Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, & 1 Samuel

What I Read

Day 5: Deuteronomy 12 – 34, Joshua, and Judges 1 – 10

Day 6: Judges 11-21, Ruth, 1 Samuel

My Impressions

• Moses and Joshua did everything they could to teach the people to trust and obey God. They warned them to not forget or turn away from God. They warned them about the influence of the neighboring nations. They left detailed written instructions.
• As soon as Joshua’s generation died the people turned from God and everyone did what they thought was right and there was chaos (most of the book of Judges).
• Over and over again God has compassion on His people despite their complete failure to follow His commands and their continual rejection of Him as they turn to other gods. 
• God is still in control and we see a reminder of His care for the widow in the story of Ruth, the great-grandmother of the future King David.
• Whenever we presume to know better than God we sin greatly (King Saul’s failure to follow God’s command about Amalek). I am guilty of this.
• In stark contrast we see David does not act without consulting the LORD, even when his wives are taken captive he first seeks the counsel of the LORD to decide his actions.