Naomi and Ruth

In the olden days, in the land of Juda used to live a sweet and pleasant woman Naomi and her husband Elimelech. They had two sons, Mahlon and Kilion. One day famine reached Juda, and Elimelech decided to move his family to the land of Moab to survive. Moab was a three or four day walking trip from Bethlehem Juda. On their way to Moab, Elimelech died. Naomi cried and said to God, " You are the one who gives, and you have the right to take him back. But, Why now? Why my husband ?. " With sadness, they buried him there and Naomi and her children continued the trip to Moab.

After arriving in Moab, Naomi, Mahlon, and Kilion found a group of young and beautiful women near a water pump to who they approached to ask for help to get situated. That's where Mahlon met Ruth and Kilion met Orpah. Ruth and Orpah were roommates and decided to help them.

Ruth seeing Naomi sad and dirty proposed to the boys," I and Orpah can take care of Naomi at our place, and meanwhile you guys can look for a place where you will be staying."

Naomi replied to them," My family and I will be forever grateful for your act of kindness."

Naomi and her children lived in Moab for ten years. Mahlon married Ruth and Killion married Orpah. Unfortunately, tragedy strikes. Mahlon and Killion died in Moab, Ruth and Orpah became a widow too.

Naomi cried of bitterness and said, "Oh God! It happened again, this time my two sons are gone. What did I do to deserve this?."

Naomi heard that there was no more famine in Bethlehem, she decided to return home. She was not going by herself, Ruth and Orpah were by her side. On their way there Naomi proposed to Ruth and Orpah to go back to their family and that they didn't have to stay with her. Orpah accepted and she went back to Moab.

However, Ruth said," I will not go anywhere without you. Naomi, you have been more than a mother in law, you have been a family to me. So wherever you go, I will go too and I will take care of you until death tears us apart."

Naomi and Ruth continued their trip to Moab. Once arrived there, people from Bethlehem greet Naomi by her name and Naomi cried and said, " Please don't call me Naomi, call me Mara because God has made my life bitter by taking my husband and my two sons."

Ruth standing by her side grabbed her hands and told Naomi," Don't lose hope, pray God, and have faith. One day he will bless you. He might not bring your husband and your sons back, but he will bless you one way or another because you are a very good and sweet woman Naomi."

Naomi and Ruth went home and rested.

At the beginning of the harvest season, Ruth went to the field and glean but the field where she went was owned by a man called Boaz. Boaz was Elimelech's family. In the field, Boaz noticed Ruth's hard work and courage. It was love at first sight. Boaz looking at Ruth said," Beautiful women, do not go in other fields to glean, you can glean here at my field anytime you want. I will also order my men to watch over you and I won't let other men bother you".

Ruth replied to him," Why are you so kind to me? I am a Moabite, Why did you even notice me?"

Boaz replied, "Your hard work and I saw you came here at dawn, most of the women come here a little later. Also, I heard what you did for Naomi and how you stood by her side while she was going through tough times. You are a very faithful woman. Your loyalty to Naomi and God will be rewarded one day. Now child, go home and rest."

Ruth noticing Boaz's act of kindness goes home and explains to Naomi what happened to her. Naomi was so happy and said," God hasn't stopped showing his kindness to us and the dead. Now my daughter, go and ask him to redeem you and your property."

Ruth did what Naomi asked her to do. Boaz became a guardian-redeemer for Ruth and Naomi. Boaz got married to Ruth and they had a son they called Obed. And Naomi was no longer called Mara because she became sweet and pleasant again.

Author's Notes

I kept the same story as the original. The original says that Elimelech died already in the land of Moab, on my version i said that he died on their way, the reason why is because he was old and couldn't support at three to four day trip walking. And that helped to find a way for Naomi's family to meet with Ruth and Orpah. I also made Naomi complain aI little more after every bad thing that happened to her because she was very hurt and that's why she was kind of blaming God. Naomi and Ruth friendship was more deep than Naomi and Orpah we can see that since they met. I also wanted to show that how deep their friendship were with keeping Naomi update after Ruth met Boaz. When Naomi was feeling down, Ruth was always there to keep her moral up. That's what happened when they got in Bethlehem. Ruth Loyalty to Naomi was something very special and she was rewarded for it.

Bibliography

Naomi and Ruth link 1 , link 2 , link 3