Narration of Ruth - Literature review Example

Old Testament narratives al Affiliation) Narration of Ruth Characterization Old Testament and New Testament have used different forms of characterization to perform the work of communication. The forms that have been used in communication include homiletics, music and stories. The narration of Ruth is brought out and characterized as a story. The form in which it has been brought out has enabled the literation approach to understand and correct interpretation as the part of the bibles is a literary work1. In the work, there has been use of artistic work that contains rhythmic elements which are poetic. In the narration, there is look on the events that are ordinary. In the characterization, there is characterization of human in terms of pathos and delight that they bare involved, fun and delight and human portrayals. Ruth threats create characterization through application of displaying different speeches with the different speeches. Plot analysis In the work of Ruth, there are four main aspects that are portrayed. In the work there is bringing out the issues of tragedy, romance, anti-romance and comedy. Ruth through the aspect of romance display the fulfillment of desire of the people and at a comedy aspect displays the upward movement from what is considered not to be ideal making it ideal2. There is displaying of beautiful, villains, ideal and virtuous elements that brought about victory to be achieved in lands that were thought to be wasted. The reaching in the society is that which the audience recognizes to be proper and that which is desirable state of affairs. The plot is brought out by Ruth in a comic way as the protagonist encounters several obstacles but neglects them through the determination that is put into place. The obstacles are also overcome through faith and divine intervention that one has. The aim of the part of the story is to challenge, inspire and encourage the audience. Plot of the story revolves mostly on overcoming the obstacles that occur. Obstacles that occur in Ruth is Naomi trying to hinder her from coming, Ruth going to Boaz and the potential. Symbolism Ruth in the book brings about typical initiation and death rebirth cycles of the plots that are mythic. A character Naomi is brought out as a hero and a mentor of her own journey. The hero endures death and experiences that aware death like. As abandoned and widow without a child, Naomi is in a deathlike involvement3. Similarly to Naomi, she moves from the strict knowledge of the widow without a child to the renaissance of marriage. This cycle is represented in a very small at Ruth’s Approach. This occurred in the evening, Reward at dawn and trials at midnight. As a person seeking improvement with relationship in God’s community, she also experiences the beginning cycle. In the beginning of the story the hero undergoes several trials as he passes from inexperience and irresponsibility to social and spiritual adulthood. Just as Ruth’s character, while always showing good character, passes socially to the next level. In the beginning she is known as the Moabites. However, in the end, she is recognized as an ancestor of the great King David of Israel. Setting In the story of Ruth, it starts with consideration of death, married and finally fulfillment in birth. The Hebrew that is brought in the story uses the same procedure and term to define the loss of sons of Naomi. The pressure and disaster lies in the isolated and lonely Naomi. However, as a joke, there occurs rebirth in the end, literally in Ruth’s son that is considered Naomi’s, and symbolically in Naomi, who is redeemed. The women in the story turn as chorus of the Greece, observing Naomi’s reappearance in the start and observing in the end both on Yahweh’s provision for Naomi of a son and on Ruth’s love and kindness, which equipped the transport for Yahweh’s sanctification. This becomes ironical4. Irony Ruth’s mobility identify by foremen Boaz is ironical. The narrator seems to hold no ironic double meaning. In the context, the boss asked for information that was provided by the servant. The young woman that is involved is not attached to any man and her being Moabite makes it fair. The allusions that are possible to the proverbial of Moabite women contained no ironical coming from what was spoken by the foreman since he mainly reinforce the message of sexual ability of Ruth 5. There is difficulty to have certainty that the words of the servant were intended to hold such an illusion to Moabite sexuality but at least it seems that Boaz takes them that way since he immediately turn to Ruth without giving an answer to the servant and instead advise her to stay in the field to garner and to stay close to the young men. He also warns the men to stay away from her. Misinterpretation by audience Those that are addressed by the narration of the story vary with consideration of different themes brought out. The ordinary world is