Bible in a Year (The Story) Podcast: Recent Episodes
Bible in a Year (The Story)
Bible in a Year (The Story) podcast features Professor Rachel Bodell, a marketing storyteller who teaches marketing, innovation, and leadership at the Bible Institute of Los Angeles (BIOLA University). She will not only read the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelations in one year, but she will share all the resources that have helped her to understand the Bible as one unfolding connected story along the way through short commentaries and reflections from biblical scholars, most of which read original biblical languages like Hebrew and Greek (e.g., Dr. Tim Mackie, N.T. Wright, Dr. Carmen Imes, Dr. Jeannine Hanger, Dr. James Petitfils, Kristi Mclelland, Dr. John Walton, Dr. Michael Heiser, and Dr. Lucy, Peppiatt)
By 2024, we hope to additionally offer special episodes from the renowned Bible scholars themselves that will help you understand the context of hard-to-understand stories within the meta-narrative of the Bible. We want to help you not only listen but hear what God is saying through the Bible every year and grow in your understanding, practice, and re-telling of the story to others as you learn more about how all the pieces of the Bible fit together to tell the GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD with a God that is inviting us to participate in the story as it is unfolding today!
Each episode is about 20-25 minutes and includes two to three scripture readings and a short commentary and reflection with suggested biblical scholar sources (e.g. The Bible Project and Premiere Insights) for this is our prayer ”that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, sot hat you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God” (Phil 1:9-11).
Some passages of the Bible and commentary reflections contain adult themes that may not be suitable for younger children - parental discretion is advised.
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Jeremiah 22-3 and Daniel 1-3.
Resources:
Daniel I. Block. (1998). The Book of Ezekiel, Chapters 25-48. Eerdmans.
https://bemadiscipleship.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/BEMA+062+Daniel+Son+of+Man.pdf
https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/62
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Jeremiah 18-21 and Ezekiel 48.
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Jeremiah 16-17 and Ezekiel 45-47.
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Jeremiah 13-15 and Ezekiel 44-45.
Resources:
Daniel I. Block. (1998). The Book of Ezekiel, Chapters 25-48. Eerdmans.
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Jeremiah 11-12, and Ezekiel 40-43.
Resources:
Daniel I. Block. (1998). The Book of Ezekiel, Chapters 25-48. Eerdmans.
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Jeremiah 9-10, and Ezekiel 37-39. Today we read in Ezekiel about God’s deliverance, even from internal threats. We also read about God’s grace and restoration of the God-nation-land, again.
Resources:
Daniel I. Block. (1998). The Book of Ezekiel, Chapters 25-48. Eerdmans.
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Jeremiah 7-8, and Ezekiel 37-39.
Resources:
Daniel I. Block. (1998). The Book of Ezekiel, Chapters 25-48. Eerdmans.
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Jeremiah 3-4, Ezekiel 27-29.
Resources:
Daniel I. Block. (1998). The Book of Ezekiel, Chapters 25-48. Eerdmans.
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Jeremiah 1-2, and Ezekiel 24-26.
Resources:
Daniel I. Block. (1997). The Book of Ezekiel, Chapters 1–24. Eerdmans.
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Isaiah 64-66, and Ezekiel 22-23
Resources:
Daniel I. Block. (1997). The Book of Ezekiel, Chapters 1–24. Eerdmans.
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
This is the weekend review and reflection challenge. We'll be back on Monday! If you need to catch up, the weekend gives you the chance to do that. Remember, you can start whenever, pause whenever, but never stop listening (or reading) the Bible!
Reflection challenge question: What is one or two things you learned this week from listening to the Bible that you can put into practice in your life today?
Don’t forget, you can subscribe to our show wherever you are podcasting to get notifications to remind you on Monday that the show has been posted! Subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing our show also helps to organically grow our channel and make it easier for people to find us! Thanks for listening and we look forward to being back with you next week.
Today we read Isaiah 59-60, and Ezekiel 17-19. In this story, we are reminded that repentance and returning to God are intrinsically linked in the Hebrew language "shuva" return, and "teshuva," repent. The root in both words is to return. This seems to be the described pre-operative steps toward God's gift of a new heart and a new soul, to live.
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Isaiah 57-58, and Ezekiel 14-16. Adult theme warning. We read a parabolic marriage metaphor with a dark allegorical twist (e.g. graphic storytelling imagery) - the marriage goes south with adultery (e.g. for pleasure) which is more frequently described as prostitution (e.g., for profit, gain, numbness). Then this story becomes different from the other similar parables we have read such as the Hosea story or even the Sodom and Gomorra story where Lot's daughters are spared and Hosea pursues His unfaithful wife for restoration. The outcome reads more like Judge 19, where there is shaming and violence that is so gruesome it is hard to consider. We are also reminded that this story is a parable using allegory within the context of a marriage metaphor and not actually about God and a woman but the relationship between God and Jerusalem, the Israelite people which is likened to this scenario, the point being the accusation is here and judgement is being rendered through exile and the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem. Perhaps the parable is so allegorically dark and graphic to shock the hardened hearts of the people of Israel, to reach their wayward souls. This story is not condoning violence against women. Have you every listened to a story that is meant to illustrate the truth in imagery or story but you found the crassness or dark humor distasteful and problematic? This story is like that for me. I understand the lesson, the hidden meaning is conveyed, but it doesn't mean I liked the way the message was conveyed. We know from the stories we have already read, God wants right relationship with His people and will not give up on them or His purpose, His rescue mission, His desire to right-side the world.
Resources:
Daniel I. Block. (1997). The Book of Ezekiel, Chapters 1–24. Eerdmans.
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Isaiah 54-56, and Ezekiel 12-13. We are being reminded of the two responses to Jesus "the Servant." The first is to be humble and repent to receive God's blessing and become a transformed heart, a servant, a seed for the Messianic Kingdom. The second is to reject both "the Servant" and the servants of "the Servant." We also learn that "whitewashing" God's truth or prophesying with our imagination in a way that is drifted and not anchored in God's story, God's message, will ensnare people, encouraging people to wickedness, and discouraging the righteous.
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
This is the weekend review and reflection challenge. We'll be back on Monday! If you need to catch up, the weekend gives you the chance to do that. Remember, you can start whenever, pause whenever, but never stop listening (or reading) the Bible!
Reflection challenge question: What is one or two things you learned this week from listening to the Bible that you can put into practice in your life today?
Don’t forget, you can subscribe to our show wherever you are podcasting to get notifications to remind you on Monday that the show has been posted! Subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing our show also helps to organically grow our channel and make it easier for people to find us! Thanks for listening and we look forward to being back with you next week.
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Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Isaiah 47-49 and Ezekiel 8-9. We are being told to lift up our eyes, to remember that God can take us from the warriors that hold us captive or the idols that have our hearts. And Yes, God can take us, who have become plunder for the adversary, tested in the furnace of affliction, and retrieve us. We are reminded that God is the first and the last. He created it all and it all works together for Him. His glory will not, cannot be denied. We are reminded to come near and listen to the Lord for He teaches us what is best and the direction to go. He gives peace, well-being, a name, and progeny. We are called by God to leave the things that have captured our hearts and declare the joy, be strengthened in the Lord and declare this message of redemption to others for He will provide water from the rock in the deserts we find ourselves in; He will be our sanctuary, our wing to provide shadow and flight. We read that the Lord will not quit on Israel, He will not desert His promise, He will display His glory and honor through His people. He will be their strength. He is their reward. His salvation will be a gift to all the earth and for all time. We are reminded yet again, that judgement, the fire, the desert, the valley of the shadow of death, the storm is intentional but the intent is not harm, it's to refine, transform, hewn us, those around us, and all creation. Not just that, but that God will be with us in front as a guide. He will be our rear guard and He will be our sanctuary in and through it all.
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Isaiah 44-46 and Ezekiel 6-7. In this story, God is making clear, turn to me (Yahweh), listen to me, remember me. I (Yahweh) am God, there is no other. There is none like me. In the Lord alone is deliverance and strength. God says I have made you. I will carry you. I will sustain you (even in your old age). I will rescue you. He brings His righteousness near, even though we are far away from His righteousness and are stubborn-hearted. There is this sense of pursuit and urgency. In grace, in judgement, through it all God is working His plan, His promises and we will know He is Lord, through it all.
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Isaiah 41-43, and Ezekiel 4-5. We are reading about judgment, deliverance, and atonement. God is doing something, working to make the whole world, Israel, new and renewed. God’s judgment is not neglect or harm, the judgment is for their sake. I think back to the Garden of Eden, we cannot be close to Him, doing His full work, with Him forever without judgment, deliverance, and atonement. This story reminds us that He will not forsake us. He will overcome evil for our sake. And for His sake, He will blot out our transgressions. He will atone us so we can be close to Him as He designed.
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Isaiah 39-40 and Ezekiel 1-3. We are reading in Ezekiel how God is and can give strength through His word, His message and in this story Ezekiel is being commissioned more or less on his 30th birthday as a prophet to Israel while sitting by an irrigation canal in a refugee camp in Babylon. This was a sharp change from his plans to become a priest in Jerusalem. We learn about God’s presence in a vision to Ezekiel and the last toll of warning, a second wave of Israelites will be taken from Jerusalem to Babylon and this time, Jerusalem will be destroyed. In our reading of Isaiah, we also get a glimpse of the “after” exile response of God to renew strength, to restore their home, to comfort and yet, the Israelites are signaling doubt and accusation against God based assumingly on their suffering in exile. For some reason, I think back to the story of Job where I’m reminded of the lesson where we can always bring our doubts and questions to God, He may or may not answer them they way we want to because He is wisdom itself. God is goodness itself and we are reminded here, we cannot fathom His understanding. Yet we can rest in the knowledge He shares and repeats in His word that He pursues and cares for us like a Shepherd. He will not let evil and suffering endure. He will strengthen the weary and increase the power of the weak. God will renew strength and give us the wings to soar. Do we have the heart posture to follow Him, trust in Him, even in the storms, trials, and exile?
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
This is the weekend review and reflection challenge. We'll be back on Monday! If you need to catch up, the weekend gives you the chance to do that. Remember, you can start whenever, pause whenever, but never stop listening (or reading) the Bible!
Reflection challenge question: What is one or two things you learned this week from listening to the Bible that you can put into practice in your life today?
Don’t forget, you can subscribe to our show wherever you are podcasting to get notifications to remind you on Monday that the show has been posted! Subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing our show also helps to organically grow our channel and make it easier for people to find us! Thanks for listening and we look forward to being back with you next week.
Today we read Isaiah 34-38. A paradox is two seemingly contrasting ideas that are both true a the same time. That is something to reflect on in this part of the story. God is slow to anger and abounding in love AND God will not allow evil to endure. Evil not only exists "out there" but inside our human hearts. The story uses words like shake, purge, and other things to create imagery of transformation. I think back to the beginning of the story in Genesis 1 where God hovered over the deep abyss or deep waters of void and then ordered creation from it. Yahweh can make something from nothing and transform anything, including darkness into ordered creation. In our story, we know that requires atonement through the ultimate redemption of Jesus, restoration of our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who is a gift to help us Shema into a kingdom of priests a community of Shalom.
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Isaiah 24-28
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Isaiah 22-23 and Zephaniah 1-3. We read that repentance is not just saying, "I'm sorry," and moving forward. We read about two important concepts of justice for God's character and people. These are important to the concept of repentance and returning to God. This is an act of returning to who we really are to our real home our truest design. Some might think of themselves as broken and Christian history often gives a distorted at worst or incomplete more charitably version of who we are and what repentance means. If our design and the truest form of humanity begins in Genesis 1 and 2 and does not start in Genesis 3, we are being called to return to God's story, His design which includes Mishpat a Hebrew word for restorative justice which deals with order and may require retributive or distributive action or responses by God. Justice can also require Tzedakah a charitable, prodigal generous lifting up, to make right (eous), to right side. If we are to build a kingdom of Shalom where we identify in our connected sense of humanity, designed by God, then yes, we have paths, yes, God gave each of us a unique portion of His power and authority, called to use that image-bearing gift to be name-bearers, ambassadors, a kingdom of priests. From what we read, like we've read before and will read again, being put in the fire, in the lion's den, in the storm, in the Valley of the Shadow of Death, is unavoidable, but we have Him and remember that even in calamity and disaster God will use those to purify to purge, He is with us in these moments, these seasons too, and we can be strengthen, renewed, restored, we can remember who God is, the story, and who we really are, whose we really are, and who we are meant to be in a kingdom of Shalom with no end, in a story that is still unfolding today.
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Isaiah 20-21 and Habakkuk 1-3. Today we learn more from a prophet of God in the Babylonian exile, Habakkuk who initially brings a complaint to God regarding what seemed to him like injustice. God responds but Habakkuk didn't accept the answer so he told God he would wait in the watch tower at the rampart. Bold. God responds again in a lengthy treatise which seems to capture the line of judgment against both Babylon and the Israelites in their empire-building idolatrous and unjust ways. God describes how the righteous rely on their faith and we read Habakkuk's heart change in his prayer. Even when facing calamity, the Babylonian take-over, he speaks of waiting patiently in awe of God's mercy. He puts His faith above fear and frustration. As the new Dean of the Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, Dr. Ed Stezer says, "The moment we are in (no matter how frustrating or fear-evoking) does not change the mission we are on."
Resources
Mary Solomon and Bret Billings (2018). Habakkuk — Watchtower, Episode 58. https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/58
https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/habakkuk/
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
This is the weekend review and reflection challenge. We'll be back on Monday! If you need to catch up, the weekend gives you the chance to do that. Remember, you can start whenever, pause whenever, but never stop listening (or reading) the Bible!
Reflection challenge question: What is one or two things you learned this week from listening to the Bible that you can put into practice in your life today?
Don’t forget, you can subscribe to our show wherever you are podcasting to get notifications to remind you on Monday that the show has been posted! Subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing our show also helps to organically grow our channel and make it easier for people to find us! Thanks for listening and we look forward to being back with you next week.
Today we read Isaiah 18-19, Nahum 1-3, and Proverbs 10:25-32.
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Isaiah 16-17, Joel 1-3, and Proverbs 10:21-24.
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Isaiah 10-15 and Proverbs 10:13-20.
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Isaiah 5-9, and Proverbs 10:1-12. We read more warnings through powerful rhetoric that conjures imagery and analogy which is strengthened by an understanding of the context. The prophet Isaiah speaks about the child, the son, the one called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. The one who will establish justice and righteousness now and forever.
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Isaiah 1-4 and Proverbs 9:7-18. We started what New Testament figures describe as the most influential prophet.
