Ruth: A Pastoral and Contextual Commentary

by Havilah Dharamraj

Overview

This commentary presents the book of Ruth through a uniquely Asian lens that helps bring out the nuances of this Old Testament text that are often missed or misunderstood. The deep and skillful exegesis presented will satisfy a scholarly reader, yet the language used is accessible enough for lay preachers and teachers to understand, appreciate, and use. This commentary brings the text to life; Ruth is no longer a story in a time long gone, but one that effortlessly unfolds right in front of your eyes.

The Asia Bible Commentary Series empowers Christian believers in Asia to read the Bible from within their respective contexts. Holistic in its approach to the text, each exposition of the biblical books combines exegesis and application. The ultimate goal is to strengthen the Body of Christ in Asia by providing pastoral and contextual exposition of every book of the Bible.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781783685462
Publisher:	Langham Global Library
Publication date:	10/31/2019
Series:	Asia Bible Commentary
Pages:	156
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.33(d)

About the Author

PHILIP EWAN YALLA (MTh in Old Testament, SAIACS, Bangalore, India) pastors New City Fellowship in Bangalore.

HAVILAH DHARAMRAJ (PhD in Old Testament, University of Durham, UK) serves as Academic Dean and Head of the Department of Old Testament at the South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies (SAIACS) in Bangalore, India.

Table of Contents

Commentary

• Series Preface
• List of Abbreviations
• Introduction
• Commentary on Ruth
• Conclusion
• Selected Bibliography

Topics

• Widows and Widowhood in the Hindu Traditions in India
• Hesed, Read Alongside the Hindu Virtue of Daana
• Childlessness: A Biblical Perspective for Hindu-Influenced Indian Christianity
• The Book of Ruth in Indian Teaching and Preaching

Editorial Reviews

This is a delightful commentary that deserves a wide readership. The authors combine solid exegesis with a warm and very readable style. Their exploration of the book of Ruth with Asian eyes reminds us Westerners how much closer to the world of the Bible others may be. The illustrative anecdotes from their own Indian world give this commentary a quality that is found in none other. Congratulations to the authors of the volume and the editors of the series.

Daniel I. Block, DPhil
Gunther H. Knoedler Professor Emeritus of Old Testament,
Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois, USA

Dr Dharamraj skillfully combines a solid exegesis with Asian stories and presents the reader with contemporary applications. Dr Dharamraj will surely oblige you to read her book to its last page! I will be teaching the book of Ruth in the seminary and this book is my first choice for a reading assignment.

Riad Kassis, PhD
Director, Langham Scholars Ministry, Langham Partnership

What makes this commentary stand out from other works on the book of Ruth is the interface of the biblical text with Indian culture and stories, and with Jewish readings. The authors' engaging style draws the reader into the world of the story with its ancient background, and leads one to reflect on similar issues in contemporary Asian society. What an enjoyable book!

Athena Evelyn Gorospe, PhD
Chair, Biblical Studies Department,
Asian Theological Seminary, Manila, Philippines

Visiting a famous gallery I was impressed by a certain painting. Then an art expert explained it to me, commenting on various things I had missed, such as how the artist used a breakthrough technique which displayed its brilliance. My eyes were opened and I appreciated it so much more. Reading this commentary on Ruth had a similar effect on me. It proves an excellent guide, enabling us to read Ruth through Asian eyes but also through the eyes of an expert Old Testament scholar, committed Bible teacher, and faithful disciple of Christ. Anyone reading, teaching, or preaching Ruth cannot fail to be enriched by this volume.

Derek Tidball, PhD
Former Principal,
London School of Theology, UK

From the Publisher