genre identification

Genre IdentificationGenre Identification

NarrativeNarrative

DefinitionDefinition Narratives are stories. Although from time to Narratives are stories. Although from time to

time we use the word time we use the word storystory to describe them, to describe them, we prefer the word we prefer the word narrativenarrative because story has because story has come to mean something that is fictional. The come to mean something that is fictional. The Bible, on the other hand, contains what we Bible, on the other hand, contains what we often hear called God’s often hear called God’s storystory—a story that is —a story that is utterly true, crucially important, and often utterly true, crucially important, and often complex.complex.

FormForm Narrator/Point of View: Who is telling the story? Are they Narrator/Point of View: Who is telling the story? Are they

a participant? What is the bias of the narrator? What is the a participant? What is the bias of the narrator? What is the perspective of the narrator (the camera view)?perspective of the narrator (the camera view)?

Plot: What is the storyline? What starts the story? What are Plot: What is the storyline? What starts the story? What are the elements of conflict? What is the climax? How does the the elements of conflict? What is the climax? How does the story end?story end?

Characterization: Who are the characters? What is said Characterization: Who are the characters? What is said about them? What details are given? Why are they about them? What details are given? Why are they important?important?

Setting: What clues are given as to the importance of Setting: What clues are given as to the importance of setting? What is the geographical background? What is the setting? What is the geographical background? What is the timeframe?timeframe?

Dialogue: Dialogue is the means in which OT stories Dialogue: Dialogue is the means in which OT stories develop characters and storyline. Who speaks? When do develop characters and storyline. Who speaks? When do they speak? What do they say? they speak? What do they say?

Types of NarrativesTypes of Narratives Tragedy. A tragedy is a story of the decline of a person Tragedy. A tragedy is a story of the decline of a person

from verity to catastrophe. from verity to catastrophe. Epic. An epic is a long narrative with a series of episodes Epic. An epic is a long narrative with a series of episodes

unified around an individual or group of people. unified around an individual or group of people. Romance. A romance is a narrative in which the romantic Romance. A romance is a narrative in which the romantic

relationship between a man and a woman is narrated. relationship between a man and a woman is narrated. Heroic. A heroic narrative is a story built around the life Heroic. A heroic narrative is a story built around the life

and exploits of a hero or a protagonist, an individual who and exploits of a hero or a protagonist, an individual who sometimes is a representative of others or an example for sometimes is a representative of others or an example for others. others.

Satire. A satirical narrative is an exposure of human vice or Satire. A satirical narrative is an exposure of human vice or folly through ridicule or rebuke. folly through ridicule or rebuke.

Polemic. A polemic narrative is an aggressive attack against Polemic. A polemic narrative is an aggressive attack against or refuting of the views of others. or refuting of the views of others.

FunctionFunction The Structure of Narratives: Narratives are The Structure of Narratives: Narratives are

one story with one meaning, but have three one story with one meaning, but have three levels of significance. levels of significance.

The The top leveltop level is that of the whole universal plan is that of the whole universal plan of God worked out through his creation.of God worked out through his creation.

The The middle levelmiddle level centers on the history of Israel. centers on the history of Israel. The The bottom levelbottom level is the hundreds of individual is the hundreds of individual

narratives themselves. narratives themselves.

PrinciplesPrinciples An Old Testament narrative usually does not An Old Testament narrative usually does not

directly teach a doctrine.directly teach a doctrine. An Old Testament narrative usually illustrates a An Old Testament narrative usually illustrates a

doctrine or doctrines taught propositionally doctrine or doctrines taught propositionally elsewhere. elsewhere.

Narratives record what happened—not necessarily Narratives record what happened—not necessarily what should have happened or what ought to what should have happened or what ought to happen every time. Therefore, not every narrative happen every time. Therefore, not every narrative has an individual identifiable moral of the story. has an individual identifiable moral of the story.

What people do in narratives is not necessarily a What people do in narratives is not necessarily a good example for us. good example for us.