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
This is the weekend review and reflection challenge. We'll be back on Monday! If you need to catch up, the weekend gives you the chance to do that. Remember, you can start whenever, pause whenever, but never stop listening (or reading) the Bible!
Reflection challenge question: What is one or two things you learned this week from listening to the Bible that you can put into practice in your life today?
Don’t forget, you can subscribe to our show wherever you are podcasting to get notifications to remind you on Monday that the show has been posted! Subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing our show also helps to organically grow our channel and make it easier for people to find us! Thanks for listening and we look forward to being back with you next week.
Today we read 2 Kings 24-25, 2 Chronicles 35-36, Proverbs 8:22-36, and Proverbs 9:1-6. This is the end of the story of the two kingdoms of Israel. Now the southern kingdom, like the northern kingdom is exiled. It is time for a reckoning.
Resources:
Dr. Tim Mackie (2017) 6. Israel's Exile: Hitting Bottom - Eat This Book. Tim Mackie Archives: https://youtu.be/EXGKgnv_RYU
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read 2 Kings 22-23, 2 Chronicles 33-24, and Proverbs 7, 8:1-21. In this story, we are reminded of God's grace and His justice. The leaders and people of the Southern Kingdom idolized other gods, places, and practices, adulterating their hearts. This defect led to a soul drift that deformed their behaviors away from the commands and covenant with their God, our God. Yes, even with the evil king Manasseh, God showed mercy to him when he repented and humbled himself in his own exile. God restored Manasseh to his home. Yes, the story seems to describe how God gave time to kings who were faithful, allowing them to not see in their lifetime the exile. Unlike a wilderness journey where the people volunteer to go, although uncertain and scared, an exile is an unwanted removal from somewhere to somewhere else. Both may feel like a dislocation from the culture and physical places known. There is danger, fear, and suffering, in both places. Yet we know God is still working in the story. He hears our prayers and sees our tears. With God, there will be the offer of rescue, redemption, a restoration, but the when, how, where, and why are entirely up to His wisdom. We rest in the knowing that God is slow to anger. He does not hold onto His anger forever. His desire for love and mercy are greater and His compassion is stirred in our suffering at the hands of the adversary, at our desire to be with Him, in His story, our repentance, and our seeking of Him. We must make the decision to pursue Him with our whole heart and soul, transformed by Him into the action of obedience to His covenant and commands.
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read 2 Kings 20-21, 2 Chronicles 31-32, and Psalm 143-144. We read about a God who hears prayers and sees tears. We read about a people who are blessed because they are God's people, not for any other reason. We also read that the blessings, like in this story where God gives riches to King Hezekiah and God blessing him with an extension to his life, these things may have given him or drawn out his pride. We are also reminded that God sees our hearts. He knows whether we love Him with our whole heart or we love to "make things happen" more. Are we willing to make alliances with those we know reject God and seek to replace Him with other things? Do we "show" others what we are and what we have in a way that says "look at my name" and look at what I have instead of, "look at my God," and look at what He has done for us and blessed us with? Maybe we can ask ourselves questions in the presence of others, even our enemies, how can I help intercede for them to the Lord? How can I help them navigate to Him for atonement? How can I help them see God's character and name in how I live and lead? How can I show God's justice, mercy, and humility by being prodigally generous in a way that points back to God? What is my free will offering look like?
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read 2 Kings 18-19, 2 Chronicles 29-30, and Psalm 141-142. In this story, we read about King Hezekiah being faithful and listening to the messengers of God, the prophets. He restores worship to Yahweh and takes down the places to worship false gods. He invites all the tribes of Israel to Jerusalem to worship the Lord, while many ridicule and refuse some come from the various tribes, even foreigners to worship in Jerusalem and it reads that God gave the people unity, one mind. Many of the people who came were not clean and the king interceded for them in prayer, asking for God to pardon those that seek Him with their whole heart. In response, God intercedes and heals the people, answering the king's intercessory prayer. We read that God will not only preserve a band of survivors a remnant but He will give them roots to flourish. There is hope for the future and a reminder that God is compassionate. He is our refuge, even through the hard seasons.
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read 2 Kings 17, Micah 5-7, and Psalm 140. Like the story from Genesis 3, where Adam and Eve are exiled from the garden of Eden for their moral defection, and later in Genesis where Jacob's sons and their descendants are sent into exile in Egypt, in this story, the Northern Kingdom of Israel is exiled for their unfaithfulness. We also know the Southern Kingdom of Judah will also be exiled for their unfaithfulness. Yet, in all those stories, there is a glimmer of hope, God-given promises of rescue and redemption. Some of the promises were fulfilled, like God delivering them from Egypt and making the tribes of Jacob into the nation of Israel, and some God-given promises are yet to be fulfilled in the story, hint - the foreshadowing of a high priest, messianic, King, Jesus who will crush the adversary and deliver His people. We end the book of Micah and listen carefully to the prophet's message from the Lord. God's not only slow to anger but He delights in mercy and His people will again experience His compassion.
Although we don’t deserve it and it is not based on our merit, He will hurl our sin into the depths of the sea. God must judge and pull out the evil, but God is described as delighting in the covenant of love and compassion. He is a healer, redeemer, restorer. We read what the Lord wants from Israel, from us, in our response to Him in Micah 6 and 7, to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. This is goodness. The prophet Micah also models a posture of living through hard seasons, to watch in hope for the Lord, to wait for God our Savior and to have faith that God will hear us, hear our prayers.
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
This is the weekend review and reflection challenge. We'll be back on Monday! If you need to catch up, the weekend gives you the chance to do that. Remember, you can start whenever, pause whenever, but never stop listening (or reading) the Bible!
Reflection challenge question: What is one or two things you learned this week from listening to the Bible that you can put into practice in your life today?
Don’t forget, you can subscribe to our show wherever you are podcasting to get notifications to remind you on Monday that the show has been posted! Subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing our show also helps to organically grow our channel and make it easier for people to find us! Thanks for listening and we look forward to being back with you next week.
Today we read 2 Kings 16, Micah 1-43, and Psalm 139. This is a story that captures and summarized 500 years of rebellion. God is removing His protection. Yet, God is still promising to Shepard the remnant, those willing to repent, and Shema. The Bible Project describes the Jewish word Shema to mean we allow the words of God in Scripture to sink in, providing us with understanding, and generating a response that turns into action. God will Shepard His people through exile, through the storm, walking through the valley of the shadow of death (not avoiding it) and He will restore them to God's special place with a close physical relationship to Him as we read about the New Jerusalem and the temple with His presence.
Today we read 2 Kings 15, Jonah 1-4, and Psalm 138. In the first part of the story, we continue to read the tale of the Northern Kingdoms drifting from faithfulness with leader after leader failing, like the first, and being the cause of Israel's downfall. We also read this incredible story by the prophet Jonah of God's mercy and pursuit of a powerful mercenary people the Assyrian empire in Nineveh. Jonah was angry and didn't want to bring this message because he knew God was slow to anger and abounded in love. The Ninevites repented, urgently called on the Lord, and turned from their evil ways and violence. In this story, we are reminded of how great God's love, mercy, and grace extend. This is a story about God. It also a story where God reminds Jonah, and us, that we are not in control and we were not deserving of the gift of live and the blessings we do have, God is the giver of life and blessing. We are reminded that the purpose of the blessing is to bless others, show mercy, take the risk, put God on display, and answer God's call on our lives when He asks us to bless someone or be a brand ambassador in a specific way.
Resources:
Kristi, McClelland (Nov., 2014). "Jonah" : Intro to Israel & The Middle Eastern Lens. Williamson College. (4 minutes) YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-Z07J98LLQ&list=PLdBrFArPKtZ6muu9qCFP4Tm6sa57qUwgg&index=3
Tim Mackie (Aug., 2017). 1. Running From Your Life - Amazing Jonah (49:34 minutes). Bible Project. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ah1RRqQg2fM
Free Online Bible Study Course on Jonah, Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/classroom/overview/jonah/
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read 2 Kings 13-14, Amos 8-9, Psalm 124.
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read 2 Kings 11-12, Amos 4-7, Psalm 122.
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read 2 Kings 10, Amos 1-3, Psalm 110.
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
This is the weekend review and reflection challenge. We'll be back on Monday! If you need to catch up, the weekend gives you the chance to do that. Remember, you can start whenever, pause whenever, but never stop listening (or reading) the Bible!
Reflection challenge question: What is one or two things you learned this week from listening to the Bible that you can put into practice in your life today?
Don’t forget, you can subscribe to our show wherever you are podcasting to get notifications to remind you on Monday that the show has been posted! Subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing our show also helps to organically grow our channel and make it easier for people to find us! Thanks for listening and we look forward to being back with you next week.
Today we read 2 Kings 9, Hosea 11-14, Psalm 109.
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read 2 Kings 8, Hosea 18-10, and Psalm 108. It's a story of the continued drift of the Northern Kingdom and God's faithfulness through Elisha to people like the woman who used her blessings to bless the prophet, Elisha. We also read about a God of mercy who allows His people to be idolatrous, although it stirs His jealousy and anger. Their drift leads to the inevitable serious consequences of loving things in creation and not the Creator. The suffering stirs God's compassion and He is like a faithful spouse to an adulterous one, pursuing, rescuing, and restoring. Our job? Remember the story, respond to God with a heart of Shema in a right-relationship and guard our hearts against false narratives, empire stories, and things that lead us into the anti-story. For God, idolatry is personal, like adulatory. His response is jealousy and anger, but it's also compassion, He knows that giving our love away to other lovers leads to suffering and death. He doesn't want to see us oppressed or suffering, it stirs His mercy and a glimmer of hope is given. He will redeem. He will restore. He will bring us home.
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read 2 Kings 6-7, and Hosea 4-7, and Psalm 103.
In this story we read 2 Kings 6-7, Hosea 4-7, and Psalm 103. In this story we read about how God responds to a besieged city like our besieged heart and our cry for help, what’s particularly notable is God’s grace and mercy despite the evidence of a repentant heart that wants to seek the Lord in this story. We also read about the difference between knowing God through a personal transformative relationship and knowing of God.
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read 2 Kings 5, Hosea 1-3, and Psalm 101. We read a story about God pursuing Assyrian Captain Naaman, an enemy of Israel, through leprosy, an Israeli slave girl, kings, a prophet - Elisha, and the Jordan River. It wasn't the prophet or the river that healed Naaman, it was Yahweh God and it was a conversion moment for Naaman. Even though he would return to his pagan country, Naaman declared there is no other God but Yahweh, took dirt to remind him of this story and to build his altar to God at home, he even asked forgiveness for the appearance of worshiping the gods of his country because his heart was God's now. We also begin the story of the prophet Hosea in the time of one of the worst kings of the Northern Kingdom. God called him to marry and stayed married to his unfaithful wife. This was a story in a story about God and Israel whom God pursues in love and compassion and Israel rejects, experiences defeat and exile, and yet there is hope and a future of restoration, atonement, redemption because of Him.
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read 2 Kings 4, 2 Chronicles 28, and Psalm 127. In this story, we learn about Elisha's work as God's messenger and bringer of blessing in restoration and healing.
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
This is the weekend review and reflection challenge. We'll be back on Monday! If you need to catch up, the weekend gives you the chance to do that. Remember, you can start whenever, pause whenever, but never stop listening (or reading) the Bible!
Reflection challenge question: What is one or two things you learned this week from listening to the Bible that you can put into practice in your life today?
Don’t forget, you can subscribe to our show wherever you are podcasting to get notifications to remind you on Monday that the show has been posted! Subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing our show also helps to organically grow our channel and make it easier for people to find us! Thanks for listening and we look forward to being back with you next week.
Today we read 2 Kings 3, 2 Chronicles 26-27, and Psalm 72.
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read 2 Kings 1-2, 2 Chronicles 24-25, and Psalm 69-70. In this story, we start 2nd Kings and read the transition from the prophet Elijah to the prophet Elisha whose request is to have a double portion of spirit and his influence will be a touch less fiery but the author will write about twice as many miracles that Elisha performed as the successor of Elijah. We also read about a king whom God delivers a victory and instead of being grateful and faithful to God, he turns and worships the idols of the people and land God gave into his hands. This is a reminder that when God delivers a victory and gives us gifts we do not worship the gifts or the status of victory but the God who gave the gift, the portion of power and agency, the blessing for the purpose of being a blessing.
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read 1 Kings 22, 2 Chronicles 23, and Song of Songs 8.
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read 1 Kings 21, 2 Chronicles 21-22, and Song of Songs 7.
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read 1 Kings 9-20, 2 Chronicles 20, and Song of Songs 6.
Credits
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
This is the weekend review and reflection challenge. We'll be back on Monday! If you need to catch up, the weekend gives you the chance to do that. Remember, you can start whenever, pause whenever, but never stop listening (or reading) the Bible!
Reflection challenge question: What is one or two things you learned this week from listening to the Bible that you can put into practice in your life today?
Don’t forget, you can subscribe to our show wherever you are podcasting to get notifications to remind you on Monday that the show has been posted! Subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing our show also helps to organically grow our channel and make it easier for people to find us! Thanks for listening and we look forward to being back with you next week.
Today we read 1 Kings 17-18, 2 Chronicles 18-19, and Song of Songs 6. In this story, we are introduced to the fiery prophet, Elijah. He reminds us of the drought that would often befall seasons of unfaithfulness in the Torah and how God would provide for His people in these seasons. Then, when God calls an end to the drought, and tasks Elijah with telling King Ahab, Elijah creates an elaborate contest to remind the Northern tribes of Israel who had drifted to Baal and Asherah worship under King Ahab’s wife, Jezebel. The people are called to make a decision, to return to their faith in God, they remain silent even after Yahweh God prevails over Baal and Asherah bringing consuming fire. We are also reminded that God gives us a blessing, a portion of power and authority and we cannot take from others but gently knock and wait for the invitation to become one in a close partnered relationship.
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
1 Kings 15, 2 Chronicles 16-17, and Song of Songs 4. Like the judges in the book of Judges where the leaders became progressively less faithful to God, here the kings of the North, Israel gets progressively less faithful and leads the tribes of the North away from the Lord. The Southern kings struggle where some start faithful and fall away, are somewhat faithful sometimes, but Yahweh still seems to remain somewhat central in their world. We also discuss three Hebrew words for love being described in the story of love poems, ahava - commitment, rayah - best friend feelings, and dowd - sexual desire for intimacy. These all seem to be important in this romantic relationship that seems to be about marriage using imagery that has connection to Genesis 2, Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden.
