User talk:Samuel 07

== OLD TESTAMENT NARRATIVES: their proper use -the single & most common type of lit in the Bible(40%)

Concern: -	to guide toward a good understanding of how Hebrew narrative

Reason: -	because of the failure to understand both the reason for & the character of Hebrew narrative has caused many Christians in the past to read the O.T story very poorly.

Nature of Narratives: I. What narratives are? -they are stories, purposeful stories retelling the historical events of the past that are intended to give meaning & direction for a given people in the present.


 * 3 BASIC PARTS *

1. Characters -protagonist (primary person) – GOD -antagonist (person who brings the conflict) – Satan/evil people and powers -agonist (other major character who yet involved in the struggle) –the people

2. Plot - God created man in His own image - enemy entered & persuaded people to bear His image - the battle of God’s people

3. Plot resolution - redemption – how God rescues His people from the enemy’s clutches.

CHARACTERISTICS OF HEBREW NARRATIVE

THE NARRATOR - to understand how narrative works there are 2 important things you need to know about the narrator’s role

1. He is comparatively “omniscient” - He chooses what to say in the story; He is everywhere and knows everything he tells. - He never shares and nor does He comment, explain or evaluate during the story. His role is to tell to story.

WHY? For us to be drawn to the story & see it ourselves

2. He is responsible for the “point of view” - the perspective from which the story is told, which in the end is the divine point of view. - sometimes God’s point of view is disclosed directly. Ex. “the Lord was with Joseph” (Gen. 39:2,3,21,23) - very often the point of view comes before the way of one of the character. Ex. Gen. 50:20 – it is Joseph who tells the reader the divine perspective 						of the story


 * be constantly on the look out for how the inspired narrator discloses the point of view from which you are to understand the story.

THE SCENE

-	the predominant mode of narration in Hebrew narrative is “scenic” -	the action is moved along by a series of scenes that together make up a whole. -	Ex. Story of Joseph (Gen.37) 1.	(v.2) Joseph squeaks on his brother 2.	(vv.5-11) shifts to the setting of Joseph recounting his dreams 3.	(12-17) Joseph searches for his brothers -	this scene serve as a pause for us to understand that the timing for the next crucial scenes •	arrival of Joseph •	plot to kill						these were all divinely ordained. •	arrival of midianites

Next 3 scenes are interwoven to point out the point of view in the last verse (v.36)

1.	plot to kill intercession by Reuben 2.	The role of Judah in rescuing Joseph by selling him 3.	grief of Reuben & Jacob - where Joseph ends up in Egypt as a well placed Egyptian official

•	It is the scene that separate & bond together •	Also the scenes in narrative contains 2 or 3 characters in the place.

THE CHARACTERS

-in Hebrew narrative, characters are the absolutely central element. - always remember that “characterization” had very little to do with physical appearance

WHY? Because Hebrew narrative is simply not interested in creating a “visual image of the character” - more important on the status (ex. Wise, righteous, wealthy) or profession (ex. Boker, cupbearer) or tribal designation (ex. Medianites)


 * 2 FEATURES OF CHARACTERIZATION *

1. Character often appear either in contrast or in parallel Ex. In Joseph in contrast with his brother (chapter37)

2. the mode of characterization occurs in the characters words & actions not in the narrator’s own description (depends on his speeches Joseph 1) spoiled brat – “sumbungero” 2) firm – sin on Potiphar’s wife 3) loving and firm – how he deals with his brother

The DIALOGUE - on the book (pg.96)

PLOT

-	narrative can’t function without a plot or plot resolution -	the narrative must have a beginning, middle & end -	it is thrust forward by some form of conflict which generates interest in the resolution -	ex. Conflict of Joseph & his brother which prepares to the next major event of the story of Israel(Exodus) -	in narrative Hebrew it moves at a much faster pace very often slowed pace is signal or pointing to the narrators of point of view.

FEATURES OF STRUCTURE

- these narratives were written/designed primarily for hearers not readers

1.	REPETITON -	Key words ex. Brother=15 -	Resuming the narrative after interruption or detour -	Ex. Gen.31:36-39:1

2. INCLUSION - a technical term for the form of repetition where a narrative is begun & brought to a conclusion on the same role or way - ex. 37:6-8 to 50:18 – also known as “chiasm”/ ABCBA pattern

3. FORESHADOWING - something that is briefly discussed on the early part of a narrative is picked up in detail later on. - ex. Births of Pharez & Zerah sons of Judah(38:27-30) & sooner is (46:12) his role being the 1st born.

A FINAL WORD - one crucial thing to keep in mind as you read any Hebrew narrative is the presence of GOD in the narrative - God is the ultimate character & the hero of the story.

ON READING “BETWEEN THE LINES”

I. What is implicit in a narrative? - Things the narrator has embedded in the story that you might miss by first or otherwise casual reading of the books. - Implicit teaching is that w/c is clearly present in the story but not stated in so many words

II. To distinguish what is implicit in a narrative it requires: a.	skill b.	hardwork c.	caution d.	prayer

III. WARNING: Implicit does not mean secret!

IV. Your task: a.	is not to ferret out things that cannot be understand by everyone b.	is to take note of all that the narrative actually true vs.

FINAL CAUTIONS

I.	THE REASONS WHY CHRISTIANS HAVE OFTEN READ THE OT. NARRATIVES a.	the tendency of “flatten” everything because they assure that everything God has said in His word is thereby a direct word to them b.	they wrongly expect that everything in the Bible applies directly as instructions of their own individual lines.

II. USE OF COMMON ERRORS OF INTERPRETING BIBLICAL NARRATIVES

•	ALLEGORIZING – people relegate the text to merely reflecting another meaning beyond the text. •	DECONTEXTUALIZING – ignoring the full historical and literary contexts. •	SELECTIVITY – involves picking and choosing specific words & phrases to concentrate on while ignoring the others. •	MORALIZING – this is the assumption that principle for living can derived from all passages •	PERSONALIZING – parts apply to you or your group in a way that they do not apply to everyone else •	MISAPPROPRIATION – it is to appropriate the text for purposes that one quite foreign to the biblical narrative •	FALSE APPROPRIATION – it is to read into a biblical narrative suggestions or that are simultaneously foreign to the narrator’s purpose •	FALSE COMBINATION - this approach combines elements from here and there in a passage & make a point out of believes combination •	REDEFINATION – when the plain meaning of the text leaves purple cold, producing no immediate delight, they are tempted to redefine it to mean something else.

CAUTION: -	“do not be a monkey-see-monkey-do reader of the Bible” -	No Bible narrative was written specifically about you

TRUE TASK - is to learn God’s word from the narratives about them; not to try to do everything that was done in the Bible.

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