Books of Joshua, Judges, and Ruth Summaries!

Summary of Joshua
 
The genre of the book of Joshua is Narrative History. It was authored by Joshua, the leader of the Israelites The key people are Joshua, Rahab, Achan, Phinehas, and Eleazar. It was written to assure the Israelites the Living God will reward obedience, and also to record the entrance and conquest of the promise land. Joshua demonstrates his faith in God as He follows the orders given to Him and takes leadership of the nation. Joshua truly was “strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:7).

 
In chapters 1-4, Joshua and the Israelites enter the Promised Land and in doing so we read of an amazing entry. As they arrive at the Jordan River, we find details of an incredible, miraculous crossing. God shows His incredible grace to a prostitute named Rahab, the ancestress of King David.
 
In chapters 5-12, Joshua follows God’s orders and first conquers the central of the Promised Land. This includes the unlikely manner in which they conquer the grand fortress of Jericho. God alone moved and conquered this impossible achievement. Ai was the next town and although it took two tries, the first due to sin in the camp, on the second attempt God again moved and dominated. Next, the Israelites occupied the southern land and then the northern land to complete the occupancy; however, although they controlled the region, they never did completely conquer it.
 
Finally, in chapters 13-24, the land is divided up and distributed among the tribes of Israel. Some of the larger cities are placed aside for the Levitical priests who did not receive a portion of land, due to their duties. Lastly, Joshua dies but before he passes he gives one of the greatest challenges that lasts for all generations including our own today, “Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15).
 
The Book of Joshua - thoughts and summary:

Author: Joshua and is the book of conquest. Here, the Israelites finally take possession of the Promised Land. The conquest is not immediate, though. It is a process of faith and action, through which God displays His miraculous power. 

Content: after the death of Moses, the leadership of the nation passed into the hands of Joshua, and he was their commander in chief throughout the entire time when Israel was taking over Palestine. While still in the plains of Moab, Joshua mobilized his forces and prepared them for battle. After this they crossed the Jordan River, and the battle began. There were three campaigns fought –one in the north, one in the central region, and one in the south- and all are described, though not fully. After the initial victories, the land was divided among the various tribes of Israel. Joshua then encouraged the people and died in peace. 

Theme: the book of Joshua shows that God is true to His promise. He had promised his people a land, and they were now entering in to possess it. However, it was not automatic. God required that they engage in warfare in order to gain what He had given them. God’s judgment upon the sin of the Canaanites came in the form of Israel’s armies.

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Chapter 1, verse 9  begins the books of History... "Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." 

I would have needed these words if I’d been Joshua at this time in history... and I need them now. Trembling and dismay are temptations to me. I want to resist and be strong and be courageous. And I want to remember that my strength and courage are because God is with me.
  
Joshua * Chapters 1-8. 
--Old testament understanding-- 

So, Joshua Chapter 1, introduced us to Israel’s new leader...who accepted the challenge with strength and courage. Joshua was enabled to lead the Israelites on the mission to bring them into the land. I love verse 13, "...'the Lord your God gives you rest and will give you this land.'"
 
Chapter 2 records Rahab's part in the story of their conquest...here in Jericho. Her talk with the Israelite spies clues us in to the respect for the Israelites and their God that the people had... they had heard how God had moved/how the waters of the Red Sea had moved for them/how they had just defeated the two Amorite cities... she (Rahab) said when they heard about how they wiped out these cities that their "hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer." 
 
Chapter 3 following Rahab's heroic acts in chapter 2: So, when the "soles of the feet of the priests...rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan will be cut off" (verse 13). Chapter 3 records the Israelites' crossing of the Jordan River. Definitely steps of faith for these men of faith carrying the Ark of the Covenant.
 
Chapter 4 records their placement of memorial stones to remember this miracle when the waters stood still for them. Chapter 5 records that the Israelites were circumcised (these were of the generation who were born in the wilderness and had not been circumcised). I love verse 9 which states, "then the Lord said to Joshua, 'today i have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.'" This was a new start and a new beginning for the nation of Israel. 
 
