Summer 1985
Ruth or Orpah
IQ Spencer

As children of the Lord, we are permitted by God to come into trying circumstances. In them we are called upon to make important decisions which greatly affect our spiritual development and destiny in the Kingdom of our Lord.

In the Book of Ruth, we have the record of two women bereaved in their youth, and of their choices: one, Orpah, chose to return to her own people, and to her own way of life. But Ruth chose differently. She pleaded with Naomi, “Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.” (Ruth 1:16)

Though completely unknown to her, only as Ruth left behind those things that were dear to her would she become the bride of Boaz, her kinsman-redeemer. So also, only as we make our choice to conform to God’s choice for us, can we in the highest sense please the heart of our heavenly Bridegroom.

This incident brings to mind Leviticus 25. In this passage we have a picture of two men bound in servitude to an Israelite to pay off past debts. The year of Jubilee had come when their bondage was ended and their property was to be restored to them.

One of the men expressed his deep appreciation of the master and, being so happy to be free, took what was his and departed to live his own independent life.

The other man through the years of servitude had come to love his master and was loath to leave him, so he stepped up on the post of the door and holding the lobe of his ear against it, asked his master to pierce it. This made him a bond, or love slave for the rest of his life. Jesus was a bond slave of His Father. Psalm 40:6 reads, “Mine ears has thou opened” (or pierced). Paul was surely a love-slave of the Lord Jesus.

We have these two types of Christians ever with us. The one type, Orpah, is in the majority who chooses their own independent way. The other type, Ruth, chooses the sovereign purposes of the Lord Jesus for their life through an abandonment to the Holy Spirit.

In the Kingdom of God, there is no place for a spirit of independence because it leads to other sins. Many times a person is brought to a realization of his own independent attitude when he is faced with his sad failures and mistakes. Recognizing this, he seeks a “fig leaf covering” to hide his failure and so continues on in his independence. But this is rebellion against God. We too often see this type of man in Church government and responsibility. Instead of giving Jesus His place as rightful Head, he assumes a place of leadership. Human government is either autocratic or democratic; divine government is theocratic and requires complete submission to His headship.

True, the independent man will often ask the Lord’s blessing on his ways and efforts, but he will seldom step out of the way so the Divine Leader can take over the reins. On the other hand, the love slave, having undergone an inner crucifixion of his self life is delivered from his own independent desires and ways, and he most gladly submits himself for the True and Living Head.

Today’s trials and God’s dealings will show us which of these two types are a picture of us. Is God, by His Spirit brooding over you to bring you out of your own independent ways and into the life and leadership of Christ by His Spirit?

Though yet a green fig, Israel is stepping forth as a nation, and the entire world is aware of her presence and importance.

And the vines with tender grapes give a good smell.

The Body of Christ is both experiencing and expressing the spiritual life and ministry that the Lord desires. Now, those in whom the Spirit of the Lord is moving can truly say, “The winter is past . . . the flowers appear on the earth.”

A people are being called from the world into the Church. Great blessing and growth is taking place in the Church through this outpouring of the Spirit. But there is yet another call. In the midst of this visitation, a singular and personal call from the Lord is being heard by many of His people” “Rise up and come away.” These are being called into a realm of spiritual life and identity with the Lord Himself.

Pressure for participation in some program loudly beckons to many who are finding a new and richer experience in the Lord as they respond to this call. These wonder where their loyalty should be placed as they hunger to come into all that the Lord has for them.

The Lord reveals Himself as standing outside of the door of all this activity. He is knocking, calling to those who have an ear to hear. “Behold I stand at the door and knock, if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and sup with him, and he with me.” (Rev. 3:20)

John heard this call. A door open in heaven, and He heard a voice as a trumpet (prophetic revelation) talking with him, which said: “Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the Spirit; and, behold, a throne . . . and one sat on the throne.” (Rev. 4:1-2) This call was to the Lord Himself.

There is much that the Lord desires to reveal concerning things to come. Yet, He did not place the emphasis on these things, but rather upon Himself; for the revelation which follows is that of the Lord Himself in all of His glory, with the overcoming Church caught up to His throne. Jesus said: “If I be lifted up, I will draw all men to myself.” (John 12:32)

In this day of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and of manifold demands upon our time, let us again meditate on the true purpose for the outpouring of the Spirit. “My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.”

Our Lord is calling a people to Himself to fulfill His purposes for this day in which we live.