This week we conclude the book of Judges and enter into a specific story that took place during the time of the judges.  We begin with the story of Samson, perhaps the most well-known of the judges.  As the book of Judges ends, the story is sad, as Israel has become engaged in sin and wages war against itself.  Has the point been made about the limits of human leaders?  We then jump into Ruth.  Reading Ruth with the background of Judges gives you a glimpse into the culture at the time.  If you want to think of Ruth as an appendix or final chapter of Judges, it gives us hope.  God will not forget his people; he will continue to provide and will continue to be faithful to his promises to them.  Ruth, from Moab, one of Israel's archenemies, emerges as the one through whom God will keep his promise.  Is there any limit to God's grace?  We enter our rhythm of LEARN-READ-INTERACT.

From How to Read the Bible through the Jesus Lens, Michael Williams makes these points about Judges:

Phrase: Rebellion and rescue
Theme: God raises up judges to rescue his errant people from the consequences of their rebellion.
Christ-Focus: God raised up Christ, the ultimate judge, to rescue us from our sin and its consequences (1 Corinthians 15:55-57).
Implications: By the power of the Spirit of Christ, we may count ourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:11-14).
Questions: Are you overcoming the world, or do you feel as if it is overcoming you? In what areas are you most in need of divine rescue?

From How to Read the Bible through the Jesus Lens, Michael Williams makes these points about Ruth:

Phrase: Empty to Full
Theme: God uses Ruth and Boaz to fill Naomi's emptiness by providing her with food and a son.
Christ-Focus: God became flesh in order to be our guardian-redeemer and provide us with fullness of life (John 10:10).
Implications: We can embrace the fullness of life in Christ (Ephesians 3:14-21).
Questions: Are the things you are relying on for fulfillment only leaving you empty instead?   Is your Christ-card maxed out?

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