understood by the audience that is addressed as a time of blessing and provision. Call of adventure is also brought in the narration. Adventure in the narration when Machnon, Elimilech and Killion die and Naomi makes her decisions to return back to Bethlehem. This is a form of misinterpretation as the situations that she was exposed to is what made her forced to return to Bethlehem. Refusal of the call that she received is also a misinterpretation. While Ruth is set on going through, this step is seen in Orpah, Ruth’s stop, who is depressed by the guardian and goes back to Moab. Meeting with the mentor is wrong interpreted as it is a matter of irony. The irony that is not realized is that during the first meeting with the mentor, it becomes her first meeting with the guardian6. The guardian is the one who attempted to barricade entrance into the initial stage. Other factors that are brought out to the audience include the ordeal, the reward, the tests and the enemies that Ruth was exposed7. Point of view Ruth in the book brings about typical initiation and death rebirth cycles of the plots that are mythic. A character Naomi is brought out as a hero and a mentor of her own journey. The hero endures death and experiences that aware death like. As abandoned and widow without a child, Naomi is in a deathlike involvement Elijah cycle Plot Elijah cycle constitute of five phases with different orientations and seasons. In the first cycle, it is brought out during the season of revelation. The spirits that are involved in the cycle are supernatural. In the cycle, the main activity that is carried out by Elijah is running ahead of chariot, bringing about the information on false prophets and calling down fire. Posture of the cycle is offensive which is carried out during the time of giving. The second cycle occurs during the time of retaliation guided by the natural spirits. In the cycle, Elijah brings out the issue of a woman by the name Jezebel who makes him on the run. The woman with one surprise blindsides him. The posture of the cycle is that which defensive was during the time of fighting. The feelings in this cycle are of backlash8. The third cycle as brought out by Elijah is of the season of reaching at the lowest. In the cycle the spirit that is used is of exhaustion with the main activity that Elijah getting involved in including throwing in the towel, self-pity and pointing quitting9. There is also the consideration of the uses of the cycle by the narrator. The posture that the narrator use in the context is that of apparent failure and it occurs during the time of coming to the end of self. The fourth cycle occurs during the season of rest. Elijah activity in this cycle was of the need to sleep, changing of the scenery that was there good food and the need for tender loving care that is obtained from God. The posture of the cycle is that of recovery during the time that he referred to as climbing out of the hole. The feelings that the people had in this time is that of receiving. The last cycle is that of revival. The spirit that he brought out to intervene in this time was supernatural spirit. Activity that was carried out by Elijah at this time was receiving a fresh word from God and also focusing on the visions from god. The posture was of fresh hope and new help that was to come from God. The cycle occurs during the time of soaring with a feeling of comeback. Setting The setting used by Elisha is that brings out the power of God. They certainly prove His ability to save all Israel or an individual. In two of the stories the deliverance is indeed from the Aramean enemy. In the third cycle, it is by contrast, it is exactly the representative of that rival whom the Lord brings out from his illness. Thus the Lord’s power is widespread and not limited to a particular type of risk or a particular land for which He performs miracles. In the story of the barrier of Dothan it is the Lord who makes the eyes of Elisha’s man see, denies the Arameans of strong sight and then brings it back. There is sign though, that the Lord does this in reply to prayers by Elisha. The fact that a fiery chariot and horses are sent from heaven to protect Elisha is an indication not only of the Lord’s power and might, but also of the lofty status of the man of God. Irony In Elijah’s narration, there is occurrence of social and religious satire that is mainly addressed to the royal house. According to the second, third and fourth cycles, there is irony that is directed to socioeconomic of those that are in the kingdom of Israel. He brings out the fact that the cycles focus on the tension that occurs in the socioeconomic structure that is drawn to the worship of Baal and those that were in the lower class, especially peasant farmers10. These are those people that are loyal to God. What comes about is different as the three cycles bring out the king of Israel as being helpless. The king is also brought out to be misinterpreting the