174cmx153cm, 2016
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RUTH AND BOAZAfter years of famine, Naomi is back in Bethlehem with Ruth, her daughter–in-law. Both their husbands have died. Ruth is committed to provide for her mother-in-law by gleaning barley stalks in the field of Boaz, a kinsman-redeemer of Naomi. After the harvest Ruth approaches the sleeping Boaz and covers her feet with his cloak. This was symbolic of asking for protection. Boaz grants her request and marries her.
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The Story behind the Painting
Ruth 1-4, paraphrased
In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land of Judah and a man, Elimelech, and his wife Naomi and two sons Mahlon and Kilion, decided to move from Bethlehem to the land of Moab to live there. Naomi’s husband died; the two sons married Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth. After they had lived there for about ten years, both Mahlon and Kilion also died, leaving Naomi without her husband and her two sons.
After the famine in Judah, Naomi prepared to return to Bethlehem with her two daughters-in-law. Orpah decided to stay in Moab, but Ruth was committed to go with Naomi and told her, “Your people will be my people, and your God my God.”
They arrived in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning. Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side, a man of standing, whose name was Boaz. Ruth feels obliged to provide for her mother-in-law by picking up the barley grain missed by the harvesters.
As it turned out, she found herself working in the field of Boaz, a godly and wealthy man with a kind spirit. He was touched by Ruth’s devotion to her mother-in-law, and instructed his workers to generously leave her extra barley to take.
When Naomi realized that Boaz favored Ruth, she encouraged her to make herself known to Boaz and she told her: “After he has finished eating and drinking, go to the threshing floor where he is lying down (to watch over the grain), uncover his feet and lie down. Ruth did as Naomi told her to do. In the middle of the night something startled the man and he discovered a woman lying at his feet. “Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she said. Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer”. “The Lord bless you, my daughter,” he replied.
Boaz promised Ruth to redeem her. He married her in order to preserve the name of Elimelech. And they had a son, named Obed, the father of Jesse, the father of David.
Ruth 1-4, paraphrased
In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land of Judah and a man, Elimelech, and his wife Naomi and two sons Mahlon and Kilion, decided to move from Bethlehem to the land of Moab to live there. Naomi’s husband died; the two sons married Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth. After they had lived there for about ten years, both Mahlon and Kilion also died, leaving Naomi without her husband and her two sons.
After the famine in Judah, Naomi prepared to return to Bethlehem with her two daughters-in-law. Orpah decided to stay in Moab, but Ruth was committed to go with Naomi and told her, “Your people will be my people, and your God my God.”
They arrived in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning. Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side, a man of standing, whose name was Boaz. Ruth feels obliged to provide for her mother-in-law by picking up the barley grain missed by the harvesters.
As it turned out, she found herself working in the field of Boaz, a godly and wealthy man with a kind spirit. He was touched by Ruth’s devotion to her mother-in-law, and instructed his workers to generously leave her extra barley to take.
When Naomi realized that Boaz favored Ruth, she encouraged her to make herself known to Boaz and she told her: “After he has finished eating and drinking, go to the threshing floor where he is lying down (to watch over the grain), uncover his feet and lie down. Ruth did as Naomi told her to do. In the middle of the night something startled the man and he discovered a woman lying at his feet. “Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she said. Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer”. “The Lord bless you, my daughter,” he replied.
Boaz promised Ruth to redeem her. He married her in order to preserve the name of Elimelech. And they had a son, named Obed, the father of Jesse, the father of David.