Judges and Ruth (Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries | TOTC)
Overview
The book of Judges presents Israel's human frailty, the nation's need for both spiritual and political deliverance, and God's use of flawed human leaders to guide and preserve his chosen people through a dark period of their history.
The book of Ruth tells a smaller story within this larger narrative, showing God quietly at work in the lives of a few pious individuals, remaining true to his covenant and his people.
Cundall and Morris place each book in its historical and canonical context, not only rendering each useful for scholarly study but also demonstrating their contemporary relevance.
Top Highlights
“But most of all the book is a book about God. It deals with unimportant people and unimportant matters. But it deals with them in such a way as to show that God is active in the affairs of men. He works his purpose out and blesses them that trust him.” (Page 218)
“However, it is when a man is fully conscious of his own weakness and the difficulties of the situation that the Lord can take and use him. The man who relies upon his own innate strength is not likely to draw upon the Lord’s grace, nor give him the glory for anything that is achieved. It is also equally true that the Lord saw not only the man that was—weak and timorous, but the man that could be—strong, resolute and courageous.” (Page 104)
“The final chapter of Gideon’s life appears as a distinct anticlimax to the heroic actions of the earlier section, and the man who had given such a magnificent lead to his fellows now sets a deplorable example of self-indulgence in which he, his family and the whole nation were involved. Perhaps it is easier to honour God in some courageous action in the limelight of a time of national emergency than it is to honour him consistently in the ordinary, everyday life, which requires a different kind of courage. Gideon, who came through the test of adversity with flying colours, was not the first nor the last to be less successful in the test of prosperity.” (Page 119)
“A progressive deterioration is revealed, each successive cycle being characterized by a greater descent into apostasy and corruption, and by a more superficial repentance, than the one preceding. This process is consistent with our modern understanding of the psychology of man. Terminology changes with the passing of the years, but the profound insights into human nature which the Old Testament gives us cannot be denied. The voice of conscience can become dulled by successive acts of sin, and repentance can become more and more superficial until, ensnared in the character formed by a multitude of thoughts and actions, a miracle is needed to produce a genuine repentance and a seeking of the Lord with the whole heart.” (Page 72)
- Title: Judges and Ruth: An Introduction and Commentary
- Authors: Arthur E. Cundall, Leon Morris
- Series: Tyndale Commentaries
- Volume: 7
- Publisher: IVP
- Print Publication Date: 1968
- Logos Release Date: 2009
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Bible. O.T. Judges › Commentaries; Bible. O.T. Ruth › Commentaries
- ISBNs: 9780830842070, 9780844742622, 0830842071
- Resource ID: LLS:TOTC07JDGUS
- Resource Type: Bible Commentary
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-12T13:46:00Z
Arthur E. Cundall was Principal of the Bible College of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia.
Leon Morris (PhD, University of Cambridge) was Principal of Ridley College, Melbourne, Australia retiring in 1979. He then served as visiting professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Dr. Morris contributed to the Pillar New Testament Commentary with his volumes on The Gospel according to Matthew and The Epistle to the Romans.
Reviews
1 rating
Joseph Stickney
8/13/2019
These two commentaries in one volume are both solid though quite different. Judges is aimed more at the introductory student, while Ruth edges toward the technical but both are understandable for the layman. In Judges, Dr. Cundall is respectful of the text, but not afraid to explore several options or meanings where appropriate. His thoughts about the dating of the book were quite helpful. He is good at supplying explanations for some of the odder parts of the book like the two passages at the end. When I read something that has me scratching my head and after reading the commentary I have some understanding, I consider the commentator to have done a good job. Dr. Morris presented a more textual commentary based on the Hebrew in the short book of Ruth. I must admit some of this just was beyond my level or interest such as why the fields of Moab were singular or plural. However his discussion on the name of God as the Patriarchs knew it was very enlightening. He has a light enough touch to get away with the technical in this sort of volume.