Five Festal Garments

Description

These five Old Testament books, traditionally known simply as “the Scrolls,” are among the most neglected parts of the Christian Bible. In Judaism, the Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes and Esther were eventually adopted as lectionary readings for five of the major festivals. In Christian tradition, however, no consensus has emerged about their proper use. Each book presents particular difficulties with regard to how it relates to the rest of Scripture and how it should be understood as the Word of God for us today.

In this New Studies in Biblical Theology volume, Barry Webb offers a Christian interpretation of these problematic writings. He allows each book to set its own agenda, and then examines each in relation to the wider Old Testament and to the New Testament gospel with its basic structure of promise and fulfilment. In this way, Webb presents fresh and illuminating perspectives on these five “festal garments” of love, kindness, suffering, vexation and deliverance.

CONTENTS

Series Preface
Author’s Preface
Abbreviations
Introduction
1. The Song of Songs: Garment of Love
2. Ruth: Garment of Kindness
3. Lamentations: Garment of Suffering
4. Ecclesiastes: Garment of Vexation
5. Esther: Garment of Deliverance
Epilogue
Bibliography
Index of Modern Authors
Index of Scripture References
Index of Ancient Sources