Scene 1 - Ruth and Naomi’s home, on the evening of the harvest festival at the end of the summer Ruth is waiting for Naomi, who has sent a message. Naomi arrives and tells Ruth that she must marry Boaz in order to ensure their future security. Ruth must array herself beautifully and then go to the threshing floor and lie down at Boaz’s feet when he sleeps. Naomi leaves and Perez enters. Seeing that Ruth is distraught he again offers to marry her. Ruth again refuses and Perez leaves in despair. Ruth is distressed that she must pretend to be in love with Boaz so that he will marry her. Scene 2 - At the threshing floor At the harvest festival a dance is in progress. Boaz has feasted; now he is alone at the threshing floor. He wonders about Ruth’s youth and beauty and his love for her. Then he lies down beside the grain-pile and goes to sleep. Ruth comes to him and silently lies down next to him. Scene 3 - Later, at the threshing flloor
Later Boaz suddenly wakes and sees Ruth sleeping next to him. He is exultant that Ruth desires him too. She wakes. Boaz declares his love for her. She tells him she will be a faithful wife but avoids saying she loves him. Perez approaches. Boaz and Ruth are singing about love and marriage. Inflamed with jealously, Perez draws a knife. He attacks Boaz and their fight takes them away from the threshing floor. Naomi rushes in having heard Ruth’s screams. Ruth says she can no longer stay in Israel. It was wrong of her to leave Moab and to deceive Boaz; now she is being punished. Naomi pleads with Ruth not to leave Israel but Ruth ignores her. Boaz appears carrying the bloody knife. Naomi runs off stage. Ruth accuses Boaz of murdering Perez. Boaz is unable to cool her fury until Perez appears leaning on Naomi for support. Boaz reveals that he disarmed Perez and, in accordance with Jewish teaching, showed compassion to Perez and let him live. Perez says only a merciful God would have spared him and shown him his jealousy and hatred. Naomi now understands the true nature of the Hebrew God: He is not the vengeful God she had blamed for her ill fortune. Ruth is moved by all she has heard. Boaz declares his love for Ruth and reveals that he once had a dream that his descendant would be a King of Israel called David. Ruth reveals that she has had the same dream. Overcome with emotion she declares her love for Boaz. She finally understands her destiny. Boaz, Perez and Naomi join Ruth in praising the Hebrew God. | 