“Therefore she went out from the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her, and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah.” (Ruth 1:7)

Naomi has arisen to depart to her own country, and both of her daughters-in-law arise to depart with her. We read: “She went out from the place where she was, and her daughters-in-law with her.” The three, therefore, started out together on their way to the land of Judah.

Orpah did not go all the way. Our heading is taken from the Book of Galatians, where the Apostle Paul said of certain would-be saints: “You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?” (Galatians 5:7). How many there are who, like Orpah, seemingly enter the journey toward Heaven and Home, yet, after they have gone but a little way, they turn back again.

• We read of the seed that was sown by the wayside, and the birds of the air came and plucked it up.

So it is that some would-be Christians never receive the Word of God into their inner lives, and Satan, with but little difficulty, plucks up the seed, because it was sown on a hard, wayside heart.

• We read of the seed sown among the thorns.

This is descriptive of one who hears the Word, but the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches choke the Word and he becomes unfruitful. Here is one who started out, but he did not cut clean from the world and its allurements.

• We read of the seed that was sown into the stony places.

Here is the one who with joy takes hold of a new life, but endures only a little while, because he has no root in himself. Therefore when tribulation and persecution arise because of the Word, he is offended.

Not all who are with us are of us. Many go out from us, because they are not truly of us. Orpah started, but she never finished.

Guard your heart. Teach your children. Watch and pray. Stay the course.