-
In what ways do we see God’s Spirit at work in the books of Judges and Ruth?
-
In the book of Judges, God’s Spirit is one that follows Israelites cycle of disobedience then their cries for help and God’s mercy and deliverance. God is not happy with the Israelites as they are not following God’s covenant and not obeying God’s Law but God is also a merciful God who will not go back on His promises. In the book of Ruth, God’s spirit shows how being faithful and turning oneself over to following God all the blessings that you can have but also know that struggle will still be there but the difference is your faith and obedience during both the good and bad times.
-
Even though the people are continually rebelling against God, His plan is still going into action. Despite their unfaithfulness, God is faithful to bring about his plan for a savior.
-
In Judges we see God still wanting a relationship with Israel and is willing to forgive their sins if the called out to Him and repented through the raising up of the Judges. In Ruth we have the story of redemption through a kinsman- redeemer that foreshadowed the work on the cross of Calvary.
-
God’s Spirit was working silently behind the scene to raise up judges and bringing back Naomi and Ruth to Bethlehem. His actions were not dependent of human action, but it was an invisible guide to orchestrate location, time and even human response to bring relief, or a new direction for the nation of Israel.
-
In Judges, we see God’s mercy to restore Israel, after they had turn their backs on Him. We also see His provision by raising up Judges to lead them. God left Israel at the hands of the enemy, so that they would return to Him and depend on Him. God extends grace by continually delivering Israel.
In Ruth, God uses a Moabite woman as an instrument in the lineage of King David. Boaz, Ruth’s Kinsman-Redeemer, is a beautiful picture of Jesus as the Redeemer of His bride, the church.