Ruth Moab Pt 1
We come to the story of a family from Bethlehem who moved to Moab because of a famine in the land. They encounter joy, sorrow, life and death. And we meet Orpah.
I read a WONDERFUL work of fiction telling the story of Ruth a few years ago. Hills of Moab: Historical fiction – based on the story of Ruth by Elizabeth Faye. I cannot recommend this book enough! It is beautifully written and immerses you in the story. I hope to do half as well with my telling of the story. I’m certain the Holy Spirit guided Elizabeth’s telling of the story, and I’m trusting Him to guide my telling. I will also be relying partly on the inspiration I received from the Spirit the last time we walked through this story.
With that said, let’s see where the Spirit takes our story today.
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The wind is hot and dry as it moves across the land. Elimelek stands at the edge of his fields and watches the wind take away any moisture that could possibly remain in the land. All he sees is swirling dust. Long gone are the rows of corn or the standing grain. Nothing has grown here for almost three years. He shakes his head in despair. Even the tear that falls from his eye is mercilessly scorched from his weathered cheek.
Naomi is looking at something almost as soul wrenching as her husband. It is their pantry. They had such a stock of goods at one time that they fed anyone who asked. Today, her cupboards are bare. Her pantry is empty. All that is left is one sack of flour and half a jar of oil. And she has a family of four to feed on these meager portions.
Their house is nearly empty. Everything of value that they had has been sold to provide food for their family. Mahlon and Mahlon, Elimelek and Naomi’s sons, have just reached the age of apprenticeship. As the rest of Israel is suffering alongside this little family. No one is hiring.
Elimelek comes in from the field and pounds the dust out of his robe before reaching the threshold. He steps into the house and sees Naomi waiting there for him. “It’s time, Naomi. I am beaten.”
Naomi steps over and wraps her arms around her husband. “It is time” she agrees. “Let’s call the boys.”
Elimelek calls out their sons’ names and both appear in short order. “It’s time to leave. Pack your clothes. We will set out at first light.”
All week long the family has been talking about this day. The day when they would have to leave Israel. The drought and famine are severe here. As a farmer, Elimelek has no way to provide for his family under these conditions. Because of the drought, Elimelek learned a few other trades as he hired himself out as a worker. But even that work dried up. There were too many farmers competing for the little that was available. And no one has any money left to pay workers after having to spend all that they had to keep food on their own tables.
During their discussions, Elimelek informed that family that they would be going to the land of Moab. “They have not been affected by this drought. We will be able to find work there. Maybe not in the fields, but somewhere.”
Chilion and Mahlon were worried about leaving their friends behind. “We don’t know anyone in Moab.”
“Your Ima and I don’t either, but we will make new friends there” Elimelek told them. “But we are not leaving until there is no other option” he promised. “I will let you know when it’s time.”
“It’s time” both boys echo to their parents. Even the thought of losing their friends can’t hold them here any longer.
When morning breaks, Elimelek loads the last of their food into a small cart. Their clothing is put in a pile near the front of the cart. This is where Naomi will sit. As their donkeys are long gone, the cart has been altered to allow Mahlon and Chilion to pull/push it. Elimelech mounted a single bar across the two tongs of the cart. The boys can either stand behind the bar and push or in front of the bar and pull. They are strong boys and this shouldn’t be too difficult for them.
When Naomi closes the door and puts her cooking pots into the cart, Elimelek reaches out his hand to help her into the cart.
“I’m not getting in that thing!”
“Why not” Elimelek asks with a puzzled look on his face. “We have made you a nice cushion to sit on” he says as he pats the bundles.
“Because I am NOT going to have my family walking while I’m riding in comfort. I will walk as well.”
From the look on her face, Elimelek knows not to argue with her. She can out stubborn ANY mule ever birthed in Israel.
The boys try to keep a straight face as their parents stand there looking at one another. But it is useless. Snickers give way to full blown laughter in minutes. And that breaks the tension. Elimelek throws his arm around Naomi’s shoulder and calls out; “Moab ho!”
