Intro to the BibleWeek 2: OT Narratives, Psalms** changed from syllabus **

7/12/11

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Narrative 40-45% of Bible vs. story (can be fiction) Narrative: Story that covers an extensive

amount of material & non-fictional Purposeful stories retelling the historical

events of the past that are intended to give meaning & direction for a given people in the present. [p.90]

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Characters Protagonist: Primary person in the story

God Antagonist: Person who brings conflict

Satan (or evil people/powers) Agonist(s): Other major characters who get

involved in struggle God’s people

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Plot & Resolution Plot:

God created a people for His name (in His own “image”)

But enemy persuaded them to bear his “image” Plot resolution:

Story of Redemption (God rescues his people, restores them back into His image, and finally restores them “in a new heaven and new earth”)

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3 Levels of Narrative 3rd Level (metanarrative):

Creation, fall of humanity, sin, need for redemption, Christ’s incarnation & sacrifice

“story of redemption” 2nd Level:

God’s redeeming a people for His name○ Former covenant (OT): People of Israel○ New covenant: Christians

1st Level:Individual narratives (e.g., Joseph)

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Narrative Not’s NOT allegories or stories filled w/ hidden

meaningse.g., (Exod. 19-34) Moses going up & down Mt. Sinai

as an allegory of descent & ascent of soul to God NOT necessarily intended to teach moral

lessons…but can illustrate what’s taught elsewhere.e.g., David’s adultery w/ Bathsheba (2 Sam 11)

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Narrative Notables Characters contrasted / parallel Where plot slows down; dialogue Repetition of key words Inclusion (start & end on similar note)

Chiasm/chiastic “X”A

B C B’A’

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Interpreting Principles Usually doesn’t directly teach a doctrine Usually illustrate something taught elsewhere What happened (vs. what should have happened) Examples are imperfect characters, so not best

models Most w/o moralistic conclusions (left for us to figure

out) Selective & incomplete Doesn’t answer all theological Q’s God is the hero!

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e.g., Joseph narrative Envy/jealousy; sibling rivalry

Gen 37 “brother” & “hated” repeated Reuben: 1st born, but doesn’t take lead Fleeing temptation Judah’s transformation (Gen 42-45)

Questionable moral life (Gen 38)Assumes the “rights of the first-born”

From Judah…King David

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Judah ChangedGen. 43:8-9 8 Then Judah said to Israel his

father, "Send the boy along with me and we will go at once, so that we and you and our children may live and not die. 9 I myself will guarantee his safety; you can hold me personally responsible for him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him here before you, I will bear the blame before you all my life.

Gen. 44:33 “Now then, please let your servant remain here as my lord's slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers.”

David Jesus10

Read Ruth [ NIV Dramatized Audio Bible ]

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X Chiastic StructureChapter 1: From Bethlehem to Bethlehem

1. Famine (1:1)2. Emigration from Bethlehem (1:103. "Naomi" = "Pleasant" left bereft: (1:2-5)4. Leaving Moab for Bethlehem: (1:6,7)5. Naomi said: (1:8) Go Go back! May Yahweh show to you kindness [hesed] May Yahweh grant to your rest [menuha]6. Naomi Kisses Orpah and Ruth Goodbye (1:9-10) X. "I am too old to conceive" (1:11-13)6'. Orpah Kisses Naomi Goodbye: (1:14, 15)5'. Ruth said (1:16, 17) Where you go I will go Where you stay I will stay People of you, people of me God of you, God of me Where you die I will die And there I will be buried4'. Entering Bethlehem from Moab (1:19-20)3'. "Marah" = "Bitter" (1:20, 22)2'. Immigration to Bethlehem (1:22)

1'. Barley Harvest (1:22)

No human hope!

Chiastic Structure of RuthA. Naomi - Too old to conceive (chapter 1)

B. Possible Redeemer is introduced (2:1)C. Ruth and Naomi make a plan (2:2)D. Ruth and Boaz's Field (2:3)E. Boaz comes from Bethlehem (2:4)F. Boaz Asks: "Whose is that young woman?” (2:5-7)G. Ruth Becomes Part of the Boaz Clan (2:8-18) Ruth brings ephah of barley and food to Naomi (2:18)H. Naomi Blesses Boaz (2:19)I. Boaz the One in Position to Redeem (2:20)J. Ruth joins Boaz' Workers (2:21-23)X. The plan laid by Naomi and Ruth (3:1-8)J’. Ruth Identifies Herself as Boaz' Handmaid (3:9)I’. Ruth Challenges Boaz to Act as Redeemer (3:9)H’. Boaz Blesses Ruth (3:10)G’. Boaz Promises to Marry Ruth (3:11-15) Ruth brings 6 measures of barley to Naomi (3:16)F’. Naomi asks: "Who are you?“ (3:16-18)E’. Boaz Goes to Bethlehem (4:1)D’. Ruth and Field (4:2-12)C’. Ruth and Naomi's Plan fulfilled, marriage (4:13)B’. The Redeemer was not Denied (4:14-16)

