Redemption (11/17/2002)

Grace, Election, and the First Mention of Redemption

All right, Book of Ruth this morning. We have moved in our doctrinal studies into the great things of grace. All the things that God has done to us and for us by his grace, the things that we receive as a benefit of his grace.

And the first one that we talked about last Sunday was being a part of his everlasting family. And so this morning we're going to talk to you about redemption. Now let me review just a little bit last week.

We talked about being eternally known by God. And that involves several key phrases that we're all familiar with. Unfortunately, the world of Christianity is less and less familiar with these terms as every year goes by.

But the first key term we talked about was the term for knowledge. And we looked in Deuteronomy chapter 7 and verse 6. And in 1 Peter chapter 1 verses 1 and 2. Acts chapter 2 verse 23. And then we talked about for ordination.

And you remember the verse in Acts 13, 48. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. And then we talked about predestination.

Romans chapter 8 verse 29. And several other verses. And then the term election found in 1 Thessalonians 1, 4. Found in Romans chapter 8 verse 33. Colossians 3, 12 and many others. And then the word chosen.

The most famous verse is Ephesians 1, 4. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world. That we should be holy and without blame before him in love. And then the idea of the calling.

Both the universal call which is simply the call of the gospel message. Which has gone out to all peoples of the world. But then the effectual call which is taught throughout the New Testament. And in the Old Testament.

But specifically comes to maturity in the New Testament. 1 Thessalonians 5, 24. Romans 8, 30. Moreover whom he did predestinate them he also called. And whom he called them he justified. Who he justified them he glorified.

We see that the same group of people that end up in heaven. Are the ones who were called. And predestinated and so forth. So we talked about these things last time. And I think that's an appropriate beginning.

Probably the only place we could begin. When we want to talk about the grace of God. And the benefits that we receive through his grace. This morning I want to move into the topic of redemption. Turn with me.

Keep your hand there in the book of Ruth. I think you can find this verse very easily. And we'll come back to Ruth. I just have three verses I want to read from Genesis chapter 48. Genesis 48 and verse 14.

I want to show you the first mention of the word redemption in the Bible. Many scholars believe that if you go. If you want to get a great understanding of terminology. Go and find the first mention of that word in the Bible and study it.

And I've found that to be true. That it does shed wonderful light on a term or a phrase. If you go and find the very first place in the Bible where that word is found. We call that the first mention. So this is the first mention of the word redemption.

Genesis 48, 14. And Israel stretched out his right hand. And laid it upon Ephraim's head. Who was the younger. And his left hand upon Manasseh's head. Guiding his hands wittingly. For Manasseh was the first born.

And he blessed Joseph and said. God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk. The God which fed me all my life long and to this day. Look at this phrase. The angel which redeemed me from all evil.

Now that's the first place you see the word redemption in the Bible. Notice the word angel. It means in the Hebrew messenger. It does not always mean an angel like we think of an angel. It means any type of messenger.

This particular reference is to what we call a theophany. Or an appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Old Testament. Before the manger scene. He is called the messenger. So he says the messenger which redeemed me from all evil.

Bless the lads. He would never ask an angel to bless his children. He asked the Lord Jesus Christ. Who they knew as Jehovah. To bless the lads. And let my name be named on them. And the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac.

Let them grow into a multitude. In the midst of the earth. So we find this is the first mention of the word redeemed in the Bible. And it is a particular Hebrew word. And the word is go all. And it means to redeem according to the oriental law of kinsmanship.

To be next of kin. And as such to buy back a relative's property. Marry his widow etc. All these were laws that the Jewish people had. But my point is that the word for redeem found in the first mention.

Is this word go all. Which literally means the kinsman redeemer. Now there is a beautiful theme in that word. But especially in the concept of what a kinsman redeemer is. And so the only way we can understand redemption.

Is to go to the very first and clearest place where this is illustrated. The idea of the kinsman redeemer. So go now to Ruth chapter 1 and verse 1 with me. And we are going to study this passage. It will be the theme for more than one Sunday morning.

The Lord willing. But we've got to understand this idea of the kinsman redeemer. Before we can really see what redemption means. Let's pray and we'll begin here in Ruth 1 .1. Father we ask that you would guide us.