Chilion and Mahlon laugh as they get the cart rolling. Elimelek made sure to grease the wheels last night, making the boy’s job a little easier. He will help them with the cart if it becomes too difficult for them.
The first few days of the journey aren’t too difficult. The boys have been able to pull the cart up the foothills. On the hills with longer grades, Elimelek takes hold of the center of the bar and lends his strength to the task. Elimelek also had to tie everything down in the cart to keep it from shifting around and making the load uneven.
Day five has the family high in the hills between Israel and Moab. Moving the cart has taxed everyone. During one of the steepest climbs, the men were all behind the cart and Naomi was in front, steering it with the bar and keeping it from flipping back on top of the men. They were all exhausted when they finally reached a place that leveled out and they could rest.
Elimelek puts rocks in front and behind the wheels so the cart wouldn’t take off on its own. He joined his family as they sat beside the road, under a tree.
“I’m beginning to think we may have to abandon the cart”, said Elimelek.
“Would we abandon all that is in it too” asked Naomi.
“What we couldn’t carry would have to be left behind.”
Naomi looked at the path that lay ahead and wondered how many more mountains they would have to cross before reaching Moab. Almost as if Elimelek could hear her thoughts, he answers her question. We only have two more ascents to make before we start the downhill side of our journey.
“We can make it up two more times Abba.”
“I have no doubt that, if you two put your minds to it, you could make it up any height put before you. But I’m concerned about the descent too. If it is as steep as what we encountered today, keeping the cart from careening down the side and taking us with it.”
Naomi’s eyes got wide as she imagined her husband or her sons being dragged down or ran over by the cart. “We can make due with whatever we can carry” she promised.
“Let’s see how it goes for now” Elimelek said. His decision was final.
It took all of them working together to navigate the terrain with their cart. On the downslopes, Elimelek would brace himself against the front of the cart while Chilion and Mahlon slowly let it descend. Naomi was biting her nails the whole time. She didn’t breathe easy until they were through the steepest terrain.
“It should be smooth sailing from here” Elimelek said with a smile. “I’m glad we didn’t abandon the cart. Climbing with that much weight on our backs could have toppled us.”
“I’m happy to have it OVER! And I’m glad to still have my cooking pots” Naomi says as he puts her head on Elimelek’s shoulder.
At that moment, there was a loud cracking noise and Chilion cried out. Elimelek looked back to see Chilion on the ground and Mahlon holding a broken piece of their cart’s handle. The cart was careening towards Elimelek and Naomi. Elimelek instinctively pushed Naomi out of the path and tried to stop the cart himself.
The cart slammed into Elimelek’s chest but didn’t bring him to the ground. The boys had scrambled after the cart, trying to catch up with it before it hit their father. They reached it moments after it hit Elimelek, and were able to pull it back by the two tongues. Once the weight was off of Elimelek, he slumped to the ground. Naomi rushed over to him while the boys blocked the wheels of the cart.
“Abba! Are you alright” cried Mahlon. “I’m so sorry. I tripped Chilion with my big feet, and when he fell, it snapped the handle.” When Elimelek didn’t answer him, Mahlon cried out again. “O Abba, please be alright!”
“Give him a minute Mahlon” Naomi said in order to calm him. “And pray to the Lord” she added to them both.
It took a few minutes for Elimelek to speak. His chest hurt from the impact, but he felt his strength regaining. “I’m alright” he said to his worried family.
“That was a dumb move Elimelek” Naomi scolded. “You could have been killed!”
“I was trying to save your pots” he said with a lift of one corner of his mouth.
“My pots can go the way of the wind! I need YOU. Don’t EVER do anything so reckless again!”
“Yes my love” Elimelek answered as he closed his eyes for a moment to rest. “I think I’ll sit here for a few more minutes and regain my strength before we go on.”
“Abba, it is nearing evening. Let’s make camp here for the night. That way, you can rest for the night” suggested Chilion.
“That’s a good idea. You and your brother can make camp without me this time.”
“We will manage just fine” Chilion said with a smile he hoped his Abba could see.
