A literary foil is a character who stands in contrast to another character. The two characters may be very different, but the foil magnifies the nature of the hero.

Today’s passage begins with Naomi kissing her daughters-in-law as the three women wept—an emotional moment, full of grief, fear, longing, and love. At first, Ruth and Orpah both refused to leave Naomi’s side, declaring their commitment to Naomi above their own community (v. 10). Naomi responded with an impassioned, logical argument based on the Levirate law (Deuteronomy 25). It required a brother to marry his brother’s widow if she had no son. Naomi started with two rhetorical questions: “Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons?” (v. 11).

She painted an impossible hypothetical scenario (v. 12). Even if Naomi married that very night and became pregnant immediately, it would be too long for the women to wait. She was highlighting the foolishness of the young women’s emotional choice. Naomi concluded with some shocking exclamations. She declared, “It is more bitter for me than for you” (v. 13)! And she placed the blame on God Himself. His hand was against her (v. 13). She saw all her trials—famine, displacement, death—as evidence of God’s wrath.

The three women wept again. Naomi’s speech stirred their emotions. Orpah took the logical route. She kissed Naomi good-bye and returned home. Orpah does serve as a foil for Ruth—her departure heightens Ruth’s reaction when she “clung to” Naomi (v. 14). The act of “clinging” implies loyalty and love, leaving connection to one group to join another. This word is also used in Genesis 2:24—“a man leaves his father and mother and is united [clings] to his wife.”

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