Page 45 - Old Testament Survey Student Textbook

Chapter’s 17-21 focus on the Spiritual condition of the Nation of Israel

Micah and Danites (17:1-18:31) Israel descends further into spiritual anarchy, everyone doing
right in their own eyes (17:6)! Micah’s mother blesses her son thief, dedicates silver to YHWH to make
idols. Micah uses idols for a personal shrine, ordains son, and hires Levite as personal priest. On their
way to find new lands, ‘spies’ from Dan aided by Micah’s priest- divine commission? In their migration,
Danites steal Micah’s idols and priest- man or tribe, threaten harm to Micah. Levite and Concubine
(19:1-21:25) Israel descends further into moral anarchy (21:25). After retrieving his unfaithful concubine,
Levite overnights in Gibeah. Nearly killed by residents, Levite gives concubine to satisfy homosexual
demands (Gen. 19)- violated all night, dead in morning. Levite calls Israel to act! Benjamin won’t
cooperate, leading to near annihilation of tribe. Since leaders had vowed not to intermarry with
Benjamin, extinction is avoided by further slaughter, stealing virgins in Shiloh. Truly, an absurd end to an
absurd period in Israel’s history!

The Book of Judges

RUTH
Ruth is a book that narrates God’s providence in a time of Israel’s
decline in leadership and spiritual condition. The author of the
date are both unknown during/after reign of David. Themes
include: Steadfastness and Sovereignty. Message: In the face of
exile and emptiness, with no escape evident, God used a faithful
foreigner to providentially preserve Naomi, secure the royal line
(David/Messiah) Exigencies Exiled? Empty? Escape? Full to Empty (1:1-6) Set in the Judges period, the
story opens with an Israelite family moving to Moab temporarily due to famine. In a short time, Naomi’s
husband, sons die no hint of rebellion, judgment. As a result, “Naomi is left far from the patrimony of
her husband’s family, with no husband, no sons, and no grandchildren. In the Israelite mind, this family
has become an ‘unfamily’ and this woman is in dire straits.” Naomi is left exiled (Moab), empty (no
provider), and no evident escape (no male heir). But she hears from Moab that YHWH has taken notice

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