PrinciplesPrinciples Most of the characters in Old Testament narratives Most of the characters in Old Testament narratives

are far from perfect and their actions are, too.are far from perfect and their actions are, too. We are not always told at the end of a narrative We are not always told at the end of a narrative

whether what happened was good or bad. whether what happened was good or bad. All narratives are selective and incomplete. Not all All narratives are selective and incomplete. Not all

the relevant details are always given. the relevant details are always given. Narratives are not written to answer all our Narratives are not written to answer all our

theological questions. theological questions. In the final analysis, God is the hero of all biblical In the final analysis, God is the hero of all biblical

narratives. Old Testament narratives are not just narratives. Old Testament narratives are not just stories about people who lived in Old Testament stories about people who lived in Old Testament times. They are first and foremost stories about times. They are first and foremost stories about what God did to and through those people.what God did to and through those people.

The Book of RuthThe Book of Ruth

Introduction: Information OverloadIntroduction: Information Overload

The Setting: A picture says a 1,000 words.The Setting: A picture says a 1,000 words.

Story Settings: Words provide pictures.Story Settings: Words provide pictures.

Call me Ishmael. Call me Ishmael. It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in

possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the

age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the season age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.hope, it was the winter of despair.

Bethlehem Herald – June 2, 1213 Bethlehem Herald – June 2, 1213

SAD DAY REMEMBERED: Today marks the 25SAD DAY REMEMBERED: Today marks the 25thth anniversary of the brutal murder and rape of Rachel, daughter anniversary of the brutal murder and rape of Rachel, daughter of Simeon, of Bethlehem. This brutal murder and rape was of Simeon, of Bethlehem. This brutal murder and rape was followed by a sorrowful civil war against our neighbors to the followed by a sorrowful civil war against our neighbors to the north, the tribe of Benjamin. Over 40,000 Israelites and an north, the tribe of Benjamin. Over 40,000 Israelites and an additional 25,000 Benjamites were slain in a period of 12 additional 25,000 Benjamites were slain in a period of 12 hours as the wrath of the children of Israel responded to the hours as the wrath of the children of Israel responded to the terrible tragedy. We the inhabitants of Bethlehem are most terrible tragedy. We the inhabitants of Bethlehem are most sorrowful, since it was the harlotry of one of our own which sorrowful, since it was the harlotry of one of our own which sparked the unfortunate incident.sparked the unfortunate incident.


INVASION IMMINENT: According to top sources at the INVASION IMMINENT: According to top sources at the defense department, the Midianites have been spotted defense department, the Midianites have been spotted gathering their forces for their yearly invasion through our gathering their forces for their yearly invasion through our land. This will mark the third straight year these marauders land. This will mark the third straight year these marauders have swept through the land, stealing our precious food and have swept through the land, stealing our precious food and taking our few animals. If this invasion is not stopped soon, taking our few animals. If this invasion is not stopped soon, the ongoing famine will claim the lives of each of us.the ongoing famine will claim the lives of each of us.


BAAL TRIBUTE: In order to do our part in stopping BAAL TRIBUTE: In order to do our part in stopping the famine, the priests of Baal have added an the famine, the priests of Baal have added an additional worship service to the great god of fertility. additional worship service to the great god of fertility. Cult priestesses will be available for worship four Cult priestesses will be available for worship four days a week.days a week.

PLAYOFFS: The Bethlehem Breadmakers did not PLAYOFFS: The Bethlehem Breadmakers did not fare well in game six of the playoffs. They were run-fare well in game six of the playoffs. They were run-over by the Tyre Tubes: 103-89. King James had 33 over by the Tyre Tubes: 103-89. King James had 33 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists. points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists.


