5 types of literature:

2. 5 types of literature: • The Law • Historical Narratives • Poetic Literature • Wisdom Literature • Prophetic Literature

3. The Law: • Leviticus • Deuteronomy Poetic literature: • Psalms • Song of songs

4. Wisdom Literature: • Proverbs Prophetic Literature: • Isaiah • Jonah

5. Historical Narratives: • 40% of the Old Testament • Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Joshua, Nehemiah, Daniel, Haggai, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Job. • Narratives are not explicit teaching but often illustrates what is taught explicitly elsewhere. • 1 Corinthians 10:11

6. Narratives happen on 3 levels: • Salvation history: Speaks of God’s supernatural revelation and his actions within human history. Universal plan. • Israel’s story: God’s journey with His people and His covenants. • Individual narratives: Joseph, Jonah etc.

7. 3 Basics to narratives: The Characters: • The protagonist(the main character, God) • The antagonist (causing conflict/ tension, devil) • The agonist (other characters who become involved in the plot, God’s chosen people)

8. 2. The plot “Creation and fall, which turned God’s image into God’s enemies.”

9. 3. The plot resolution The journey of redemption and restoration that only ends in the fullness of time.

10. Cycle 2 Week2 Ruth

11. Ruth…a Divine Romance

12. Context of the book: • Author: • Unknown • There are debates, some say Samuel • Type of Literature: • Ruth is a Novella = a Hebrew narrative or short story

13. Date of writing: • Written a long time after it happened, some say after David but before Solomon and some say only after the Babylonian Exile • The “sandal custom” had to be explained • However it played out in the time of Judges • Chronologically it comes directly after the book of Judges.

14. Characters: • Naomi • Name changed to “Mara” = bitter • Lost all hope • Ruth • Loyal, selfless love • A picture of the Church • Boaz • Kinsmen redeemer • Picture of Christ

15. Plot: • Famine in Israel – sin • If they might humble themselves and pray – I will heal their land • Elimelek sought his own solution instead of God’s • Marry Moabite women • Ruth, Orpah and Naomi are widowed, Ruth and and Naomi return to Bethlehem (House of Bread)

16. Notes: • Inheritance/male heir • Year of Jubilee a family gained back their inheritance/land but needed a male heir to claim it • Naomi had no way of claiming her family’s inheritance • Boaz = a close relative, and only hope for inheritance – had to marry Ruth

17. Sandal Custom: • In giving over of one’s sandal, they gave over their property rights – Boaz was given the right to marry Ruth, and inherit the land due to Naomi’s family.

18. Ruth’s loyalty: • It was a far walk • In a time when Israel was turning to other gods, Ruth, a Moabite turned to YAWEH – the God of the Israelites • She has NO hope of re-marrying and having children • They were widows – POOR widows • Ruth had to work hard for Naomi and herself – gleaning the fields • Leviticus 19:9-10

20. Laying at/covering Boaz’s feet: • A woman was not allowed to propose to a man • This is one of a few ways she could signal she would like to marry him

21. The awesome GRACE, REDEMPTIVE power and FAITHFULNESS of God: • Boaz is willing to marry Ruth • God honoured an obedient heart • Their son = Obed • Obed’s son = Jesse • Jesse’s son = David • And in his lineage = Jesus Christ

22. Boaz’s mother was Rahab – a prostitute • Ruth was a Moabitess – an alien, and not worthy of an Israelite’s inheritance • The son of a prostitute married a Moabite woman to give birth to a ‘half-Israelite-half-Moabite’ kid, who was the grandfather of the greatest king in Israel’s history! • Boaz was a direct descendant of Judah • God promised Judah that a king would rise out of his family

23. Cycle 2 Week2 1 Samuel

24. Context: • Follows on from Judges • Historical narrative • Some written by Samuel – the rest written by Nathan and Gad?? • 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel are supposed to be ONE book

25. Characters: • Samuel • Saul • David

26. Plot: • Samuel’s ministry: • Born to Hannah – who was barren • Grew up under Eli – who died when Ark of the Covenant was stolen • He anoints 2 kings – yet only sees one reign

27. Saul’s reign: (the beginning of the Monarchy) • He was given the greatest opportunity yet he was the greatest failure • 1 Sam 12:12-15 • The people chose Saul – he was head and shoulders above the rest (1 Sam 9:2), but God chose David • Israel turned away from Theocracy (God as King) to Monarchy (one king)

28. Saul’s 3 major downfalls: • He usurped the priestly role – 1 Sam 13 • The king was never meant to perform the priest’s duties and vice versa • He made a stupid vow – 1 Sam 14 • Willing to kill his own son over a vow he didn’t hear • Showed his jealousy for power and break down of his relationships • Clearly disobeys God by keeping plunder for “sacrifice” – 1 Sam 15 • Kingdom ripped from his hands • God regrets!

29. David’s rise to prominence • Irony! • His kingship was: • Announced by Samuel (16-17) • Acknowledged by Jonathan (18-19) • Attacked by Saul (20-31) • 17 years between being anointed and being crowned king • Spent 11 chapters running for his life • Imagination to understand his Psalms

30. God’s anointed: • Major theme of 1 Samuel is anointing and the coming of a messiah • David refused to touch/kill “God’s anointed” – Saul • He would be guilty of murder in God’s eyes • David knew that the king could only be removed by the authority that had placed him there • David establishes his throne: 1 Sam 13:13-14 • Through not killing Saul – 24 • He was prevented from killing Nabal and his family - 25