"Orpha kissed her mother-in-law; but Ruth clave unto her" (Ruth 1: 14).
Both of them had an affection for Naomi and, therefore, set out with her on her return to the land of Judah. But the hour of testing came. Naomi unselfishly set before each of them the trials which awaited them. If they cared for ease and comfort, she urged them to return to their Moabitish friends. At first both of them declared that they would cast in their lot with the Lord's people. But on further consideration, Orpah, with much grief and a respectful kiss, left her mother-in-law and went back to her idolatrous friends. Ruth, however, with all her heart, gave herself up to the God of her mother-in-law. It is one thing to love the ways of the Lord when all is fair and quite another to cleave to them under all discouragements and difficulties. Where do you stand? Is your heart fixed on Jesus? Have you counted the cost, and are you solemnly ready to suffer all worldly loss for the Master's sake? Worldly treasures are not to be compared with the glory to be revealed. Orpha is heard of no more. In glorious ease and idolatrous pleasure her life melts into the gloom of death. Ruth lives in history and in heaven, for grace has placed her in the noble line from which came the King of kings. Blessed among women will those be who for Christ's sake can renounce all.