Prophets and Ruth Study Guide Flashcards

Flashcards for reviewing key terms and concepts from the Prophets and Ruth study guide.

Prophet

A special messenger from God, not a fortune teller (prophetes—Greek word meaning “one who speaks for another”). They are called by God to make known the message of God’s saving power and call people back to right worship, warning of consequences if they don’t change.

Call Narrative

A story where God addresses an individual (usually a prophet or leader) and commissions them to perform a specific task or take a particular course of action.

Minor Prophets

Prophets whose books are shorter in length; examples include Joel, Jonah, and Malachi.

Major Prophets

Prophets whose books are longer in length; examples include Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel.

Messiah / Christos

Messiah is a Hebrew word meaning 'anointed one,' and Christos is the Greek word meaning 'anointed one.' Many anointed ones existed in the Old Testament, including kings, prophets, and priests.

Typology

The idea of Old Testament figures/events foreshadowing Jesus; the study of how God’s work in the Old Testament points to what he later accomplished through Jesus Christ in the New Testament.

Righteousness

The key virtue that prophets cared about.

Social Justice

A major concern for the prophets.

Burning Bush

A famous call narrative moment when Moses was called by God.

Transfiguration

A New Testament event that connects to an Old Testament prophet.

Messenger Formula

‘Thus says the Lord’; prophets almost always spoke in the first person, as if God were speaking.

Ruth

A Moabite woman who commits to the Israelite people by an oath to her mother-in-law Naomi and becomes the great-grandmother of David by marriage to Boaz of Bethlehem.

Naomi

An Israelite woman who experiences loss and bitterness but ultimately finds renewal and purpose through faith and loyalty.

Boaz

A kinsman-redeemer who plays a significant role in the story of Ruth by marrying her and ensuring the continuation of her family line.

Elimelech

Naomi's husband, who moves his family to Moab because of famine.

Moab

The land to which Elimelech moves his family and embraces diversity and Gods inclusive love.

Covenant Loyalty

Ruth's commitment to Naomi, exemplified by her vow, 'Where you go, I will go…'

Kinsman-Redeemer

A male relative who has the responsibility and privilege to act on behalf of another relative in need.

Dorothy Day

Writer/editor who founded the Catholic Worker, a newspaper that grew a voice for the poor during the Great Depression.

Catholic Worker Movement

Serves poor and homeless in NYC.

Oscar Romero

Spoke up for rights for the poor, the oppressed, and the vulnerable.

Emmanuel

‘God is with us’.

Messianic Prophecies

Pointed to the coming of a messiah, a savior or leader of Israel; they demonstrate the historical validity of the Bible and the truthfulness of God’s promises.