Deck 14: Storytellers in Ancient Israel

Question 1

1. What are some of the common themes in the Jewish novellas? What was the purpose of these works?

Answer 1

These works provide imaginative and entertaining narrative content that make specific theological or social points. Common themes include the status of foreigners among the people of God, how to live faithfully in a foreign land, and YHWH's authority and sovereignty over all the nations.

Question 2

2. Discuss the role of women in the Jewish novellas. How are they depicted overall?

Answer 2

Women are featured protagonists in the books of Ruth and Esther (not to mention Judith, which is not mentioned in this chapter but does appear later). Each actively shows faithfulness to YHWH and the people of Israel (for Ruth) or the Jews (Esther). Each is in a less than ideal circumstance-including sexually scandalous circumstances-but shows unusual faithfulness and is ultimately used for the purpose of deliverance to forward YHWH's plan for his people.

Question 3

3. Put the book of Ruth in dialogue with Ezra/Nehemiah. How do the perspectives presented in each book differ? Are there areas in which they are agreed?

Answer 3

Ruth makes the argument that not only those who are blood descendants of Jacob can be members of the Israelite covenant. In contrast to Ezra/Nehemiah, which argue strongly against intermarriage, Ruth argues that intermarriage can sometimes work out quite well. The books do agree, however, on the need to follow the dictates of Torah and obey the covenant in other respects.

Question 4

4. The book of Esther can best be described as a secular rather than a religious work. Pick a side of this resolution and argue for it using as many specific examples from the text as possible. Keep in mind that the most persuasive arguments anticipate (and answer) counterarguments.

Question 5

5. The book of Jonah prominently features humor and irony throughout the story. Give a few examples of humorous or ironic elements in Jonah and discuss how they contribute to the basic message of the book of Jonah.

Question 6

6. Discuss Chronicles' discussion of David. How does it differ from the representations of David in 2 Samuel and 1 Kings? What are the reasons for these differences?

Question 7

7. What is Chronicles' relationship to Ezra and Nehemiah? Why have these three texts traditionally been linked? What is the conclusion of most modern scholars concerning this relationship?

Question 8

8. What are the known sources for Chronicles? How does it use them? What does the Chronicler omit? What might be some of the reasons for these omissions?

Question 9

1. The book of Ruth is usually categorized as a part of the Deuteronomistic History.

Question 10

5. David is presented as a one-dimensional figure in Chronicles.

Question 11

7. Chronicles can be called a revisionist history.

Question 12

2) In Hebrew, the word "feet" sometimes refers to

A) other especially smelly parts of the body.
B) genitals.
C) hands.
D) a person's trusted horse.

Question 13

3) The book of Ruth is an especially important voice on the subject of ____________ in the postexilic era.

A) exogamy
B) monogamy
C) polygamy
D) adultery

Question 14

5) Jonah so reluctant to preach to the Ninevites because he

A) is worried they will repent and be spared.
B) expects they will mock and persecute him.
C) doesn't want to make the long and difficult journey.
D) is concerned about being labeled a false prophet if his prediction does not come true.

Question 15

7) Esther becomes queen of Persia because

A) the original queen dies in a plague.
B) the original queen refuses to appear before the king.
C) the original queen runs away with her children.
D) she was more beautiful than the original queen.

Question 16

8) Ahasuerus agrees to have the Jews exterminated because he

A) considered them to be an inferior race.
B) thought they were a dangerous people.
C) thought they were about to stage a revolt.
D) believed they were disobedient to the laws of Persia.

Question 17

9) One of the main messages of Daniel 1-6 is that

A) the main god of Babylon was actually just another way of referring to YHWH.
B) Jews could continue to remain faithful to YHWH even outside their homeland.
C) God was waiting on the Jews to become faithful before he would restore them.
D) the messiah would soon come to shatter the Babylonians.

Question 18

16) In Jewish tradition, Chronicles is part of the

A) Writings.
B) Pentateuch.
C) Minor Prophets.
D) Major Prophets.

Question 19

19) Ahijah and Iddo are

A) prophets.
B) kings.
C) priests.
D) governors.

Question 20

20) The concluding verses of 2 Chronicles are the same as the beginning verses of

A) Nehemiah.
B) Ezra.
C) 1 Kings.
D) Proverbs.

Question 21

22) A less negative presentation of Manasseh than the one in Kings is provided by

A) Psalms.
B) Zephaniah.
C) Isaiah.
D) Chronicles.

Question 22

23) The Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Esther are collectively known as the Five

A) Scrolls.
B) Novellas.
C) Writings.
D) Lovers.