This commentary takes up two Old Testament books:
The Book of Judges provides all sorts of echoes of contemporary society. It highlights the Israelite downward spiral of moral decay and their repeated deliverance by God. The study of Judges shows how a society can spin out of control and at the same time reveals God’s interest in helping communities live in a different direction.
The Book of Ruth also reflects on the current world. It tells women who despite finding themselves as poor refugees never give up on God. The Book of Ruth is an account of lives obedient to the Lord and of God’s providing for His people.
While Judges displays the disastrous results of disobeying God and shows the powerful negative influence of pagan culture on the faith of God’s people, Ruth tells the story of a non-Israelite brought to faithfulness to the one God and blessed as a result. These two books offer inspiring messages and demonstrate how the Lord can work in remarkable ways, challenging us to repent of our wrongs and to pursue paths of righteousness.
This commentary runs 656 pages. It can be ordered at http://www.resourcepublications.net/index.php?page=authors&auth=shank