As we study this together. We pray that you would be our teacher. That your Holy Spirit who wrote these words. Would write them into our hearts. And we ask it in Jesus name. Amen. Well follow along with me in this beautiful story.

Moab, Bethlehem, and the Providence of God in Ruth

Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled. That there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem Judah. Do you know which Bethlehem that is? That is the one where Jesus would be born.

Went to sojourn in the country of Moab. He and his wife and his two sons. J. Vernon McGee mentioned Moab in his commentary. He pointed out that this place is mentioned in Psalm 108 verse 9. And it's called God's wash pot.

And that's the old way of saying his trash can. I suppose. So God did not have a high value on Moab. So it becomes a picture or a type of the world. And so we see now that this man leads his family from Bethlehem.

Which is the house of bread. To God's trash can. Do you think that was a wise thing to do? Was he in God's will? Trick question. Trick question. He thought he was out of God's will but he wasn't. So he made a choice that perhaps was not biblical.

But he walked right into God's will. But you know we have to understand that sometimes when we're in his will without the proper knowledge. Without the proper heart. We reap what we sow don't we? So let's follow the story here.

God is moving them right where he wants them. But this man from a human viewpoint is making a mistake. He shouldn't leave the house of bread and go to the garbage can of the world. We should never go back to the world.

But he made a choice to do so. I believe in disobedience to God's word. But God was moving him right into the place where they had to be. And we'll see that as we go. God often brings about his purpose through circumstances.

And I will admit that it was the famine that caused this. And if it had been you or me we probably would have done the same thing. Because what he did especially you gentlemen. Was he thought he was taking his family to the place where he could take care of them the best.

There was a famine in the land. Bethlehem the house of bread was without bread. So he said well. Do you ever finagle as a man? Figure out how to make the finances work? Do you ever do any finagling? He was finagling.

And yet God did use these circumstances. God creates the circumstances. These circumstances sometimes seem to us to be bad. Don't they? But they are really meant for good. Because they bring us into God's purpose.

And that is the primary purpose. The secondary benefit is it brings good to us. Even the bad brings good to us. But all of it is designed by our father to bring us into and keep us into his will. And into our purpose in life which is his purpose for us.

So we see the family was from Bethlehem. Boy isn't that amazing? Isn't that an amazing coincidence? That this is where they were from. And this is where the Lord Jesus Christ would be born physically into this world.

And they leave this place. Because of a famine. And they travel into a Gentile land which God calls the trash heap. In Psalm 108 verse 9. So what is the result of them traveling there? We are going to find out in a few moments.

It means that their two sons married Gentile women. To Gentile wives. And then we also are going to notice the weak physical constitution of the husband and the two sons. Those are circumstances. But it all plays into God's purpose here.

So follow with verse 2. And the name of the man was Elimelech. And the name of his wife was Naomi. And the name of the two sons Matlon and Tillion. Now do you know what that is in English? The name of his two sons were Sickly and Pining.

Or Sickly and Weak. Or Sickly and Whiny. Now some of you moms have, not your first child of course. But you know by the third, fourth or fifth one you start picking names like that. Because you run out of names.

And you know more about children than you did when you named the first one. So she names her two sons Sickly and Pining. And they all traveled to the trash heap of the world. They were Ephrathites of Bethlehem Judah.

And they came into the country of Moab and continued there. And Elimelech, Naomi's husband died. Now isn't that amazing? That's the next thing you hear about him after he makes this choice. It says they continued there.

That means they were there for a little while. But then he died. Now he's out of the picture. Was he in God's will? Yes it was God's will for him to go there and die. But did he reap what he sowed? Probably.

Probably caught a disease there that he wouldn't have caught if he had stayed in Bethlehem. You know think about it. So he reaped what he sowed. But here they find themselves in God's will. But imagine how this must feel to the women.

Now let's read a little further. She was left there with her two sons. So here's Naomi. The husband made this brilliant move to take her to a strange place. Where they know no one. And then he dies on her and leaves her there.

So she's all alone. With her two sons sickly and pining. They're going to really take care of her. Don't worry mom we'll take care of you. And they took them wives of the women of Moab. So now they have Gentile wives.

The name of one was Oprah. Did I say that right? I did that on purpose. Charlotte was telling me the story of Oprah Winfrey. She said one time that Oprah said that her grandmother named her. And was trying to name her according to this bible character Orpah.

