Reading Ruth in the Restoration Period: A Call for Inclusion

Description

Most scholars of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament recognize Ruth’s simplicity and beauty, yet there has been little consensus in critical scholarship related to the book’s origin and purpose. Opinions on the text’s date range from the early monarchic period down to the Post-Exilic period, and interpreters argue over whether the narrative served to whitewash David’s lineage, or if it held Ruth out as a positive example of Gentile inclusion in the Judean community. With an eclectic approach drawing on traditional exegesis, analysis of inner-biblical allusions, comparisons of legal and linguistic data, and modern refugee research, Edward Allen Jones III argues that Ruth is, indeed, best understood as a call for an inclusive attitude toward any Jew or Gentile who desired to join the Judean community in the early Post-Exilic period. Within the narrative’s world, only Boaz welcomes Ruth into the Bethlehemite community, yet the text’s re-use of other biblical narratives makes it clear that Ruth stands on par with Israel’s great matriarchs. Though certain segments of the Judean community sought to purify their nation by expelling foreign elements in the Restoration period, Yhwh’s loving-kindness in Ruth’s life demonstrates his willingness to use any person to build up his people. No extract of this content is available for preview Contents Abbreviations Acknowledgments Chapter 1 -- Introduction 1. Ruth and Its Interpreters a. Modes of Inquiry b. Interpretations: Past and Present 2. Format of this Study Part I -- Exegesis in Ruth Chapter 2 -- Characterization in Ruth 1. Introduction 2. Moab and Moabites a. Moab in Opposition to Israel b. Moab/Moabite in Ruth 3. On the Road Back to Bethlehem a. On the Road b. Arriving in Bethlehem c. Conclusions 4. In the Fields of Bethlehem a. Introduction b. Ruth Among the Bethlehemites c. Conclusions 5. A Search for Rest? a. Introduction b. Naomi’s Plan c. Ruth’s Intervention d. Summary 6. Damning with Faint Praise a. Introduction b. Ruth and the People of Bethlehem 7. Summary and Conclusions Chapter 3 -- Inner-Biblical Allusions in Ruth 1. Introduction 2. Preliminary Matters 3. Inner-Biblical Allusions in Ruth 4. Ruth and the Patriarchs a. A New Journey to the Promised Land (Genesis 12:1–9; Ruth 2:11) b. Hints of a Special Marriage (Genesis 24; 29:1–30; Exodus 2:15–22; Ruth 1–4) c. Passing the Promise to a New Heir (Genesis 27:1–40; Ruth 3) 5. Ruth and the Matriarchs a. Another Providentially Chosen Partner (Genesis 24; Ruth 1–4) b. Ruth the Trickster? (Genesis 29:15–30:24; 38; Ruth 4:11–12) c. Ruth a New Mother of Israel (Genesis 11:30; 15:1–6; 18:1–15; 21:1–7; 25:19–34; 29:31–30:24; Judges 13:1–25; 1 Samuel 1:1–20; 2:11;2 Kings 4:8–17; Ruth 1–4) d. Ruth a New Mother of Moab (Genesis 19:30–38; Ruth 1; 3) 6. Connections with Other Biblical Texts a. Ruth Marries the Nation of Israel (Genesis 2:24; Ruth 1–2) b. Ruth Provides Food for Israel (Deuteronomy 23:4–7 [EV 3–6]; Ruth 2–3) c. Ruth and Boaz as Forerunners of Royalty (1 Samuel 25; Ruth 1–3) 7. Elimelek, Naomi, and the Patriarchs a. Famine and Exodus from the Land (Genesis 12:10–20; 26:1–16; 41–47;2 Kings 8:1; Ruth 1) b. Naomi Doubts Yhwh’s Ability (Genesis 18:9–15; Ruth 1:11–13) 8. Summary and Conclusions a. Direction of Dependence and the Ruth Narrative b. Re-use and Purpose Part II -- Dating Ruth Chapter 4 -- Dating Ruth: Linguistic, Legal, and Social Considerations 1. Introduction 2. Dating the Language in Ruth a. Past Evidence for Linguistic Dating b. New Evidence and Old Arguments for LBH in Ruth c. Summary 3. Dating Legal Practices in Ruth a. Past Attempts at Dating Legal Practices b. A New Approach to Dating the Marriage of Ruth and Boaz c. Summary 4. The Social Setting of the Ruth Narrative a. Congruence with Monarchic Social Settings b. Congruence with a Restoration Setting c. Summary 5. Chapter Summary Chapter 5 -- Ruth and Models For Exile and Return 1. Introduction 2. Making a Comparison 3. Exiles and their Experiences 4. The Judean Experience of Exile 5. The Dynamics of Return 6. The Judean Return in Sociological Perspective a. Ezra–Nehemiah and an RA Perspective b. Ruth and an ISR Perspective 7. Chapter Summary Chapter 6 -- Conclusion 1. Review a. Rhetoric in the Book of Ruth b. Dating the Book of Ruth 2. Conclusions a. Ruth’s Message b. Ruth’s Purpose 3. For Further Study a. Ruth Studies b. Second Temple Studies Bibliography Index of References Index of Authors