"You and your wedding dress are beautiful!" I said as I stood up while looking at her. Ruth let go of her hug to James and looked at me with a smile, "It is an honor to be complimented by another beautiful woman at the table," said Ruth as she walked towards me then held both my hands. "I-I'm not be—" Ruth interrupted me, "Oh, yes you are! You just have to have eyes that see the truth," said Ruth with a smile while still holding both my hands. She's so awesome… I love her already!
"Thank you so much for inviting us," thanked Matthew, making Ruth look at him. "I'm guessing you're Matthew, glad you're all able to come with my cousins," replied Ruth with a soft smile. While still holding my hands. "Definitely you're Maria and that's teenager John," continued Ruth as she looked at me then looked at John, making him stand up from his seat. "He-hello," John stuttered, making Ruth chuckle. "And you…" she said then looked at Thomas who abruptly stopped sipping his wine and stood up from his seat.
"Thomas, glad to meet you. I am utterly impressed that you all were able to manage this event despite the short notice that we, a big group, is coming to your wedding," said Thomas as he looked around the venue then looked back at Ruth. She let go of my hands and walked closer to Thomas. "Well, aren't you the infamous event organizer, Thomas Didymos," said Ruth as she reached out her hand to him, Thomas reached back and they shook hands. "Finally! Someone who knows me!" Said Thomas with a huge smile. "I can't believe that I will have this opportunity to meet you in person!" Said Ruth with a huge smile as both of them let go.
"Thank you! You just made my day!" Said Thomas with a huge smile. "But why did you resign so early? Especially at the peak of your career?" Asked Ruth as her smile faded. "I met this Teacher outside the venue of my first and only failure all throughout my career. He said that all the fame and glory that the world can give is nothing compared to what the Father has prepared. And that… and that… all my sins are already forgiven." Answered Thomas as he slowly nodded while saying the last sentence that he spoke. "And you threw it all away willingly?" Asked Ruth, Thomas shook his head then chuckled. "It was really hard throwing it all away. It was all I've ever known." Answered Thomas then Ruth smiled. "Maybe it was time to learn something new." Said Ruth then quickly looked back at me and Jude.
Ruth walked back towards us, "Now! Where were you in the story of Ruth?" Asked Ruth excitedly with a smile. Jude and I looked at each other then smiled, "Let me just get a chair for you, cous," said Jude. When he gave a chair to Ruth, she sat down and we all followed. "Thanks, cous," thanked Ruth then quickly turned to me. "After Boaz talked to Ruth, she be working everyday in his fields and he even told one of his men to leave leftover grains than what was already being left behind for Ruth to bring home," began Ruth with a smile. "Then one day, Naomi told Ruth that she must find a home for her that will provide her well." Continued Jude with a smile. "Even back in the old days, provision has always been a standard," said Ruth.
Jude chuckled then nodded his head in defeat. "She always says that," said James. "Naomi told Ruth to wash," Jude.
"Put on perfume," James.
"And get dressed in her best clothes before she goes down the threshing floor where Boaz and his harvesters will winnow barleys." Ruth.
"But Naomi told Ruth that Boaz cannot know that she's there until he finished eating and drinking." Jude.
"And when Boaz lies down, remember where he was lying and go uncover his feet and lie down there." James. "Wait, what?" I asked as my brows furrowed.
"You know, I never really understood the uncovering of feet and lying down there until I searched what it means in their culture at that time." Said Ruth. "What does it mean?" John asked.
"Humility. 'I am vulnerable, and you are my family redeemer. Will you protect me?' Oh. It is also a kind of proposal of the widowed to the family redeemer." Answered Ruth, making me open my mouth due to shock of what I just learned. "That's only the tip of the iceberg that is called the Old Testament." Said Thomas.