And she spelled it wrong. So it came out Oprah. So Orpah. And the other was Ruth. And they dwelled there about ten years. And Mahalon sickly and Chileon pining died. Also both of them. And the woman was left with her two sons.

Left of her two sons. And her husband. And now has two Gentile daughters in a land that she's not familiar with. Isn't that amazing? Ladies put yourself in that position. Your husband gets the idea well this country is going down too.

I'm going to take you to Saudi Arabia. Where there's bread. And that's where we're going to go. And then he dies on you. And then your two weakling children die on you. And there you are. Two Saudi Arabian daughters in law.

Now that's about the closest we can imagine what this might be like. God brings about his purpose through the work of the Holy Spirit. Wouldn't you agree? The Holy Spirit is sometimes called in the bible the Spirit of Christ.

The Spirit of Jesus Christ. And I want to put forth this proposition before we move on from verse five. I believe that Naomi is a type of the Holy Spirit. Or an example of the Holy Spirit. And if you look at her life from this point.

You'll see that she really is as a two fold type. One a type of the Lord Jesus Christ and his suffering. But also a type of the Spirit of Christ after he went back to heaven. Which is the Holy Spirit.

See if you don't see this in this story with me. I believe that the death of her husband and two sons. And the loneliness that is emphasized in verse five. Kind of indicates that she becomes a picture of the suffering and death of Jesus Christ on the cross.

Where he was left totally alone by the Father. It's interesting that Naomi's name. Naomi means to be agreeable. In other words agreeable with God's will. The Holy Spirit is known for his submission. To the Father and to the Son.

According to their purpose. And to fulfill their purpose. The Bible says Jesus said of him. He will never speak of himself. He will speak of me. And tell you things of me. Now that's a different Holy Spirit than the one in many of our churches today.

Where all they want to talk about is the Holy Spirit this. The Holy Spirit that. But he will not speak of himself as such. He wants to speak of Jesus. The Holy Spirit will speak of Jesus. Jesus always spoke of whom?

The Father. And now we have a whole group. I'm on a rabbit trail. But I kind of like him sometimes. We have a whole group of Christian people today. That are on the rabbit trail. Of talking about the Holy Spirit all the time.

When he himself will never talk about himself. As a matter of fact. If you've ever studied. The Holy Spirit in the Bible. Try to learn more about him. You won't learn much. You know why? He doesn't talk about himself.

You try it. Try it. I'll give you an assignment. This will be nice. They won't get yours done that you handed out. If I give them this one though. Go into the Word of God. And find out everything you can find out about the Holy Spirit.

And write me a paper about it. Now I know one person. That will probably send me an email. Mary Ann will send me one. And you can find out some information. But you're going to be so frustrated. Because you're not going to find out.

What you want to find out. Because he doesn't talk about himself. Now if you want to go find out. Things about Jesus. Then you write a book. Because the Holy Spirit wrote so much about him. If you want to find out about the Father.

You can write books and books. Because he spoke. And Jesus spoke about the Father. But the Holy Spirit does not speak about himself. He is. The one who reveals. The Lord Jesus Christ. He is in fact the Spirit of Christ.

Now. I believe. She's a picture of Jesus. And his suffering on this earth. As he went to be at the right hand of the Father. Then I believe all of a sudden. She pictures the Spirit of Christ on this earth.

As the Holy Spirit. And follow along. I think you'll see this. First thing we understand about the Holy Spirit. Is leading. And we'll see here. As pictured by Naomi. That he moves. Towards the place where Christ is.

He is moving. Towards the place where Christ is. We certainly know the Holy Spirit does that. Well that's what Naomi does in verse 6. Then she arose. With her daughters in law. That she might return. From the country of Moab.

For she had heard in the country of Moab. How that the Lord had visited his people. In giving them bread. Now back to the human side of this story. Isn't it interesting to see how God. Uses the circumstances.

Creates them and then uses them. In the life of his children. You see now all of a sudden. We find this place that used to have famine. And yet it's called Bethlehem. The house of bread. Used to have famine.

Now all of a sudden. After the husband has died. Who took her away. And the two sons are dead now. What a coincidence now there's bread there. And there's famine in Moab. So she makes the right choice.

