Boaz, a very wealthy man and Elimelech’s relative, saw Ruth working in his fields and said to her, “I’ve heard all about you—heard about the way you treated your mother-in-law after the death of her husband, and how you left your father and mother and the land of your birth and have come to...
During the period that Judges ruled Israel*, we are told the story of one family – the family of a man named Elimelech with his wife Naomi and their two sons. The year is approximately 1200 B.C. Because of a severe famine in Israel, this family had to travel to the region of Moab to avoid starvation.
As the story unfolds, we meet a young woman named Ruth, who falls for one...
God allowed Gideon only three hundred men to launch the attack against the Midianites, so that Israel might know that victory was not by military power or man’s ingenuity but by God’s intervention and power.
Gideon and the armies of Israel are about to take on the Midianites - an intimidating enemy. So, Gideon prepares the nation for war. He gathers over 30,000 soldiers to fight in the battle – a number that he was confident would be enough to conquer Midian. As the troops move closer to the enemy territory, Gideon is interrupted by...
Once again, the people of Israel turned away from God. Once again, the LORD delivered them into the hand of their enemy. (Are you starting to notice a pattern here?) This time it was the Midianites who oppressed Israel for seven long years. Because of the heavy hand of ...
This is the song of Deborah and Barak. It is a song of victory. But more than that, it is a song of praise to the God who gave them victory. Deborah and Barak’s song of praise recalls the dramatic activity of God, the initiative of the leaders, and the willing service of the people which together...
Inciting someone to good works is a practice that is honored and encouraged throughout the Bible. Hebrews 10:24 commands us to “consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” There are moments for all of us when we get down and discouraged or when we draw back when confronted by a strong...
