zThe Book of

Ruth

zIntroduction:

Ruth 1: 1 “In the days when the judges ruled...”

We are introduced to a time period called “the days when

the judges ruled” – 12/13 Judges ruled in the Book of

Judges. (Abimelech was a problem to discuss another day!)

History tells us Boaz and Ruth’s story happened during the

judge named Ehud (1284 –1204). Ruth around 1284bc

Let’s look at the Book of Judges for background

Book of Judges (1350 –1014bc) 400 yrs

Othneil 1342-1302

*Ehud 1284-1204

Shamgar 1204-1184

Deborah 1184-1144

Gideon 1191-1144

Abimelech 1191-1144

Tola 1141-1118

Jair 1118-1096

Samson 1118-1078

Jephtha 1100-1094

Ibazan 1094-1087

Elon 1087-1077

Abdon 1077-1070

I Samuel continues the judges’

story:

Eli 1134-1094

Samuel 1094-1014

(Samuel was Israel’s last Old

Testament judge.)

The Book of Judges

records 13 times the

Israelites went through this

5-point cycle!

Book of Judges covers 480

years approximately

We’ll look at Othneil, Ehud,

Deborah, and Gideon

##4

zOthneil

#1. People turned from God: All those who knew the Lord,

knew Moses and Joshua, died. They turned and

worshipped Baal

#2. People of Israel became oppressed by Canaanites –

God gave them over to their lusts –v19: they refused

to repent

#3. 3:7 They return to the Lord and cry out to the Lord

#4. v9 &10 The Lord calls Othneil (Caleb’s son-in-law)

who overcame the oppress

#5. v11 They lived in peace under Othneil’s governance

Ehud (Judges 3:12-30)

#1. Again, when Othneil died, Israel turned away from God

#2. 3:12 –14: God sends King Eglon (the Moabite King) to

oppress Israel 18 years. Their history goes back to when Israel

tried to go through their land to the Promise Land while led by

Moses ... Moabites refused to help them...

#3. They cry out to the Lord for help and repented

#4. God sent Ehud (v15-19). Ehud visited King Eglon with the

required taxes. Ehud hid a knife and when he was left with the

King alone, he killed Eglon.

#5. Israel struck down the nation of Moab, Moab was subject to

Israel for over 80 years...Israel has peace for 80 yrs. (Ruth)

Deborah (Judges 4-5)

#1. Ehud dies...Israel returns to worshiping idols after 80 yrs

of peace

#2. God sends the Canaanites to oppress Israel

#3. They cry out to the Lord for help and repented

#4. God sends Deborah, she tells Barak to go to war against

the Canaanites, however he refuses unless Deborah

leads them. They defeat the Canaanites and subject them

to Israel (v23)

#5. 5:31: Israel has peace for 40 years

Gideon (6:1 - 8:35)

#1. Again, Israel returns to idol worship and forsake God after 40

yrs of peace

#2. The Midians torments Isarel (Midians were Moses’ in-law’s

family). They “impoverished Israel”.

#3. They cry out to the Lord for help and repented...this is

where we meet Gideon threshing wheat in the winepress

#4. God calls and sends Gideon (v12-16). The Midians are

defeated...Look at the conversation between the Angel of

the Lord and Gideon...

#5. They have 40 years of peace until they start worshipping the

ephod that Gideon made...(symbol of their victory)

The Cycle Continues 2025 to 2026!?!

#1. Blessed by God

#2. Life is good –no need

pay attention to God

#3. Pain and hurt happen

#4. We panic and beg for

God’s help

#5. He answers our prayers

again...peace...

zWill you commit to break the Cycle in

2026?

Communion