The Judge and the Left-Footed Leaders

"The Judge and the Left-Footed Leaders" explores the messages of the Old Testament books of Judges and Ruth. The book of Judges describes a nation strikingly similar to the modern United States. Ancient Israel was racked by violence, greed, sexual abuse, political turmoil, and racial tension. On the other hand, the book of Ruth portrays a community bound by kindness and civility. Ruth demonstrates suffering transformed by love and how that quality of living can infiltrate and change a culture.

"The Judge and the Left-Footed Leaders" explores the messages of the Old Testament books of Judges and Ruth. The book of Judges describes a nation strikingly similar to the modern United States. Israel was racked by violence, greed, sexual abuse, political turmoil, and racial tension. On the other hand, the book of Ruth portrays a community bound by kindness and civility. Ruth demonstrates suffering transformed by love and how that quality of living can infiltrate and change a culture. Judges and Ruth were meant to be read together. Judges is a mirror and a warning; Ruth is an inspirational map to recovery. This book examines how they foil one another, and what we can take away from it.

Robert Beasley is a graduate of the Houston Graduate School of Theology (M.A. in Theological Studies, 2003), the University of Texas Law School (J.D., 1986), and Abilene Christian University (B.A., 1983). He is the author of "Set Me Free: Understanding our Traditions in the Light of Grace" and "From Fish to Glory: 1 Peter for Daily Living." He is a shareholder in the law firm of Weycer, Kaplan, Pulaski & Zuber, PC in Houston. He and his wife, Stacy, have two grown sons and live in the Houston suburb of Sugar Land, Texas. Learn more by following Robert's blog at crazygracetalk.com.