Nbbc, Ruth/Song of Songs/Esther: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition
Love, faithfulness, and redemption are among the themes of Ruth, Song of Songs, and Esther. This masterful New Beacon Bible Commentary, written by three accomplished scholars, highlights the unique features of each of these three biblical books. Ruth's portrayal of love, devotion, and redemption is set alongside the Song of Song's poetic celebration of God's gift of love between a man and a woman. And rounding out this incredible volume is Esther's story of God, faithful but seemingly hidden, working through human hands to reverse the intentions of evil and deliver his people. As always, this NBBC brings to readers the finest literary, historical, and theological analysis of the text, along with guidance for application and further study. The New Beacon Bible Commentary is an engaging, indispensable reference tool to aid individuals in every walk of life in the study and meditation of God's Word. Written from the Wesleyan theological perspective, it offers insight and perceptive scholarship to help you unlock the deeper truths of Scripture and garner an awareness of the history, culture, and context attributed to each book of study. Readable, relevant, and academically thorough, it offers scholars, pastors, and laity a new standard for understanding and interpreting the Bible in the 21st century. EACH VOLUME FEATURES: Contemporary scholarship from notable experts in the Wesleyan theological tradition Convenient introductory material, including information on authorship, date, history, audience, sociological/ cultural issues, purpose, literary features, theological themes, and hermeneutical issues Clear verse-by-verse explanations, which offer a contemporary, Wesleyan-based understanding derived from the biblical text in its original language Comprehensive annotation divided into three sections, which cover background elements behind the text; verse-by-verse details and meanings found in the text; and significance, relevance, intertextuality, and application from the text Helpful sidebars, which provide deeper insight into theological issues, word meanings, archeological connections, historical relevance, and cultural customs Expanded bibliography for further study of historical elements, additional interpretations, and theological themes
1136886473
Nbbc, Ruth/Song of Songs/Esther: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition
Love, faithfulness, and redemption are among the themes of Ruth, Song of Songs, and Esther. This masterful New Beacon Bible Commentary, written by three accomplished scholars, highlights the unique features of each of these three biblical books. Ruth's portrayal of love, devotion, and redemption is set alongside the Song of Song's poetic celebration of God's gift of love between a man and a woman. And rounding out this incredible volume is Esther's story of God, faithful but seemingly hidden, working through human hands to reverse the intentions of evil and deliver his people. As always, this NBBC brings to readers the finest literary, historical, and theological analysis of the text, along with guidance for application and further study. The New Beacon Bible Commentary is an engaging, indispensable reference tool to aid individuals in every walk of life in the study and meditation of God's Word. Written from the Wesleyan theological perspective, it offers insight and perceptive scholarship to help you unlock the deeper truths of Scripture and garner an awareness of the history, culture, and context attributed to each book of study. Readable, relevant, and academically thorough, it offers scholars, pastors, and laity a new standard for understanding and interpreting the Bible in the 21st century. EACH VOLUME FEATURES: Contemporary scholarship from notable experts in the Wesleyan theological tradition Convenient introductory material, including information on authorship, date, history, audience, sociological/ cultural issues, purpose, literary features, theological themes, and hermeneutical issues Clear verse-by-verse explanations, which offer a contemporary, Wesleyan-based understanding derived from the biblical text in its original language Comprehensive annotation divided into three sections, which cover background elements behind the text; verse-by-verse details and meanings found in the text; and significance, relevance, intertextuality, and application from the text Helpful sidebars, which provide deeper insight into theological issues, word meanings, archeological connections, historical relevance, and cultural customs Expanded bibliography for further study of historical elements, additional interpretations, and theological themes
34.99 In Stock
Nbbc, Ruth/Song of Songs/Esther: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition

Nbbc, Ruth/Song of Songs/Esther: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition

Nbbc, Ruth/Song of Songs/Esther: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition
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Nbbc, Ruth/Song of Songs/Esther: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition

Nbbc, Ruth/Song of Songs/Esther: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition

