Summary
Ruth by Peter H. W. Lau in NICOT offers a careful, faithful reading of one of Scripture’s most tender and theologically rich narratives. Lau walks through the Hebrew text with sensitivity to structure, context, and nuance, and brings out the story’s themes of loyalty, kindness, covenant, and redemption in ways that speak powerfully to the church. He balances close exegesis with a pastoral vision that sees Ruth’s story as both ancient history and living Word for Christian communities today.
Rather than treating Ruth as a quaint personal story, Lau presents it as a theologically loaded narrative — a story about God’s providence, covenant faithfulness, and the inclusion of outsiders in God’s people. His commentary highlights how God preserves and blesses his people through unexpected relationships and faithful love, pointing toward the gospel promise of belonging and grace. The book becomes not just a historical tale but a mirror for God’s church, reminding us of kindness, redemption, and faith under God’s covenant.
Why Should I Own This Commentary?
First, it is rooted deeply in the Hebrew text and informed by contemporary scholarship. Lau handles translation issues, textual variants, and ancient Near-Eastern background with care, making this commentary reliable for serious study and sermon preparation. For any preacher wanting to engage Ruth responsibly, this volume provides solid exegetical groundwork.
Second, the commentary is pastorally sensitive and church-centred. Lau writes for preachers, teachers, and congregations — not merely scholars. He draws practical and theological application from the text, showing how themes like loyalty, redemption, and covenant love should shape Christian communities. This makes the work especially useful for sermon preparation, small-group teaching, or personal reflection.
Third, the writing is accessible without sacrificing depth. Lau avoids unnecessary jargon or distraction, keeping his exposition clear and engaging. This makes the commentary valuable for a broad audience: pastors, lay teachers, students, and mature readers alike. It strikes a balance between faithful scholarship and practical ministry concerns.
Closing Recommendation
We strongly recommend Ruth by Peter H. W. Lau as a top-level, preacher-friendly commentary. It combines solid scholarship, theological depth, and pastoral insight in a way that serves the church faithfully. If you want a commentary on Ruth that honours the text, strengthens your faith, and supports gospel-centred teaching and preaching, this volume is an excellent choice.
Peter H. W. Lau
Peter H. W. Lau is a Malaysian Old Testament scholar whose work reflects a broadly evangelical commitment to the authority of Scripture and a deep concern for faithful exposition.
Lau has written widely on Ruth, Esther, and biblical narrative, serving both the academy and the church through teaching, commentary writing, and involvement in theological training across Asia and Australia. His work demonstrates careful attention to literary structure, biblical theology, and the unfolding storyline of Scripture, especially as it relates to God’s covenant purposes.
Readers value Lau for his clarity, pastoral tone, and ability to draw out the theological heart of a passage without overcomplicating the text. His writing serves preachers who want exposition that is faithful, warm, and rooted in the Bible’s overarching narrative. He models the kind of scholarship that strengthens the church by equipping pastors to handle the text with confidence.
Key titles include Ruth (NICOT) and Esther (Tyndale Old Testament Commentary).