The Virtuous Wife

The Virtuous Wife

Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands. She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar. She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants. She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms. She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle. She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet. She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants. Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all.” Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Ruth #1

FRIENDS  
Ruth and Naomi: an example of true friendship

NAOMI -- (enters from audience rear, carrying a large bag full of clothing over shoulder, walks slowly to corner of stage)
RUTH --- (enters from audience rear, carrying a large bag full of clothing over shoulder, shouts) Naomi, wait.
NAOMI -- (turns) Ruth, dear, what are you doing here?
RUTH --- I want to go with you.
NAOMI -- But I'm going back to Israel. You don't know anyone there. Your people are here in Moab. What about your mother and father?
RUTH --- I said goodbye to them. I want to be with you. (they reach the corner of the stage)
NAOMI -- I have no more sons for you to marry and give you babies. You should stay here with your own people as Orpah did.
RUTH --- But you are more than just a mother-in-law to me, Naomi. You are my friend. Let me go with you.
NAOMI -- You don't know what you're getting into. In my country there are none of your idols to worship, no Ashera poles, no high places to pray to your gods. And the language will be a problem. Foreign women are often mistreated by the Jews.
RUTH --- It doesn't matter. I won't let you travel alone.
NAOMI -- (stops, pats her face) Ruth, you have been such a good friend to me. When my husband died you were the only one in Moab who was there to cry with me. And you were also there for me when my two sons died.
RUTH --- One of your sons was my husband, Naomi. And you were there for me too.
NAOMI -- There's no way I can change your mind?
RUTH --- Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.
NAOMI -- (hugs Ruth, then holds her shoulder, begins crossing) Come, then, my friend.
RUTH --- Where will we live when we get to Israel? Bethlehem?
NAOMI -- You soak up my words like a sponge. Yes, Bethlehem is my home and Bethlehem is where you and I shall make our home. And, fortunately, we will be arriving in there at the barley harvest.
RUTH --- Is that good?
NAOMI -- Well, we won't have trouble finding food to eat.
RUTH --- But you don't have any land there. How can we harvest what we have not planted?
NAOMI -- It is the custom of my people to let the poor people follow the harvesters.
RUTH --- The gleaning.
NAOMI -- Very good! You may fit in there after all. (stops near far end of stage, pats Ruth's face) And you're certainly pretty enough. Perhaps I can reward your loyal friendship by playing the matchmaker.
RUTH --- I don't understand.
NAOMI -- (points to rear corner of audience) Oh, look, there's Bethlehem and the harvest has begun.
RUTH --- (points to audience) Shall I join the gleaners behind the harvesters in the fields?
NAOMI -- (sly smile) Yes. Yes, you do that. But, not there. There. (points offstage)
RUTH --- I don't understand. This field (points) is larger.
NAOMI -- Yes, but this (points) is the field that belongs to Boaz. He is a relative of my husband. Be sure to tell him who you were married to. (takes Ruth's bag, smiles) Go, hurry. Boaz is coming out to the field. Go! (pushes Ruth out exit, exits opposite)
RUTH --- (re-enters with a large flower pots in her arms) Naomi, look! You were right! We WILL have plenty to eat here!
NAOMI -- (re-enters, wiping hands on apron, smiling) Well, good for you!
RUTH --- Good for us! We have almost of week's supply of grain here from just one day of gleaning!
NAOMI -- Did you meet Boaz?
RUTH --- Yes, but he didn't treat me like the other gleaners.
NAOMI -- How so?
RUTH --- Well, as you predicted, he seemed pleased that I was related in marriage to your husband, even though I am a... what did he call me?
NAOMI -- A gentile?
RUTH --- Yes. I assume that means that I am an outsider. He told me not to glean in any other fields but his, that there would be plenty to be gleaned in his fields.
NAOMI -- I think he likes you.
RUTH --- I think I know what a matchmaker is.
NAOMI -- (turns with a smile) What could you possibly mean?
RUTH --- (walks around to look her in the face) You talked to Boaz while I was in the fields, didn't you?
NAOMI -- Me?
RUTH --- Yes. When we sat down for lunch, Boaz knew all about the fact that I left my mother and father in Moab so you wouldn't have to travel alone.
NAOMI -- It doesn't hurt to prime the pump a little. So, tell me. What happened?
