The OT book of Judges covers about 300 years of Israel’s history. As the years go by, Israel’s moral and spiritual condition grows worse and worse. The book ends with corruption, rape, death, civil war, and chaos. The author’s last words sum up the nation’s condition: “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
Bethlehem, the town in which the Lord would be born centuries later, plays a significant role at the end of Judges. Two stories close the book, and both mention Bethlehem. In Judges 17–18, a Levite from Bethlehem, seeking financial gain, sold himself out as a “priest” at a pagan shrine.
When a larger group of Israelites sought a priest, the Levite from Bethlehem eagerly agreed to serve in that capacity. It would offer him more money and fame. Ignoring God’s commandment, he gladly offered sacrifices to idols in order to gain those benefits. The tribe that hired him would lead a large part of the nation into idolatry, resulting in all manner of sin and destruction.
The last story in Judges also involves Bethlehem (Judg 19–21). A woman from Bethlehem became the concubine of a Levite. But then she became a prostitute, left her husband, and returned to Bethlehem. Her husband went to Bethlehem to take her back. After the Levite and his concubine left Bethlehem, they took refuge in another town. The men of the town raped the woman until she died. Her husband dissected her body and sent parts to every tribe. These events led to a civil war and the near-extinction of one of Israel’s tribes.
Reading the end of Judges leaves one with the perception that there is no hope for Israel. Bethlehem plays a role in that perception. But Bethlehem also plays a role in another story set during this time in Israel’s history.
The book of Ruth belongs to the time of the Judges. In our Bibles, it is placed right after the book of Judges. It opens with a reference to a family from Bethlehem (Ruth 1:1). A member of that family marries a Moabite woman named Ruth. Ruth would return to Bethlehem with her mother-in-law, Naomi. She would marry a man from Bethlehem and give birth to a son named Obed.
Obed was the grandfather of David (Ruth 4:22). Whoever wrote the book of Ruth (probably Samuel) was giving his readers a message. Even during the time of the Judges, God had not forgotten the promises He had made to Israel. He had promised that a descendant of David would rule over Israel forever. Ruth’s baby, born in Bethlehem, the city of David, was a reminder. Christ’s kingdom would one day come.
In the book of Judges, the two mentions of Bethlehem paint a very dark picture. But in Ruth, the town shines a light on things. God is not done with His disobedient people. He will remain faithful to His promises.
Sin has its consequences. But God’s people always remain His people, even when they rebel against Him. Our sin can bring great darkness into our lives, but God’s grace is brighter still. The little town of Bethlehem during the time of the Judges is an encouraging illustration.
