After Sodom
Yahweh destroys the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot escapes with his daughters to a cave, where they get their father drunk with wine, and seduce him, giving birth to Moab and Ammon.
Late in Judges, Gibeah of Benjamin has become a Sodom, and Yahweh sends the rest of Israel to destroy the tribe of Benjamin. We keep reading, and find a story about a Moabitess, Ruth.
Just as we expected; there’s always a Moabite seductress after Sodom.
Except Ruth turns Moab’s heritage inside out, becoming mother not to enemies of Israel but to the father of the father of David. After Sodom comes a Moabitess who is incorporated into Israel so that Israel may be saved.
Peter Leithart
Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.
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