Elimelek had trouble finding a pain-free way to sleep, but he did finally manage to get some decent sleep after sitting up and leaning against a tree. When morning came, he was still sore, but he was hiding it pretty well. “Let’s get that cart fixed and then be on our way” Elimelek called out to his sons.
“The slopes are pretty gentle now. If we went before it instead of behind it, we could manage with the tongues. Chilion and I could each hold to one.”
“We can try it for a little bit, but at the first sign of trouble, let it roll on by itself. It’s not worth your lives.”
It was slow going, but the family, and the cart, finally reached the flat land of Moab. They decided that the first town they came to would do. And the first thing they needed to tend to was a place to sleep. They would use tents, like the Israelites of old, until they could afford something more.
Chilion spotted an area that was under cover of trees, but also near a field ripe with wheat. “Abba, if we camp over there, we might be able to find jobs in the harvest crew.”
“That is an excellent idea. Take the cart on ahead and get things set up. Your Ima and I will be there shortly.”
“Elimelek! You can’t be thinking of working in your condition. You are still in pain.”
“Hush woman. I am not.”
“You are too. I can see it in your eyes. You don’t fool me old man.”
Elimelek started to raise his arm up and put it around Naomi’s shoulders, but it was too painful. Instead, he leaned in just a little and kissed her on the top of her head.
“I’ll be careful. I have to at least get the boys established in a job. How else are we going to eat?”
Naomi shook her head. She knew there was no point in arguing. “Will you at least let me look for a doctor to tend to you?”
“I’m just sore. I’ll be alright in a day or so.”
Naomi gasped as Elimelek opened his robe that evening. His chest was black and blue and didn’t look right. He hadn’t seen her approach. “I looks worse than it is” Elimelek said with his half smile.
“It LOOKS horrible!” Naomi said as she knelt in front of Elimelek. She reached out her hand to touch Elimelek’s chest but pulled back just before making contact. She was afraid she would hurt him. “Does it hurt when you breathe?”
“If I take a deep breath it does. Little breaths are not so bad.”
“Please rest a few more days before going out and looking for work.”
“I can’t. The farmers will be needing harvest crews right away and if we don’t get onto one now, we won’t likely find one to take us on.”
“Can I at least bind your ribs? You might be able to breathe easier that way.”
“I have heard of people who have broken ribs doing that. Let’s give it a try.”
Naomi uses one of her oldest dresses and made strips out of it. She used these to bind Elimelek’s chest from the bottom of his ribs to his armpits. “How does that feel?”
“It is a little better” Elimelek said with a smile. “I will still have to be careful when I move though.”
Elimelek was able to sleep a little better this night than the past few. He still found it easier to breathe, and sleep, when he was sitting up. With the first rays of the morning, Elimelek was ready to face the day. Chilion and Mahlon were ready as well.
“Let’s go see about getting on that crew of harvesters” Elimelek said.
The three men walked with purpose to the home of the farmer. Just as he expected, there were others gathering around too.
“I will take 25 people on this field, and 100 on the one on the other side of town. They both pay the same. This one is smaller and doesn’t need as many hands.”
Elimelek and his sons secured places in the field close to where they were camped. Elimelek did his best for the farmer but he knew he wasn’t keeping up with the others. The farmer noticed too.
“You seem to be moving pretty stiffly. Is there anything wrong?”
Elimelek wouldn’t lie to him; even if it cost him his job. “I had an accident a few days ago. Our cart nearly ran me down. As it was, it caught me in the chest. My wife has bound my ribs. It helps a bit, but it is still hard for me to move around.”
“Have you ever done this kind of work before?”
“I had my own field in Bethlehem of Israel. It was three times this size. I had to hire workers to come in and I worked right beside them.”
“So, you have experience managing crews then?”
“I do.”
“I could use your help managing the crew here. That way, I could manage the crews on the larger field.”
“I would be honored to help; if you are sure.”
“I am. You seem like a dependable man to me. One who would work even when he is injured.”
Elimelek worked diligently for the farmer and managed the crews well. Harvest ended a week after it started. Elimelek knew that he and his sons would need to look for work again. He was hoping that they could get on a crew that was doing threshing of the grain just harvested.