Overview

Love, faithfulness, and redemption are among the themes of Ruth, Song of Songs, and Esther. This masterful New Beacon Bible Commentary, written by three accomplished scholars, highlights the unique features of each of these three biblical books. Ruth's portrayal of love, devotion, and redemption is set alongside the Song of Song's poetic celebration of God's gift of love between a man and a woman. And rounding out this incredible volume is Esther's story of God, faithful but seemingly hidden, working through human hands to reverse the intentions of evil and deliver his people. As always, this NBBC brings to readers the finest literary, historical, and theological analysis of the text, along with guidance for application and further study. The New Beacon Bible Commentary is an engaging, indispensable reference tool to aid individuals in every walk of life in the study and meditation of God's Word. Written from the Wesleyan theological perspective, it offers insight and perceptive scholarship to help you unlock the deeper truths of Scripture and garner an awareness of the history, culture, and context attributed to each book of study. Readable, relevant, and academically thorough, it offers scholars, pastors, and laity a new standard for understanding and interpreting the Bible in the 21st century. EACH VOLUME FEATURES: Contemporary scholarship from notable experts in the Wesleyan theological tradition Convenient introductory material, including information on authorship, date, history, audience, sociological/ cultural issues, purpose, literary features, theological themes, and hermeneutical issues Clear verse-by-verse explanations, which offer a contemporary, Wesleyan-based understanding derived from the biblical text in its original language Comprehensive annotation divided into three sections, which cover background elements behind the text; verse-by-verse details and meanings found in the text; and significance, relevance, intertextuality, and application from the text Helpful sidebars, which provide deeper insight into theological issues, word meanings, archeological connections, historical relevance, and cultural customs Expanded bibliography for further study of historical elements, additional interpretations, and theological themes

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780834138735
Publisher: Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City
Publication date: 08/17/2020
Series: New Beacon Bible Commentary
Pages: 304
Product dimensions: 5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

JOSEPH COLESON is professor emeritus of Old Testament at Nazarene Theological Seminary. He received his B.A. from Indiana Wesleyan University and his M.A. and Ph.D. from Brandeis University. He has served as coeditor of Kardia, the journal of Western Evangelical Seminary; a member of the translation team of the New Living Translation; and a member of Eighth Oxford Institute of Methodist Theological Studies. SARAH B. C. DERCK is associate professor of Old Testament at Houghton College and is ordained in the Church of the Nazarene. She has earned degrees in biblical studies from Indiana Wesleyan University, Nazarene Theological Seminary, and Nazarene Theological College/University of Manchester in England. ELAINE BERNIUS is professor of biblical studies and ancient languages at Indiana Wesleyan University. She holds a Ph.D. and an M.Phil. in Hebraic and cognate studies (with a focus on comparative Semitic linguistics) from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati. She is also an ordained minister in the Church of the Nazarene.