We're going to go where the bread is. She leads them back. Towards the place and you're going to see. That this is going to be leading them back. Towards another person in this story. Who is going to be a type or a symbol.

Of the Lord Jesus Christ also. And I believe she symbolizes. The Holy Spirit leading. People. Towards Christ in this little passage. Look at verse 7. Wherefore she went out. Of that place where she was.

And her two daughters-in-law with her. And they went on the way. To return into the land of Judah. And Naomi said unto. Her two daughters-in-law. Go return. Each to her mother's house. The Lord deal kindly with thee.

As ye have dealt with the dead. And with me. The Lord grant you. That you may find rest. Each of you in the house of her husband. So she says go find you another Gentile. Go find you a Gentile husband.

In the land of your mother. And then she kissed them. And they both lifted up their voices. And wept. I want you to think about something here. The Holy Spirit. Can use the exact. Same words. To move the non-elect.

Away from God. And to move the elect. Towards the Lord Jesus Christ. At the same time. And that's exactly. What we see happening here. If you read that very carefully. You're going to see that Naomi. Is trying to say to them.

You probably don't want to go with me. Now do you ever remember a time. When Jesus said anything like that. To everyone that was listening. But it had a different effect. On two groups of people. Jesus said count the cost.

The wise builder. Counts the cost. The wise warrior. The wise general. Counts the enemy. Before he goes to battle. He says you need to count the cost. It's going to cost you something. If you follow me.

Now does that sound like. He's trying to talk people into following. Or talk them into. Going the other way. Well it's going to have two effects. Although he just said it once. On the non-elect. They're going to say hmm.

That is too expensive. I can't give up everything I've got. All my investments. I can't give up my position. In religion. In the religion of Judaism. I can't give that up. I don't think I can follow this man.

And yet he said the same thing. He said now count the cost. It's going to cost you dearly. If you follow me. He said if you count your own mother or wife. Higher than me you're not worthy of me. And the elect that was standing.

In the same crowd listening said. Yeah but I can't help it. I don't have anywhere else to go. You're the one that has the words. Of life. And they followed him. Well we see Naomi as a type. Or a symbol of this.

She says y 'all just go on away from me. You don't want to go with me. Because where I'm going it's a hard travel. It's a long distance. We're going to go back to a land. That you won't be familiar with.

A land where the people may not even like you very much. I think you'll be better off. Just not to follow me. Now look at the effect. It had on these two women. Both of them. Rose up and kissed her. And began to weep.

She went to great pains. To talk to them more. Into staying with the people. And remarrying. Etc. Now let's think about this effect. That the Holy Spirit has on people. In John chapter 16 verse 8. There is a convicting effect.

And when he has come. He will reprove the world. Of sin. Now you see that happens. Not only to the elect. But to the non-elect. They are reproved of sin. And of righteousness. And of judgment. They are aware of it.

Of sin. Because they believe not on me. Of righteousness. Because I go to my father. And you see me no more. Of judgment. Because the prince of this world is judged. So there is a convicting effect. That the Holy Spirit has.

Secondly he has a drawing effect on the elect. But it's a repelling effect on the non-elect. In John chapter 6 verse 44. No man can come to me. Except the father which sent me. Draw him. There is a drawing effect.

That the Holy Spirit has on the elect. And yet the very words he would use. To draw the elect will repulse. Those who are not. God's children. Those who God never knew. You know it's interesting. People today have a difficult time.

With the concept of election. That God chose who his children would be. And yet. The Bible says in so many places. What about the verse where he said. Where the Bible says that salvation. Is like the wind.

That bloweth where it listed. You can't determine which direction. The wind is going to blow. And you and I cannot determine. Who God is going to save next. It's like the wind. That blows where it wants.

Now what is that picture? Picture is that God is the one. Who does what he wants. And you can't determine it. Now we are supposed to witness to everyone. That God leads us to witness to. We should have a heart for the souls of men.

And we don't know who the elect. And who the non-elect are. Other than we know that. You know you're saved. I know I'm saved. And that's about as far as it goes. So we witness to everyone. And yet. The wind blows where it will.

And God moves upon. Those who he has known. Before the foundation of the world. And they cannot resist it. And yet those same words. Repel the others. What an amazing thing. It makes you count your blessings.

If you're seated in church today. Rather than out at the lake fishing. Where you would have been. Or you'd have been washing your car. You'd have been having a good old time with the world. Which is pictured by Moab.