The farmer came to Elimelek on the final day of harvest. “I have a proposition for you.”
Elimelek gave him his full attention.
“I need someone to work this field. I have been called to move over to the second field and oversee it. I can’t do both alone. I have seen your faithfulness. Would you be interested in such a task?”
“I would, but I have to have work where I can make money so I can feed my family. We lost everything in the drought in Israel. And I have to find a place for us to live.”
“I can give you an advance of five sacks of grain from the threshing floor and this house to live in” he pointed to the one next to the field. “I expect I will get double the yield with you in charge.”
Elimelek’s eyes went wide. “I would be honored to accept your proposal! This is truly a gift from the Lord.”
The farmer laughed. “I have heard of Israel’s God and I honor him as well. This may well be His work for both of us.”
Elimelek’s family moved into the farmhouse two days later. Naomi was overjoyed. She ran her hand over the tables in the kitchen. And she laughed with joy as she placed her pots behind the curtains of the shelves.
Chilion and Mahlon worked on the threshing floor and Elimelek supervised the crews. His ribs had not healed enough to allow him toss the broken wheat into the air for sifting. He did drive the oxen pulling the threshing sledges though.
Naomi was still binding Elimelek’s ribs each day and the bruising was fading. But Elimelek began developing a cough and was having more difficulty breathing. Within a month of his injury, Elimelek was losing strength. He couldn’t catch his breath and could no longer sleep lying down. Naomi tried everything she could think of to loosen his chest, including removing the bindings, but it seemed as though he grew weaker each day. When he started having fevers, Naomi really became worried. She had seen this before with her Abba. It had started with a cough and ended in death. She prayed with all her strength that Elimelek would not follow in her Abba’s footsteps.
A week later, Elimelek was gone. Naomi was terrified. What would become of her and her sons? She was grieving the loss of her husband and trying to be the head of the household all at the same time. The fact that she had to be strong for her boys was the only thing that kept her from sinking into a pit of despair.
The man who had hired Elimelek came to see Naomi.
“I don’t want to be insensitive, but do your sons have the ability to manage a field as their father did?”
“They learned under his hand, but they have never done it on their own.”
“I am willing to let them try; IF they want to.”
“I’m grateful. I will have to speak with them. I believe they will agree, but I cannot speak for them, as they are grown men.”
“That they are. And I have seen what hard workers they are. Otherwise, I would not be extending this offer to them.”
That night Naomi spoke with her sons. “The master of this house and field as asked me a question. He wants to know if you would be willing, AND able, to manage this field as your Abba would have? He has agreed to let us stay IF you want to work the field and bring him in a good harvest.”
Chilion and Mahlon looked at each other and then at their Ima. Both nodded in agreement. Mahlon spoke for both of them. “We cannot promise as good a harvest as Abba would have brought in, but we will give our whole hearts to the work.”
When the landowner came again, Naomi told him what her sons had said. “They will give it their all” she assured him.
“That is all I can ask.”
True to their word, Chilion and Mahlon brought in a great harvest for the landowner. They did it again and again for the next two years. And they were paid handsomely for their labors. Naomi felt that she had enough money now to secure wives for her sons. Chilion was the oldest. Naomi would search for his wife first.
Naomi saw a young woman as she went to collect water one morning. She had not seen her at the well before. “Maybe she comes at a different hour and happened to come at this hour only today” though Naomi. She watched the young woman, curious to see how she performed her tasks. She was diligent in ensuring that her water jar was full. Then the girl looked up at Naomi. She had beautiful eyes and a smile to match.
“May I fill your water jar mother” she asked.
Naomi knew that older women were referred to as “mother” here in Moab, but when this girl said it, it sent a quiver through her heart; almost as if she could be a “mother” to this girl. “Where did that come from” she asked herself. She quickly recovered from her shock. “That would be lovely” she told the girl.
While her water jar was being filled, Naomi struck up a conversation. “I haven’t seen you here before.”
