heart that calls upon Your name be received in love. May we welcome the stranger and honor the faith of those whom You have drawn by Your Spirit.

Grant us the faith of Ruth, O Lord—a faith that clings not to comfort nor to homeland, but to You, the living God. Teach us to say, “Your people shall be my people, and Your God my God.” May our loyalty to You be steadfast and our love for one another sincere.

And, O Sovereign Redeemer, as You wove the life of Ruth into the lineage of David and of Christ, so weave our lives into the tapestry of Your kingdom purposes. Use even the quiet and hidden seasons of our lives for Your glory. May we trust that no labor of love is wasted, and that in Your time, beauty will arise from ashes.

Now, O Lord our God, bless Your people with steadfast hearts. Teach us patience in the unfolding of Your will, courage in times of trial, and joy in the hope of our Redeemer. May we walk in faithfulness all our days, trusting in Your unfailing love.

To You, O Father, through Jesus Christ Your Son, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and forevermore. Amen.