RUTH

The Book of Ruth

We are still playing catch-up. Did you notice the last word in the Book of Ruth is David? Ruth 4:17-22 is a genealogy which ends with David, a man after God’s heart. The Apologetics Study Bible indicates: “This passage is significant in the larger scope of the biblical narrative; it presents the ancestry of David, which became also the earthly ancestry of Jesus Christ”. —Apologetics Study Bible, The

The earthly ancestry of Jesus Christ! When folks question the worthiness of Ruth for the canon this is a fact that should be remembered. There is much here to be learned and reflected upon.

The book of Ruth is named for the book’s main character and heroine. It is included in the Hebrew Bible among the Writings, the third division of the Hebrew canon (see Introduction to the Historical Books). It records an episode belonging to the time of the judges, and thus its place following the book of Judges is chronologically appropriate. The authorship and date of the book are difficult to discern. Although tradition has ascribed it, along with the book of Judges, to Samuel, there is no real evidence confirming this. And though the setting of the book belongs to the time of the Judges, its writing clearly belongs to a later date.
                 --New Commentary on the Whole Bible -Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.Wheaton, Illinois

Ruth gives us a realistic portrait of life with its tragedies and frustrations. Most of us can readily identify with it. We identify especially with Naomi, the bitter one. Some identify with Ruth, the lonely foreigner. We all can learn. -Disciple’s Study Bible Copyright © 1988 Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville, TN. All rights reserved.

Judges

JUDGES

(A Catch-Up Review) 

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer


Psalms 19:14 (NIV)

Of you the followers of the Read Through The Bible in 2010 blog I ask your forgiveness for my in attention to the blog which is now almost three books behind. I am now attempting to catch up. I am sorry.

Johnnie

“There is much in Judges to sadden the heart of the reader; perhaps no book in the Bible witnesses so clearly to our human frailty. But there are also unmistakable signs of the divine compassion and long-suffering ... . As the lives of these lesser-saviours are considered, there may be a realization of the need in modern times of a greater Saviour, of unblemished life, who is able to effect a perfect deliverance, not only in time but for eternity.”


—Arthur E. Cundall
MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Jdg 1:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Although Judges is anonymous, the Jewish Talmud and early Christian tradition say that Judges, Ruth, and Samuel were all written by Samuel. This view may be supported by 1 Samuel 10:25, which indicates the prophet was a writer. Also the internal indications of date of writing fit in with Samuel’s time at the very least.
MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Jdg 1:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Judges is a tragic sequel to Joshua. In Joshua, the people were obedient to God in conquering the Land. In Judges, they were disobedient, idolatrous, and often defeated
MacArthur, J. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible : New American Standard Bible. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

While this book of Judges includes many familiar events, it illustrates again and again the results of disobedience. As Arthur E. Cundall says “no book in the Bible witnesses so clearly to our human fraility..”. Although our culture is far different and the “times have changed” we still demonstrate the human frailties mentioned, so we should continue to follow Joshua’s lead “…But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."  Josh 24:15 (NIV)