CITY COUNCIL MEMBER MOVING: Elimelech scheduled CITY COUNCIL MEMBER MOVING: Elimelech scheduled a news conference today to announce he and his family will be a news conference today to announce he and his family will be moving to Moab. The announcement comes as a surprise to moving to Moab. The announcement comes as a surprise to all. He stated that he plans to stay in Moab until the famine all. He stated that he plans to stay in Moab until the famine ends. Because of this, he is keeping his property in Bethlehem. ends. Because of this, he is keeping his property in Bethlehem. His two sickly sons, Mahlon and Chilion, and his wife, His two sickly sons, Mahlon and Chilion, and his wife, Naomi, will accompany him. She of the four will be greatly Naomi, will accompany him. She of the four will be greatly missed. Her friendly smile and even her faith in the old God missed. Her friendly smile and even her faith in the old God of Joshua are an encouragement to us all.of Joshua are an encouragement to us all.


CLASSIFIED: Levite position open CLASSIFIED: Levite position open immediately. Proper lineage and some immediately. Proper lineage and some knowledge of the Mosaic Law required. Small knowledge of the Mosaic Law required. Small home provided. Pay is minimal. No home provided. Pay is minimal. No experience necessary. Send resume to the City experience necessary. Send resume to the City Council of Bethlehem-Judah.Council of Bethlehem-Judah.

The Setting of the Story of RuthThe Setting of the Story of Ruth

Read the first five verses. What do you see Read the first five verses. What do you see that sets the stage? that sets the stage?

Dates:Dates: Places:Places: People:People: Pace:Pace: Situation/Mood:Situation/Mood:

Date – “in the days of the judges”Date – “in the days of the judges”

What do we know about “the days of the judges”?What do we know about “the days of the judges”?

1.1.Timeframe was 350-400 years.Timeframe was 350-400 years.

2.2.Cycles of Cycles of sin-servitude-supplication-savior/salvation-service-sin-servitude-supplication-savior/salvation-service-sin.sin.

3.3.Judges were regional and at times overlapped Judges were regional and at times overlapped

4.4.No king in Israel, so everyone did what was right in No king in Israel, so everyone did what was right in their own eyes.their own eyes.

Places: MoabPlaces: Moab

What do we know of Moab?What do we know of Moab? Ancestry: Ancestry:

Incestuous relationship between Lot and his daughter (Genesis 19:37).Incestuous relationship between Lot and his daughter (Genesis 19:37).

Moses’ day: Moses’ day: Paid Balaam to curse Israel out of fear (Num 22:1-21).Paid Balaam to curse Israel out of fear (Num 22:1-21). Seduced the men of Israel with women and idolatry (Num 25:1-5).Seduced the men of Israel with women and idolatry (Num 25:1-5).

Current situation:Current situation: ““No Ammonite or Moabite may enter the assembly of the Lord. Even No Ammonite or Moabite may enter the assembly of the Lord. Even

to the tenth generation, none of them may enter the assembly of the to the tenth generation, none of them may enter the assembly of the Lord forever . . .” (Deut 23:3-4).Lord forever . . .” (Deut 23:3-4).

Places: Bethlehem-JudahPlaces: Bethlehem-Judah

Archeological History: Small farming community of Archeological History: Small farming community of no more than 5,000no more than 5,000

Biblical History: (during the judges)Biblical History: (during the judges) Judges 17-18: The Mercenary Levite of Bethlehem-JudahJudges 17-18: The Mercenary Levite of Bethlehem-Judah

Judges 19-21: The Murderous Levite and the Cut-up Judges 19-21: The Murderous Levite and the Cut-up Concubine of Bethlehem-JudahConcubine of Bethlehem-Judah

Ruth: “The Bethlehem Trilogy”Ruth: “The Bethlehem Trilogy”

Situation/Mood/PaceSituation/Mood/Pace

Famine in the “house of bread” – time of Famine in the “house of bread” – time of judgmentjudgment

Sojourning in an unknown landSojourning in an unknown land Barrenness among the women – ten years of Barrenness among the women – ten years of

with no childrenwith no children Death of all of the men – Three Jewish men Death of all of the men – Three Jewish men

die in a period of ten years. die in a period of ten years.

Overall setting is dearth, death, desertion, and destruction.Overall setting is dearth, death, desertion, and destruction.

genre identification

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