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The Old Testament: The Book Of Ruth

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The Book of Ruth is often times treated as a book of history for Christians since its setting is around the time of the Book of Judges and gives linage to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, in the Old Testament. But the fundamental meaning of the Book of Ruth is to show a contrast between itself and the book of Judges. In the Book of Judges, the love of God and holding obedience to God’s covenant are taking a backseat to the Hebrews own wants, needs and struggles. But the book of Ruth restores that faith in the Covenant. Instead of the struggles that the Book of Judges portrays, Ruth’s book shows the power of redemption and the love of God and the Covenant. The book of Ruth has no named author but it has been attributed to either Samuel, who is also …show more content…
Even though this exact date is never given by the author of the Book of Judges, where Gideon appears in the Bible, scholars have narrowed these dates down through proven archeological evidence. (Rudd, 2016). Gideon was from the tribe of Manasseh and in particular from Ophrah which was a city in Manasseh and situated between Mt. Tabor and Mt. Gilboa. At the time of Gideon, The Israelites had turned from God and had been overcome by Midianites in the area, with oppressive rule and demanding that the Israelites pray to pagan gods like Baal. “The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites” (Judges 6:1, NIV). The Israelites began to beg God for help and God sent an angel to Gideon who was working on his father’s land at the time. In Judges Chapter 6 verse 11-18 God’s angel speaks to Gideon. When the angel arrives Gideon questions the angel and asks why God had abandoned them. The angel does not respond to Gideon’s question but instead informs him that he is a mighty warrior who will save Israel and destroy all the Midianites. Gideon was the youngest son of his farther and from a weaker tribe in the area, because of this he is a bit timid and does not believe exactly that he is speaking with an angel of God and sets out to make an offering to God and await a sign. When Gideon finishes his offering a “fire flared from the rock” and “Gideon …show more content…
The area currently held as Jordon today. There is no exact founding known on record but Bible scholars have studied and concluded it to be around 2000 BC (Rudd 2015). This conclusion comes from the mention of Moabites in Gen 19:37. “The older daughter had a son, and she named him Moab; he is the father of the Moabites of today” (Genesis 19:37, NIV). Moab, the founder of the Moabites, was the son of the incestuous relationship between Lot and his oldest daughter. No set date for the demise of the Kingdom of Moab is set either. But again using the Bible and known dates for other events can help determine when it may have ceased to exist. The Bible does not mention Moab again after the Israelites came back from Babylonian Exile (New World Encyclopedia, 2014) which was between 597 and 581 (New World Encyclopedia, 2008). Moab has been a backdrop or mentioned in several of the Old testaments books. It has been mentioned in the Book of Numbers, Book of Deuteronomy, Multiple chapters in the Book of Judges, Book of Ruth, Book of Kings, and the Book of Samuel. This is most likely because of the close proximity to Israel and Judah. Moab and its neighbors Israel and Judah had an interesting relationship to say the least. It could be peaceful at times. An example of this was during the Book of Ruth, where trade existed and apparent peace. Ruth herself was a Moabite and was the ancestor of David and

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