Problem: Naomi tells Ruth, “[Boaz] is a close relative of ours, one of our redeemers” (Ruth 2:20 ESV). What does she mean by Boaz being a “redeemer”?
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Problem: Why did the Israelites kill the people of Gilead? As with so many difficult issues concerning the word of God, context is hugely important. In Judges 19:22-30, the wicked men of Gibeah (a city in Israel of the tribe of Benjamin, 1 Sam 13:15) demanded sexual relations with the Levites who were staying at a house in that city. The owner of the house, to his utter shame, offered his virgin daughter and the Levite’s concubine. Both the man and the Levite should have defended the women even to their deaths, but they both failed miserably in their moral duty. Nevertheless, the men of the city took the concubine, sexually abused her all night, and then released her. She died at the door of the house in which the Levite rested.
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Problem: Suicide is clearly wrong. However, God blesses Samson for committing suicide in this passage by answering his prayer for supernatural strength.

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Problem: The Bible teaches that believers should not marry non-believers (Ex. 34:11-16; Deut. 7:1-4). However, this passage states that Samson’s marriage “was of the Lord” (Judg. 14:4). How can this be the case?
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From Numbers 6:1-21 we see that the Nazarite vow could be for either “a man or woman” (v.1). It included a number of things:

1. No wine (v.3)

2. No grapes or raisins (v.3).

3. No cutting your hair (v.5). This was a symbol for their dedication (v.7).

4. No going near a dead body (v.6).
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Problem: The Bible denounces human sacrifice (Lev. 18:21; 20:2-5; Deut. 12:31; 18:10). However, Jephthah kills his daughter on a burnt offering, and the NT praises him for it (Heb. 11:32)! Regarding this passage, atheist Richard Dawkins writes, “God was obviously looking forward to the promised burnt offering, and in the circumstances the daughter very decently agreed to be sacrificed.”[1] How can this be the case?
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Problem: Judges 11:26 states that Israel lived in the land for 300 years. However, if you add the reigns of the judges, you reach a number 410 years. Which is true?

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Problem: The Bible teaches that we shouldn’t put God to the test (Deut. 6:16). However, Gideon tests God with this fleece. Are we allowed to put God to the test or not? A friend of ours would throw a “fleece” out in making decisions. For instance, he would want to take a girl out on a date. As he was driving down the road, he would pray, “God, if you want me to date this girl… have this traffic light turn GREEN… But if you don’t want me to date her… have it turn RED.” Are “fleeces” like this appropriate ways to discern God’s will?
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Problem: Judges 4:21 says that Sisera was lying down, while 5:27 says that he fell down after Jael drove the tent peg into his head. Which is true?
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Problem: Jael drove a tent peg into the skull of Sisera, while he was sleeping. Does the Bible approve of gruesome assassinations like this?
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Problem: The Bible calls Moses’ father in law Reuel (Ex. 2:18), Jethro (Ex. 3:1), and Hobab (Judg. 4:11). Why the mix up?
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Problem: Ehud –the judge- was raised up by God (Judg. 3:15), and he savagely killed King Eglon of Moab, by thrusting a knife into his fat belly. Ehud claimed that this was a message from God (Judg. 3:20). How can this Mafioso-styled assassination be a message from God?
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Problem: We should not worship angels (Col. 2:18; Rev. 19:10; 22:8-9) or men (Acts 10:26; Mt. 4:10). However, Joshua falls down and worships the captain of the Lord’s host. Who or what was he?
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Problem: The Bible tells us that “Joshua struck all the land… He left no survivor, but he utterly destroyed all who breathed, just as the Lord, the God of Israel, had commanded” (Josh. 10:40). However, here in Judges 1:28, we see that the people were not completely driven out.
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Problem: Judges 1:10 explains that Judah “struck” the sons of Anak; however, verse 20 explains that they were merely driven out. Which is true?
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