Beware the 'little' sojourns into the world!
Ruth 1:3-5 Then Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died; and she was left with her two sons. And they took for themselves Moabite women as wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. And they lived there about ten years. Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died; and the woman was bereft of her two children and her husband.
Ten years! Elimelech probably thought he would go for a little sojourn to enjoy Moab for a season yet he never came out! What's more it took his wife ten years to see that Moab promised much but delivered nothing. Those who leave the Lord today find the same thing. Though the world promises fame, fortune and happiness, nothing can come near the peace and hope that comes from knowing that you are right with the Lord.
I read a quote recently that stuck with me from Pavel Polez. That's right, the great Mr Polez. Na, I have no idea who he is either! But I do know this, that he is Russian and having been exiled from Russia to America he said 'In Russia, Christians are tested by hardship. But in America you are tested by freedom. And testing by freedom is much harder. Nobody pressures you about your religion so you don't concentrate on Jesus, his teaching, or how He wants you to live.' That is thought provoking!
The prodigal son had to learn this the hard way, and once the money ran out he soon found himself lunching with pigs! Nope, Moab only produces death and its no coincidence that we read that Mahlon (sickly) and Chilion (pining) also meet their end there. We are however introduced to two new characters in Ruth (friendship) and Orpah (stiff-necked). Both of these ladies are well named, as we shall soon see.