Scripture Text: Ruth 3:1-4:22

Memory Verse: “Then he said, ‘Blessed are you of the Lord, my daughter! For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich. And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman.’” Ruth 3:10-11

Introduction:

Naomi was anxious that Ruth should find security—that is, a husband and a home. She therefore relinquished her own prior claim to marriage and

Sunday: Naomi Adversity: Ruth 1:1-5

Although Naomi was a faithful follower of the Lord, she experienced great adversity. She and her family suffered the effects of famine and were displaced from their home. She lost her husband and her two sons. It appeared that the Lord had forsaken her and even turned against her. Like Naomi, believers may be faithful to Christ, yet experience great adversity in their lives; this does not mean that God has forsaken them or is punishing them. In times of trouble, God continues to work for our good. (Roman 8:28, 36)

Monday: Naomi Leaves Moab:

Scripture Text: Ruth 1:1-2:23

Memory Verse: “But Ruth said: ‘Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.’” Ruth 1:16

Introduction:

Historically, the book of Ruth describes events in the life of an Israelite family during the time of the judges. Geographically, the setting begins in the land of Moab east of the Dead Sea and moves to a location in or near Bethlehem of Judah. Because the book traces

Sunday: Micah’s Idols: Judges 17:1-13

The episode of Micah illustrates the low moral standards, the perverted religious practices, and the chaotic social order of Israel during the period of the judges. If God’s word and sound moral principles are disregarded, both individuals and society as a whole will be destroyed. Everyone did as he saw fit. (Proverbs 14:34)

Monday: Danites Settle in Laish: Judges 18:1-17

Corruption in the home will eventually spread to society; in this case, it spread to a whole tribe. False doctrine is like yeast; it grows quietly in secret and affects everything it touches. The Danites

Scripture Text: Judges 17:1-21:25

Memory Verse: “The man Micah had a shrine, and made an ephod and household idols; and he consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest. In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” Judges 17:5-6

Introduction:

This last section of Judges does not advance the narrative, but gives frightening glimpses of the low religious, moral and political state to which Israel had sunk during the period of the judges.

The first narrative is one of religious corruption. Micah, a man of Ephraim, put idols in

Sunday: The Birth of Samson: Judges 13:1-25

Samson was born to godly parents who feared the Lord, prayed for wisdom, and obeyed His will. Samson was dedicated to the Lord as a lifelong Nazarite. A godly home is no guarantee of a godly life if the spiritual influence is rejected by the children. The parents were not at fault; Samson was. (Numbers 6; Proverbs 22:6)

Monday: Samson’s Marriage: Judges 14:1-20

When Samson went to the Philistines to get a wife, he showed a lack of concern and respect for God’s commandments, specifically ignoring God’s law concerning mixed marriages. He misused

Scripture Text: Judges 13:1-16:31

Memory Verse: “Again the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord delivered them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years.” Judges 13:1

Introduction:

For the seventh time in Judges the Israelites did evil in the sight of the Lord. The cycle begins again; this time the Philistines enslaved Israel for forty years, the longest oppression the nation had yet undergone. While the Israelites were being oppressed by the Philistines, the Angel of the Lord appeared to the wife of Manoah, of the tribe of Dan, and announced

Sunday: The Israelites do Evil: Judges 10:1-14

Anger at sin and wickedness is an inherent attribute of God. When believers express anger against sin, cruelty, evil or injustice, it is not wrong. Such individuals share in the divine nature and participate in God’s love of righteousness and hatred of evil. (Mark 3:5; Romans 1:18; Hebrews 1:9)

Monday: The Israelites Repent: Judges 10:15-18

Although the Israelites justly deserved the suffering they were undergoing, God was still deeply moved by their repentance. God’s tender mercies are available to all who have sinned, who are suffering grievous consequences, and who repent and seek

Scripture Text: Judges 10:1-Judges 12:15

Memory Verse: “And the children of Israel said to the Lord, ‘We have sinned! Do to us whatever seems best to You; only deliver us this day, we pray.’ So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the Lord. And His soul could no longer endure the misery of Israel.” Judges 10:15-16

Introduction:

Tola, who lived in the mountains of Ephraim of the tribe of Issachar, judged Israel for twenty-three years. The next judge was Jair, a Gileadite, who ruled for twenty-two years over Israel.

Again, we find the dreary account

Sunday: God Selects Gideon’s Army: Judges 7:1-8

God is able to work mightily through a small number of dedicated people. Spiritual alertness and dedication, not great numbers, are of primary importance to God. Our ultimate resource and strength to meet all of life’s challenges can be found in God alone. Pride in “our” accomplishment inevitably becomes a hindrance to receiving fully God’s power and help. (Zechariah 4:6; Revelations 3:4-5; Philippians 4:13; Proverbs 8:13)

Monday: Gideon Defeats the Midianites: Judges 7:9-25

God encouraged Gideon in order to alleviate his fear and strengthen his faith. Believers, committed to God’s will and faithfully