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Study Guide: Prophets and Ruth

Prophets and Ruth Study Guide

Test Information

  • Format: Matching, True/False, Multiple Choice, Short Answer (reflection or explanation).

Key Terms & Concepts from the Prophets

  • Prophet:
    • A special messenger from God, not a fortune teller.
    • (Greek: prophetes – "one who speaks for another").
    • Called by God to proclaim God's saving power.
    • Called people to proper worship and warned of consequences for disobedience.
  • Call Narrative:
    • A story where God addresses and commissions an individual (usually a prophet or leader) for a specific task.
  • Minor Prophets:
    • Designated "minor" based on the length of their books.
    • Examples: Joel, Jonah, Malachi.
  • Major Prophets:
    • Designated "major" based on the length of their books (Lamentations sometimes included).
    • Examples: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel.
  • Non-Writing Prophets:
    • Prophets who do not have books attributed to them.
  • Messiah / Christos:
    • Messiah: Hebrew for “anointed one”.
    • Christos: Greek for “anointed one”.
    • Old Testament: Kings, prophets, and priests were anointed for their ministries.
  • Typology:
    • Old Testament figures/events foreshadowing Jesus.
  • Righteousness:
    • The key virtue emphasized by the prophets.
  • Social Justice:
    • A major concern for the prophets.
  • Obedience to God:
    • Prioritized over obedience to kings.
  • Key Figures:
    • Elijah, Elisha, Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Moses.
  • Burning Bush:
    • A famous call narrative moment involving Moses.
  • Transfiguration:
    • A New Testament event connected to an Old Testament prophet.

5-Part Pattern in Prophetic Call Stories

  1. Setting of mystery and awe.
  2. God calls the prophet to action.
  3. The prophet feels unworthy and objects.
  4. God reassures the prophet.
  5. God sends the prophet forth and offers a sign.

Roles of Prophets

  • Messengers of God
  • Servants of God
  • Protectors of the Law
  • Social Revolutionaries

Book of Ruth

  • Ruth:
    • A Moabite woman who commits to the Israelite people through an oath to Naomi, her mother-in-law.
    • Becomes the great-grandmother of David through marriage to Boaz of Bethlehem.
    • Her story is powerful because of her unwavering loyalty, faith, and willingness to embrace a new life and faith.
  • Naomi:
    • Struggles:
      • Loss of husband and sons (Elimelech and her two sons in Moab).
      • Destitution and identity crisis as a widow with no surviving male relatives.
      • Bitterness and blame towards God for her suffering.
      • Challenging patriarchal expectations by actively seeking ways to secure her and Ruth’s future
    • Transformation:
      • Demonstrates loyalty to Ruth.
      • Embraces God’s Providence and sees God’s hand working in her life through Boaz and Ruth
      • Finds New life renewed, along with hope and purpose
      • Becomes an Ancestor in God’s Plan. Ruth’s lineage connects her to King David and ultimately to Jesus.
  • Boaz:
    • His role in the story: kinsman redeemer.
  • Elimelech:
    • Why his family moves to Moab: because of famine.
  • Moab:
    • Significant because Ruth is a Moabite, highlighting the inclusion of foreigners in God's plan.
  • Covenant Loyalty:
    • Especially Ruth’s commitment to Naomi.
  • Kinsman-Redeemer:
    • Explanation and importance: responsible for redeeming or protecting the interests of a close relative.
  • Life as a Widow in Ancient Israel:
    • Vulnerable position in society with limited rights and protections.
  • Ruth’s Famous Vow:
    • “Where you go, I will go…” demonstrating loyalty and commitment.
  • Time Period:
    • The time of the Judges.

Major Themes in Ruth

  • Faith
  • Loyalty
  • Family
  • Perseverance
  • Foreigners included in God’s plan
  • God’s quiet providence in ordinary life

Other Key People & Ideas

  • Dorothy Day:
    • Who she helped and how: social activist who helped the poor and marginalized.
  • Catholic Worker Movement:
    • What it stood for: advocated for social justice and pacifism.
  • Oscar Romero:
    • What he spoke up for: Archbishop who spoke out against social injustice in El Salvador.
  • Emmanuel:
    • What the name means: "God with us".
  • Messianic Prophecies:
    • What they point to and why they matter: prophecies pointing to the coming of the Messiah (Jesus).
  • Liturgical Season Celebrated over Spring Break

Writing Prompts

  • Choose an injustice in the world today—what would a prophet say about it?
  • Reflect on suffering and your relationship with God (like Naomi did).
  • Explain the pattern of prophetic call stories—and why that structure matters.