As the conquest of Jericho is recorded in chapter 6, looking back to the spies' conversation with Rahab gives perspective. This city was fearful of the Israelites and would fall easily. Chapters 7 and 8 record Israel’s initial defeat and later conquest of Ai. In chapter 7, Achan was made an example before Israel as he was stoned for his crimes.
 
Joshua * Chapters 9-24. God is faithful.
 --Old testament understanding--

Chapter 9, let's really listen for what God wants us to understand as we look at the rest of Joshua. The kings who were "beyond the Jordan, in the hill country and in the lowland and on all the coast of the Great Sea" (verse 1)... heard of how God was giving the Israelites favor. They heard about Jericho and were afraid. So, the people of Gibeon attempted to trick Joshua (and succeeded). I think the key thing we can learn from this section of text is that they "did not ask for the counsel of the Lord" (verse 14b). It was believable that these people were from a far country and seemed reasonable to promise peace/to make a covenant with them as they requested. Even when things seem reasonable and good, we need to be on the alert.
 
I love how God fought for them all along the way. I know I’ve read this before but did not remember that God actually threw large stones from heaven (hailstones)... on the five kings and their armies who had come against them (recorded in chapter 10). Here, also, is recorded that the sun "stopped in the middle of the sky and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day."..."until the nation avenged themselves of their enemies" (verse 13). Sooooo beautiful how it's just all in His hand...and in His control. (And... My faith just keeps being rocked and shaped and enlarged and confirmed and strengthened chapter after chapter). And...Southern Palestine...and...Northern Palestine was conquered under Joshua’s leadership (Chapters 10 and 11).
 
Chapter 12 lists kings that had been defeated by Israel and Chapter 13 records how Canaan was divided by tribes. Caleb comes back on the scene in Chapter 14 with a request for the territory that he desired for his family. To note about Caleb... the affirmation in verse 9 "...I followed the Lord my God fully." and...I love how his strength and health had been sustained into old age (similar to Moses').
 
I don't have a lot to really comment about the divisions of land recorded in chapters 15-20. Each tribe was given space and territory... including the Levites in Chapter 21. 

Chapter 20 records how the six cities of refuge had been set aside as well. I love Chapter 21:34, "not one of the good promises which the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass." 

Chapter 22 records a misunderstanding concerning an altar built near the Jordan. Remember that Reuben and Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh had settled on the other side of river. They built this altar as a reminder to generations after them that though the Jordan divided them geologically, they were to follow after God as the rest of Israelites.
 
Chapter 23 records Joshua’s farewell thoughts to the people. "...you are to cling to the Lord your God..." (verse 8). This stands out and shouts out to me... he instructed/reminded them again to love the Lord (through verse 10). 

In Chapter 24, Joshua reviews Israel’s history... written record of the Lord's faithfulness again. The well-known proclamation in verse 15 is significant. "Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve...." and they did verbally affirm that they would choose the Lord as Joshua had...and...He warned them with urgency not to follow after other gods. Joshua’s death is, of course, recorded at the end of the book.
 
--Personal thoughts--
I want to cling to the Lord/to hold fast to Him... faithful Father, let us cling to You.
 
Father God, I thank You for a reconnection to Your Presence, I desire to see Your Glory upon the earth. Lord we need You to come and change our hearts like Yours. Help us to love just like You, and make us One just like You are with Jesus & the Holy Spirit. I long to see You, Abba Father... save those who are lost and this world from the evil one.

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Summary of Judges
 
The book of Judges includes several interesting genres; Poetry, Riddles, and mainly Narrative History. Its author is anonymous but it is usually assumed that Samuel, the prophet wrote it. Key people include: Othniel, Ehud, Deborah, Gideon, Abimelech, Jephthah, Samson, and Delilah.

Theme: Its purpose was to teach Israel that God is faithful and certain to punish sin, therefore each person must remain loyal and devoted to Him. This book shows the immediate generations after the conquest of the promise land and unfortunately, the results of unfaithfulness are similar to what we have seen in the past... awful.
 
In chapters 1:1 through 3:6, we find that the Israelites have failed to keep their part of the covenant (among many other things), and did not entirely conquer and take control of all the land that they were promised. This problem unfortunately grows wildly out of control as time goes on.
 