stories and the situation. Misinterpretation There are several misinterpretations that are brought out in the narration mostly in the first, second and third cycle. The tension that is brought about in the story is not between the peasant farmers and the ruling class but between the king and the prophet. The shafts that are directed to the king have nothing to connect to the unjust treatment that the people were undergoing. It was mainly between the king and Elisha. Israelites and audience What is brought out much, the Israelite common traditional hardly comes out in these stories, and when they are brought out, they are not shown in a particularly pleasing light. The woman’s criticism to the king brings out the harsh reality of mothers who eat their children during the siege of Samaria11. Furthermore, the woman’s grievance is not that she was forced into such an appalling situation, but that the woman with whom she made the agreement has reneged on the bargain and hidden her son. The manner in which she presents her case makes it difficult for readers to identify with her suffering. Point of view Elisha’s words of encouragement to his servant, “Have no fear; there are more on our side than on theirs.” But this encouraging remark is not spoken by the Lord to the rescuer He has appointed for His people, as in the case of Joshua, or by the Lord directly to the people of Israel, but by Elisha to his servant. This reassuring statement plays no role in the plot, given that the fear that paralyzes the lad has no bearing on its development. On the other hand, the statement is important theoretically, serving as another sign of Elisha’s supernatural controls: not only does he relish Divine defense; he can also observe the heavenly realism that was in his environs. Contribution to Israel Both narratives bring out the contribution not different aspects to Israel. The narratives develop the theology of doctrine of God. Israelite common traditional hardly comes out in these stories, and when they are brought out, they are not shown in a particularly pleasing light. The woman’s criticism to the king brings out the harsh reality of mothers who eat their children during the siege of Samaria. Anthropology is a contribution that is brought out through the narratives to the people of Israel. The narrations of both Ruth and Elijah are important to the lives of Jews and Gentiles as they bring out the way people in the society12. Address to original audience The original audience of the narrations is the Jews and Gentiles. In the narration of Ruth, the woman’s grievance is not that she was forced into such an appalling situation, but that the woman with whom she made the agreement has reneged on the bargain and hidden her son. The manner in which she presents her case makes it difficult for readers to identify with her suffering. God as brought out in the texts According to the cycles of Elijah, the Lord’s power is widespread and not limited to a particular type of risk or a particular land for which He performs miracles. As brought out in Ruth’s ministry, reward at dawn and trials at midnight. As a person seeking improvement with relationship in God’s community, she also experiences the beginning cycle. There are temptations that come about despite the rewards that one experiences. Similarities and differences In both the narrations they are based on irony. The narrations also bring out the fact that God cares and protects the people based on the miracles that He performs. He also put temptation on those that knows Him to determine their faith13. The difference comes in those that are addressed in the narrations and the settings that are used. Bibliography Alter, Robert. The Art of Biblical Narrative (2nd edition; New York: Basic Books, 2011). Pg 12-60 Duvall J. Scott., and J. Daniel Hays. Grasping Gods Word: A Hands-On Approach to Reading, Interpreting, and Applying the Bible (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012). Pg. 100-143 Enns, Peter. Inspiration and Incarnation (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2005). Pg. 150-210 Fee, Gordon D., and Douglas Stuart. How to Read the Bible for All its Worth (3rd edition; Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003). Pg. 165-180, 390 Jacobs, A.J. The Year of Living Biblically: One Mans Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible (New York: Simon and Schuster, 2007). Pg. 150-243 Osborne, Grant. The Hermeneutical Spiral: A Comprehensive Introduction to Biblical Interpretation. (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006). Pg. 700-748 Pratt, Richard L. He Gave Us Stories: The Bible Students Guide to Interpreting Old Testament Narrative (Phillipsburg, New Jersey: P & R Publishing, 1990). Pg. 144,324, 400-564 Sandy, D. Brent., and Ronald L. Giese (eds). Cracking Old Testament Codes: A Guide to Interpreting the Literary Genres of the Old Testament (Nashville: Broadman and Holman, 1995). Pg. 342, 700-854. Read More