The Book of Judges illuminates Israel’s political, social, and religious conditions during the vital period between the Conquest and the institution of the monarchy. How this is done allows the reader to capture the atmosphere of the period in a way that would be impossible in formal history.

It provides a dramatic illustration of the effect of apostasy upon every aspect of life. The root cause of Israel’s decline was that the covenant relationship with the Lord, with its requirement of absolute and loyal obedience to His commands, was broken. This led to disintegration in the political, religious, social, and family spheres and a sharp increase in immorality. The Book of Judges serves as a reminder that a nation cannot live on its past glories. The author of Judges was, of course, a preacher to his generation, but his message has a permanent and universal application and may be summed up in the words of Proverbs 14:34:

“Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a reproach to any people.”

Israel’s chronic inability to profit from its bitter history is a solemn exhortation to profit from the lessons of experience, whether observed or experienced.

Against this sombre background, the enduring character of God stands out more clearly.

The Book of Ruth

The setting of the Book of Ruth, “the loveliest complete work on a small scale” (Goethe), is the period of the Judges, i.e. c. 1200-1020 B.C. In contrast to the international background of the Book of Judges, which traces Israel’s moral, religious, and political decline on a broad scale, Ruth throws light upon a domestic scene where the standards of loyalty and integrity were still high.

Universal assent would be given to the statement that Ruth is a veritable masterpiece of the storyteller’s art. The briefest of introductions sets a scene of hopeless desolation (Ruth 1:1-5). Naomi’s consideration for her daughters-in-law and Ruth’s absolute loyalty, even to the point of accepting a strange and possibly hostile environment, are made explicit (1:6-22). A fortuitous encounter with Boaz (2:1-19) leads Naomi to plan for Ruth’s future (2:20-3:5). The story unfolds with a rare delicacy, and suspense is maintained until the last—for one breathtaking moment, it seems that Boaz was destined not to be Ruth’s husband (4:4).

All worked out happily, and Elimelech’s line was not extinguished. A simple climax, without embellishment, came when David was named as a descendant of this union (4:17). Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz, the main characters, are skillfully portrayed. The scene throughout is simple and easily comprehended, with two prominent locations, a roadside in Moab and Bethlehem during the barley and wheat harvests.

The fact that this short story is true makes for an even more significant impact. Many themes and lessons can be drawn from this book.

The Book of Lamentations

The Hebrew title (the first word of the book) means “how!” and expresses a deep lament over the tragic reversal of events. Later manuscripts gave it a name meaning “funeral songs, dirges, laments,” designating a formal composition of grief that could be taught (Jer 9:20), or written (2 Chron 35:25), and that arose from the tragic reversal (2 Sam 1:17-27; Amos 5:1).

The destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadrezzar in 586 b.c. is the historical background for all five poems in the book.

The chief task of the poem is to effect development and improvement in the conduct of men in the face of suffering. In addition to providing the people with an emotional catharsis through an exhaustive expression of grief and confession, the author was also determined to inculcate an attitude of submission and a prospect of hope.

It is said that these poems are an appropriate expression of Christ’s lament when facing His Father’s wrath being made the sin of the world.

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Introduction to the Books of the Bible

The Book of Judges

The Book of Ruth

The Book of Lamentations

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