“My parents are a little over protective. They wouldn’t let me draw water ‘until I was of age’. They say it like it is some magic metamorphosis.” She shook her head and laughed. “This is my first time at the well.” After a moment she said, “My name is Orpah by the way.”
“I’m Naomi. It’s nice to meet your Orpah.”
When Orpah was finished filling Naomi’s jar she did something else that surprised Naomi. “May I carry it to your home for you?”
Naomi laughed, “Do I look that old?”
Orpah blushed. “I didn’t mean to imply that. I just wanted to help.”
“If you carried my jar, who would carry yours?”
Orpah laughed again. “That would be a problem wouldn’t it. Do you think it would be safe here while I walked you home?”
“I don’t know. I have never known anyone to steal a water jar. Isn’t your mother waiting for you at home though?”
Orpah hung her head. “You are right. I should get this water to her.” Orpah shrugged her shoulders. “It was nice meeting you Naomi. I hope to see you again.”
“And I you Orpah.” Naomi watched the girl lift her jar to her head and walk away. Naomi then lifted her own and made her way to her home. “A very lovely young girl” she thought.
Naomi saw Orpah at the well the next morning too. She was already filling her jar when Naomi arrived.
“Good morning mother” Orpah said to Naomi with a smile.
“Good morning Orpah. I’m glad to see you again.”
“Allow me to fill your jar for you” Orpah said as she stepped towards Naomi and held her hands out for Naomi’s jar. Naomi handed it to Orpah and watched as the young woman filled her jar. When Orpah was finished Naomi moved to take it up.
“Wait. Please allow me to carry it for you.”
“Won’t we run into the same problem as yesterday? Your jar would be left unattended. And your mother would worry about you.”
Orpah picked up a yoke from beside the well. “I thought of that. This yoke can carry both jars. And I already told my mother that I would be a little longer; helping a sweet mother with her water. She told me to take my time.”
Orpah smiled as she waited for Naomi’s answer. “You are a very sweet girl indeed. How could I refuse your gracious offer.”
Orpah hurried and linked both jars to her yoke and put it across her shoulders. She looked a little surprised as she stood up. “It’s a little heavier than I expected, but it’s not bad.” Orpah smiled again. “Lead on mother” she said.
Orpah and Naomi met at the well every morning with Orpah filling and carrying Naomi’s jar every day. They talked of their lives and dreams as they walked. After two weeks, Naomi made up her mind. This was the woman for Chilion. She was beautiful, inside and out. She had to figure out how to broach the subject though. She didn’t know if Orpah was already spoken for. She hadn’t said anything about being engaged. Maybe she wasn’t.
“Orpah, I have a question to ask you.”
“What is it mother?” Orpah asked.
“Are you already spoken for; as a wife?”
“No. I’m not. I was kind of hoping you would ask me that.”
“Why is that” asked Naomi with a little suspicion creeping in.
“I’m sorry. That sounded forward” Orpah blushed.
“Please go on. I would like to hear the story behind your words.”
“I have to admit to having seen you in town with your sons. The way they treat you when they are with you makes my heart sing. They are gentle, yet strong. I imagine that they would make wonderful husbands. I haven’t seen any man in all of Moab that I would consider their equal.”
“You couldn’t marry both of them” Naomi laughed. “Which one are you drawn to” she asks with a twinkle in her eye.
“I’m not sure of his name, but he is the taller one. The one with the twisting curl in the middle of his forehead.”
“You have been watching” Naomi said with a smile. “That is my son Chilion. And to be honest with you, I’m looking for a wife for him. That is why I asked you that question.”
Orpah’s eyes glowed with excitement. Then she brought herself back down to earth. “I know you are from a different culture than mine. I don’t know how such things are arranged in Israel, but the parents have to give consent her in Moab. Your husband would have to ask my father.”
“That would be difficult as I’m a widow. Would your customs prevent me from asking your parents instead?”
“I think that would be acceptable.”
“Then, tomorrow, I will walk with you to your home after drawing water. Then I can meet your mother and make arrangements for all of us to discuss marriage.”
Orpah hugged Naomi before leaving her at her door. Naomi went into the field to find Chilion. He was working with the plow, breaking the land for the next planting. She walked over to him and put a hand on his arm to get his attention.