A’. A son was Born to Naomi! (4:17)

Epilogue = What a son! Grandfather of King David 4:19-22

Initiative & Risk-taking in Trusting God

Implicit btw the Lines Ruth converted (1:16) Boaz was a righteous Israelite

Faithfully kept Mosaic law ○ Gleaning laws (Lev. 19:9-10)○ Redemption (Lev. 25:23-24)

Bethlehem was exceptional town (citizens faithful) during dark times (idolatry, injustice, intertribal rivalries, immorality) Judges 21:25 “In those days Israel had no king;

everyone did as he saw fit.”

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How does it fit? 3rd Level:

God: is faithful to those who are obedient to His Words

God’s Redemptive historyJesus is our Kinsman-redeemer

2nd Level: Even during dark period of Judges, there are

faithful people through whom redemption comes 1st Level:

Ruth, Naomi, Boaz

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PSALMSHymns for Him!

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PSALMS Not just God’s words to us,

but also, guideline for our words to God.Truth of God’s character Greater trust in Him

~50% written by David; Moses (Ps 90); Solomon (Pss 72, 127); “Sons of Asaph” (“school” of musicians)

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Hear here! Addressed to the mind

through the heartby hearing with the ear !

Psalms are musical prayers (poems)¼ of entire bible is poetry

Sung regularly (individual & corporate)Evoke feelings & stimulate response

Hymn book to Him!

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Purposeful Poems Independent psalms; but read full chapter!

Ps 51:16 “You do not delight in sacrifice...”Ps 51:19 “Then there will be righteous sacrifices” Against sacrifice w/o genuine repentance

Hyperbole: Purposeful exaggeration Symbolic language: Metaphor, Simile Function for Israel (e.g., enthronement) Formal structure: start / middle / end;

patterns (acrostic)

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Psalm 119 (NIV) 1 Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD.

2 Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.

3 They do nothing wrong; they walk in his ways.

4 You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed.

5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees!

6 Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands.

7 I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws.

8 I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me.

9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.

10 I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.

11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

12 Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees.

13 With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth.

14 I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.

15 I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.

16 I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.

17 Do good to your servant, and I will live; I will obey your word.

18 Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.

19 I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me.

20 My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times.

21 You rebuke the arrogant, who are cursed and who stray from your commands.

22 Remove from me scorn and contempt, for I keep your statutes. 20

5 Books Collected for postexilic Judaism (2nd Temple) As “people of God” (not just individual)

1. Ps. 1-412. Ps. 42–72

3. Ps. 73–89

4. Ps. 90–106

5. Ps. 107–150

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Early monarchy (coronation psalms 2 & 72)

Fall of Jerusalem (laments); 73:3 prosperity of wicked

Reminder of God’s kingship; 106:47 please gather exiles!

God’s future for His people; 107:2-3 gathering of exiles

“The individual is always aware of being part of the people who together belong to God in covenant relationship and who share the same story.” [Fee & Stuart How to 2, p.133]

What type is this? Laments (60+): Asking God for help Thanksgiving (16): Praise/thank God Hymns of Praise: Salvation-History (5): Review God’s

deliverance Celebration & Affirmation: Covenant renewal Wisdom (8): Merits of wisdom Songs of Trust (10): e.g., Ps 23

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Lament Elements Address: “O Lord,…” Complaint: Honestly identifying the trouble Trust: Expresses trust in God Deliverance: Cries out for deliverance Assurance: Assurance that God will deliver Praise: Thanking & honoring God for

blessings of past/present/future e.g., Psalm 3

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Imprecatory Psalm Harm on others? “enemies” = “problems” (not necessarily

people) Actually, harm-less!

Like a “pressure valve” that releases pressure○ Venting!

Let God be final judge!○ Ultimately trusting & depending on God!

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Small Group Activity (20 min) Create a Mini-Test!

In groups of 4-5 people, come up with 5 good quiz questions (and answers) that covers the most important lessons from today (Session 2)

Submit your group’s quiz questions at: http://tinyurl.com/gtsbible

If your group’s question is used for the quiz, you will get an extra point!

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