(Jud. 3:7-16 end). (3) Micah's idolatry, Jud. Chs. 17-18. (4) The
crime of Gibeah, Jud. Chs. 19-21. (5) The story of Ruth, Ruth. (6) The
career of Samuel including the judgeship of Eli, 1 Sam. Chs. 1-7.

Ethical and Religious Standards. Since this is a transitional period
we may expect great difference of moral and religions standards. Some
things are stressed far beyond their importance while other matters of
more consequence are overlooked. The following examples will indicate
to what extremes they went in some matters. (1) _Some things bad_: (a)
Murdering a heathen enemy was counted a virtue; (b) It was not a crime
to steal from a member of another Hebrew tribe; (c) Might was right;
(d) They would keep any foolish vow to God even though it cost the
life of one's child as in the case of Jephthah. (2) _Some things
good_: (a) The marriage relation was held sacred; (b) A covenant was
held binding and sacred as in the case of the Gibeonites; (c) They
counted inhospitality a crime. (3) _Some strange inconsistencies_: (a)
Micah would steal his mother's silver, then rear a family altar to
Jehovah; (b) Samson would keep his Nazarite vow, preserve his hair
intact and abstain from wine and unclean food but give himself over to
lying and to his passions, and selfish inclinations and fail to
observe the simple laws of justice, mercy and service.

Lessons of the Period. (1) _As to national decay_: (a) It is caused by
religious apostasy; (b) It evidences itself in religious blindness,
political folly and social immorality; (c) Its curse results in
political and social disorder, chaos and ultimate ruin. (2) _As to
punishment for sin_: (a) He surely sends punishment on the offender
whether an individual or a nation; (b) His punishment is a matter of
mercy and is intended to prepare the way for deliverance. (3) _As to
deliverance_: (a) It never comes until repentance is manifested; (b)