Title: Naomi and Ruth
CHARACTERS:
Naomi – an old Jewish woman
Ruth – Naomi’s daughter-in-law
SETTING: A village in Moab
ACT I
SCENE I
(Naomi and her husband Elimelech, together with their two sons, Mahlon and Kilion, move from Bethlehem of Judah to live in the country of Moab.)
Naomi: (Voice-over) In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons.
(Enter Naomi, Elimelech, Mahlon and Kilion.)
Naomi: Elimelech, why have we left our homeland and come to this place where we do not belong?
Elimelech: Naomi, there was a famine in the land. We had to go where there was food.
Naomi: But this is not our home. Bethlehem is where God gave us our inheritance.
Mahlon: Mother, we are safe here. And we have found work and food.
Kilion: Yes, Naomi. We should be grateful for what we have.
Naomi: (sighs) You are right, my sons. Let us be thankful for what God has provided for us.
SCENE II
(Elimelech dies, leaving Naomi a widow with her two sons, who marry Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah.)
Naomi: (Voice-over) But then Elimelech, my husband, died, and I was left with my two sons.
(Enter Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah.)
Naomi: My daughters, you have been a blessing to us. You have brought light into our lives.
Ruth: We are honored to be part of your family, Naomi.
Orpah: Yes, and we will always be here for you.
Naomi: But my sons have died too. And I am too old to marry again and have more children. You should go back to your own people.
Orpah: (crying) Naomi, we cannot leave you alone.
Ruth: Where you go, we go. Your people are my people, and your God is my God.
Naomi: (emotionally touched) Oh, Ruth, you are a true daughter to me. But how can I burden you with such a heavy load?
Ruth: No burden is too heavy when it is shared with a loved one.
SCENE III
(Naomi and Ruth return to Bethlehem where they are welcomed by the townspeople.)
Naomi: (Voice-over) So, Naomi and Ruth returned to Bethlehem, where they were welcomed by the townspeople.
(Enter Naomi and Ruth.)
Townspeople: (in unison) Naomi, welcome back!
Naomi: It is good to be home, among my own people.
Townspeople: And who is this with you?
Naomi: This is Ruth, my daughter-in-law, who has clung to me and pledged to stay with me until the end of her days.
Townspeople: (impressed) Ruth, you are a noble woman. May God bless you both and provide for you.
ACT II
SCENE I
(Naomi sends Ruth to glean in the fields belonging to Boaz, a wealthy and righteous relative.)
Naomi: (Voice-over) In order for us to have food, Ruth had to go to the fields to glean. And it so happened that she gleaned in the fields of Boaz, a righteous and wealthy man, who was a relative of ours.
(Enter Naomi and Ruth.)
Naomi: Ruth, my dear, I have an idea. I know Boaz, and he is our kinsman-redeemer. Go to his fields and glean there.
Ruth: Thank you, Naomi. I will do as you say.
SCENE II
(Boaz notices Ruth and kindly asks about her.)
Boaz: (to his workers) Who is that young woman in the fields? Do not call her out or treat her harshly.
(Enter Boaz and Ruth.)
Boaz: Greetings, young woman. May I ask your name?
Ruth: I am Ruth, your servant.
Boaz: You are a Moabite woman? Yet, you have shown kindness to Naomi, who is a kinswoman of mine.
Ruth: Yes, I have pledged to stay by her side until the end of my days.
Boaz: You are a noble woman, and I pray that God will reward you for your kindness. Stay here and glean as much as you need. And please, let me know if there is anything else I can do for you.
Ruth: (grateful) Thank you, sir. You are too generous to me.
SCENE III
(Boaz shows kindness to Ruth, and Naomi realizes he is a possible kinsman-redeemer for them.)
Naomi: (Voice-over) As Ruth continued to glean in Boaz’s fields, he showed her much kindness and provided for her abundantly.
(Enter Naomi.)
Naomi: Ruth, come here. Listen to me, my daughter. Boaz is our kinsman-redeemer. He has the right to marry you and keep our family line alive.
Ruth: (surprised) Me? But how can I make him notice me? I am a foreigner in a strange land.
Naomi: (smiling) You are a beautiful and noble woman, my dear. Trust in God, and let us see what He will do.
ACT III
SCENE I
(Naomi instructs Ruth on how to get Boaz’s attention.)
Naomi: (Voice-over) So, Naomi instructed Ruth on how to get Boaz’s attention.
(Enter Naomi and Ruth.)
Naomi: Ruth, dress in your best clothes, and anoint yourself with oil. Then, go to the threshing floor where Boaz will be working.
Ruth: (confused) But what should I do there?
Naomi: Wait until he falls asleep. Then, uncover his feet and lie down there. He will tell you what to do next.
SCENE II
(Ruth obeys Naomi and lies at Boaz’s feet. Boaz awakens and realizes her intentions.)
Boaz: (to Ruth) Who are you?
Ruth: I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your cloak over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer.
Boaz: (smiling) You are clever, my dear. And you honor me greatly. But there is a closer kinsman-redeemer than I. Let me go and speak to him first.
SCENE III
(Boaz settles the matter with the closer kinsman-redeemer, and he ends up marrying Ruth.)
Boaz: (to the closer kinsman-redeemer) You are my relative, and you have the first right to redeem the property and marry Ruth.
Closer kinsman-redeemer: (considers) Yes, I will redeem it.
Boaz: (smiling) Very well. But know this, along with the property comes Ruth, the Moabite woman.
Closer kinsman-redeemer: (suddenly hesitant) Wait, never mind. I cannot risk my own inheritance. You may redeem it yourself.
(Boaz and Ruth marry and have a son named Obed, who becomes the grandfather of King David.)
Naomi: (Voice-over) So, Boaz redeemed the property and married Ruth. And God granted them a son, Obed, who became the grandfather of King David.
(Enter Naomi, Boaz, and Ruth holding baby Obed.)
Naomi: God has brought us much joy, my beloved family. May our family line continue to prosper under the guidance of our Lord.
Boaz: Amen.
Ruth: Amen.