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Just as the book of Ruth serves as a positive example, how have you observed an exception to the Deuteronomic Cycle?
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In the book of Ruth, we see Ruth, a Moabite, turn to the God of Israel as her God. She abandons the religion of her people to become a servant of God. I have seen this in present day when an individual turns away from the “gods” of this world in order to choose a life in service of Jesus Christ.
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At this point, the people of Israel seem to have come pretty close to rock-bottom. With Samson being the last Judge, even though he ended his life in victory, the people needed better secular leadership. They were asking for a king such as all the nations around them had. Even though a monarchy is not always the most perfect answer to government, God is so He did prepare them for having a king but He also provided a spiritual leader in Samuel, a great prophet, teacher and advocate for his God.
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The Deuteronomic Cycle consists of Israel sinning which leads to the oppression of Israel. Then Israel cries out to God and God sends a deliverer in the form of a judge. Following this, Israel is faithful for a short while and then the cycle repeats. In the book of Ruth, Ruth chooses to be faithful to God and so a path of sin leading to oppression doesn’t happen. God is always faithful to Ruth, and she is blessed with the kinsman-redeemer Boaz who marries her, provides for her, and blesses her with a son, Obed.
In my life like in the story of Ruth, I have observed some people who have always been faithful, and God has always provided for these people. Their lives have not always been easy, but their needs were always met.
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It is clear from the text that the family of Elimilech and Boaz are faithful to the God of Israel. Ruth is a Moabite, a nation that worships Chemosh, and is an enemy of Israel. However instead of the family of Elimilech and Boaz adopting Moabite ways, the opposite takes place. Ruth adopts the religion of Israel and is blessed by God.
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The main thing in the book of Ruth is conversion. Ruth converts from her Moabites ways to being a woman following God. While Judges is a people being unfaithful and falling into the hands of their enemies and leaving God; Ruth goes to God in faithfulness and willingness to leave everything for God.