Judges and Ruth: Heroism, Law, and the Cycle of Israel's Leadership

Key concepts from the lecture covering the contrast between Joshua and the Judges, the cycle of sin and deliverance, and the Ruth narrative as a counterexample of heroism rooted in remembering the Law and the Lord.

Law of the Lord

The guiding instruction Israelites are to remember and live by; foundational for a hero who seeks to honor God.

The Lord (Yahweh)

The personal God of Israel whom heroes commit to worship and obey.

Judge (biblical)

A divinely appointed leader, often a military commander, who delivers Israel from oppression; not a modern courtroom judge.

Cycle of the Judges

Israel’s pattern: serve the Lord → sin/oppose → enslaved/oppressed → cry out → God raises a judge → deliverance and peace; repeats across judges.

There was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes

A refrain marking moral chaos when people forget God’s law and Lord in favor of personal morality.

Joshua (hero)

A faithful leader who brings peace and helps the people remember God, contrasting with the fluctuating faithfulness of the judges.

Canaanites

Inhabitants of the land who influence Israelites; their practices and worship tempt Israel to abandon God’s law.

Ruth

Moabite heroine who remembers the law and the Lord, loyal to Naomi, and an ancestor of King David.

Naomi

Ruth’s mother-in-law; bitter at times (Mara) but motherly figure whose story frames Ruth’s loyalty.

Boaz

Wealthy Israelite, kinsman-redeemer who protects Ruth and marries her, fulfilling redemption norms.

Redeemer (go'el)

A male relative with the right and obligation to redeem a family’s property and lineage; Boaz acts as Ruth’s redeemer.

Spread your wings over your servant ( Ruth 3:9 )

Ruth’s request for Boaz to take responsibility and marry her; symbol of protection and redemption.

Levitical priest

A priest from the tribe of Levi; normally ordained by the high priest; Micah’s story shows a Levite acting as priest outside proper channels.

Micah

An Ephraimite who creates an idol and shrine; example of apostasy in Judges 17.

Idol / graven image

Object of worship made by humans; violation of the first commandment highlighted in Judges 17.

Concubine

A secondary wife; central to Judges 19’s narrative of moral collapse and violence.

Bethlehem

City in Judah meaning 'house of bread'; origin point for Ruth’s story and a symbol of provision.

Moab / Moabite

Foreign land/people Ruth comes from; represents outsiders who test Israelite faithfulness.

Kinsman redeemer (go'el)

A relative who can redeem land and a widow; Boaz fulfills this role for Ruth.