The Book of Ruth is a tale of charm and delight, providing a contrast to the concurrent anarchy depicted in the book of Judges. Telling the simple story of a family who are struck by tragedy, but experience love and acceptance in unexpected ways, in Ruth's narrative we are clearly shown God's guiding hand as everything endured leads to the births of both King David and, finally, Jesus Christ.
David Atkinson illuminates The Message of Ruth in this encouraging and thoughtful commentary, showing us how theologically the story of Ruth is a story about God's providence. From Naomi and Ruth herself to Boaz, he guides us through the narrative and explores how each character fits into God's purposes for history and what that means for us living as Christians today.
A revised edition in the much-loved Bible Speaks Today series of commentaries, The Message of Ruth offers a thorough, readable exposition of both the Biblical text and what it can teach modern Christians. Used by Bible students and teachers around the world, the Bible Speaks Today commentaries are ideal for students and preachers who are looking to broaden their knowledge and understanding of Scripture and its continued relevance in the twenty-first century.
This beautifully redesigned edition has been sensitively updated to include modern references and use the NIV Bible text.
The Message of Ruth will be helpful for anyone looking for accessible commentaries on Ruth that explore it more deeply, considering its meaning both for its original audience and for Christians reading it today.
Autorentext
David Atkinson
Klappentext
The book of Ruth is a tale of charm and delight. Goethe called it the 'loveliest complete work on a small scale, handed down to us as an ethical treasure and an idyll'. Another writes, 'No poet in the world has written a more beautiful short story.'
The books tells us about very ordinary people facing very ordinary events. We meet Naomi, who underwent hardship in famine and bereavement but eventually won peace and security. We meet Ruth, a young foreign woman from Moab who attached herself to her mother-in-law, Naomi and to Naomi's God. And we meet Boaz, who by marrying Ruth fitted into God's purposes for history. Both King David and Jesus are numbered among their descendants.
Theologically, the story of Ruth is a story about God's providence. This David Atkinson demonstrates clearly in his passage-by-passage exposition.