• deaths of Elimelech, Mahlon, Chilion and Naomi left with Ruth and Orpah (1:1-5)
• Naomi and Ruth arrive in Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest (1:6-22)

• introduction to Boaz and Ruth’s initiative
• she “happened…”

• Boaz arrives from Bethlehem
• greeting and inquiry/information about Ruth

• permission, protection and provision: “hesed”
• reward and refuge (Psa. 5:11)

• significance of meal and unheard-of favor
• a long way from Moab!

• quantity of grain and identity of Boaz
• no resolution-yet!

• Knowing that the LORD faithfully provides refuge for His people, rest in His providential care.
• connection to Jesus and NT: Ruth 4:22 and Matt. 1:5
• two applications: rely and remember
• “The providence of God is like Hebrew words-it can be read only backwards.” (J. Flavel)
• “…redeemed through His infinite mercy-His child, and forever, I am.” (F. Crosby)

• after Jephthah (11:1-12:7) and the “directory” of Judges (12:8-15)
• keeping the focus on the God who saves

• amazing grace amid idolatry, sterility and obscurity
• angelic assessment and assurance
• a Nazarite who “shall begin to save…”

• the voice of Manoah heard and confirmation of previous information (4-5, 7, 13-14)

• meal invitation declined and burnt offering to Yahweh option announced
• His name is wonderful (Psa. 139:6; Rom. 11:33-36)

• ascension of the Angel of Yahweh
• responses of recognition and reverence (Psa. 2:11) and the nativity of Samson

• Because the LORD repeatedly initiates the deliverance of His people, trust His wonderful character and compassion.
• connection to NT and Jesus: 1 Peter 1:20
• Live with the mystery and let it fuel humility.

• humiliation under Midianite oppression (6:1-10)
• enter Gideon, the mighty man of valor (6:11-16)
• fiery rock, altar destruction and fleece laying (6:17-40)

• motivation and proclamation
• from 32,000 to 10,000

• test at the water
• 300 lappers retained

• but if you are afraid…
• overheard dream and response of worship

• divisions, equipment and instructions
• blown trumpets, smashed jars and flaming torches
• rock and winepress: full circle

• Because the LORD intentionally minimizes human confidence, rely on His strength rather than your resources.
• connection to NT and Jesus: 2 Cor.12:9-10, Heb. 11:32-34, Phil. 2:5-11
• Never forget that salvation belongs to the LORD (Jonah 2:9).
• “…for out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again…” (A. Flint)

• repeated cycle in Judges, preceded by Othniel and Mesopotamia (3:7-11)

• again…the LORD strengthened Eglon of Moab
• 18 years of oppression

• Israel cried…the LORD raised up…
• left-hander who delivers tribute with a sword on his right thigh
• turning back with a message for a fat king

• attendants exit…Ehud enters
• sword to the belly and locked doors
• waiting servants and their dead lord

• a sounded trumpet and a summons to follow
• 80 years of rest

• Because the LORD achieves His purposes through unconventional means, trust His sovereign deliverance now and forever.
• connection to NT and Jesus: 2 Tim. 3:16 and Rev. 1:5-6

• ongoing conquest and a glaring omission (1:1-2:5)
• another generation and a repeated refrain (2:6-11)
• observable cycle of sin in Judges

• abandonment and provocation
• kindled anger and opposing hand

• provision against plunderers
• refusal to listen and resolve to lust

• designed for a new generation
• assessment and exposure

• Considering the connection between amnesia and apostasy, cling to the LORD and avoid compromise.
• connection to Jesus/NT: looking to the permanent Deliverer (Heb. 7:23-25)
• two applications: address and engage
• “Musing on my habitation, Musing on my heav’nly home, Fills my soul with holy longings: Come, My Jesus, quickly come. Vanity is all I see: Lord, I long to be with Thee! Lord, I long to be with Thee!” (Williams, “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”)

• Shechem
• repetition of “summoned”
• “…before God”

• review of covenant history with emphasis on God’s activity (“I” 18 times)
• amazing grace: they “served other gods”
• unhurried pace: “made his offspring many”

• logical: “Now therefore…” (Rom. 12:1-2)
• exclusive: “serve” (18 times in Josh. 24)
• cautious: “You are not able…”

• implied sacrifice: covenant=”to cut”
• written record
• a stone witness

• Because the Lord relates to you graciously and faithfully, serve Him gladly and exclusively.
• “Here I raise my Ebenezer, Hither by Thy help I come…Let Thy goodness, Like a fetter, Bind my wandering heart to Thee…” (R. Robinson)

• from taking the land (5-12) to possessing the land (13-21)
• prizing Yahweh Himself more than Yahweh’s gifts

• tribal allotments in Canaan
• no trivial commands

• a five-fold repetition
• remembering God’s past word
• anchoring identity in the Master’s promise, not the majority report

• a request for the hills
• cultivating strength for later faithfulness
• the blessing that follows obedience

• Because you can trust the LORD of the promises completely, wholly follow Him.
• Think recalibration rather than retirement.
• connection to Jesus/NT: the ultimate “rest” of Heb. 4:9-11
• “Since from His bounty I receive such proofs of love divine, had I a thousand hearts to give, Lord, they should all be Thine.” (S. Stennett, “Majestic Sweetness Sits Enthroned”)

• after the crossing of Jordan and the conquest of Jericho
• wrath: settled hostility, refusal to compromise, resolve to condemn (Piper)

• broken faith and burning wrath
• hasty retreat and melted hearts

• processing a devastating defeat
• danger of Israel and Yahweh’s reputation

• disclosure of Israel’s sin and hinge of the whole chapter (12b)
• ultimate goal of restoration

• confrontation and confession followed by severe penalty for serious sin
• monuments to severe wrath and saving help (4:1-10)

• Because of sin’s severe consequences, tremble before God’s wrath.
• connection to Jesus and the NT: sharing His alarm over sin (Matt. 5:29-30)
• from the valley of trouble to the door of hope (Hos. 2:14-15)

• instructions regarding the ark and its significance
• call for consecration and the ark passing on before the people

• affirmation of presence
• commanding the priests and the people

• here is how you will know…
• the reasoning of faith and the stopping up of the Jordan

• information about springtime river conditions
• resolution: people pass over on dry ground

• intervention, fidelity and purpose

• Because He writes His faithfulness across the calendar of your life, follow the LORD.
• connections to NT and Jesus: Heb. 11:29-30 and Matt. 3:13-17
• the “why” of remembrance
• “On Jordan’s stormy banks I stand and cast a wishful eye, to Canaan’s fair and happy land where my possessions lie…” (Stennett, “On Jordan’s Stormy Banks I Stand”)

• preceded by commissioning of Joshua (1) and followed by crossing the Jordan River (3)

• especially Jericho and lodging with Rahab

• the king informed and in communication with Rahab
• the narrator’s commentary

• heart of the story: might, majesty and mercy of Yahweh
• spies respond

• let down by a rope through the window…scarlet cord in the window

• the land into our hands… melting inhabitants (Josh. 6:25)

• Assured that He sovereignly advances His saving purposes, align yourself with the LORD and His Kingdom.
• connections to NT and Jesus: James 2:25, Heb. 11:31, Matt. 1:5
• “Oh, for the wonderful love He has promised…” (“Softly and Tenderly,” Thompson)