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
1 Kings 14, 2 Chronicles 14-15, and Song of Songs 3. This story tells more of the progression of the divided kingdom with the northern king being faithless and leading Israel into faithlessness. The consequences are made clear. The southern king of Judah and Benjamin also became faithless and led some into faithlessness. Yet, his son Asa became a faithful king and led the two tribes in the south into faithfulness.
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read 1 Kings 13, 2 Chronicles 12-13, and Song of Solomon (Song of Songs) 2. Today the story reminds us of the importance of listening to God’s word and direction over our life and not allowing, even reputable people, to turn our steps away from the directions God gave us. This story reminds us of God’s grace and the cycles of redemption. We’re reminded by the prophet of the power and importance of intercession for the rebellious. How God remains faithful and we struggle with faithfulness, falling away, remembering, receiving God’s grace, and restoration. Even in consequences and periods of exile, God will be faithful to His promises and deliver.
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read 1 Kings 12, 2 Chronicles 10-11, and Song of Solomon 1. In this story, we’ve gone back to the narrative of Israel as a kingdom that was united under David and then Solomon, but now, the story is going to turn; as was promised as a result of Solomon’s heart change and failure to follow God. We are now headed for a divided kingdom story. Divided between themselves and largely pulling away from God. The northern kingdom often called Israel with 10 of the tribes and their capital in Samaria and the southern kingdom which consisted of the tribe of Judah and Benjamin with their capital in Jerusalem. We learned the risk and result of King Rahaboam seeking the advise and confirmation he wants to hear and King Jaraboam making his own religion for the 10 tribes of Israel to maintain the security of his kingship and avoid the people returning to Jerusalem.
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
This is the weekend review and reflection challenge. We'll be back on Monday! If you need to catch up, the weekend gives you the chance to do that. Remember, you can start whenever, pause whenever, but never stop listening (or reading) the Bible!
Reflection challenge question: What is one or two things you learned this week from listening to the Bible that you can put into practice in your life today?
Don’t forget, you can subscribe to our show wherever you are podcasting to get notifications to remind you on Monday that the show has been posted! Subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing our show also helps to organically grow our channel and make it easier for people to find us! Thanks for listening and we look forward to being back with you next week.
Today we read Mark 15-16, and Psalm 22. This story ends the gospel according to Mark. We’re reminded that Mark’s audience were the Romans and biblical scholars see this telling of Jesus’s crucifixion as a description of the nine steps to become an emperor, a king. Except the initial intent seems to be a mockery, until the end, when the Roman centurion acknowledged that Jesus is the Messiah. Shalom instead of empire is the way. The story ends with a question, will the Roman’s choose faith or fear?
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Mark 13-14, Psalm 68. Today is a story about the New Passover and Jesus most directly states that He is the Messiah and while He is standing before the leaders of the empire on that day (for rescue mission redemptive purposes), they will stand before Him, one day soon.
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Mark 11-12, and Psalm 67. In this story we continue to read about Jesus asserting His authority as the high priest, the Messiah, the king. In this story, Jesus is asserting His authority over the Temple. We explore anger, justice, and righteousness, our role and Jesus’s role in it.
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
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Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Mark 5-8, Psalm 21, and 23. It’s a set of stories about Jesus meant to help explain to the Romans who Jesus is in terms they understand related to Him as an amazing teacher and healer. This story also introduces to all how Jesus is the Messiah, the one the Old Testament pointed to and the Israelites had been waiting for, but not in the way many expected - not as a military victor but as a sacrificial servant who yielded it all to save us, to redeem us.
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
This is the weekend review and reflection challenge. We'll be back on Monday! If you need to catch up, the weekend gives you the chance to do that. Remember, you can start whenever, pause whenever, but never stop listening (or reading) the Bible!
Reflection challenge question: What is one or two things you learned this week from listening to the Bible that you can put into practice in your life today?
Don’t forget, you can subscribe to our show wherever you are podcasting to get notifications to remind you on Monday that the show has been posted! Subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing our show also helps to organically grow our channel and make it easier for people to find us! Thanks for listening and we look forward to being back with you next week.
Today we read Mark 1-4, Psalms 11, and 20. We take another Messianic checkpoint as Fr. Mike Schmitz and Jeff Cavins call it in the Gospel according to Mark. Many biblical scholars view this story as a collection of Peter’s stories because Mark and Peter were friends, Peter went to Rome to tell the Romans about Jesus, and Mark in this book is talking to the Romans in a Hellenistic culture which valued education, healthcare, entertainment, and sports. This Western culture was different from the ancient near Eastern culture we have been reading from in the Old Testament. Here, humanism, the idea that mankind is the highest entity has largely replaced the thinking of the ancient near Eastern world where God, or the gods, are the highest entity. We see Mark start with a bold statement to the Romans who had many gods by proclaiming one God and then telling fast-paced stories which have sharp transitions about Jesus being a teacher, healer, amazing, and winning - these correlate with the four pillars of Hellenistic culture. In the Gospel according to Mark, we will learn more about who Jesus is, how Jesus will be the Messiah, and how Jesus becomes King.
Resources:
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings (2018) Mark - Roman Gospel https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/85
Tim Mackie. Mark Overview. Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/mark/
Matt Whitman. Mark. The Ten Minute Bible Hour Podcast. https://open.spotify.com/episode/6gduuctrOLCxt09yu4bEm4?si=96fb2829c0d64f98
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read 1 Kings 11, Ecclesiastes 9-12, and Psalm 9. We end the story of Solomon with clarity on how his obedience was not complete and his disobedience, although warnings were given against the accumulation of horses, wealth, and wives, Solomon allowed his wives who worshiped over gods to turn his heart from the one and only God, the God above all others. Ugh. This will lead to the Israelite kingdom being divided. We also read about our potential divine disconnection in Ecclesiastes regarding how we view our relationship to God. Do we believe we invite him to be a part of our world and then have expectations for how he will make us happy, remove all suffering, and give us prosperity here and now? Or, do we recognize that God invited us to be a part of His world and while the things of this world are Hevel or vapor, meaning they are real and we experience them, they are not something we can take with our hand and control. Gifts are to be used and appreciated with gratitude, but there is also a mission at hand, a plan, a role God has for us to remember, obey, be and become a kingdom of priests, to represent Him in community and creation. This is where the meaning of life is found, not in the inviting God, but in the accepting of His invitation to be in relationship and be a part of His kingdom and story, forever.
Resources:
Dr. Tim Mackie (2018). Hevel, The Divine Disconnection/Ecclesiastes. Tim Mackie Archives. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0wWB8YEDiA
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read 1 Kings 10, Ecclesiastes 6-8, and Psalm 8. The chapter in 1st Kings connects with the account of Solomon’s encounter with Queen Sheba in 2nd Chronicles. We read about the blessings and name God have to Solomon and Israel and we also see hints of crisis with Solomon’s accumulation of chariots and horses, even those imported from Egypt. We also explore the meaning and wisdom of living our every day lives as representative leaders, name bearers of God in the world in the story of Ecclesiastes.
Resources:
https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/ecclesiastes/
Mary Solomon, Brent Billings, and Kevin Luo (2017) Episode 45: Wisdom and Meaning. BEMA Discipleship https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/45 (27 minutes)
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read 1 Kings 8-9, Ecclesiastes 4-5, and Psalm 6-7. We are reminded that Solomons’ wisdom in creating alliances through marriage is not the same as obeying God to reserve marriage as a one-flesh relationship in a convent reflecting, in a way, the one-God with no other idols relationship He wants with His people. We’re reminded that wisdom and knowledge is not the same as obedience. Then, in Ecclesiastes we are reading about Hevel, a Hebrew word that is more closely associated with vapor or smoke than the modern concept of meaningless. Vapors and smoke cannot be taken or grasped, but they are real. The word is used 38 times. Dr. Mackie’s conclusion is the author is saying everything is out of our control to take and hold, but we can enjoy what God has given us with a heart of gratitude as we remember who is in control who gave the gift and that we share and prioritize others in sharing God’s goodness.
Resources:
Tim Mackie. Ecclesiastes Overview. Bible Project. 8 minutes. https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/ecclesiastes/
Mary Solomon, Brent Billings, and Kevin Luo (2017) Episode 45: Wisdom and Meaning. BEMA Discipleship https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/45 (27 minutes)
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read 1 Kings 7, Ecclesiastes 1-3, and Psalm 4-5. We continue to read in 1st Kings about Solomon building the temple and his palace with a different perspective yet similar details to the account of 2nd Chronicles. We are also introduced to Ecclesiastes, one of the wisdom books of the Bible, and at first, it might seem confusing and you might ask, how is this about wisdom, it seems to be a sad take on the meaningless of life? Yet, Hevel, in Hebrew may be something like meaninglessness but it’s the end of each tail of woah that flickers, hints at the truth - all the wealth, pleasure, wisdom, time, and even our death have no meaning on their own, it’s God and the story, His kingdom, a story with no end that is still being unveiled today that gives it all meaning. We will not find it, so we should not reach for wealth, pleasure, wisdom, knowledge, or any other thing of this world - enjoy it, as it comes - yes. But, we are called not only to enjoy but to bring a sacrifice of praise, our willingness to give the very portion of power and authority God gave us to try and reach and take control and instead, submit it to Him and commit with our whole heart to be His representative leader, His brand ambassador in this world, being and becoming a kingdom of priests.
Resources:
Mary Solomon, Brent Billings, and Kevin Luo (2017) Episode 45: Wisdom and Meaning. BEMA Discipleship https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/45 (27 minutes)
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read 1 Kings 6, 2 Chronicles 9, and Psalm 66. The 1st Kings part of the story continues the Solomon saga where he is obeying God in a great way, but also disobeying and struggling with a lust for empire. The tension is building. We read how Solomon built God for the Lord’s Name and for the people to sacrifice a strong and magnificent temple. And, Solomon is also building himself a palace in the forest of Lebanon, with a lot of gold shields for display because gold is soft and heavy, so impractical for use in battle and not really a symbol of peace but wealth, power, and empire. We fully feel the tension between the lust for the empire kingdom and the striving for the kingdom of Shalom, God’s kingdom.
Resources:
Father Mike Schmitz and Jeff Cavins (2023). Day 148: Solomon's Wealth. https://podcasts.apple.com/sa/podcast/day-148-solomons-wealth-2023/id1539568321?i=1000614742987 (Day 149 and 150 are also helpful)
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
This is the weekend review and reflection challenge. We'll be back on Monday! If you need to catch up, the weekend gives you the chance to do that. Remember, you can start whenever, pause whenever, but never stop listening (or reading) the Bible!
Reflection challenge question: What is one or two things you learned this week from listening to the Bible that you can put into practice in your life today?
Don’t forget, you can subscribe to our show wherever you are podcasting to get notifications to remind you on Monday that the show has been posted! Subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing our show also helps to organically grow our channel and make it easier for people to find us! Thanks for listening and we look forward to being back with you next week.
Today we read 1 Kings 5, 2 Chronicles 7-8, Psalm 64-65. It’s a story of obedience, dedication, and blessing with just a little red flag reminder that Solomon is representing what God and his father asked him to do as it relates to the temple, but Shema and Shalom in his whole heart and life? Hm, there’s another hint in this story of Solomon breaking from Deuteronomy 17:17 and Genesis 2 expectations. In this story God speaks to Solomon and he says ‘’my” over 18 times. The pattern and the emphasis are beautiful, to belong to God and rest in His sovereignty.
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read 1 Kings 4, 2 Chronicles 4-6, Psalm 62. This story comes after Solomon’s display of wisdom and obedience to God. In this story, God blessed Solomon and Israel. We read about the temple and the people - too many to be numbered. We hear Solomon's intercessory prayer to God on behalf of the people, remembering the story of God through his father David. Sometimes when we talk about wisdom, I think we assume it's a quality someone has or doesn't and the opposite is foolishness, but this story seems to be making us wrestle with the fact that Solomon makes some incredibly wise choices against the backdrop of also knowing he is making some very foolish ones. The word wisdom in the story of 1st Kings seems to be close to words like discernment and heart. If God is wisdom, than isn't the request for wisdom a request for a close relationship to God where he helps us to make discerning judgements and apply knowledge well, as He would have us do it. In this story we learn about Solomon's love of learning 1 Kings 4:29-34.
Resources:
https://bibleproject.com/podcast/solomon-wisest-fools/
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
1 Kings 3, 2 Chronicles 2-3, Psalms 42-43. Like the tree of life and the tree of knowledge, wisdom can be from God or ourselves. Earthly intellectual wisdom is not the same and will not always be aligned with God’s wisdom.
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
1 Kings 1-2, 2 Chronicles 1, and Psalms 40-41. Today we read about a rocky transition of leadership from David to Solomon. We take note of Bathsheba who God chose as the Queen Mother of Israel. We learn about David’s last acts and words, learning more leadership lessons. We take note of Solomon’s request for wisdom and his use of that wisdom to disobey what God disallowed of kings in Deuteronomy 17. Remember, collecting horses, wealth, wives, chariots, and counting fighting men are all kingdom empire actions and not kingdom shalom actions of a king hallowing God’s name above his own.
Resources:
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
1 Chronicles 23-29, and Psalm 39. Today we read the end of 1st Chronicles. There are echoes of the past and details about what's to come in preparation for the temple.
Resources:
Dr. Mackie 1&2 Chronicles, Old Testament Overviews (6 minutes and 29 seconds) https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/chronicles/
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read 2 Samuel 21-24, Psalms 30 and 38. It's the end of 2nd Samuel and we review the story of David becoming king after Saul. We are reminded of David's vulnerability and dependency as well as the direction David pointed to himself, and that was forward to the future hope, promised in the covenant of a messiah king.
Resources:
Dr. Mackie Books of Samuel https://bibleproject.com/guides/books-of-samuel/
Dr. Mackie 1&2 Chronicles, Old Testament Overviews (6 minutes and 29 seconds) https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/chronicles/
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
This is the weekend review and reflection challenge. We'll be back on Monday! If you need to catch up, the weekend gives you the chance to do that. Remember, you can start whenever, pause whenever, but never stop listening (or reading) the Bible!
Reflection challenge question: What is one or two things you learned this week from listening to the Bible that you can put into practice in your life today?
Don’t forget, you can subscribe to our show wherever you are podcasting to get notifications to remind you on Monday that the show has been posted! Subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing our show also helps to organically grow our channel and make it easier for people to find us! Thanks for listening and we look forward to being back with you next week.
Today we read 2 Samuel 19-20, 1 Chronicles 21-22, Psalm 3 and 36. This is a story about triumph and tears and consideration for the heart posture of clemency vs. redemption.
