The Book of Judges highlights the Israelites’ downward spiral of moral decay and their repeated deliverance by God. The Book of Ruth is an account of lives obedient to the Lord and of God’s providing for His people. While Judges displays the disastrous results of disobeying God and shows the powerful negative influence of pagan culture on the faith of God’s people, Ruth tells the story of a non-Israelite brought to faithfulness to the one God and blessed as a result. These two books offer inspiring messages and demonstrate how the Lord can work in remarkable ways, challenging us to repent of our wrongs and to pursue paths of righteousness.