Chapters 3:7 through Chapter 16, God raises up judges to rescue Israel several times. A cycle of "sin-rescue-worship-sin" continues constantly.  (Hmmm, doesn't this seem similar to today's word?)

These rescues were temporary because we find that the nation's obedience only lasted as long as the life of that particular judge. Once a new judge came in they quickly forgot what they new as far as keeping God's commandment, because the new judge would lead them right out of worship and back into sin. Out of the 14 judges mentioned, the major judges that stand out are famous stories of Deborah, Gideon, and Samson.
 
In chapters 17-31, we see Israel slumping into a horrid state of moral demise and ruin. Predominantly in the tribes of Dan and Benjamin, we see how far man has really turned from the God of Abraham. The Dan tribe had almost completely given in to the worship of idols made by a man named Micah, even to the point that they practically defend it. Later, the entire tribe of Benjamin is wiped out down to 600 men in a violent and vicious civil war. It is here we read the sad passage of truth, "In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit" (Judges 21:25).
 
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Summary of Ruth
 
The book of Ruth is the Narrative of a love story, yet also has some important Genealogy. This is a short, four chapter book. The timeline of this book is intertwined during the period of the Judges. The author was anonymous but some believe it was perhaps written by Samuel the prophet; however, it is unlikely that he was alive when this book was written.

Key people include Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz.

Theme: Its purpose was to demonstrate the kind of love, and faithfulness that God desires for us. It shows the difference between what happens when a nation does not follow in obedience to the covenant of God (book of Judges), and when God’s people follow in faithfulness within the covenant (book of Ruth). The book of Ruth contains an interesting story about a Moabite woman who was redeemed into a Hebrew family. 
 
In chapter 1, Ruth remains loyal to her mother-in-law Naomi, after the death of her husband and in-laws. Naomi decides to return to her home land of Bethlehem alone, however, Ruth insists on staying with her and adopting Naomi’s God as her own. “But Ruth said, "Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God” (Ruth 1:16). The most quoted verse in this book.
 
Chapter 2 - we see Ruth gleaning in the fields of Naomi’s relative Boaz. Boaz out of compassion and obedience to the law allows Ruth to glean but also leaves extra grain for her purposely.
 
In chapter 3, Naomi encourages Ruth to seek marriage with Boaz as a kinsman redeemer. Ruth obeys Naomi and asks for her rights and Boaz agrees but mentions that he must first be sure there are no others with first rights.
 
Chapter 4 - Boaz and Ruth are married and Ruth conceives a son named Obed, the grandfather of the great King David, in the lineage of Christ our Messiah. (they become the great grandparents of King David)

The Book of Ruth has always been one of my favorite books of the Bible. It reads more like a short story but there is deep meaning. No matter your age or season of life, there is wisdom to learn from the lessons that unfold as we walk along with Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz. 

Ruth and Naomi

Here’s a quick recap of the book of Ruth:

Having moved to Moab and lost everything there, including her husband and two sons, Naomi decided it was time to return home to Judah. It must have been heartbreaking for her to start the return journey without those she had come with. But she did have her two young daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth. In those days they remained a part of her household, even though their husbands were gone, they were all 3 widows.

Somewhere along the way Naomi must have considered how much the two girls were giving up in leaving what was probably the only home they had ever known. She urged them to turn back and return to the homes of their mothers. At first both girls resisted, but eventually her persistence persuaded Orpah, and she kissed Naomi and made her way home. But the book of Ruth tells us that Ruth couldn’t be convinced. Her commitment to her mother-in-law was too strong. 

Two widows wouldn’t have had an easy life in those days, and they probably experienced hunger and poverty when they came to Judah. But they did have a rich relative, a man named Boaz, and Ruth went to his fields, where the harvest was being taken in, to gather the leftover grain. Boaz noticed her there, and he had already heard of her devotion to and care for Naomi. So he took her under his protection, allowed her to gather from the sheaves, and gave her food to eat. In time Boaz and Ruth were married.

Because of Ruth’s commitment and love for Naomi, and her refusal to turn back from what she knew was the path she should take, God blessed her tremendously. She and Naomi went from being impoverished widows to a secure life. She also became the great-grandmother of King David, and in that way she was also an ancestor of Jesus Christ Himself. All of this can be read in the book of Ruth.

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