Read: Ruth 1-4
Then [Naomi]started to return with her daughters-in-law from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the LORD had considered his people and given them food. So she set out from the place where she had been living, she and her two daughters-in-law, and they went on their way to go back to the land of Judah. But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back each of you to your mother’s house. May the LORD deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. The LORD grant that you may find security, each of you in the house of your husband. Then she kissed them, and they wept aloud. They said to her, “No, we will return with you to your people.” …Then they wept aloud again. Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her (Ruth 1:6-10, 14 NRSV).
Dear Ruth,
I’m sure you’re surprised to hear from me after all these years. How long has it been? A decade? Still, I think about you every day, and I wonder if you and Naomi have found security back home in Bethlehem.
Of course, Bethlehem was not home for you, was it? That’s precisely why Naomi tried to convince us to return to Moab. I think about that day often, and I wonder what my life would have been like if I’d made a different decision.
Things have turned out well for me here in Moab. I married a good, kind man, and we have four healthy children. Two girls and two boys. I named the girls after you and Naomi! I thought about naming the boys after our first husbands, Mahlon and Chilion, but my new husband said that that was “a bridge too far.” I think he was secretly worried that the names would bring bad luck, and I can’t say as I blame him.
Do you remember how long we waited for children with Mahlon and Chilion? It was a decade of disappointment. And then, disappointment turned to tragedy. There for a while it felt like everyone was dying. If it hadn’t been for you and Naomi, I think I’d have died, too. I’m not sure I’ve ever loved anyone as much as I loved—and still love—the two of you. Which is precisely why it was so hard to obey Naomi’s command that I return to Moab! Turning my back on the two of you was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
I walked for miles that day. My feet were pointed toward Moab, but my heart was headed straight for Bethlehem. To be honest, I almost changed mind several times. I admired your courage and your loyalty, but I hope I get some credit for being obedient. Not that anyone is keeping score. At least, I hope they’re not.
One of the hardest things about returning to Moab was the expectation that I would continue to worship Moabite gods. At first, I would chime in when everyone else was praying to Chemosh. But the more I flourished, the more I began to wonder whether my blessings might be the result of Naomi’s prayer that the LORD would deal kindly with me. I suspect they are. So, I’m keeping a very low profile these days with regard to Chemosh.
Please give my love to Naomi. I pray she’s still alive and well. May the LORD (not Chemosh!) bless and keep you both.
Love and prayers,
Orpah
P.S. Find a scribe and write back if you can. I scrimped and saved for ages to pay for one to write this letter, but it will be worth it if it means I can get news from you!
Ponder: How did this imagined glimpse into Orpah’s story change your impressions of her? Why do you think her character often gets “bad press”?
Pray: Thank you for friendships that endure through the decades.