Esther & Ruth

This book combines a great combination of Scriptural commentary and contemporary comments. It is especially helpful given our current national and world upheaval. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone wanting to study the book of Esther.

Choosing a commentary is always a tricky thing - it mostly depends on what you need the commentary to do for you. Do you need a technical analysis of each Hebrew or Greek verb? Are you looking for syntactical analysis? Or, on the other end of the spectrum, are you looking for practical application and advice for modern living - something to bridge the cultural gap from the text to the modern day? How you answer those sorts of questions will probably indicate which commentary is right for you. I was very pleasantly surprised when I got into Iain Duguid's commentary on Esther and Ruth. I sort of expected a technical, heavy-handed type of commentary. I mean, what else would you expect from a "Reformed Expository Commentary"? We tend to major on the obscure and technical (or so it sometimes seems). What I found was an eminently readable book, which balanced the technical aspects with application. I also enjoyed that it was Christ-centered. The book of Esther exhibits a surprising lack of mention of God. This detail has caused many to question how valid this book is as Scripture. Duguid handles this by explaining how those in Persia were actually still in rebellion against God. They hadn't returned under the decree of Cyrus. Apparently, they were too comfortable and well off under the Persian kings that they didn't want to return to a backwater land where life would be hard. Not too surprising, then, when trouble comes, they fast, mourn, wear sackcloth and ashes, but nobody prays. While God seems out of the picture, he is still there. The whole story turns on the sleeplessness of the king - all Esther's bravery, all of Mordecai's refusal to bow, all of it turns out in favor for the Jews because the king couldn't sleep. The book of Ruth also has some interesting turns. Duguid points out that Ruth is just as much about the Moabitess as it is about Naomi. Consistently, the author takes us from Boaz's fields to the house that Ruth and Naomi share. God has not given up on Naomi, no matter how difficult her circumstances seem. He first takes away her fullness in order to bring her back to the Promised Land. Then, through the unwanted concern of Ruth, he fills her back to the brim. Unfortunately, both Esther and Ruth are relegated to women's Bible studies and aren't areas of study for the majority of the church. This does a disservice on both ends - first, it makes it seem as if these books have nothing to offer the whole congregation. Second, they are often skewed into morality tales for women - be an Esther or be a Ruth - as the principle message of each book. They have so much more to offer and it is my hope that Duguid's exposition will bring more people, both men and women, to these two valuable texts.

Dr. Duguid does an excellent job of mixing beautiful scholarship with practical application that makes for a wonderful commentary for both Pastors and layman.

Iain M. Duguid has done a great job of bringing out many of the themes of Esther and Ruth. We all know that Esther is about the Providence God and that Ruth is the story of Redemption. And Iain M. Duguid has wonderfully expanded on these topics - seeing the hand of God in ways that are easy to over look, but are clearly in the text. Iain M. Duguid not only is good at the big picture, but he also is good at telling the many sub themes in the book. In the book of Esther you will come to know King Ahasuerus and will chuckle at the way he rules his kingdom. You will learn about Esther and will wonder about her decisions to hide her Jewishness. You will marvel at her patience and wisdom as she sets the trap for Haman. You will cheer as Mordecai comes to power and writes the new edict enabling the Jews to defend themselves and destroy their enemies. Iain M. Duguid has done a great job keeping all these sub themes alive through the book. In Ruth you will learn about Naomi and her bitterness and will see how God steadily and faithfully works in her heart. In the end Naomi gives praise to God, something she was not able to do at the beginning. You will be amazed at the incredible faith of Ruth as she commits to Naomi and to the Lord. Ruth was a woman that had an active faith. Her faith was there even when Naomi's wasn't. And of course there is Boaz, the redeemer. His faith and character are shining examples of our Redeemer - Jesus Christ. The book of Ruth is about all these sub themes that Iain M. Duguid keeps alive through the whole book. I know that women like the books of Esther and Ruth, but these books are for everyone. They will make you marvel at God's faithfulness.

This is one of the best written and insightful commentaries that I own (though I have only read the Ruth half). I have a number of commentaries on Ruth and this one outshined them all in it's clarity and preachability. If you are going to lead a study on Ruth or preach from Ruth this book is an invaluable resource for good ideas.