In the Introduction to Samuel’s life, I wrote: Eli, who as high priest should be setting the example, seems to be devoid of discernment. With all the sin going on, the lack of respect for God’s Law, this should not be surprising. It leads to other sins, and he is…
I believe that most Bible studies on the era of the Judges lack. Most stick strictly to the Book of Judges, but that is a mistake, as it focuses in only on the general view. It misses a lot. Some realize this and include the Book of Ruth, and that…
In Part 3, we see that Ruth offers herself to Boaz, a near kinsman, desiring him to take on the role of redeemer. It was her right by Mosaic law to have a child to raise up in the name of her dead husband and be cared for while raising…
According to the Bankok Post today, “Pope vows to reach out to Islam” in particular, but also to work with other religions and nonbelievers as well. The foundation is being laid for a one-world religion, which will fuel the ability for a one-world government to control everything. Whether or not…
Controversy equalizes fools and wise men – and the fools know it. ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes, via Brainy Quote We now come to the most controversial part of the Book of Ruth. If you have not yet read Part 1 and Part 2, then not much of this will make…
In Part 1 of this study, we were introduced to Naomi and Ruth, the main characters of this story. Ruth was Naomi’s daughter-in-law from Moab, a country which sometimes had a turbulent relationship with Israel. While Ruth is the main character, we will come to the character of Boaz soon…
One of these things is not like the others,One of these things just doesn’t belong.Can you tell which thing is not like the othersBy the time I finish my song? ~ Sesame Street song Should we swallow anything anyone tells us, or should we be vigilant and on our guard…
The Book of Ruth might at first seem to be a very minor story in the Old Testament. It takes place “in the days when the judges ruled” (Ru 1:1), and it might seem to just be a filler book that merely explains the ancestry of David (and as a…
This is the last chapter in the Book of Judges, and it is the end of perhaps the most chilling story of all, which continues from Chapter 19 and Chapter 20. We saw how Benjamin harbored “sons of Belial” and defended their brethren in spite of the evil they perpetrated. …
Chapter 19 certainly had some twists and turns. Speaking for myself, portions of it are a little difficult for me to relate to. Chapter 20 picks up the story after the Levite cut up his dead wife into twelve pieces and shipped a piece to each of the tribes of…