Nnadiebube Journal of Religion, Culture and Society

This study addresses the theological gap in interpreting Edo diasporic remittance practices as an expression of God’s mission and covenant. While Edo migrants sustained families, churches, and communities through remittances, no hermeneutical Old Testament framework has theologised this practice; hence the research problem. The aim is to develop a remittance theology from the Book of Ruth for Edo diaspora and IDP communities. Using contextual and theological reading methods, the study exegeted Ruth as a migration narrative and correlated its motifs with Edo migration experiences. The study found that Ruth modelled movement, covenant faithfulness, divine provision, and the bearing of blessing back to the homeland, establishing a remittance theology rooted in Scripture. From this reading, the study identified remittance as a conduit of God’s provision through migrants. The study disclosed that Ruth provided a viable theological resource for Edo migrants to understand sending resources home as worship, stewardship, and mission. Finally, the study revealed the first contextual remittance theology from Ruth for Edo diaspora and IDP communities, thereby giving biblical language to a practice already central to Edo life. This study addressed the paucity of contextual Old Testament theology for Edo remittance practices using a hermeneutical reading method.

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