Judges and Ruth.
Judges.
The Name. The name is taken from the Judges whose deeds it records.
The Character of the Book.
The book is fragmentary and unchronological in its arrangement. The
events recorded are largely local and tribal instead of national,
but are of great value as showing the condition and character of the
people.
The Condition of the Nation. Israel was unorganized and somewhat
unsettled. They lacked moral energy and the spirit of obedience to
Jehovah and were constantly falling into idolatry and then suffering
at the hands of heathen nations. This condition is summed up in the
oft repeated words: "The children of Israel again did evil in the eyes
of the Lord" and "the Lord sold them into the hand of the oppressor."
The Contents. Judges records the conflict of the nation with the
Canaanite people and with itself; the condition of the country, people
and times and the faithfulness, righteousness and mercy of God. It
gives an account of "Seven apostasies, seven servitudes to the seven
heathen nations and seven deliverances." It furnishes an explanation
of these "ups and downs" and is not merely a record of historical
events but an interpretation of those events.
The Work of the Judges. The Judges were raised up as occasion required
and were tribesmen upon whom God laid the burden of apostate and
oppressed Israel. They exercised judicial functions and led the armies
of Israel against their enemies. They, therefore, asserted the
nation's principles and upheld the cause of Jehovah. As deliverers
they were all types of Christ.
The Key-word is Confusion and the key-verse is "every man did
that which was right in his own eyes" 17:6, which would certainly
bring about a state of confusion.
Analysis.
I. From the Conquest to the Judges, 1:1-3:6.
II. The Judges and their Work. 3:7-16 end.
1. Against Mesopotamia, 3:7-12.
2. Against Moab, 3:13-30.
3. Against Philistia, 3:31.
4. Against the Canaanites, Chs. 4-5.
5. Against the Midianites, Chs. 6-10.
6. Against the Amorites, Chs. 11-12.
7. Against the Philistines, Chs, 13-16.
III. The Idolatry of Micah, Chs. 17-18.
IV. The Crime of Gibea, Chs. 19-21.
For Study and Discussion. (1) Learn the names of the Judges in order
with the time each served, or the period of rest after his work had
been accomplished. (2) The enemy each judge had to combat and what
work was accomplished by each judge. (3) What elements of strength and
of weakness are to be found in the character of each judge. (4) From
the story of Gideon and Sampson, point out New Testament truths. (5)
From the story of Jephthah and Deborah gather lessons for practical
life today. (6) Religious apostasy as a cause of national decay. (7)
Political folly and social immorality as a sign of national decay. (8)
The method of divine deliverance.
Ruth.
This book together with the Judges treats the life of Israel from the
rule of death of Joshua to the rule of Eli.
Name. From the principal character.
Contents. It is properly a continuation of Judges, showing the life of
the times in its greatest simplicity. It is also especially important
because it shows the lineage of David through the whole history of
Israel and thereby is a link in the genealogy of Christ.
Typical Matters. (1) Ruth is a type of Christ's Gentile bride and her
experience is similar to that of any devout Christian. (2) Boaz the
rich Bethlehemite accepting this strange woman in an illustration of
the redemptive work of Jesus.
The Key-words are love and faith.
Analysis.
I. The Sojourn at Moab, 1:1-5.
II. The Return to Jerusalem, 1:6-22.
III. Ruth and Boaz, Chs. 2-4.
1. Gleaning the fields of Boaz, Ch. 2.
2. Ruth married to Boaz, Chs. 3-4.
A. A bold act, Ch. 3.
B. Redemption of Naomi's inheritance, 4:1-12.
C. Becomes wife of Boaz, 4:13-17.
D. Genealogy of David, 4:18-22.
Some one has said that Ch. 1 is Ruth deciding, Ch. 2 is Ruth serving,
Ch. 3 is Ruth resting, Ch. 4 is Ruth rewarded.
For Study and Discussion. (1) Each of the characters of the book. (2)
The whole story of Ruth in comparison with the stories of Judges (Chs.
17-21) to get a view of the best and worst in their social conditions.
(3) The value of a trusting soul (Ruth).
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