The burden on Naomi showed in the actions reported here, too. Naomi's sons took Moabite wives. As noted before, this was forbidden because God didn't want His chosen people to be unequally yoked with idol worshippers. It would have been one thing if the women they loved had become proselytes. But, they would have had to choose to become wholly Jewish, then.
The wives of Mahlon and Chilion were Orpah and Ruth. They are not only real people; they are also great patterns for the types of people missionaries encounter. And, these men - and their Moabite families - can teach us something about missions, and the struggles of missionaries.
There was at least one really good witness in the family. This person or persons showed Orpah, Ruth, and others what it meant to obey God's commandments, seek His forgiveness and mercy, and honor the Lord, even when far away from Israel. We don't know whether Elimelech and his family reached anyone else concerning God's awesomeness. But, we know Orpah and Ruth were interested enough that they got close to Mahlon and Chilion.
We don't know how Mahlon and Chilion met Orpah and Ruth. We do, however, know that the family had to interact with Moabites every day. They would have met people who were indifferent, some who were hostile, and some who were curious. Their job, living in Moab, was to demonstrate God's great provision, and tell strangers of God's mighty power and goodness. Solomon would later state - in his prayer dedicating the temple - that strangers would hear of God's mighty works. (1 Kings 8:41-43) Israelites entering a stranger's land, providentially, gave pagans one way to hear, even if it wasn't the best way.
When the Bible relates that “they dwelled there about ten years,” some ask, is it ten years from the marriages? Or ten years total? Probably the latter. Most of Naomi's friends are alive and know her when she returns. Naomi's comments later in this chapter imply Ruth and Orpah are still young enough to marry, which would be easier, in those days, if they had only been married a few years, not ten. Finally, while not all natural disasters or deaths are the result of God's discipline, their deaths could have been a result of disobeying the Lord. However, the Bible usually states when a death is the result of God's chastening, and it doesn’t here.
So, Orpah and Ruth became the wives of Mahlon and Chilion. The question was, were these women there for the love God had for His people? Or, just for the love and companionship their husbands and Naomi showed? It was a question God would make them consider. It's just like people today must consider whether they really want to follow Christ, or whether, like people after the loaves and fishes miracle, they're just there for the benefits. It’s a question we must all consider, because we never know when the Lord will return.