Chilion jumped at Naomi’s touch as he hadn’t seen her approach. He recovered quickly and bent down to give Naomi a kiss on the cheek.
“Chilion. I believe I have found you a wife.”
“I didn’t know you were searching for one.” This announcement caught him off guard and left him wondering what he was allowed or expected to say now. He had a hundred questions pop into his mind, starting with ‘what does she look like’ but didn’t know if it was proper to ask that.
Fortunately, Naomi knew her son well enough to see the wheels turning in his mind. “You can ask me anything you would like. But if it helps, it is the young woman who has been carrying water home with me every day.”
Chilion’s eyes went wide and a smile split his face nearly in two. Naomi laughed at the sight. “I take it you have noticed her.”
“I certainly have. How she treats you is what I noticed first. She treats you with so much care and respect. Almost as if she was your own child. She treats you with LOVE Ima.”
Naomi recognized the truth in Chilion’s words. “This may sound strange, but the first time she spoke to me and called me ‘mother’ I felt as if she could be my own child.”
“Maybe it was the Lord showing you what was to come.”
“I will meet her mother tomorrow after we draw water from the well. Then we will arrange a time to speak to her father of marriage.”
Chilion finished his day with an extra spring in his step. When Naomi got ready to go to the well, Chilion asked if he could go with her. “If I accompany you, I can carry your jar home so you will be able to meet her mother sooner and not tire her too much.”
“You are hoping for a chance to meet her up close. You can’t fool me.”
Chilion dropped his head as if discouraged, but his smile never left his face. “Oh, come on. I will introduce you to Orpah.”
When Naomi and Chilion got to the well, Orpah had just started filling her jar. Chilion hurried over to her. “Here, let me do that for you.”
Orpah thought about protesting only for a second. Then, she gave Chilion a sweet smile and handed him the dipper for the well. Chilion filled both jars; the smile never leaving his lips. When both were full, Orpah picked up her yoke and started hooking up the water jars. Naomi put a restraining hand on Orpah’s hand. “Chilion volunteered to take my water jar home so I could meet your mother right away.”
“Actually” Chilion said, “If you would allow me, I will carry both jars for you. We can take yours home first and then I will carry my Ima’s home for her.”
Orpah smiled and nodded her head. Chilion thought he would explode with joy right there and then. He carefully hoisted the jars with the yokes and balanced them across his shoulders. He didn’t care that this was ‘women’s work’, or who saw him doing it.
Orpah’s mother met them at the door with a huge smile. Orpah had told her about the conversation she had with Naomi the day before. She was looking forward to meeting Naomi. It looked like she was going to get to meet the bridegroom as well. And she liked what she saw.
“Naomi,” Orpah said, “this is my mother, Phillis. Mother, this is Naomi.” Orpah turned to indicate Chilion. “And this is Chilion, Naomi’s son.”
“I am very pleased to meet you Naomi. Orpah has told me so much about you.”
“She is a lovely young woman. She abounds in kindness and beauty.” Naomi hesitated a minute before continuing. “Has Orpah told you of our conversation regarding marriage?”
“She has, and her father and I are looking forward to speaking with you on this matter. Am I to assume that this young man is the one you would like us to give our daughter to?”
“He is. And it is at his own urging that he wound up coming with us today. Apparently, he is eager to speak with you as well.” Naomi smiles at Chilion as he blushes.
“My husband is here right now and I would love to introduce you to him, but I don’t know if that is too informal for your customs. If so, what would be appropriate?”
“As I’m not exactly following customs, as I am a widow arranging a marriage for her son, I’m willing to meet more informally, if that suits you.”
“Then by all means, come in!”
Chilion looked from his mother to Orpah and shyly pointed at the water jars.
“Put them by the door please. They will both be safe here.”
They all entered the house and were led to the central room of the house. “We have guests Gaius” Philis calls out. Orpah’s father stands when they enter the room. “This is Naomi and her son Chilion” Phillis says while holding her hand out towards each.
“I’m very pleased to meet you both.”