Resources:
Who Was Joab? Got Questions Organization. https://www.gotquestions.org/Joab-in-the-Bible.html
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read 1 Chronicles 15-20, Psalm 14 and 15. Leadership and purpose are explained in this story, particularly 1 Chronicles 17.
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read 2 Samuel 15-18, Psalm 31 and 35.
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read 2 Samuel 13-14, 1 Chronicles 13-14, Psalm 28 and 60. Today we read almost a parallel story to yesterday’s story, when we read about David’s actions against God, his family, his neighbor’s family. Except today we read about David’s children between wives. David’s 2nd wife, Ahinoam of Jezreel who is the mother of Amnon, first son and heir apparent to the throne. And, Maacah, daughter of Tallis, King of Geshur whose children in this story include Absalom and Tamar. The name Maacah in the Jewish language and Midrash essentially means wartime wife for an Israelite capture. In this story, there’s this odd set up by Amnon and David is a part of that which led to, or at least allowed Amnon to see, want, and take his half sister, Tamar. She tried to stop him with reason and relationship but he not only overpowered her, he tried to put his sense of shame on her, rejecting her after the fact. She went to her brother, David’s third son Absalom who took her in and sought vengeance, having his half-brother Amnon killed. Cycles of violence and David’s eventual response is to end the banishment and restore the relationship with his son, Absalom. Although the text makes it clear David was angry it also describes his silence and inaction. David doesn’t go to God for how to act or react, and like the last story, there doesn’t seem to be a sense that David is faithfully remembering and responding to all the laws and heart of God. There’s a lot to reflect on in this story.
Resources:
Dr. Carmen Imes (2022). Blame David, Not Bathsheba. Nathanial Did. Christianity Today. https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2022/july-web-only/rape-david-bathsheba-adultery-sexual-sin-prophet-nathan.html
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Summary. In this story we might find ourselves both uncomfortable with the egregiousness of David’s moral defection and at the same time the depths of God’s grace. Every human king, even David, is not capable of fulfilling a role only ever meant for the Lord, Jesus Christ. Even David, did what Eve and Adam did in Genesis. They saw. They wanted. They took. The details of this story are important and often misunderstood. It’s worth a close look, a self-reflection, and a careful consideration for how we talk about it with others.
Resources:
Dr. Carmen Imes (2022). Blame David, Not Bathsheba. Nathanial Did. Christianity Today. https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2022/july-web-only/rape-david-bathsheba-adultery-sexual-sin-prophet-nathan.html
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
This is the weekend review and reflection challenge. We'll be back on Monday! If you need to catch up, the weekend gives you the chance to do that. Remember, you can start whenever, pause whenever, but never stop listening (or reading) the Bible!
Reflection challenge question: What is one or two things you learned this week from listening to the Bible that you can put into practice in your life today?
Don’t forget, you can subscribe to our show wherever you are podcasting to get notifications to remind you on Monday that the show has been posted! Subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing our show also helps to organically grow our channel and make it easier for people to find us! Thanks for listening and we look forward to being back with you next week.
Today we read 2 Samuel 7-8, 1 Chronicles 7-8, and Psalm 26. In this story we read about Nathan and David’s desire for a temple in Jerusalem, a permanent house or place for God in the center of Israel’s permanent central land and in the central city of that central land, if we recall Marty Solomon and Brent Billings referring to the promised land as central economically and politically to the ancient world connecting the North, South, East, and West. If you look at a map, it’s pretty cool because it connects to what we now know as Europe, Asia, and Africa. Yet, when David asks God if He can build a temple, God says no, I will build you a dynasty. David has been frequently patterning the practice of putting God first, the Jewish term is kiddush hashim, which means to hallow the name. David has been showing a commitment to kiddush hashim, honoring God’s name and reputation, remember how we talked about the privilege and responsibility of bearing God’s name as given to Adam and Eve in Genesis 2, Abraham in Genesis 12, and the people of Israel at Mount Sinai, and here we still see the importance of this in the story of King David and the people of Israel which is pointing to Jesus Christ and the body of Christ.
Resources:
Marty Solomon & Brent Billings (2017) The Story Behind the Story. BEMA Podcast. https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/41
Nancy Guthrie Interviews Dr. John Woodhouse (2016). Help Me To Teach The Bible: 2nd Samuel (Part 1) (54 minutes). The Gospel Coalition.
Dr. Tim Mackie 1 & 2 Chronicles. Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/chronicles/
Dr. Tim Mackie 2nd Samuel. Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/2-samuel/
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read 2 Samuel 5-6, 1 Chronicles 5-6, and Psalm 25. This story seems to point to following Jesus Christ as king and the people being a part of the body of Christ, really cool. It is reflected in the story of the people of Israel stating they are the bone and flesh and David is the King of Israel in 1 Samuel 5 verse 1. David is unifying Israel and pointing to God as first and central, David is seeking to bring shalom to chaos, a kingdom of shalom in sharp contrast to the empire kingdom.
Resources:
Nancy Guthrie Interviews Dr. John Woodhouse (2016). Help Me To Teach The Bible: 2nd Samuel (Part 1) (54 minutes). The Gospel Coalition.
Dr. Tim Mackie 1 & 2 Chronicles. Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/chronicles/
Dr. Tim Mackie 2nd Samuel. Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/2-samuel/
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read 2 Samuel 3-4 and 1 Chronicles 3-4, and Psalm 24. This story teaches us something important about David that the author seems to want us to know based on the pattern and the two stories back to back regarding the response to enemies. There is wisdom in wanting to make our enemies friends and mourning our enemies, not celebrating their demise. The point is not about giving trust to someone who is not worthy, but to keep or allow a door to be open for the “if” or “when” an enemy may want to come home. They too might come to a place where they want to be reconciled and forgiven by God. To do this and to know how requires God’s wisdom. This story is about forgiveness, ending a cycle of violence, and recognizing there may be God’s wisdom in making an enemy who shows signs of being trustworthy and a softening heart, to become a friend, as was the case with David and Abner. The point about ending cycles of violence, mourning an enemy, and following God’s way is also emphasized in the story about David’s response to the murder of Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son.
Resources:
Father Mike Schmitz and Jeff Cavins: Day 122 and 123, The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) on Apple Podcasts - The Death of Ish-bosheth and Abner is Killed.
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read 2 Samuel 1-2, 1 Chronicles 1-2, and Psalm 13. We start two new books, enriching our understanding of “the” story. We recap where we are in the larger story and learn about King David’s response to King Saul’s death. David goes to God for what to do first as the anointed king, and he is called to Hebron, the place where Abraham is from. We learn that not everyone views David as the next king of Israel, yet. We also read about the genealogies that lead to the messianic king in 1 Chronicles. Both stories offer a glimmer of hope and create a sense of anticipation for the future messianic king and the new second temple.
Resources:
Nancy Guthrie Interviews Dr. John Woodhouse (2016). Help Me To Teach The Bible: 2nd Samuel (Part 1) (54 minutes). The Gospel Coalition.
Dr. Tim Mackie 1 & 2 Chronicles. Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/chronicles/
Dr. Tim Mackie 2ns Samuel. Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/2-samuel/
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read 1 Samuel 29-31 and Psalm 18. This is a story about God raising up David as he walks by faith and giving Saul over to the adversary he desires over God himself. This is the end of 1st Samuel. The prophecy is fulfilled, and Saul is killed in battle. It’s a story reminder to walk by faith and not by sight. What might look like weakness or defeat, may in fact be micro-actions of God towards His architecture of victory. This story also reminds us to remember and obey, wholeheartedly pursue God’s heart to avoid the adversary mastering us as we saw happen to Saul where Saul wanted a relationship with God on his terms for his reputation and not a relationship with God for God’s purposes and His in all capitals reputation.
Resources:
Nancy Guthrie Interviews Dr./Pastor Ryan Kelly (2015). Help Me to Teach the Bible: 1st Samuel (Part 2) (38 minutes). The Gospel Coalition. https://podcasts.apple.com/tt/podcast/ryan-kelly-on-1-samuel-part-2-re-release/id1032089864?i=1000513504012
https://drmsh.com/the-naked-bible/nephilim/
https://drmsh.com/thoughts-nephilim-answering-criticism/
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
This is the weekend review and reflection challenge. We'll be back on Monday! If you need to catch up, the weekend gives you the chance to do that. Remember, you can start whenever, pause whenever, but never stop listening (or reading) the Bible!
Reflection challenge question: What is one or two things you learned this week from listening to the Bible that you can put into practice in your life today?
Don’t forget, you can subscribe to our show wherever you are podcasting to get notifications to remind you on Monday that the show has been posted! Subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing our show also helps to organically grow our channel and make it easier for people to find us! Thanks for listening and we look forward to being back with you next week.
Today we read 1 Samuel 27-28 and Psalms 23, 56, and 63.
Resources:
Nancy Guthrie Interviews Dr./Pastor Ryan Kelly (2015). Help Me to Teach the Bible: 1st Samuel (Part 2) (38 minutes). The Gospel Coalition. https://podcasts.apple.com/tt/podcast/ryan-kelly-on-1-samuel-part-2-re-release/id1032089864?i=1000513504012
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read 1 Samuel 24-26 and Psalms 54 and 57. This story is about David’s many adventures before becoming king. It’s about David waiting for God and asking God what to do when conflict and danger arise instead of taking the opportunity to kill Saul. Even though David was appointed king several chapters ago, we see David’s faithfulness to wait on the Lord’s timing and method, even if or when David may not see the when or how he will become king.
Resources:
Nancy Guthrie Interviews Dr./Pasto Ryan Kelly (2015). Help Me to Teach the Bible: 1st Samuel (Part 2) (38 minutes). The Gospel Coalition. https://podcasts.apple.com/tt/podcast/ryan-kelly-on-1-samuel-part-2-re-release/id1032089864?i=1000513504012
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read 1 Samuel 21–23 and Psalms 52 and 142. This is a story with a message where Saul acts as the adversary, jealous of King David who is representative of Jesus; Jesus being the true and high priest-king. In this story, Jonathan represents us, as God’s children, who yield our portion of power and authority to the true king and take up our position as His representatives, to stand with Him as second, not first. This is a good time to review the entire connected story of the Bible and remember. In this story, we really get a sense of the warfare of the heart, the community, of life when we choose to be God’s representative, and go to Him for guidance. We will have enemies, we will have friends, we will have those we help and those that help us, yet we have faith that God is the architect of victory and sometimes it means standing against and at other times it means to retreat.
Resources:
Dr. Tim Mackie. David the Priestly King. The Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/david-priestly-king/
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings (2017) One Story. Two Sources. https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/40
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read 1 Samuel 18–20 and Psalms 12 and 59. The first part of this story is about the friendship of David and Jonathan, born out of a shared purpose to be Yahweh’s representative leaders. They are one in spirit and Jonathan loved David as he loved himself. Although Jonathan is the son of King Saul and would be the next to inherit the throne, instead, Jonathan gives his gear to David, signifying his surrender of power and identification of David as God’s intended king. We also see King Saul’s war within himself and wrestle with the reflection of what that means, but ultimately, Saul, David, and Jonathan know he will not be the king for much longer. The second part of this story has to do with escape and how David had friends in King Saul's daughter and son to help him stay alive and stay on course as God intended.
Resources:
Dr. Justin Bass (2023) on Dr. Michael Heiser's podcast The Naked Bible Podcast 467 1 Samuel 19 https://podcasts.apple.com/bs/podcast/naked-bible-467-1-samuel-19/id961385822?i=1000613771639
Dr. Justin Bass (2023) on Dr. Michael Heiser's podcast The Naked Bible Podcast 466 1 Samuel 18 https://podcasts.apple.com/bs/podcast/naked-bible-466-1-samuel-18/id961385822?i=1000612876856
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read 1 Samuel 15–17 and Psalm 61. Today we read the famous story of David and Goliath, but first, we read about Saul’s disqualification from being the king for much longer. He’s being let go for continuing to be unaware, disobedient, defiant, and when called to task, he cares more about his reputation than his heart’s alignment with God Himself. Saul is being let go and David, the 8th son of Jesse from the Tribe of Judah, a young shepherd who plays the lyre will be the next king. David seems to respond to his environment with curiosity and a willingness to walk into his role as God’s representative. The story elicits the common quote, God equips the called. David’s posture is willing and all-in, and his confidence is not in his skills or experiences but God’s past faithfulness in delivering him personally from a lion and a bear and in God’s reputation itself. David is sure that God is the architect of victory and that this adversary must be crushed. In true connected fashion, referencing back to Genesis 3:15 and forward to Jesus, this story has David “crushing” the adversary’s head. The question becomes, will we have a heart like David in this story with our willingness and whole heart for God to fight the monster in front of us with faith that God is the architect of victory and it’s His reputation we represent.
Resources:
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings (2017). Season 2 Episode 39: A King After God's Own Heart. https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/39
Gladwell, Malcolm (TedSalon NY 2013). The unheard story of David and Goliath. Ted Talk. https://www.ted.com/talks/malcolm_gladwell_the_unheard_story_of_david_and_goliath?language=en
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
This is the weekend review and reflection challenge. We'll be back on Monday! If you need to catch up, the weekend gives you the chance to do that. Remember, you can start whenever, pause whenever, but never stop listening (or reading) the Bible!
Reflection challenge question: What is one or two things you learned this week from listening to the Bible that you can put into practice in your life today?
Don’t forget, you can subscribe to our show wherever you are podcasting to get notifications to remind you on Monday that the show has been posted! Subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing our show also helps to organically grow our channel and make it easier for people to find us! Thanks for listening and we look forward to being back with you next week.
Today we read 1 Samuel 13–14 and Psalm 58. This story continues the struggle of a king to lead in his way or follow God’s way. It’s a prophecy of succession change. Yet, we are introduced to King Saul’s son, Jonathan who has a similar heart to the boy David, who will be king next, and will be Jonathan’s best friend. This story also challenges reflection on the motivation and purpose behind our decisions as leaders.
Resources:
Father Mike Schmitz and Jeff Cavins (2023). Day 108: Saul's Vanity. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/day-108-sauls-vanity-2023/id1539568321?i=1000609442536
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read 1 Samuel 11–12 and Psalm 55. We read the messy truth in this story. The people wanted and asked for a human king when they had always gone to God in the past. Yet, God allowed them to have a king as long as the king and the people followed God. The first king, Saul, is a complex character who does not quite follow or always reject God’s will. He evokes sympathy, confusion, and self-reflection. Are we like that? Is our heart willful, desiring what we want the way we want it when we want it - only willing to submit to God when it aligns with what we want? Or, are we willing to allow God to be the center of the story and to submit our will to His, yielding when His will is different from our own.