And there would have been plenty of voices. That told you. Go on back there. You're not at home here. And you would have just said you're right. Well that's exactly what one of these young women did. Now both women at first though.

This is interesting to look at their first reaction. Both of them indicated they would stay with Naomi. Then she said once again. Go and be with your people. And their gods. Isn't that interesting. Now I want to spend the rest of the few moments.

Talking to get you to think about this. The difference between. Kissing. And cleaving. Look at this passage. The difference between kissing. And cleaving. Both of these young women kissed her. The non-elect.

Sometimes respond to the Holy Spirit. In a sense of acting like. They love the things of God. And that they've just been saved. Both. Can seem emotionally. Attracted to God. Verse 14. And they lifted up their voice.

And wept again. So both these young women. Are still weeping. And having an emotional response to. Naomi. Who is a picture or type of the Holy Spirit. They both wept again. But then it says. In the second part of verse 14.

And Orpah kissed. Her mother-in-law. But Ruth clave. Unto her. What's the difference between a kiss. And cleaving. To someone. Very interesting picture of the difference. Between a false profession of faith.

And a genuine one. That's from the heart. That came from the heavenlies in the first place. Now this word. Kissed. Is an outward show of affection. That Orpah gave. But this word. To cleave to. That Ruth did.

Is the word. Which means to cling. To adhere. To catch. After chasing. To chase after someone. And catch up with them. To pursue them. And then catch up with them. It's translated in other places in the Old Testament.

Into the word to abide with. To the phrase to be joined together. And this beautiful phrase. To pursue hard after. Or to follow hard after someone. I'm going to show you a beautiful verse. Where that phrase is used in a moment.

But there's a huge difference. Between the two responses. And yet to the eye. At first they looked the same. It looked like both young women were going to go. And follow the Holy Spirit. Towards Bethlehem.

The house of bread. Who's the bread? We studied that the last few Sundays. And yet they both didn't end up going there. Well this is what it can mean. To kiss. An outward show. Luke 22 47. And while he yet spake.

Behold a multitude. And he that was called Judas. One of the twelve went before them. And drew near unto Jesus. To kiss him. But Jesus said to him Judas. Betrayest thou the son of man. With a kiss. Kiss doesn't mean anything.

No. You walk up and you kiss someone. On the cheek doesn't mean a thing. And that's what. Orpah did. I think I'm going to start calling Oprah. Orpah. It's a better name for her probably. Now this is what it means to cleave.

On the other hand. Turn with me to Psalm 61 in verse 1. Psalm 61 1. The difference between. This kiss. And this cleaving. The Holy Spirit has said the same things. To these two young women. And yet the response is different.

And yet early on. The response appears to be the same. There's an emotional response from both. Tears from both. A kiss from both. And yet only one. Cleaved to her. Psalm 63 1. We're going to read about another person.

In the Bible. Who knew how to cleave to God. There was no one else in the Bible. Stories. Who knew this better than David. David. Is the man whose heart was after God. Even when his deeds were wrong. His heart.

Was after God. And his heart would come back to God. I don't mean his heart was after God. At the moment he did the bad deed. But his heart overall was after God. And he would come right back to God. And confess his sin.

And want the nearness to God. More than he wanted the things of the world. He wanted to be able to cleave. Even to God. More than sin. More than the things that sin would bring. That is the heart of David.

And it's a beautiful picture. Of the heart of Ruth. Which is a beautiful picture of the heart. Of the elect person. And how he responds to the Holy Spirit. Psalm 63 1. A psalm of David. When he was in the wilderness.

We've been studying that on Monday nights. In Brother Otis' Bible study. David when he was in the wilderness. A dry and thirsty land. It says. Psalm 1. A psalm of David when he was in the wilderness. Of Judah.

Oh God thou art my God. And I want you to see if you can just. Picture the cleaving. Of David's heart to God's heart. See if your heart has ever. Had these yearnings. Oh God thou art my God. Early will I seek thee.

My soul thirsteth for thee. My flesh longeth for thee. In a dry and thirsty land. Where no water is. You say well I thought it's taught in the Bible. That the flesh cannot go toward God. Yes it can. It can.