“We are pleased to mee you as well.” Naomi inclines her head in respect, as does Chilion.
“Naomi has agreed to throw ceremony to the wind and speak with us now regarding plans for these two young people.”
“That would be wonderful!” Gaius offers them all a seat. “I don’t know how things are done in Israel, but we consult the young people. They are to voice their hearts first. Then, we parents discuss whether we think they are serious and would make a good match.”
“It is done a little different in Israel, as the parents usually make the arrangements for the children and the children bow to their wishes. I admit that I do like the idea of the young people having a voice in this matter. When I was betrothed, I hadn’t even met my bridegroom. We met a month later.”
“And what happens if the children are not suitable for one another” asked Phillis.
“In Israel, they make it work. There are few grounds for divorce and even fewer grounds where a child can go against their parent’s wishes.”
“That sounds… hard” said Phillis. “My father arranged our marriage” Phillis reaches out and takes Gaius’ hand. “But we were already in love when our parents spoke of marriage.”
Gaius cleared his throat. “Is this the first time that Orpah and Chilion have met? From their expressions when you entered the room, I assumed that they already knew one another.”
“They have both seen each other from afar; and have both expressed deep regard for the actions and character of the other” Naomi answered.
“Father, I feel as though I have known Chilion for years. I have seen him in the marketplace with his mother. I have watched how he treats her and the love that he shows her. How he interacts with the vendors and other shoppers is pure respect. In short; I have loved his character from afar. And his looks aren’t half bad” Orpah adds with a shy smile.
Chilion laughs. “I too have watched from afar. I haven’t had ‘years’ of time to observe Orpah, but what I have seen of her ways touches my heart. The way she treats my Ima is pure love. I have never known such a kind and beautiful woman in my life; except my Ima of course.”
“What would you say to an engagement, where the two of them can get better acquainted. And if either feels the marriage is unsuitable, they may speak up and it will be canceled, without hard feelings” proposes Gaius.
“This certainly isn’t the way it is done in Israel, but it sounds agreeable to me” replied Naomi. “And do you have any customs where the groom pays, what we call in Israel, ‘the bride price’?”
“I’m not sure what that is” answered Gaius.
“It is a ‘price’ or ‘gift’ given to the parents of the bride that demonstrates the groom’s commitment to the marriage and reflects his ability to provide for their daughter. It also binds the two families together.”
“There is something like that in our culture. We exchange gifts of commitment between the families to symbolize our unification in supporting our children’s union” answers Phillis. “Being as we are proposing something not completely of either of our cultures, it might be wise to wait until the young people have decided that they truly wish to be married.”
“How long of an ‘engagement’ do you suggest for our young people to make up their minds?”
“Three months” Phillis suggests. Gaius nods his head in agreement. Naomi nods her head as well.
It is settled. Chilion and Orpah will have three months to become acquainted before a formal betrothal will be announced. The will of course be chaperoned, as is the custom in both cultures.
Three months both fly by and endlessly drag by for Chilion and Orpah. Their love and devotion to one another has grown exponentially since their first meeting. Their parents are requiring them to wait the prescribed time before announcing their decision. The day has finally arrived!
“What do the two of you say to becoming married” Gaius asks the young couple.
“I want no other, father. I am honored to give my life to Chilion.”
“And I want no other. My life would be an empty shell without Orpah in it as my wife.”
“I don’t think we need to ask any more questions; do you Naomi” Phillis responds with a smile.
“I am satisfied. I have been certain for some time. These two are meant to be together.”
The parents exchange token gifts and a wedding date is set! In three more months, Orpah will become Naomi’s daughter-in-law.
(to be continued)
I’m sorry but I have to stop here. It is way past my bedtime and I want to do justice to Orpah and Malon’s wedding. I know that we haven’t even made it past the first three verses in the book of Ruth. I hope you are enjoying the story as it unfolds. I certainly am.
Father God, thank You for taking me into the story and giving me my own glimpse into how things could have been. I pray that I am doing Your story justice. I look forward to seeing how You move me through the first three background verses. Then how You give me the ‘meat’ of the story.
