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This “mini-cantata” is based on chapter 1 of the book of Ruth from the Hebrew Bible. The back-story: During a devastating famine in Israel, Naomi, her husband, and their two sons leave their home in Bethlehem to live in the neighboring country of Moab. After Naomi’s husband and her two sons die, she, utterly bereft and without any means of support, decides to return to Bethlehem. Her daughters-in-law Ruth and Orpah promise to go with her. Only Ruth follows through, despite Naomi urging her to remain in Moab. Ruth’s words of love and devotion to Naomi have been set to music many times and are often sung at weddings. Here is the scriptural reference: “But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. 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.’”

The story of Ruth is a compelling tale of love, devotion, and faithfulness – a lovely episode amidst the bloody battles and chaos of the Old Testament historical books.