The Book of Ruth Explained in Twenty-Eight Homilies

Ludwig Lavater compares the short book of Ruth to “precious jewels” of “exceptional worth,” which provides “the greatest usefulness to all parts of life.” Bringing this important study into the modern era, this new translation by Michael Hunter, with a biographical introduction by Jonathan Gibson, makes accessible these biblically rich sermons from a sixteenth-century pastor and scholar. Lavater’s sermons on Ruth promote virtuous living for Christian men and women and culminate by showing how the genealogy of David points us to Jesus Christ. The Book of Ruth Explained is a useful guide for laypeople, pastors, and scholars who desire to study the book of Ruth and apply it to everyday life.

Contents

Translator’s Preface
Introduction: “Precious Jewels”: Ludwig Lavater’s Homilies on Ruth

The Book of Ruth Explained in Twenty-Eight Homilies

• Dedicatory Epistle
• First Homily: Introduction
• Second Homily: Ruth 1:1–2
• Third Homily: Ruth 1:3–5
• Fourth Homily: Ruth 1:6–9
• Fifth Homily: Ruth 1:10–13
• Sixth Homily: Ruth 1:14–15
• Seventh Homily: Ruth 1:16–18
• Eighth Homily: Ruth 1:19–22
• Ninth Homily: Ruth 2:1–3
• Tenth Homily: Ruth 2:4–7
• Eleventh Homily: Ruth 2:8–10
• Twelfth Homily: Ruth 2:11–13
• Thirteenth Homily: Ruth 2:14–16
• Fourteenth Homily: Ruth 2:17–19
• Fifteenth Homily: Ruth 2:20–23
• Sixteenth Homily: Ruth 3:1–4
• Seventeenth Homily: Ruth 3:5–9
• Eighteenth Homily: Ruth 3:10–13
• Nineteenth Homily: Ruth 3:14–18
• Twentieth Homily: Ruth 4:1–4
• Twenty-First Homily: Ruth 4:5
• Twenty-Second Homily: Ruth 4:6–8
• Twenty-Third Homily: Ruth 4:9–10
• Twenty-Fourth Homily: Ruth 4:11–12
• Twenty-Fifth Homily: Ruth 4:13
• Twenty-Sixth Homily: Ruth 4:14–15
• Twenty-Seventh Homily: Ruth 4:16–17
• Twenty-Eighth Homily: Ruth 4:18–22

Appendix: Exposition of the Book of Ruth by Konrad Pellikan
Bibliography of Early Modern and Modern Sources
Ancient Sources Index
Scripture Index
Subject Index