Resources:
Father Mike Schmitz and Jeff Cavins (2023). Day 107: Samuel's Speech. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/day-107-samuels-speech-2023/id1539568321?i=1000609254524
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read 1 Samuel 9-10 and Proverbs 6:23-35. In the first part of this episode we review the unified story of the Bible, thus far from Genesis to 1 Samuel 7. Then we dive into the story of the 1st human king of Israel, the donkey herder from the tribe of Benjamin who was tall and looked the part. Yet we are introduced to him in a scene where he lost his herd of donkeys and we end with him hiding in the supplies when called upon to be the 1st human king of Israel. Even though there is metaphor for Israel in the appointment of Saul by God, Samuel anoints him and God changes his heart and the Spirit of God comes powerfully upon him. There is a message in the selection of him as the king and the power and provision of God to work and transform a heart, regardless. What will the relationship between Saul, God, Samuel, and the people of Israel look like? Stay tuned.
Resources:
Solomon, Marty and Billings, Brett (July 2017). A Donkey Herder to Lead Us. (28 minutes 29 seconds). BEMA podcast https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/38
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read John 19 to 21 and Proverbs 6:16-22. This is a story of Jesus giving His life for us and returning from the dead. His death and resurrection marks a new beginning, a revolution. We also review the gospel of John as a whole before we end it. This book is referred to as the seven signs, the book of hours, the book of glory, and well known for its water imagery, divinity of Jesus, and the relationship of God to logos.
Resources:
Dr. Tim Mackie. New Testament Book Overviews John 13-21. The Bible Project. (8 minutes and 32 seconds) https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/john
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings. John - The Hour Has Come. BEMA Podcast. https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/284
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read John 16 to 18 and Proverbs 6:12-15. In this story, Jesus is saying now is the time. Jesus is revealing His divine power as He yields it, by giving up His life for us. Jesus's power comes from God and He used it for God. In a similar but different way, God gave humans a portion of His power and authority as representative agents here on Earth in Genesis 1:26-28 and He is asking us to yield it to Him, with Him, for Him as we use this blessing to bless others and all creation as we bear His name in the world.
Resources:
Dr. Tim Mackie. New Testament Book Overviews John 13-21. The Bible Project. (8 minutes and 32 seconds) https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/john
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings. John - The Hour Has Come. BEMA Podcast. https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/284
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
This is the weekend review and reflection challenge. We'll be back on Monday! If you need to catch up, the weekend gives you the chance to do that. Remember, you can start whenever, pause whenever, but never stop listening (or reading) the Bible!
Reflection challenge question: What is one or two things you learned this week from listening to the Bible that you can put into practice in your life today?
Don’t forget, you can subscribe to our show wherever you are podcasting to get notifications to remind you on Monday that the show has been posted! Subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing our show also helps to organically grow our channel and make it easier for people to find us! Thanks for listening and we look forward to being back with you next week.
Today is John 13-15 and Proverbs 6:6-11. Today we read about the spirit and how Jesus is a man who is going away and can only be in one place at a time but the spirit, the advocate, is His divine presence and can be in all places at all times. So now we see the ONE God in father, son and spirit that consists of a loving relationship which draws us in and as Dr. Mackie says it is Jesus’s disciples who abide in God’s love where He is the vine and we are the branches. We see to that this is just the beginning, we are to go into the world empowered by the spirit to carry out restorative and redemptive missional service which is prodigal, putting God on display, and helping others navigate to atonement through Jesus by bearing witness to the story, the truth of of Jesus, what He did because He loves us and how He makes a new way for us to be human.
Resources:
Dr. Tim Mackie. New Testament Book Overviews John 13-21. The Bible Project. (8 minutes and 32 seconds) https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/john-13-21/
McClelland, Kristi (June 2022). Jesus & Women: In The First Century Now Bible Study. Lifeway.
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read John 10-12 and Proverbs 6:1-5. Today we are reminded that the book of John is an invitation to believe that Jesus is the Messiah and that through Him alone can we find “life.” We have learned that Jesus is the new temple and He is where Heaven and Earth meet. We are reminded that the miracles and claims of Jesus lead others to ultimately make a choice, believe or don’t. We read about Lazarus, the man Jesus put himself in jeopardy to raise him from the dead, all because Jesus loved Him. Jesus knew this act would lead to His death and He did it anyway. It’s a foreshadowing of what Jesus will do for all who have missed the mark, sinned, and fallen short of the glory of God, for those in need of a new heart, in need of a messiah priest king.
Resources:
Dr. Tim Mackie. New Testament Book Overviews John 1-12. The Bible Project. (8 minutes and 46 seconds) https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/john-1-12/
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read John 7-9 and Proverbs 5:15-23. Today we read several stories about what Jesus was doing, despite the Jewish leaders trying to ruin Jesus’s reputation and worse, calling for His death. We read about a plot to catch Jesus not knowing or implementing Moses’s law, but instead Jesus demonstrates His knowledge and fulfillment of that law. In the process, Jesus brought justice and righteousness to a woman who, yes, missed the mark (sinned), but Jesus offered His atonement and grace, He gave her instruction into the lifestyle of His shalom. Jesus also healed a blind man.
Resources:
McClelland, Kristi (June 2022). Jesus & Women: In The First Century Now Bible Study. Lifeway.
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read John 4-6 and Proverbs 5:1-14. Today we read about the first person Jesus disclosed His divinity to, a Samaritan woman at a well. She also was the first missionary, going to tell people about Jesus. We also read in this story about the eucharist or communion and how different sources read John 5 verse 54 and 55 differently - transubstantiation, consubstantiation, or symbolic. We also read about the first “I Am” statement where Jesus reveals He is the bread of life and the “I Am” statements build on Yahweh’s revelation of being the “I Am.”
Resources:
Father Mike Schmitz and Jeff Cavins:
Messianic Checkpoint: The Gospel of John — The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 99: The Word Became Flesh — The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) Podcast
McClelland, Kristi (June 2022). Jesus & Women: In The First Century Now Bible Study. Lifeway.
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read 1 Samuel 7-8, John 1-3, and Psalm 86. In the story of Samuel we read about Samuel’s leadership of Israel and their desire for a king. And like Deuteronomy, God tells Samuel this is dangerous and to warn the Israelites. The truth is, Yahweh God wants to reign and He is sending His son, Jesus as the messianic priest king. Because so much of what we have been reading points to Jesus, we are taking only a short sneak peek into the New Testament. We will read the gospel of John this week and then return to the story of kings in Samuel. The story in Johns emphasizes Jesus as God and points back to the identity of Jesus as the lamb of God, the one who is the ultimate sacrificial atonement for sin. We also read about our response to Jesus, the call is to believe and obey with our actions.
Resources:
Father Mike Schmitz and Jeff Cavins:
Messianic Checkpoint: The Gospel of John — The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 99: The Word Became Flesh — The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) Podcast
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
This is the weekend review and reflection challenge. We'll be back on Monday! If you need to catch up, the weekend gives you the chance to do that. Remember, you can start whenever, pause whenever, but never stop listening (or reading) the Bible!
Reflection challenge question: What is one or two things you learned this week from listening to the Bible that you can put into practice in your life today?
Don’t forget, you can subscribe to our show wherever you are podcasting to get notifications to remind you on Monday that the show has been posted! Subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing our show also helps to organically grow our channel and make it easier for people to find us! Thanks for listening and we look forward to being back with you next week.
Today we read 1 Samuel 1-6, and Psalm 150. This story is about a woman who loves God and family, she wants a child. Hannah calls out to God and promises to give her firstborn son back to God and Yahweh blesses her with a son, Samuel. He is trained by the priest. At the same time the Israelites try to fight the Philistines, but instead of going to God, they try to use God i.e., the ark of the covenant to lead their victory. God allows Israel to fail and the Philistines to take the ark of the covenant and put it in their temple with their God, but God is the Lord over all, no other god and He belongs with His people. God takes down the Philistine god and sends plagues. The Philistines return the ark of the covenant.
Resources:
Dr. Tim Mackie and Jon Collins. 7 minutes 19 seconds. Overview 1 Samuel Summary. Bible Project.https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/1-samuel/
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Ruth 1-4, and Psalm 149 which is in the same days as the judges ruled, it’s during the cycle of sin. Marty Solomon and Brent Billings from the Bema project refer to this as a story about the immigrant, the widow, and the future king. Dr. Mackie describes the book of Ruth as a BIG message in a SHORT story. He describes it as a story about God and how Yahweh restores those who look to Him with hope. This story also describes the great-grandparents of King David, a story that is coming, and this genealogy is going to ultimately lead to Jesus. Again this story is happening at the same time as all those cycles of violence and drift from the book of Judges, so it isn’t and wasn’t all corrupt and tragic Israelites, there were a few faithful families. Marty Solomon says this family illustrates how a few families listened, remembered, and obeyed as they were putting God on display and being prodigally generous as they cared for the immigrant, the orphan, and the widow. The book of Ruth shows how God is constructing his grand story out of the small, seemingly inconsequential stories of everyday people.
Resources:
Dr. Mackie, Tim. Ruth: BIG Message in a SHORT Story. The Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/articles/ruth-big-message-short-story/
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings (July, 2017). A Love Story. Episode 37. https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/37
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Warning, this story has adult themes. Today we read Joshua 17-21 and Psalm 148. The Israelites hit rock bottom, this is the pinnacle of tragedy. This is the end of the book of Judges, the story is pointing to the need for a different way and we know this story is followed by Samuel a story that leads to King David and beyond, it points to the need and hope of a messianic king, Jesus. The story of Judges is disturbing and should be, it points to the corruption of the Israelites, the people God chose to be a part of His rescue mission and to put God on display, helping other navigate to atonement, interceding for the lost and rebellious in prayer, and being prodigally generous. While there are maybe three calls out to God about the Benjamites, this story is largely individuals and the assembly making their own choices about what is good and bad, it is largely or at least ambiguous not in alignment with God’s law and character. At this point, the Israelites including the priesthood and judges had fallen so far away from God’s intentions that even the tribe called to be priests and protectors of priests had fallen. So the next story will be about kings, let’s see what happens.
Resource:
Solomon, Marty and Billings, Bret (2017) The Redemption Cycle, Episode 36. BEMA Discipleship Podcast https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/36
Dr. Mackie, Tim and Collins, Jon. Judges Summary, Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/judges/
https://bibleproject.com/blog/judges-messianic-hope/
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Judges 13-16 and Psalm 146 and 147. This is not a child’s tale, while I used to think so when I recall what I learned about Samson. We learn about a man who is given a unique role in Israel and the gift of strength, but instead of using this strength to lead, he uses it for pleasure and revenge. The book of Judges is a tragedy yet it has Messianic hope, delivered time and time again, when God raised up a deliverer at His people’s cry for help. This story reminds us of the cycle of revenge which always escalates and it does not end. Revenge cannot articulate goals besides get even or teach a lesson but what does it mean to get even and is a lesson actually taught is never clear, revenge is a desire that does not have clarity for when it is quenched, this is what makes it particularly dangerous, it is circular. Revenge sells the myth that a situation can be fixed or redeemed with violence, but redemption can never come through violence, it does not bring peace or restoration. Only love can bring redemption and only God’s love can bring the life shifting sustainable type of redemption.
Resource:
Solomon, Marty and Billings, Bret (2017) The Redemption Cycle, Episode 36. BEMA Discipleship Podcast https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/36
Dr. Mackie, Tim and Collins, Jon. Judges Summary, Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/judges/
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we clearly read about a bad judge, Jephthah, Dr. Mackie describes him as a mafia tribal chiefdom from the hills, who the elders of Israel went to for deliverance and while Jephthah was a good warrior he was entirely unfamiliar with the God of Israel and treated God more like a Canaanite god by making an oath to sacrifice the first thing or person that came through the door - note there is a total lack of Yahweh’s response to this oath - and the first person to walk through his door was his only child, his daughter. And while she isn’t a baby, this story does read more like child sacrifice and Canaanite worship than anything we’ve been reading about Yahweh God and His laws, will, and ways for His people. Remember the story of Abraham and Isaac, where Yahweh provided the sacrifice in place of Isaac which was a foreshadowing of what Jesus would do for us and differentiates the God of Israel from all the other near eastern ancient religions of that time. Dr. Mackie describes how at this point, Israel and its leader do not seem to remember the character of their own God, Yahweh. Jephthah also orders the kills of tens of thousands of other Israelites. For me, this is an ongoing reminder that the theme we’ve been reading is the #1 way to avoid drift and forgetting is to come close to God and His Word, remember the story, who He is, what He’s done, and His purpose and ways, the inheritance, the rescue mission. What an awesome God we serve!
Resource:
Solomon, Marty and Billings, Bret (2017) The Redemption Cycle, Episode 36. BEMA Discipleship Podcast https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/36
Dr. Mackie, Tim and Collins, Jon. Judges Summary, Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/judges/
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
This is the weekend review and reflection challenge. We'll be back on Monday! If you need to catch up, the weekend gives you the chance to do that. Remember, you can start whenever, pause whenever, but never stop listening (or reading) the Bible!
Reflection challenge question: What is one or two things you learned this week from listening to the Bible that you can put into practice in your life today?
Don’t forget, you can subscribe to our show wherever you are podcasting to get notifications to remind you on Monday that the show has been posted! Subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing our show also helps to organically grow our channel and make it easier for people to find us! Thanks for listening and we look forward to being back with you next week.
Today we read Judges 6-9 and Psalm 130. The story of Gideon, amongst other stories of grabs for leadership, we get this confusing mix of God selecting a representative leader to deliver Israel from the adversary, but that leader seems to lack faith and knowledge in Yahweh God - not to mention lacking obedience to God’s commands. This is a story of God’s faithfulness to His people, even in cycles of rebellion. The book of Judges is presenting judges in a spiral, as Dr. Mackie describes from pretty good, to ok, to bad, to worse. This story is in the ok category, bad to worse is tomorrow.
