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Where and How?
Setting conveys reality to the story and gives it atmosphere and mood. For example, why, in Ruth 4:1, 2, does Boaz locate his legal case in the gate and not in his home or in the house of the mayor of the city of Bethlehem? Obviously, the gate—being the most public place in ancient times—adds an important legal element to the story. Setting also can give us a clue about the time period in which the narrative unfolds. If we hear a story that is located inside a car or in an airport terminal, we know without much reflection that the story does not come from the time of David or Martin Luther.
Compare the settings of the following two stories: 1 Samuel 24:1–6 and Genesis 39:6–12. How do the settings contribute to the plots of the stories?
Settings help us to better understand the action of the story. David and his men are alone with Saul, who is unprotected and extremely vulnerable. The setting highlights the stellar character of David. He does not take advantage of this ideal opportunity to rid himself of Saul before Saul seeks to rid himself of David, a fact that reveals David’s respect for God’s anointed leader.
The setting in the story of Joseph also paints an opportunity. Joseph is handsome and in a position of power. His master’s wife is infatuated with him, and they are alone in the house. Joseph, like David, shows his sterling character in resisting this opportunity.
But setting is not the only important element of a story. We need to look at the point of view of the narrator, as well. We see the story unfold through the narrator’s eyes, which usually provide us with important information but may sometimes withhold information from us. This is particularly true in secular stories. Though we do have points of view in biblical accounts, we must read them on the assumption that they are inspired by the Holy Spirit and that the truth revealed is God’s truth.
Think of David and Joseph in those particular settings. How easily they could have rationalized doing something other than what they did. The fact that they didn’t tells us so much about their character. How often do you rationalize your wrong actions?
| MONDAY | September 27 |
Setting conveys reality to the story and gives it atmosphere and mood. For example, why, in Ruth 4:1, 2, does Boaz locate his legal case in the gate and not in his home or in the house of the mayor of the city of Bethlehem? Obviously, the gate—being the most public place in ancient times—adds an important legal element to the story. Setting also can give us a clue about the time period in which the narrative unfolds. If we hear a story that is located inside a car or in an airport terminal, we know without much reflection that the story does not come from the time of David or Martin Luther.
Compare the settings of the following two stories: 1 Samuel 24:1–6 and Genesis 39:6–12. How do the settings contribute to the plots of the stories?
Settings help us to better understand the action of the story. David and his men are alone with Saul, who is unprotected and extremely vulnerable. The setting highlights the stellar character of David. He does not take advantage of this ideal opportunity to rid himself of Saul before Saul seeks to rid himself of David, a fact that reveals David’s respect for God’s anointed leader.
The setting in the story of Joseph also paints an opportunity. Joseph is handsome and in a position of power. His master’s wife is infatuated with him, and they are alone in the house. Joseph, like David, shows his sterling character in resisting this opportunity.
But setting is not the only important element of a story. We need to look at the point of view of the narrator, as well. We see the story unfold through the narrator’s eyes, which usually provide us with important information but may sometimes withhold information from us. This is particularly true in secular stories. Though we do have points of view in biblical accounts, we must read them on the assumption that they are inspired by the Holy Spirit and that the truth revealed is God’s truth.
Think of David and Joseph in those particular settings. How easily they could have rationalized doing something other than what they did. The fact that they didn’t tells us so much about their character. How often do you rationalize your wrong actions?
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