Encountering the Old Testament, 3rd Edition
A Christian Survey
series: Encountering Biblical Studies
Chapter
12. Judges and Ruth: Israel's Moral Crisis
Chapter Intro Video
Chapter Objectives
- Explain the meaning of the word “judges” in the book of Judges
- Outline the basic content of the book of Judges
- Explain the reasons why Israel failed to complete the conquest
- Document the cycle used to introduce the judges
- Name the major judges and the minor judges
- Identify the central characters of the book of Ruth
- Outline the basic content of the book of Ruth
- Illustrate the role of a kinsman-redeemer
- Explain the law of levirate marriage
- Illustrate the sovereignty of God in the book of Ruth
Chapter Summary
- The history presented in the book of Judges is part of a larger work called Deuteronomistic History.
- The major characters in the book of Judges are judges who served as leaders.
- The period of the judges is one of disobedience to God.
- God permitted enemy nations to attack Israel because Israel was worshiping other gods.
- The cycle of events in the book of Judges is sin, judgment, repentance, and deliverance.
- There were twelve judges—six major judges and six minor judges.
- The Israelites were guilty of moral relativism by doing whatever was right in their own eyes.
- The tabernacle as a central shrine, the periodic covenant ceremony, and the unified military effort support the idea of Israel as an amphictyony.
- The book of Ruth is in the literary form of an idyll.
- The contents of the book of Ruth are basically about the sad circumstances of Naomi’s life.
- Boaz served as the family’s kinsman-redeemer.
- Boaz substituted Ruth for Naomi in a levirate marriage, which was a responsibility of a kinsman-redeemer.
- The book of Ruth shows that God’s grace is not limited by any boundaries—national, racial, or gender.
Study Questions
Judges
- How much time is covered by the books of Judges and Ruth?
- What political perspective is presented by the author of Judges/Ruth?
- Who are the central figures of the book of Judges? What did their duties entail?
- To what is Israel’s failure to complete the conquest attributed?
- What is the basic literary pattern for the central unit of Judges?
- Who were the six major judges? Who were the six minor judges?
- What is the theme of the last five chapters of Judges?
- According to the author of Judges, why was lawlessness so prevalent in Israel?
- Discuss the chronological issues and problems found in Judges.
- How is the political situation of Israel best described during this period?
Ruth
- What is the basic theme of the book of Ruth?
- Who is the real central character in this story?
- How is God’s plan worked out in the events recorded?
- What contributions does the book of Ruth make to ethnic and racial issues?