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Ruth 1:19-22 (NLT)
19 So the two of them continued on their journey. When they came to Bethlehem, the entire town was excited by their arrival. “Is it really Naomi?” the women asked.
20 “Don’t call me Naomi,” she responded. “Instead, call me Mara, for the Almighty has made life very bitter for me. 21 I went away full, but the Lord has brought me home empty. Why call me Naomi when the Lord has caused me to suffer and the Almighty has sent such tragedy upon me?”
22 So Naomi returned from Moab, accompanied by her daughter-in-law Ruth, the young Moabite woman. They arrived in Bethlehem in late spring, at the beginning of the barley harvest.

[1]
Naomi means “pleasant”; Mara means “bitter”.

[2]
Or, has testified against me.

DRAWING NOTES:

TIME OF DAY:
The time of day that Naomi and Ruth arrived in Bethlehem is not mentioned in the Bible. I have set this scene in the early afternoon.

LIGHTING NOTES:
The sun is high in the sky, casting shadows to the right of figures and objects.

CHARACTERS PRESENT:
On the right is Ruth (dressed in yellow and blue), with Naomi to the left of her. Naomi is wearing her usual white & brown striped outer robe.
Various un-named residents of Bethlehem in the background.
I have included a beggar to the left of the figures, in the left foreground, complete with begging bowl.

RESEARCH/ADDITIONAL NOTES:
I decided it would be nice to draw a market scene for Naomi’s return to Bethlehem. There is a large wooden frame, supporting a thick canopy over the various market stalls, which protects the people & perishable goods from the fierce heat of the sun. A group of ladies is greeting Naomi/Mara in the foreground. Notice that Naomi has her right hand raised & is shaking it, in a gesture of denial regarding her name Naomi, preferring instead to be called Mara. Notice also the little girl who is holding a rag doll… I suppose children have had such toys for as long as there has been children!

There is a little green lizard on the wall to the left.

Here’s the market scene in Bethlehem, without the figures.

Background of Ruth 01 – In Moab – Scene 06 – Return to Bethlehem

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Background of Ruth 01 – In Moab – Scene 06 – Return to Bethlehem

I have written an article detailing the history of Bethlehem in the BC Encyclopaedia. Follow this link to read the…
BC Encyclopaedia about Bethlehem.