Resource:
Solomon, Marty and Billings, Bret (2017) The Redemption Cycle, Episode 36. BEMA Discipleship Podcast https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/36
Dr. Mackie, Tim and Collins, Jon. Judges Summary, Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/judges/
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Judges 1-5 and Psalm 129. This story falls on the heels of the story of Joshua. Another generation, but this one had forgotten the story and Yahweh God, they had integrated into their neighboring Canaanite ways of worshiping other gods in morally depraved ways including child sacrifice. When God calls His people to be in the world to bless the world, but not of it, remembering and obeying God’s commands are critically important - this wasn't it. In response, God gave the people of Israel over to the adversary they wanted and that adversary oppressed them. But, then in their suffering and distress, they remembered and called out to God and He delivered them. This starts a cycle of rebellion where the people sin grievously against God, they become oppressed by their adversary, they repent, are delivered and find rest. Then it happens all over again. The first few judges God raised up to deliver Israel seem aligned with what we’ve seen the pattern of leaders to be like such as Joshua and Moses. We are introduced to Deborah, the second woman to be named a prophet. She is described as a rescuer and military aid to Israel which echoes back to Genesis 2, where Eve was described as Adam’s “ezer,” which is Hebrew for rescuer, ally, the one who can help. Yet, the cycle of rebellion and God’s faithful deliverance continues but the leaders will get progressively worse from here.
Resource:
Solomon, Marty and Billings, Bret (2017) The Redemption Cycle, Episode 36. BEMA Discipleship Podcast https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/36
Dr. Mackie, Tim and Collins, Jon. Judges Summary, Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/judges/
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Joshua 18-24 and Psalm 128. This is a story that focuses on the geographic location of the promised land and what it means. The prpromisedand is the beginning, it comes with missional purpose and it’s located, as Marty Solomon says, at the crossroads of earth. It was at the center of the ancient world, particularly for trade and travel. God’s people were to put Him on display and be accessible and a blessing to all the world.
Resources:
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings (2017). The Hardest Story in the Bible (for me) BEMA Podcast https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/34
Dr. Tim Mackie and Jon Collins (Feb. 2020) 8 minutes 48 seconds. Overview Joshua Summary. Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/joshua/
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Joshua 13-17 and Psalm 126. This is a story of God fulfilling the promise He made to Abraham in Genesis. The tribes of Israel are being given the promised land, an inheritance. We also read snippets of Canaanites still controlling some areas and still living in close proximity to some of the tribes. This might be a hint of what might happen next in the story. We also reflect back to Joshua 4 and 5 in the commentary to discuss what a standing stone means and to reflect on the standing stones in our lives.
Resources:
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings (2017). The Hardest Story in the Bible (for me) BEMA Podcast https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/34
Dr. Tim Mackie and Jon Collins (Feb. 2020) 8 minutes 48 seconds. Overview Joshua Summary. Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/joshua/
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Joshua 6-12 and Psalm 125. This story is long and hard, don’t give up. Stay with me. This is a story of God’s justice but also a remembrance that God is merciful. He will bring order to chaos. But we also remember from the story so far that God is slow to anger, abounds in love, is quick to forgive, and loves 1000 generations, yet holds 3 generations accountable. This is a story of war, but is it hyperbole? What is the theological truth that is rising to the surface? Is it that God is the architect of victory? He delivers on His promises, and that God can even restore and redeem a Canaanite who chooses Him such as Rahab and her family along with the Gibeonites?
Resources:
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings (2017). The Hardest Story in the Bible (for me) BEMA Podcast https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/34
Dr. Tim Mackie and Jon Collins (Feb. 2020) 8 minutes 48 seconds. Overview Joshua Summary. Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/joshua/
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
This is the weekend review and reflection challenge. We'll be back on Monday! If you need to catch up, the weekend gives you the chance to do that. Remember, you can start whenever, pause whenever, but never stop listening (or reading) the Bible!
Reflection challenge question: What is one or two things you learned this week from listening to the Bible that you can put into practice in your life today?
Don’t forget, you can subscribe to our show wherever you are podcasting to get notifications to remind you on Monday that the show has been posted! Subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing our show also helps to organically grow our channel and make it easier for people to find us! Thanks for listening and we look forward to being back with you next week.
Today we read Joshua 1-5 and Psalm 123. This story picks up as the second generation from Exodus prepares to cross the Jordan River to participate in God’s battle. In Joshua 2:22 we get this sense when the spies say their enemies are afraid of them and that this is a fight between Israel and Canaan. Then when Joshua himself in verse 5:13 says to what is described as a man with a drawn sword in his hand, “are you for us or our enemies?” And in air quotes, this man says “neither.” The man says, “but as commander for the army of the Lord, I have come.” This too points out the dislocation of thinking and the reorientation by the Angel of the Lord. The battle is God’s. He is the architect of victory and He is sending the one that will crush the adversary, the agent of chaos, the Satan. The people of Israel must remember, obey, and keep oriented in their role in the story as representatives for God, He is not our representative in a fight between us and others.
Resources:
Dr. Tim Mackie and Jon Collins (Feb. 2020) 8 minutes 48 seconds. Overview Joshua Summary. Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/joshua/
Matthew Whitman (Jan 2023). Bible06 - Joshua (13 minutes) The Ten Minute Bible Hour https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bible06-joshua/id1031363405?i=1000593370538
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Numbers 35-36, Deuteronomy 34, and Psalm 121. This is the end of the story of the Torah, the end of Numbers and Deuteronomy. We read that God is the giver of inheritance and Israel cannot pass the inheritance to those outside the tribe. Moses was given the greatest compliment by the author that reported his death, Moses was referred to as a servant of the Lord. That’s not just servant leadership, but God-centered servant leadership. We are reminded that even the best humans and leaders, such as Moses, fail, and even when good successors such as Joshua take their place, the hope and security of Israel, of us, can only be in God himself.
Resources:
Dr. Millar, Gary (2023) A Deuteronomy Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/deuteronomy/
Adrian Reynolds (2023) A Numbers Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/numbers/#section-14
Theology of Work. Retrieved from https://www.theologyofwork.org/old-testament/deuteronomy-and-work/the-end-of-moses-work-deuteronomy-3113412/
Dr. Mackie, Tim and Collins, Jim What's the Point of Deuteronomy?
https://bibleproject.com/podcast/whats-point-deuteronomy/
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Numbers 34, Deuteronomy 33, and Psalm 120. This story is about inheritance in the form of land and the land is always described as something God gives. We revisit and add to our understanding of “cities of refuge” in this story. We read the blessings Moses gave to the tribes of Israel and we wrestle with the tension of these two stories Numbers and Deuteronomy, coming to an end without an end. We are told of Israel's future drift, even in full view of the promised land. We are also told of God’s persistent grace. His love and mercy without end. We are promised that He has and He will prevail.
Resources:
Dr. Millar, Gary (2023) A Deuteronomy Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/deuteronomy/
Adrian Reynolds (2023) A Numbers Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/numbers/#section-14
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Numbers 33, Deuteronomy 32, and Psalm 118. The story comes towards the end of the Torah, Moses and Yahweh God are reminding the people of “the story” in the unified story of the Bible. The peoples endless struggle with rebellion and God’s relentless grace and mercy. Today we talk about how our lives are our offering to God today and that we all have talents and together, the people of God are stronger to keep focused and safeguard against drift.
Resources:
Dr. Millar, Gary (2023) A Deuteronomy Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/deuteronomy/
Adrian Reynolds (2023) A Numbers Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/numbers/#section-14
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Numbers 32, Deuteronomy 31, and Psalm 117. This story is interesting. It’s a story about two and a half of the twelve tribes who want to settle outside the Promised Land, but are willing to help in the mission for the Promised Land. Biblical scholars debate whether this request was accommodated for by God or allowed by God, as in respecting the choice of these tribes to self-exile. Most biblical scholars view it as an accommodation based on the agreement between Moses and the tribes. The story in Deuteronomy is a clear signaling of the people making the choice we’ve seen modeled in many stories so far, rebellion and disobedience. It is also a story of God retelling His commitment as He has shown all along, to rescue, restore, and redeem when the people’s hearts are ready to make the change. God keeps His promises. He is just, merciful, and full of grace. This is told in a sermon and song at the same time that the leadership is being transitioned from Moses to Joshua.
Resources:
Dr. Millar, Gary (2023) A Deuteronomy Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/deuteronomy/
Adrian Reynolds (2023) A Numbers Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/numbers/#section-14
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
This is the weekend review and reflection challenge. We'll be back on Monday! If you need to catch up, the weekend gives you the chance to do that. Remember, you can start whenever, pause whenever, but never stop listening (or reading) the Bible!
Reflection challenge question: What is one or two things you learned this week from listening to the Bible that you can put into practice in your life today?
Don’t forget, you can subscribe to our show wherever you are podcasting to get notifications to remind you on Monday that the show has been posted! Subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing our show also helps to organically grow our channel and make it easier for people to find us! Thanks for listening and we look forward to being back with you next week.
Today we read Numbers 31, Deuteronomy 30, and Psalm 116. We read about God’s victory against adversaries that tempt the people of God into worshiping other gods. Remember, God already dealt with the Israelites who defected. This story is also about Moses passionately asking the people of God to choose life with the one who is your life, a choice must be made in response to God’s intervention.
Resources:
Dr. Millar, Gary (2023) A Deuteronomy Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/deuteronomy/
Adrian Reynolds (2023) A Numbers Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/numbers/#section-14
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Numbers 29-30, Deuteronomy 29, and Psalm 113. This story is a reminder of the importance of God’s rhythm and practice of remembrance, The need for atonement, and the importance of gratitude, humility, and generosity. We also learn from this part of the story that tension is mounting and Israel/we cannot change our own hearts regardless of the model or process, God will circumcise our hearts so that we can love the Lord God. Lastly, the story offers Israel some edits to representative vows and authority which has some reverberation to God giving us a portion of His power and authority to use that representative power to make a covenantal vow with Him or not.
Resources:
Dr. Millar, Gary (2023) A Deuteronomy Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/deuteronomy/
Adrian Reynolds (2023) A Numbers Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/numbers/#section-14
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Numbers 27-28, Deuteronomy 28, and Psalm 112. In this story, there are two accounts of right relationship with God. First the daughters of Zelophehad who were “right” in their request for the inheritance God promised and Joshua, or in Hebrew, Y'shua (Hebrew: ישוע), the next leader of Israel who was filled with the spirit. This story describes his relationship with God in the Hebrew word 'urim’ which means to be or give light, to shine. The word is connected to truth and receiving God’s prophecy; it is the opposite of darkness. This is interesting because the Ancient Greek name Jesus, was actually derived from the Aramaic and Greek forms of Yeshua/Y’shua - in English, Joshua. The story in Deuteronomy paints this vivid illustration of a life without God where His hand, His breath, His voice does not interfere in the self-exile Israel, they/we initiate when they/we choose our own way over Him and His ways. Every time I read it, I feel this discomfort and softening of my heart and will to God’s way. I think American’s, like me, who love the concept of freedom, struggle with the idea of taking that freedom and yielding it to Him, not to die or end, but to thrive under His leadership.
Resources:
Dr. Millar, Gary (2023) A Deuteronomy Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/deuteronomy/
Adrian Reynolds (2023) A Numbers Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/numbers/#section-14
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Numbers 26, Deuteronomy 27, and Psalm 111. In this story, we read about the start of the next generation, the children of the Exodus generation who were freed from slavery in Egypt, and rescued by God. We start their story and discuss something important about generations, being grateful for the one before us and empowering, preparing the succession to the generation after us. Then we read about decision time, blessings, and what is present in the absence of blessing. Wandering leads to exile and exile, death. Will we respond to God’s call to obey Him with our whole heart today?
Resources:
Dr. Millar, Gary (2023) A Deuteronomy Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/deuteronomy/
Adrian Reynolds (2023) A Numbers Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/numbers/#section-14
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Numbers 24-25, Deuteronomy 26, and Psalm 107. We continued the story of the sorcerer Balaam which reveals two important things, God is sovereign and the lure of other gods leads Israel to break the first commandment. This leads to devastating outcomes. This story also included a prophecy of a king that would come from the line of Judah, it would be God’s king, and we know this will be Jesus. In the second story, we are reminded of our greatest defense: listening, wholeheartedly obeying, and giving generously our first and best to orphans, widows, those serving God, and more. This story reminds us that God’s laws are after relationship and they are acts of worship whereas most other relationships are laws to earn or arrive at some type of better place or existence. God’s law is differentiated from all else.
Resources:
Dr. Mackie, Tim and Collins, Jon (2017) Numbers Q&R. Episode 6. Podcast. Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/podcast/numbers-q-r/
Dr. Millar, Gary (2023) A Deuteronomy Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/deuteronomy/
Adrian Reynolds (2023) A Numbers Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/numbers/#section-14
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
This is the weekend review and reflection challenge. We'll be back on Monday! If you need to catch up, the weekend gives you the chance to do that. Remember, you can start whenever, pause whenever, but never stop listening (or reading) the Bible!
Reflection challenge question: What is one or two things you learned this week from listening to the Bible that you can put into practice in your life today?
Don’t forget, you can subscribe to our show wherever you are podcasting to get notifications to remind you on Monday that the show has been posted! Subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing our show also helps to organically grow our channel and make it easier for people to find us! Thanks for listening and we look forward to being back with you next week.
Today we read Numbers 23, Deuteronomy 24-25, and Psalm 106. This is a story that reminds us that God is sovereign over all, even nefarious oracles such as Balaam. We learn more about God’s character and His desire for how we live as edits are made to economic and social laws.
Resources:
Dr. Mackie, Tim and Collins, Jon (2019) Law Q&R. Podcast. Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/podcast/law-qr/
Dr. Millar, Gary (2023) A Deuteronomy Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/deuteronomy/
Adrian Reynolds (2023) A Numbers Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/numbers/#section-14
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Numbers 22, Deuteronomy 23, and Psalm 105. This is a story about those who are forbidden and forgiven, of adversaries and God’s sovereignty, of refuge, prevention, and provision.
Resources:
Dr. Mackie, Tim and Collins, Jon (2019) Law Q&R. Podcast. Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/podcast/law-qr/
Dr. Millar, Gary (2023) A Deuteronomy Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/deuteronomy/
Adrian Reynolds (2023) A Numbers Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/numbers/#section-14
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Numbers 21, Deuteronomy 21-22, and Psalm 102. The Bible contains adult themes, particularly in today’s reading. Parental discretion is advised. Today we read about how seizing leads to death and seducing leads to cost and commitment. We read about God editing the laws of Israel related to non-Israelite women captured in war, a husband who dislikes his wife, a promiscuous wife, a man who rapes a woman, and a man who seduces an unmarried woman. Israel is being differentiated from the Babylonian and Assyrian cultural practices around them. We continue to see how God is just and due process is required, moral defection cannot be tolerated, and God is providing safeguards against exploiting the vulnerable, those with less power in a cultural situation.
