WBC 09: Ruth & Esther

None of the early Church fathers wrote a commentary on Esther, and the list
of serious contemporary analyses of both Ruth and Esther is woefully
short.
Bush shows how the loving loyalty of Ruth, the kindness and sagacity
of both Boaz and Naomi and God's gracious provision of fruitfulness for field
and womb provide a son to reverse the death and emptiness that had afflicted
the life of Naomi, an outcome of utmost significance for it preserved the
family line that ultimately led to David. In the course of his investigation
Bush deals at length with the difficult question of the role that the Old
Testament social customs of the levirate law and the redemption of land play in
this powerful story, and using a careful linguistic study of the text, sheds
new light on the equally difficult question of the date of the book. Bush is
drawing upon recent studies on the genre and discourse structure of biblical
narrative.From its earliest days, the book of Esther has posed huge
problems for Bible students. What do you do with a Bible book that never
overtly speaks of God? Does a book this secular in nature really belong in our
Bibles? Some of the ancient rabbis said no. Is it possible that a proto version
of Esther was amended in the Massoretic Text to make a solid case for the
popular feast of Purim? Bush's exhaustive analysis of the literary structure of
the book of Esther provides numerous clues that this may be so. While offering
professional insights into the technicalities of language and textual
transmission, Bush also uses his expertise in Near Eastern studies to stir our
hearts with a fresh look at the courage of Queen Esther and her loyal kinsman
Mordecai.Bush's perceptive exegesis of these texts will fill a gap on
the shelves of Old Testament scholarship.The Word Biblical Commentary
delivers the best in biblical scholarship, from the leading scholars of our day
who share a commitment to Scripture as divine revelation. This series
emphasizes a thorough analysis of textual, linguistic, structural, and
theological evidence. The result is judicious and balanced insight into the
meanings of the text in the framework of biblical theology.Series: Word
Biblical Commentary, volume 9.Recommended € 49,90