And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.
What miseries spring out of original transgression! When Elimelech left Bethlehem-judah, he left it only for a little while, according to his intention. He meant to return again when the famine was over. Alas! when men leave God, neglect his ordinances, seek pleasure in the world, who shall calculate the end of such awful departures? Here are affinities with Moab unnatural, unscriptural alliances! Oh! how sweet is that precept of the Lord, and how full of mercy; Come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. Revelation 18:4.