Judges & Ruth: An exploration of God's faithfulness

Judges

The book of Judges recounts traditional stories that span a critical period in Israelite history, from the death of Joshua to a tragic and costly civil war. After an incomplete conquest that leaves much land in the hands of Israel's foes (ch. 1), Israel follows a recurring pattern of disloyalty to God followed by oppression by its enemies. Israel then cries out in repentance and the Lord sends deliverers, the so-called judges. These judges are military leaders (chs. 2-12) or, in the case of Camson, a solitary champion (chs. 17-21). [From the Harper Collins Study Bible introduction to the book of Judges.]

The book presents twelve leaders: Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, Deborah, Gideon, Tola, Jair, Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, Abdon, and Samson.

Day 1 - Judges 1 Israel's failure to complete the conquest of Canaan 
Day 2 - Judges 2 Israel's disobedience 
Day 3 - Judges 3 Nations remaining in the land 
Day 4 - Judges 4 Deborah and Barak 
Day 5 - Judges 5 The song of Deborah 
Day 6 - Judges 6 The Midianite oppression 
Day 7 - Judges 7 Gideon surprises and routs the Midianites 
Day 8 - Judges 8 Gideon's triumph and vengeance 
Day 9 - Judges 9 Abimelech attempts to establish a monarchy 
Day 10 - Judges 10 Tola and Jair 
Day 11 - Judges 11 Jephthah 
Day 12 - Judges 12 Intertribal dissension 
Day 13 - Judges 13 The birth of Samson 
Day 14 - Judges 14 Samson's marriage 
Day 15 - Judges 15 Samson defeats the Philistines 
Day 16 - Judges 16 Samson and Delilah 
Day 17 - Judges 17 Micah and the Levite 
Day 18 - Judges 18 The migration of Dan 
Day 19 - Judges 19 The Levite's concubine 
Day 20 - Judges 20 The other tribes attack Benjamin 
Day 21 - Judges 21 The Benjaminites saved from extinction

Ruth

The book of Ruth, a short narrative with a pastoral tone, is one of the most beautiful pieces of literature in the Bible. It is different than most other narratives, because it focuses on one family instead of national or international affairs. According the rabbinic tradition, the main theme is chesed (Hebrew), loyalty or faithfulness arising from commitment. This chesed is usually seen as an allegory about God's faithfulness to the human community. It is personally one of my favorite stories in the Bible.

Day 22 - Ruth 1
Day 23 - Ruth 2
Day 24 - Ruth 3
Day 25 - Ruth 4