Resources:
Dr. Richter, Sandra. (2021) Rape in Israel's World and Ours: A Study of Deuteronomy 22:23-29. Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society. 64.1: 59–76. https://www.etsjets.org/files/JETS-PDFs/64/64-1/JETS_64.1_59-76_Richter.pdf
Dr. Richter, Sandra and Dr. Scott Rae (2020). Sexual Violence Against Women and the Old Testament Law. Thinking Biblically Blog and Podcast. Biola University. https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2020/sexual-violence-against-women
Dr. Rabbi David Resnick (2021) The Captive Woman at the Intersection of War and Family Laws. TheTorah.com. https://thetorah.com/article/the-captive-woman-at-the-intersection-of-war-and-family-laws
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Numbers 19-20, Deuteronomy 19-20, and Psalm 101. This is a story where we remember and see a specific application of atonement with sacrificial blood, a waiting period when a person is unclean, which is different from sinfulness, but rather a closeness with death, and the remedy is time and the bathing of water. We read about Miriam and Aaron’s death. We read about Moses and Aaron not having enough trust to honor God’s way in response to providing for the people of Israel. This results in both Moses and Aaron being kept from the promised land. Aaron’s successor is his son Eleazar. We are also reminded in this story of the distinction between war with the evil and dangerous Canaanites and other enemies. Moses tells of God’s kindness in making a way home for the soldiers who have new homes, new crops, a new wife, or are fainthearted and how this prevents a disheartening within the troops. The approach to this type of war is first an offer of peace, if not accepted war, death to the soldiers upon victory, and the integration of everyone and everything else into their own economy upon victory with a note of preservation to the trees. There is a separation of powers happening in this story where power is being decentralized with accountability happening through a process. The chiefs of tribes have elders who are being appointed as judges and there are priests and protestors of the priesthood. There is God who is first and central with specific details being offered on murder with intent vs accidental, the importance of more than one witness, thorough investigation of accusations, and a warning against false witness.
Resources:
Dr. Millar, Gary (2023) A Deuteronomy Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/deuteronomy/
Adrian Reynolds (2023) A Numbers Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/numbers/#section-14
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Numbers 18, Deuteronomy 18, and Psalm 100. This story is about Yahweh dividing and clarifying power, provision, and process; clarifying ways to be more just with checks and balances. In this story, we zoom into the Levites with a distinction made between Aaron and his sons and descendants as priests and the other Levites as guardians and protectors of the priesthood and between the priesthood and the people. We read that the Levite's inheritance is not land but God himself. We look to this model as a permanent reminder that the exclusive priesthood is a reminder of our one and only exclusive God. We read that God will directly provide for the Levites by sharing the provisions from the offerings and tithing. We read that Yahweh God is giving the Israelites what they want, for now, He will give a prophet to them and Deuteronomy 18, vs 18 is thought by many to be referring to Jesus as the prophet that will be raised the one that God will give His words to and the one who will tell them of His commands. Deuteronomy 19 talks about the difference between accidental and intentional murder and the subsequent response; it also talks about the need for more than one witness and a process where God himself, the priest, and judges are to take part in determining accusations of guilt. The judges are also to thoroughly investigate and there are serious consequences for false witnesses.
Resources:
Dr. Millar, Gary (2023) A Deuteronomy Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/deuteronomy/
Adrian Reynolds (2023) A Numbers Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/numbers/#section-14
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
This is the weekend review and reflection challenge. We'll be back on Monday! If you need to catch up, the weekend gives you the chance to do that. Remember, you can start whenever, pause whenever, but never stop listening (or reading) the Bible!
Reflection challenge question: What is one or two things you learned this week from listening to the Bible that you can put into practice in your life today?
Don’t forget, you can subscribe to our show wherever you are podcasting to get notifications to remind you on Monday that the show has been posted! Subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing our show also helps to organically grow our channel and make it easier for people to find us! Thanks for listening and we look forward to being back with you next week.
Today we read Numbers 17, Deuteronomy 17, and Psalm 99. It starts with a story in Numbers of God showing signs of wonder in response to the jealousy of the tribal chiefs. God makes it clear that Aaron and his sons from the tribe of Levi are the priests. This is not a shared role with other forms of leadership. In Deuteronomy, a politically charged scroll, we read about Yahweh claiming the highest role of leadership, with the law acting as a constitution in the sense that every other leader is accountable to it and Him. Divisions of power and warnings against kings and if kings then God will choose, they will be Israelite, and they must not accumulate wives, horses, or gold and silver, for these will turn the head and steal the heart.
Resources:
Dr. Zehnder, Markus (2019) Violence against the Canaanites in Deuteronomy and Joshua Reconsidered. Biola University Good Book Blog. Retrieved from: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/good-book-blog/2019/violence-against-the-canaanites-in-deuteronomy-and-joshua-reconsidered
Wazana, Nili (2016). The Law of the King (Deuteronomy 17:14–20)
in the Light of Empire and Destruction (A Chapter In Another Book)
Dr. Millar, Gary (2023) A Deuteronomy Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/deuteronomy/
Adrian Reynolds (2023) A Numbers Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/numbers/#section-14
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Numbers 16, Deuteronomy 16, and Psalm 98. It starts with another story of rebellions followed by intercession and God’s justice and mercy. We are reminded of the strategies to avoid drift and the hardening of our hearts; follow God’s rhythm, remember, keep the story close to your heart and soul, use our strength to practice gratitude for all God has done, is doing, and promises to do, for the blessing and role He has given us, joy brings strength to our hearts and souls, it brings a desire to trust and respond. In Deuteronomy 16:16 we are reminded about the link between grace, strength, joy, and thanksgiving; we are reminded that God wants us to give with a joyful heart. In Deuteronomy 16:17 we are reminded that God have us a portion of authority, power, and blessing and wants us - in proportion to the blessing - to give and be a blessing. In Deuteronomy 16:18, we are reminded that God gave mankind, in this story Moses, the task of establishing judges and executive authority.
Resources:
Voskamp, Ann. (2012). One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right where You are. Thorndike Press
Voskamp, Ann and Theology of Work Interview: https://www.theologyofwork.org/the-high-calling/blog/dont-worry-be-thankful-eucharisteo-ann-voskamp/
Abrams, D. C., Lama, D., Tutu, D. (2016). The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World. United States: Penguin Canada.
Dr. Millar, Gary (2023) A Deuteronomy Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/deuteronomy/
Adrian Reynolds (2023) A Numbers Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/numbers/#section-14
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Numbers 15, Deuteronomy 15, and Psalm 97. This is a story of cost and the way God makes to restore and redeem. It is also a story that echoes creation and expands on the commands given in Exodus and Leviticus. Here in this story, we are getting a reminder that to sin will happen at the individual and corporate community level. There is a cost to sin and the only way to atonement is through God’s design. There is also a sin where the heart is hard and there is an adversarial intent, the desire is exile from God, exile leads to death, and God will allow us to pull away into self-exile.
Resources:
Dr. Millar, Gary (2023) A Deuteronomy Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/deuteronomy/
Adrian Reynolds (2023) A Numbers Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/numbers/#section-14
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Numbers 14, Deuteronomy 14, and Psalm 96. Today we read about more rebellion and the importance of remembering to mitigate to protect against a heart dislocation that leads to rebellion and the subsequent cost - alienation. We also read about the importance of distinctiveness in putting God on display in the context of society where other religions and the people that follow them are watching and comparing their ways to Yahweh God and how you or we put Him on display.
Resources:
Dr. Millar, Gary (2023) A Deuteronomy Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/deuteronomy/
Adrian Reynolds (2023) A Numbers Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/numbers/#section-14
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Numbers 12-13, Deuteronomy 12-3, and Psalm 95. Numbers 12 is an important reminder to use a position God gave to serve and not complain. Numbers 12 is also an important reminder to intercede when someone is suffering. Numbers 12 is also a reminder that God is just, but He also offers grace and restoration. Numbers 13 hold suspension as the Israelites are sent on an exploration to return with samples and a report of the promised land. Yet, when they return they tell a story of fear and doom with no remembrance of God’s promises. Yikes! Deuteronomy 12 is a reminder that God directs the “how” of worship and Deuteronomy 12 is a reminder that He is the only God we are to worship. A major theme in Deuteronomy is “place” , a special place and what the people are to do in this place.
Resources:
Sandra Richter, PhD. The Place of the “Name” in Deuteronomy. Southeastern Seminary YouTube. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5uV__fSAcQ
Dr. Millar, Gary (2023) A Deuteronomy Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/deuteronomy/
Adrian Reynolds (2023) A Numbers Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/numbers/#section-14
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
This is the weekend review and reflection challenge. We'll be back on Monday! If you need to catch up, the weekend gives you the chance to do that. Remember, you can start whenever, pause whenever, but never stop listening (or reading) the Bible!
Reflection challenge question: What is one or two things you learned this week from listening to the Bible that you can put into practice in your life today?
Don’t forget, you can subscribe to our show wherever you are podcasting to get notifications to remind you on Monday that the show has been posted! Subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing our show also helps to organically grow our channel and make it easier for people to find us! Thanks for listening and we look forward to being back with you next week.
Today we read Numbers 11, Deuteronomy 11, and Psalm 94. This story captures the first generation leaving Mount Sinai and at the first micro-discomfort, they complain and desire the advisary over Yahweh God who rescued them. They want to eat from and at the hand of the advisary than from God, the creator and deliver of food, redemption, and the promised land. Even Moses and Joshua struggle with complaining. Then in Deuteronomy, Moses is reminding the second generation of the importance of Shema - loving the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength; obeying wholeheartedly. The story ends with a reminder of the choice and what’s at stake. Choose God and His blessing and purpose or do not; there is no blessing in the absence of God. It’s like being back in the Garden of Eden, follow God and flourish in the Garden of Eden or morally defect and be alienated and dislocated from Him and flourishing.
Today we read Numbers 10, Deuteronomy 10, and Psalm 93. This story is about a circumcision of the heart. The word “love” is used more here in the book of Deuteronomy than any other book in the Old Testament. We are reminded that transformation will require God’s relentless grace and our present choice to undergo revision through God’s redemptive restoration mission. Is the next generation of Israelites ready? Will they hold steadfast? God is in full pursuit, promise and blessing in-tact, forewarnings given that they will/we will be tempted to rebellion and that they will/will we morally defect? What is our greatest defense? Draw near to God’s details, remember, let it stir in us and keep our hearts soft, in response giving “shema” all of ourselves (heart, soul, and strength) to God. This is the way.
Resources:
Dr. Ben Tertin, Dr. Tim Mackie, and Cheree Hayes (2022) What Does the Book of Numbers Teach Us?Trusting God in the Wilderness. Editors: Kenzie Halbert-Howen and Nina Simone. BibleProject Blog. Producer: Brand Witty. https://bibleproject.com/blog/what-does-the-book-numbers-teach-us/
Dr. Mackie, Tim and Collins, John (2017). Deuteronomy Q&R (48 minute podcast). https://bibleproject.com/podcast/deuteronomy-q-r/
Dr. Millar, Gary (2023) A Deuteronomy Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/deuteronomy/
Dr.David Ben-Gad HaCohen (n.d.) Why Deuteronomy Has an Account of Aaron's Death in the Wrong Place. TheTorah.com https://www.thetorah.com/article/why-deuteronomy-has-an-account-of-aarons-death-in-the-wrong-place
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Numbers 8-9, Deuteronomy 8-9, and Psalm 92. In this story, we discuss how Deuteronomy uses the word “love” the most in the Old Testament and the second most frequent in the entire Bible. The book of John in the New Testament used the word “love” the most overall. We discuss how the Hebrew term Shema introduced in Deuteronomy 6:4 and discussed again here means to love the Lord your God with all your heart, souls, and strength. We discuss what that means and now it relates to when Jesus discusses the Shema in Matthew and Mark, how it’s similar but “mind” is introduced and then added. We discuss how the story of Numbers and Deuteronomy is tethered to the entire Pentateuch or Torah whenever it is referred to by other speakers in the Bible such as Ezra and Nehemiah. In Hebrew, the first words of each book taken together would be In the beginning (Genesis,), departure (Exodus), He called (Leviticus), in the wilderness (Numbers), words (Deuteronomy).
Resources:
Dr. Ben Tertin, Dr. Tim Mackie, and Cheree Hayes (2022) What Does the Book of Numbers Teach Us?Trusting God in the Wilderness. Editors: Kenzie Halbert-Howen and Nina Simone. BibleProject Blog. Producer: Brand Witty. https://bibleproject.com/blog/what-does-the-book-numbers-teach-us/
Dr. Mackie, Tim and Collins, John (2017). Deuteronomy Q&R (48 minute podcast). https://bibleproject.com/podcast/deuteronomy-q-r/
Dr. Millar, Gary (2023) A Deuteronomy Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/deuteronomy/
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Numbers 7, Deuteronomy 7, and Psalms 91. We read about leadership giving what is asked and more and God speaking to Moses. We read about the pattern of God architecting the victory in the rescue mission and that we are not only expected to listen, but respond appropriately. Yet, we are warned in this story about two temptations of our hearts towards the belief that God’s goodness is not enough so we need to take and the belief that God himself is not enough so we are a better option to lead. It's Genesis 3 reminders. The warnings remain. The warning is that without guides - “covenantal listening with gratitude not entitlement” and guardrails against these temptations that Israel, we are in jeopardy of walking away from “THE” story, the purpose we are made for, the relationship we were made to be in with God, each-other, and creation. Big important stuff!
Resources:
Dr. Millar, Gary (2023) A Deuteronomy Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/deuteronomy/
Dr. Keller, Timothy. Prodigal God.
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Numbers 6, Deuteronomy 6, and Psalm 90. This story is about taking vows, a reminder of God’s promises and what it means to listen and lean into the way to not only be blessed but be a blessing to others. Numbers 6 reminds me of what the story is all about, our role and purpose, to give God the best of us, to yield to Him in becoming a kingdom of priests for the purpose of becoming a living representative blessing to others by bearing God’s name. Deuteronomy reminds us that leadership starts with listening and leaning in to understand wholeheartedly and then moving from awareness through associative knowledge to attachment, loyalty, and obedient activity.
Dr. Millar, Gary (2023) A Deuteronomy Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/deuteronomy/
Pollard, William (1996) The Soul of the Firm. HarperBusiness
Cody Carnes and Kari Jobe (2020). The Blessing "Live" From Home. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZJFHh93FGc
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
This is the weekend review and reflection challenge. We'll be back on Monday! If you need to catch up, the weekend gives you the chance to do that. Remember, you can start whenever, pause whenever, but never stop listening (or reading) the Bible!
Reflection challenge question: What is one or two things you learned this week from listening to the Bible that you can put into practice in your life today?
