Surely There Is a Future: A Commentary on the Book of Ruth (International Theological Commentary | ITC)
Overview
The book of Ruth, set in the period of the judges, is a beautiful story of the love, covenant loyalty, and daring initiative of two impoverished widows. Together with a generous open-hearted man, they demonstrate the truth of Proverbs 23:18 that applies to individuals, families, communities, and nations: “Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.” In this excellent commentary E. John Hamlin approaches the book of Ruth as literature, as history, as part of the canon, and as truth-telling story.
Top Highlights
“As we see from Gen. 2:24, the word ‘cling’ signifies the formation of a new unity binding both sides together. When Ruth stepped forward to ‘cling’ to Naomi, she bound the lives of these two vulnerable widows together in a new solidarity.” (Page 19)
“Hesed is a Hebrew word whose rich meaning makes it necessary to translate it in several different ways.” (Page 17)
“In fact, the book of Ruth is a bold challenge to readers in every age to open themselves to different evaluations of a foreign people usually considered as evil, even to the possibility that God could use a foreigner like Ruth in his plan for all nations! Readers will recall Jesus’s high evaluation of Samaritans who were looked down on by Jews (Luke 10:33; 17:16–18; cf. John 4:5–9).” (Page 10)
“beginning and ending in ‘Bethlehem in Judah,’ marks a new era of covenant faithfulness and loyalty.” (Page 6)
“Narrator uses five brief expressions to describe the events that followed the ceremony” (Page 67)
Product Details
- Title: Surely There Is a Future: A Commentary on the Book of Ruth
- Author: E. John Hamlin
- Publisher: Eerdmans
- Publication Date: 1996
- Pages: 82