But only when it's under the leadership. Of the new man. Who is under the leadership of. The Holy Spirit. In other words when your spirit filled. When your spirit filled. Your flesh the old man. In fact is dead.

So that the new man. Is in control and it now controls your body. He controls your body. You're in control of your own body at that time. And the Holy Spirit's in control of you. And you're walking with God.

And during those times. Even your flesh can be used to praise God. Raising the hands. Shouting to his name. Using your lips. All these things can be done. Your walk. Your work with your hands. All of that is your flesh.

Praising God. But only when it is attached to the new man. Who is attached to the Holy Spirit. Which is the right way to be by the way. That is the correct mode. For us as Christians. So look at this David says.

My soul thirsteth for thee. My flesh longeth for thee. In a dry and thirsty land. Where no water is. To see thy power. And thy glory. So as I have seen thee before. In the sanctuary. If you've ever seen God's power once.

In a corporate meeting. Of God's people. Every other time you want to see it. You don't always get to though. Because God is sovereign over that as well. But you long for that. And David had seen this.

And he says I long to see your power. And your glory in my life. Like I have seen it before. So the first thing. Attribute of cleaving. Is that it is to walk with. Even through a wilderness. One who cleaves to God.

Just like Ruth did. Is willing to go through. The desert from Moab. To get back to Bethlehem. You cleave to God. Even when he's leading you through a wilderness. The second attribute we see here. In verse 3.

Because thy loving kindness. Is better than life. My lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live. I will lift up my hands. In thy name. I long for thee. To be in a dry and thirsty land.

He says to thirst for God. From the soul. And to long for him. From the human mind. Which is a part of your flesh. If we mean by that the body. I don't mean the flesh in the bad sense. We long for him.

If we're cleaving to him. The third thing is. To understand that his love. Is better than any. Physical thing in this world. And to praise him. For it. Because thy loving kindness. Is better than life.

Only a person that's clinging to the Lord. Knows that. My lips will praise you. Thus will I bless thee. While I live. I'll praise you. I will lift up my hands. In your name. The next attribute of a person.

Who is cleaving to the Lord. Is that he meditates. Upon the goodness of God often. My soul. Shall be satisfied. As with marrow and fatness in my mouth. Shall praise thee with joyful lips. When I remember thee.

Upon my bed. And meditate on thee. In the night watches. If you're clinging to the Lord. As you walk through the wilderness. You'll find yourselves laying in bed at night. Before you fall off into sleep.

And you'll be thinking about the Lord. And his goodness. And how he's led you through the day. And how you trust him to lead you through the next day. And fifth. The one clinging to the Lord. Rests in God.

Look at this. Verse seven. This is awesome. Because thou hast been my help. Therefore in the shadow of thy wings. Will I rejoice. My soul followeth hard. After thee. Thy right hand. Upholdeth thee. You see this phrase.

Followeth hard after thee. That is the same Hebrew word. That is used when it says. Ruth flung to her. Slave to her. Same Hebrew word. Dolbach. My soul. Followeth hard after thee. David said. Ruth had the same response.

That's the response of the elect. To the Holy Spirit. As he leads. Towards Jesus Christ. It's kind of sad to observe in this world. That the response. That the not elect have. Is kind of like. The rocky soil.

The seed is planted on the rocky soil. And because there's no root. Which is a picture of Jesus. When the sun comes out. Though it may grow up quickly. And though it may. Give all manner of testimony.

Of how wonderful it is. That I just got saved. With a little bit of time. And a little bit of pressure. From the world. It withers up and dies. It was never saved. It was never real. In the first place.

Look what happened in Ruth 1. In verse 15 to Orpah. And she said. Behold thy sister-in-law. Is gone back. Unto her people. And unto her gods. Now you go with her Ruth. Isn't it interesting. That the Holy Spirit.

Doesn't say what you think. You would say if you're trying. To get someone to go with you. Jesus said count the cost. It's not going to be easy. If you go with me. You're going to die to yourself. If you go.

You're going to carry your own cross. And be crucified if you go with me. The Holy Spirit. As pictured by Naomi says. Now look at your sister Ruth. Look at her. She just turned. And she's walking away from us.

And she's going back to her people. And back to her gods. Don't you want to go with her? You know what Orpah's name means? The nape. Or back of the neck. Hence the back. Generally comes to mean. Either a stiff neck person.