Table of Contents

General Editors' Preface 9

Abbreviations 11

Ruth 15

Acknowledgments 19

Bibliography 21

Table of Sidebars and Excursuses 23

Introduction 25

A Composition of Ruth 25

1 Authorship 26

2 Dating 26

3 Purpose 26

B Structure and Features 28

C Ruth in the Canon 29

D How Should We Read Ruth? 30

E Theological Themes 31

1 Hesed 31

2 Providential Provision 31

3 Redemption 31

Commentary 33

I How Elimelek's Plan Worked Out: Ruth 1:1-22 33

A Loss after Loss (1:1-5) 34

B Three Widows, Then Two (1:6-18) 38

C Home with Naomi (1:19-22) 45

II How Ruth's Plan Worked Out: Ruth 2:1-23 49

A Seeking Food (2:1-3) 50

B Finding Favor (2:4-17) 52

C Home to Naomi (2:18-23) 59

III How Naomi's Plan Worked Out: Ruth 3:1-18 65

A Risking All for a Mother-in-Law (3:1-6) 66

B Ruth and Boaz's Extreme Obedience (3:7-15) 70

C Home to Naomi, Again (3:16-18) 76

IV How Boaz's Plan Worked Out: Ruth 4:1-22 79

A Boaz the Shrewd (4:1-6) 80

B Sealing the Deal (4:7-12) 83

C A Home for Naomi (4:13-17) 87

D Epilogue (4:18-22) 90

Song of Songs 93

Acknowledgments 97

Bibliography 99

Table of Sidebars and Excursuses 100

Introduction 101

A Date and Authorship 101

B Content 102

1 Anthology or Story? 102

2 Keeping Track of Speakers 103

3 Structure 103

C Literary Forms and Features 103

1 Parallelism 103

2 Metaphor 104

3 Wasf 104

4 Wisdom Literature 105

D Interpretive Approaches 105

1 The Song as Allegory 105

2 An Anthology of Love Songs 106

3 Drama: Two- or Three-Person Love Story 106

4 Liturgies, etc. 107

E Theological Themes: An Invitation to Celebrate 107

1 The "Rightness" of Sex 107

2 Gender Equality in Sexual Expression 107

3 The Beauty and Delights of God's Creation 108

4 Necessary Safeguards 108

5 An Embrace of Embodiment 108

F The Place and Function of the Song in the Canon 109

Commentary 111

I Title: Song of Songs 1:1 111

II Harbingers and Tastes of Love: Song of Songs 1:2-2:7 113

A She: Take Me Away!… Where Can I Find You? (1:2-7) 114

B He: Most Beautiful of Women (1:8-11) 118

C She: My Beloved Is (1:12-14) 121

D A Repartee of Love (1:15-2:2) 123

E She: Like an Apple Tree (2:3-7) 127

III Presence and Absence: Ways of Love: Song of Songs 2:8-3:5 131

A He: Come with Me! (2:8-15) 132

B She: My Beloved Is Mine and I Am His (2:16-17) 136

C She: Where Is He? (3:1-5) 138

IV Celebrating and Consummating Love: Song of Songs 3:6-5:1 143

A Friends: Who is This? (3:6-11) 144

B He: How Beautiful, My Darling! (4:1-7) 147

C He: Come with Me! (4:8-15) 151

D She/He: Invitation to Joy (4:16-5:1) 158

V Absence and Presence: Vicissitudes of Love: Song of Songs 5:2-8:4 163

A She (with Dialogue): I Am My Beloved's and He Is Mine (5:2-6:3) 164

B He (with Dialogue): Lovely as Jerusalem (6:4-13 [6:4-7:I HB]) 174

C He: How Beautiful! How Pleasing! (7:I-9a [2-10a HB]) 181

D She: I Am My Beloved's! (7:9b [10b HB]-8:4) 188

VI Enduring Love, Hers to Give: Song of Songs 8:5-14 193

Esther 201

Acknowledgments 205

Bibliography 207

Introduction 211

A Methodology 211

B Placement in the Canon 213

C Versions of Esther 213

D Historical Setting and Chronology 215

E Theological Themes 217

1 Reversals (Peripety) 217

2 Divine Hiddenness 218

3 Divine Providence 218

4 How to Live in Diaspora 219

Commentary 221

I Queen Vashti Deposed: Esther I:I-22 221

A The Stage; Persia's Court (1:1-4) 223

B Let the Feasting Continue! (1:5-9) 225

C The King Demands and the Queen Defies (1:10-15) 227

D Memukan's Speech (1:16-20) 229

E Vashti Deposed (1:21-22) 231

II Esther Made Queen: Esther 2:1-20 235

A The King's Regret and Another Edict (2:1-4) 237

B Enter Mordecai and Esther (2:5-7) 238

C Esther in the Palace (2:8-11) 240

D Preparation (2:12-14) 241

E Esther's Ascent (2:15-20) 241

III Mordecai Uncovers a Conspiracy: Esther 2:21-23 247

IV Haman's Plot to Destroy the Jews: Esther 3:1-15 251

A Enter Haman (3:1-6) 253

B Haman's Proposal (3:7-11) 255

C Haman's Edict (3:12-15) 257

V Mordecai Persuades Esther to Help: Esther 4:1-17 259

A Jews Respond with Mourning and Weeping (4:1-5) 260

B Mordecai Calls Esther to Act (4:6-8) 261

C Esther Responds with Uncertainty (4:9-11) 262

D Mordecai's Final Charge (4:12-14) 263

E Let It Be Done!-Esther's Final Response (4:15-17) 264

VI Esther's Request to the King: Esther 5:1-8 269

A Esther Appears before the King (5:1-5) 270

B Esther's First Banquet (5:6-8) 271

VII Haman's Rage against Mordecai: Esther 5:9-14 273

VIII Mordecai Honored: Esther 6:1-14 277

A The King Battles Insomnia (6:1-6) 278

B Haman Hatches His Most Honorable Scheme (6:7-9) 279

C Haman's Humiliation (6:10-14) 279

IX Haman Impaled: Esther 7:1-10 281

A Esther's Second Banquet (7.1-6) 281

B Haman's Demise (7:7-10) 283

X Reversals Abound: Esther 8:1-17 285

A The King's Edict on Behalf of the Jews (8:1-14) 285

B Response to the Second Edict (8:15-17) 288

XI The Triumph of the Jews: Esther 9:1-19 291

XII Purim Established: Esther 9:20-32 299

XIII The Greatness of Mordecai: Esther 10:1-3 303

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