Day 95: The Sin of Benjamin (2025)

The Gospel of John is the fourth of the New Testament's canonical gospels. It presents a highly schematic account of Jesus' ministry, focusing on seven 'signs' or miracles that demonstrate Jesus' divinity, and seven 'I am' discourses that highlight his divine identity. The gospel is divided into sections: a prologue introducing Jesus as the Word of God, the 'Book of Signs' detailing Jesus' ministry, the 'Book of Glory' covering his final night, arrest, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection, and a conclusion stating the gospel's purpose. The author's intent is clear: 'that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name' (John 20:31).

The book of Judges covers approximately 330 years of Israel’s history, detailing a tragic cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. After Joshua's death, the Israelites failed to drive out the Canaanites and adopted their corrupt practices, leading to a repeated pattern of idolatry, foreign oppression, and God's deliverance through judges. The book highlights six major judges—Othniel, Ehud, Deborah, Gideon, Jephthah, and Samson—whose leadership and moral integrity decline over time. The final chapters describe the moral and social chaos in Israel, emphasizing the need for a centralized monarchy and setting the stage for the books of Samuel and the establishment of kingship in Israel.