In Judges 9, Abimelech, a son of Gideon through his concubine, conspires to become king by brutally killing his seventy half-brothers, except for the youngest, Jotham, who escapes. Abimelech rules over Israel for three turbulent years, facing rebellion and ultimately meeting his demise when a woman drops a millstone on his head during the siege of Thebez, prompting him to ask his armor-bearer to kill him to avoid the disgrace of being killed by a woman. As his life ends, will Abimelech's violent quest for power bring peace or further bloodshed to Israel? In John 6:1-24, Jesus crosses the Sea of Galilee and climbs a mountain with His disciples, attracting a large crowd due to His healing miracles. Facing a vast crowd of about 5,000 men, Jesus performs the miracle of multiplying five barley loaves and two fish provided by a boy, feeding everyone until they are satisfied, with leftovers collected afterwards. As Jesus retreats to the mountain alone, the crowd, amazed and eager, searches for Him—will they understand the spiritual significance of His miracle or seek only earthly provisions?

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Judges 9

John 6:1-24

Psalm 58

In Judges 7:8-8, Gideon and his tiny army of 300 men, armed with trumpets and jars with torches inside, surround the Midianite camp at night. Following Gideon's lead, they break the jars, sound the trumpets, and shout, causing chaos and fear among the Midianites who turn on each other in the darkness. Gideon's unconventional tactics lead to a significant victory, but can he maintain control and peace after such an unexpected triumph? In John 5:31-47, Jesus speaks to the Pharisees about the witnesses to His divinity, listing John the Baptist, His miracles, and the Scriptures as testaments to His identity as the Son of God. He criticizes the Pharisees for their reliance on human praise rather than seeking the glory that comes from God alone, highlighting their inability to recognize Him despite their devotion to the Scriptures. With such compelling evidence before them, will the Pharisees ever acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah, or will their hearts remain closed?

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Judges 7:8-25

Judges 8

John 5:31-47

Proverbs 11:19-28

In Judges 6-7, the Israelites are oppressed by the Midianites, leading them to cry out to the Lord for help. God chooses Gideon, a humble farmer, to save Israel and gives him signs of assurance, including the famous fleece test. Armed with a small army chosen by God, Gideon prepares to face the vast Midianite forces. Will Gideon's tiny band of 300 men be enough to overcome the enemy? In John 5:16-30, Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath, inciting anger from the Jewish leaders because he not only broke the Sabbath but also claimed God as his Father. Jesus responds with a profound discourse about his relationship with the Father, asserting that the Son can do nothing by himself but only what he sees the Father doing. He also speaks of the authority given to him over judgment and life, hinting at the resurrection of the dead. Will the leaders' hearts be softened by Jesus’ words, or will their opposition only intensify?

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Judges 6

Judges 7:1-8

John 5:16-30

Psalm 57:7-11