Sixth Session (cont.)

Israel's story-
Conversion should be seen from perspective of people and nations.
Transformation is needed and necessary for nations and peoples.

Genesis 12:1-3, call of Abram and Sara:
Counter movement of Genesis thus far. Hinge passage, looks back and projects forward. promises given in this passage, and blessing decedents and to the Nations. Cast a larger shadow in the unfolding narrative beyond the Pentateuch. Theme of God's intent to bless continues throughout the Pentateuch.

These blessings are promised to descendants or descendant (NT applied to messiah).

Prophets provide eschatology fulfillment. The promise is unrealized but projected on an international and cosmic scale.

Prophets and future transformation-
Evil and recalcitrant, are destroyed or changed, Isreal is changed and expanded. Nations brought into the reign of God.

Isaiah 2:2-5
streaming of nations to the temple in Jerusalem.

Themes- What is depicted and prommised to Israel is eventualy also promised to and extended to the Nations.

Worship life reflected in Psalms is related to these themes.

Zion and Jerusalem as place of divine revelation.
Psalm 32, Davidic line as shepherds of hte people, and Jerusalem as place of temple.

Psalm 72 celebration of what God will do with Davids family. People will be blessed through the work, reflecting back to Genesis 12.

Zion/Jerusalem theology- Primary building blocks of this eschatology.

Most OT book in the NT, book of revelation, In Johns visionary account these themes are picked up and reworked.

Ruth-
History of interpretation. Impact history of the book. it has a fascinating history of interpretation.
Ruth is one who is incorporated into the people of faith. Before printing press, Ruth moved around in the order of the books and was associated with other books.
Is there a great deal of emphasis on her religious status, though it is clear she is incorporated into the family of faith. Though there is a conversion of sorts. Naomi's god will be Ruths god. Has come to dwell under the wings of hte God of Israel. Is this narative art of an the author who knows that htis language will be used in the psalter. the family of boaz is aprt of the line of parez, which is the line of judah. The story was preserved because it ilustrates the family of David and its history. Moabite connection between David's family? In cannonical tradition is a story of a Moabite who becomes incorporated into the family of faith, Israel. Jewish interpetation this story is clearly seen as an example of conversion to Judaism. Midrash has Naomi telling her about the responcibilities followign the over 600 commandments in the Torah. Eventually the book Ruth is associated with the festival of Weeks, Pentacost. This festival overlaps with the barley harvest. this festival also became associated with the giving the law on Mt. Sinai. Ruth is read during this festival, eschatology also plays a role here. Just as God spoke to Israel, God will speak in the future to the nations. Think then about the day of Pentacost, and the people hear the gospel in their own language. (Sin Jin Park's work deals with this.)

Ruth becomes a paradigm of convert and is a sign of what is to come in the future of the Nations hearing God and coming to Jerusalem.

Ruth in the geneology of Jesus in Matthew. she and the other three women in this geneology could be all gentiles, and converts.