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RLST 145: Introduction to the Old Testament

Lecture 24 - Alternative Visions: Esther, Ruth, and Jonah. In this lecture, two final books of the Bible are examined and their attitudes towards foreign nations compared. In contrast to Daniel's reliance on divine intervention to punish the wicked, the book of Esther focuses on human initiative in defeating the enemies of Israel. Finally, the book of Jonah - in which the wicked Assyrians repent and are spared divine punishment - expresses the view that God is compassionate and concerned with all creation. Professor Hayes concludes the course with remarks regarding the dynamic and complex messages presented in the Hebrew Bible.
(from oyc.yale.edu)

Lecture 24 - Alternative Visions: Esther, Ruth, and Jonah

Time Lecture Chapters
[00:00:00] 1. The Book of Esther
[00:09:29] 2. The Book of Jonah
[00:20:32] 3. Concluding Remarks about the Dynamic and Complex Messages in the Hebrew Bible

References
Lecture 24 - Alternative Visions: Esther, Ruth, and Jonah
Instructor: Professor Christine Hayes. Handout: Final Exam Review Sheet [PDF]. Transcript [html]. Audio [mp3]. Download Video [mov].

Go to the Course Home or watch other lectures:

Lecture 01 - The Parts of the Whole
Lecture 02 - The Hebrew Bible in Its Ancient Near Eastern Setting: Biblical Religion in Context
Lecture 03 - The Hebrew Bible in Its Ancient Near Eastern Setting: Genesis 1-4 in Context
Lecture 04 - Doublets and Contradictions, Seams and Sources: Genesis 5-11 and the Historical-Critical Method
Lecture 05 - Critical Approaches to the Bible: Introduction to Genesis 12-50
Lecture 06 - Biblical Narrative: The Stories of the Patriarchs (Genesis 12-36)
Lecture 07 - Israel in Egypt: Moses and the Beginning of Yahwism (Genesis 37- Exodus 4)
Lecture 08 - Exodus: From Egypt to Sinai (Exodus 5-24, 32; Numbers)
Lecture 09 - The Priestly Legacy: Cult and Sacrifice, Purity and Holiness in Leviticus and Numbers
Lecture 10 - Biblical Law: The Three Legal Corpora of JE (Exodus), P (Leviticus and Numbers) and D
Lecture 11 - On the Steps of Moab: Deuteronomy
Lecture 12 - The Deuteronomistic History: Life in the Land (Joshua and Judges)
Lecture 13 - The Deuteronomistic History: Prophets and Kings (1 and 2 Samuel)
Lecture 14 - The Deuteronomistic History: Response to Catastrophe (1 and 2 Kings)
Lecture 15 - Hebrew Prophecy: The Non-Literary Prophets
Lecture 16 - Literary Prophecy: Amos
Lecture 17 - Literary Prophecy: Hosea and Isaiah
Lecture 18 - Literary Prophecy: Micah, Zephaniah, Nahum and Habbakuk
Lecture 19 - Literary Prophecy: Perspectives on the Exile (Jeremiah, Ezekiel and 2nd Isaiah)
Lecture 20 - Responses to Suffering and Evil: Lamentations and Wisdom Literature
Lecture 21 - Biblical Poetry: Psalms and Song of Songs
Lecture 22 - The Restoration: 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra and Nehemiah
Lecture 23 - Visions of the End: Daniel and Apocalyptic Literature
Lecture 24 - Alternative Visions: Esther, Ruth, and Jonah