RUTH --- At first I thought his harvesters were just being careless, because after lunch they started missing a lot more grain. I mean, a lot more. But only the harvesters who were in front of me seemed to be missing a lot of grain. None of the other gleaners gleaned nearly as much as I did. And I'm no better at it than any of the others.
NAOMI -- That's a good sign! He likes you. He really likes you!
RUTH --- You think so? I mean, I AM a Gentile.
NAOMI -- (pats her face) You're a pretty gentile and you're my friend. You stayed with me when I needed you. And now you're reaping your reward for being faithful. (takes the pot, escorts her to far end of stage) Now, we close in for the kill.
RUTH --- The kill? What kill?
NAOMI -- It's a figure of speech. (hands her a pretty scarf) Here, tie this in your hair.
RUTH --- But... (ties hair back with scarf)
NAOMI -- Go to the threshing floor and let him see how pretty you are until the sun goes down, then, when he lies down, you sleep at his feet.
RUTH --- At his feet?
NAOMI -- It's a custom here. It lets him know you're interested in more than just his grain.
RUTH --- Naomi!
NAOMI -- Go. (points)
RUTH --- Well, what do I do if he's interested, you know....
NAOMI -- ...Boaz is a gentleman. He'll treat you like a lady.
RUTH --- But, I'm a gentile...
NAOMI -- ...Go!
RUTH --- But... (exits)
NAOMI -- ...Trust me. I'm your friend. (exits opposite)
RUTH --- (re-enters, carrying a large flower pot) Naomi! I'm home!
NAOMI -- (re-enters, with open arms) Well, I see he gave you some grain. What else happened?
RUTH --- Nothing.
NAOMI -- Nothing?
RUTH --- Well, nothing that I was expecting. I mean, you know what would have happened if I would have tried that stunt in back home in Moab.
NAOMI -- Boaz must have at least SAID something.
RUTH --- He called me "a woman of noble character". Is that good?
NAOMI -- (pumps arm in victory, whispers) Yes!
RUTH --- Back home, that's what they say about you if they think you're ugly. And grain is something they give to an ox.
NAOMI -- (grabs pot, dances with it, sings) I hear wedding bells.
RUTH --- Naomi, are you feeling alright?
NAOMI -- Ruth, my beautiful friend, Ruth. There is no greater compliment for a woman in all Israel than to be called "a woman of noble character".
RUTH --- But how do you know he's going to marry me? It was just one little compliment and some grain.
NAOMI -- Boaz is your GAWYAL.
RUTH --- My what?
NAOMI -- He's your GAWYAL, your kinsman-redeemer.
RUTH --- Okay. (shrugs)
NAOMI -- It's a tradition that started a long time ago. When a man dies before having children, his relatives must marry the dead man's wife and have children with her, so the dead man's name will be passed on to future generations.
RUTH --- You Israelites have some strange customs. Are you saying that Boaz would marry me, but our children will bear the name of my first husband?
NAOMI -- That's exactly what I'm saying.
RUTH --- That's not fair to Boaz. Our children would inherit his money but they would carry some other man's name?
NAOMI -- A man would have to see something very special in a woman to do that, wouldn't he?
RUTH --- Do you really think so?
NAOMI -- Think so? I know so.
RUTH --- I'm still a little foggy about your customs, I....
NAOMI -- Boaz is second in line to redeem you as his wife. Boaz now has to go to the city gate to try to talk your first redeemer into waiving his right to marry you.
RUTH --- You're kidding! He would do that for me?
NAOMI -- Did he cover you with his blanket when you slept at his feet last night?
RUTH --- Yes.
NAOMI -- He would do that for you, my special friend. (escorts her to far end of stage) Go now!
RUTH --- Go where?
NAOMI -- To the city gates, to see if Boaz can win you from your first redeemer.
RUTH --- Why don't you go?
NAOMI -- I am going to stay here and pray.
RUTH --- Pray? For what?
NAOMI -- Your first redeemer is a very wealthy man. He knows... everybody in Bethlehem knows what a beautiful woman you are inside and out. Boaz will have to do some slick talking to win you away from him. Go! (pushes Ruth out exit, backs toward opposite exits) And stay out of sight. If he sees how beautiful you are, there's no way he'll let Boaz have you. Go!
RUTH --- (re-enters) Naomi! I'm home!
NAOMI -- (re-enters) Well? How did it go?
RUTH --- I don't know. I couldn't hear what they said.
NAOMI -- Well, then what did they do?
RUTH --- They each took off a sandal and exchanged them.
NAOMI -- (pumps arm in victory, whispers) Yes!
RUTH --- Is that good?
NAOMI -- Ruth, my friend, my beautiful, faithful friend, (hugs here) that is good, that is very good!
RUTH --- You mean I can marry Boaz?
NAOMI -- (hands large white lace scarf to Ruth) Here, put this on.
RUTH --- (puts on scarf) Is this another of your traditions?
NAOMI -- Yes, it's your wedding veil. (exiting in slow lock step with Ruth as if in a wedding) I will now walk you down the aisle and give your hand in marriage to Boaz. I wish I could do more. If I were the Lord I would put you into the line of the messiah.
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