Don’t forget, you can subscribe to our show wherever you are podcasting to get notifications to remind you on Monday that the show has been posted! Subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing our show also helps to organically grow our channel and make it easier for people to find us! Thanks for listening and we look forward to being back with you next week.
Today we read Numbers 5, Deuteronomy 5, and Psalm 89. We are reminded in this story of God’s holiness and our need for restitution. We are given a story about a jealous husband and God’s way of bringing justice before Him as the judge. We also read about God’s jealousy and we are reminded of the covenant and his message on how we are to live, will we listen and obey? Will we live into our God-given purpose and blessing?
Resources:
Dr. Sandra Richter and Dr. Scott Rae. (August, 2020). Sexual Violence Against Women and the OT Law. Biola Think Biblically Podcast https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2020/sexual-violence-against-women
Dr. Sandra Richter and Dr. Scott Preston. Does the Old Testament Dehumanize Women? Theology in the Raw Podcast. https://theologyintheraw.com/podcast/814-does-the-old-testament-dehumanize-women-dr-sandy-richter/
Dr. Millar, Gary (2023) A Deuteronomy Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/deuteronomy/
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Numbers 4, Deuteronomy 4, and Psalm 88. This is a story about the story. We talk about Moses and Joshua. The Garden of Eden, Mount Sinai, and the Promised Land. There is a cost and there is a total crushing victory that must take place. What if a peace that passes all understanding is actually letting go of understanding? What if self-control means to actually let go of our control and trusting in God? There is a difference between control and influence. There is a difference between wanting to understand and having to. There is a difference between peace and comfort. The story is not comfortable it is full of human moral defection over and over again. Even when God keeps providing, pursuing, rescuing, revealing, redeeming, restoring - grace. What is our response going to be to this type of grace? Can we put our trust in God’s voice, the voice that came out of the fire and performed so many wonders. The God who comes close to us in relationship. Can we respond with faithful listening and action? Can we fully step into the plan and role God has for us? Can we be in right relationship with God? That is where light and promise, where God lives and calls to us. Yet, He also promises to listen when we pull away and rescue us, if we will but only ask. He is a jealous God, we have a choice to make.
Resources:
Dr. Millar, Gary (2023) A Deuteronomy Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/deuteronomy/
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Numbers 3, Deuteronomy 3, and Psalm 87. The story in Numbers is a continuation of the organization of the encampment where the Levitical tribe will surround the tabernacle in the center and be in charge of its care. This story is tethered to the last part of Exodus where the law and preparations are still being given and Mount Sinai to the people in preparation for their trip to and entrance into the promised land. It’s interesting to note that Yahweh is accepting the tribe of Levi as the representative “first” son when Levi was the third son of Jacob and Leah. We also read more in Deuteronomy about how God fights for us and He asks us to all stand together and be a part of the resistance, the purpose, and the rescue mission. The story describes how there is total victory in the pursuit and response to following God’s plan. It’s anticipating what was stated in Genesis 3:15, a descendent of Eve, which we know is Jesus, is coming and He will crush the head (total victory) over the adversary. We discuss how the Hebrew phrasing and language used by Moses in his speech may be emphasizing this fact more than stating the Israelites participation in the total annihilation of their enemies. The point seems to be that we put our trust in God and He will deliver us, giving us total victory over the adversary. We also read about how Moses will not be entering the promise land and that Moses will play a role in the succession leadership training for Joshua who will take the people into the promise land.
Resources:
Millar, Gary (2023) A Deuteronomy Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/deuteronomy/
The classic work on this subject is by K. Lawson Younger, Ancient Conquest Accounts, JSOTS 98 (Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1990)
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Numbers 2, Deuteronomy 2, and Psalm 86. This is a story of wilderness where the people take a step towards God as He calls and then two steps back and then a step forward, and so on. It is also a story of organization and leadership with God at the center. Yet, God is still allowing and responding to the portion of power and authority God gave mankind to self-organize and rule. However, He still wants the ultimate authority to rest in the relationship, in our trust in Him. God not only wants our grit but our wholehearted gratitude with the orientation of our heart on the mission, relationship, trust in His promise and blessing for the purpose of being a blessing and being a part of the rescue mission at hand.
Resources:
Matthew Henry. Commentary on Numbers. Blue Letter Bible Organization. https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/mhc/Num/Num_002.cfm
Millar, Gary (2023) A Deuteronomy Commentary, The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/deuteronomy/
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Numbers 1, Deuteronomy 1, and Psalm 85. We start two new, but connected stories: Numbers and Deuteronomy. These are the last two books of the Torah. The Torah (law) is the Jewish way of describing the first 5 scrolls of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Many Christian and Catholic scholars refer to these same first 5 scrolls of the Hebrew Scripture as the Pentateuch. Many believe these were written or were mostly written and master edited by Moses. However, some point to the fact that he may not have been the one to write about his death, which we will read about at the end of Deuteronomy, specifically chapter 34. Today's discussion will review the entire connected story so far and zoom out to describe the whole book of Numbers and Deuteronomy and then zoom into the first chapter of Numbers.
Resources:
Dr. Mackie, Tim, Book Overviews (6 minutes and 51 seconds) https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/numbers/
Solomon, Marty and Billings, Brent (2017). Lead with Your Voice. Book of Numbers. (46 minutes and 15 seconds) https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/30
Solomon, Marty and Billings, Brent (2017). Remember Where You Came From. Deuteronomy. (40 minutes and 45 seconds). https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/31
The Gospel Coalition. Introduction to Numbers. The ESV Story and Crossway Partnership. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/course/numbers/#outline
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
This is the weekend review and reflection challenge. We'll be back on Monday! If you need to catch up, the weekend gives you the chance to do that. Remember, you can start whenever, pause whenever, but never stop listening (or reading) the Bible!
Reflection challenge question: What is one or two things you learned this week from listening to the Bible that you can put into practice in your life today?
Don’t forget, you can subscribe to our show wherever you are podcasting to get notifications to remind you on Monday that the show has been posted! Subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing our show also helps to organically grow our channel and make it easier for people to find us! Thanks for listening and we look forward to being back with you next week.
Today we read Exodus 39-40, Leviticus 27, and Psalm 84. We concluded the two part saga of Exodus where first Moses was delivered and commissioned and then the Hebrew people were delivered and commissioned. We zoomed in on God’s visible presence which fills and guides His people. All of the rescue, redemption, and restoration with socio-cultural guardrails are for the purpose of God coming physically close to us in a sacred space. This echoes back to creation! In summary, the story of Exodus, they are freed from slavery and then in Leviticus they understand more about what they are freed for - to become a kingdom of priests (e.g., Exodus 19:6, 1 Peter 2:9, Revelations 1:6) - to be blessed and to bless others. While history might note that people freed from oppression often become a new type of oppressor, here in these stories God is putting up guardrails for the people to keep them from becoming a new type of oppressor. Then Brent Billings and Marty Solomon from the BEMA project describe the story of Leviticus as also a two part story where the first half is about me/us approaching God. The second half is about me/us helping others find their way to or find their way back to God for the purpose of dwelling with Him. And here we end the story of Exodus and Leviticus.
Resources:
Dr. Carmen Imes, Exodus Class - Exodus 1-40, (14 hours) Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/classroom/overview/exodus-overview/
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings (March, 2017), A Kingdom of What? (40 minutes), Retrieved from https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/25
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Exodus 37-38, Leviticus 26, and Psalm 83. It’s a story about developing our followership and responding well to being voluntold by a God we love what we need to do and at the same time also developing our leadership and volunteering muscles to respond to our hearts stirring to give our physical resources, our talent, and expertise to God’s Kingdom purposes. There is a charitable adventure that awaits, but at the same time, there is a required first-mile sacrifice. Delivery and discovery are both parts of the transformation process and being a blessing, putting God on display and participating in creation care. This story is teaching us of the importance of delivering the required first mile (ref: Simone of Cyrene in Matthew, Mark, and Luke) - give God the required sacrifice in the way He is calling for the steps towards restoration for the purpose of Him dwelling with us. Second, the story is teaching us about what Jesus also talks about on the Sermon on the Mount, the second mile, seeing a need, listening for it, and giving our valuable resources and talents to and for God's purposes.
Resources:
Father Mike Schmitz and Jeff Cavins, Bible in a Year, Ascension Press. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bible-in-a-year-with-fr-mike-schmitz/id1539568321
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Exodus 35-36, Leviticus 25, and Psalm 82. In this part of the story, Exodus 35 to 40 is about God resolving alienation. The people are all participating, fulfilling, and implementing the plan, not innovating or picking their own adventure. There is a redeeming sort of action going on with redirection of creative energy from golden calf to creating the Tabernacle. Where the people broke the commands in the last story and broke the command in the Garden of Eden which led to the breaking of our dwelling with God, here in Exodus, we are reading yet again, how God is making a way for us to restore our relationship. What a gracious God, it’s truly unbelievable.
Resources:
Dr. Carmen Imes, Exodus Class - Exodus 1-40, (14 hours) Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/classroom/overview/exodus-overview/
Dr. Scott Rae (2014). Thoughts on the Old Testament and Economics. Biola, the Good Book Blog. https://www.biola.edu/blogs/good-book-blog/2014/thoughts-on-the-old-testament-and-economics
Dr. Sandra Richter and Dr. Scott Rae (August, 2020). Sexual Violence Against Women and the OT Law, Think Biblically Podcast, Biola. https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2020/sexual-violence-against-women
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Exodus 33-34, Leviticus 24, and Psalm 81. In this story, we read about a state of jeopardy. We read how Moses interceded between God and Israel. We read how God will maintain His promises but we also read how the perpetual, immediate betrayals affect our relationship with Him. We read about God’s immutable characters in Exodus 34:6-7, one of the most cited passages in the entire Bible. We make a distinction between mercy, which is NOT niceness and justice, which is NOT aggression. In this story we learn about the importance and the effect of pursuing the presence of God. We become what we behold. We are what we love. God’s presence leads to a type of transformation that results in radiance. So cool!
Resources:
Dr. Tim Mackie and John Collins. Visual Commentary: Exodus 34:6-7 (6 minutes) https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/character-of-god-exodus/
Dr. Barry Corey. (2016). The Radical Call of Kindness, Why the church must recover Christian compassion in an age of incivilityBiola Magazine. Retrieved from: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/biola-magazine/2016/the-radical-call-of-kindness
Dr. Barry, Corey, Love Kindness: Discover the Power of a Forgotten Christian Virtue, Tyndale House Publishers, March 2016.
Dr. Carmen Imes, Exodus Class - Exodus 1-40, (14 hours) Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/classroom/overview/exodus-overview/
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Exodus 32, Leviticus 23, and Psalm 80. This is the famous story of the golden calf. As Father Mike Schmitz says, it starts with uncertainty. Dr. Brene Brown describes how some see faith and reason as natural enemies when certainty is the enemy of both. When we want certainty we cannot reason well, we are more likely to seek to support whatever outcome we are hoping for, in the academic world we often refer to this as a confirmation bias - where you search only for the answers that support the outcome you’ve already assumed is correct. Alternatively, certainty is also the enemy of faith, if faith moves from being certain of what you do not see to uncertain because you cannot see. This story challenges the reader to consider how we respond to uncertainty and or desire for certainty? Do we wait in the story God gave us for the when and what to do next, or do we try to take control instead of reign and rest in our role as representatives?
Resources:
Dr. Carmen Imes, Exodus Class - Exodus 1-40, (14 hours) Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/classroom/overview/exodus-overview/
Father Mike Schmitz, Bible in a Year
Keller, Timothy. (2008) The Prodigal God. Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith. https://www.amazon.com/Prodigal-God-Recovering-Heart-Christian/dp/1594484023
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
This is the weekend review and reflection challenge. We'll be back on Monday! If you need to catch up, the weekend gives you the chance to do that. Remember, you can start whenever, pause whenever, but never stop listening (or reading) the Bible!
Reflection challenge question: What is one or two things you learned this week from listening to the Bible that you can put into practice in your life today?
Don’t forget, you can subscribe to our show wherever you are podcasting to get notifications to remind you on Monday that the show has been posted! Subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing our show also helps to organically grow our channel and make it easier for people to find us! Thanks for listening and we look forward to being back with you next week.
Today we read Exodus 30-31, Leviticus 22, and Psalm 115. This story in Exodus is the end of the Lord’s 7 speeches to Moses with echoes to creation, ending with the vital importance of honoring the Sabbath. There is mention in this story of how God can fill with wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and all kinds of skills to make artistic designs for the purpose of setting apart, making holy. In the story of Leviticus we are also ending the part of the story that discusses holiness, how God creates a way, the cost, and importance of setting apart and putting God first.
Resources:
Dr. Carmen Imes, Exodus Class - Exodus 1-40, (14 hours) Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/classroom/overview/exodus-overview/
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Exodus 29, Leviticus 21, and Psalm 119:89-176. This story is about being chosen for something without earning or deserving it. This story is about foreshadowing the chosen one, Jesus. This is a story about the holiness and the holy one in contrast to the gap, the alienation and dislocation we have from God without a God-designed sacrifice, atonement, and intercession of epic proportions. This is a story about process and guidelines, a threshold where God gives the holiest of sacrifices, the most perfect and He covers us, His blood redeems and He anoints us with this blessing of restoration, renewal, and vocation to bless others. Putting God on display, helping others navigate their way to their atonement and anointing, to pray in intercession on others behalf, and to give our best first to God and sharing what we have with those in need.
Resources:
Dr. Carmen Imes, Exodus Class - Exodus 1-40, (14 hours) Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/classroom/overview/exodus-overview/
Dr. Carmen Imes, (May, 2021) Torah Tuesday Leviticus 21-22 https://youtu.be/HdwKBYTlkPI (7 minutes and 12 seconds)
Dr. Tim Mackie (July, 2020) Leviticus | The Bible in 5 (6 minutes) Bible Nerds https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFA5Q3otg-I
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Exodus 27-28, Leviticus 20, and Psalms 119:1-88. This story is a part of the Exodus 25-31 story which is filled with echoes of creation, Dr. Tim Mackie describes it like a portable Garden of Eden with a tabernacle, a tent, priestly garments and specific processes. There is both simplicity and royalty in this story. There is the ascribing of a tribe without primogeniture or experience (Levitical priests) and the recruitment of skilled craftsmen - both the novice and the skilled are needed in service to God as indicated in Genesis 1:26-28 and Genesis 2. This story discusses the construction and “putting on” of priestly garments which has echoes to Genesis 3 where God put a garment on Adam and Eve, both may be reflecting that we cannot cover our own sin of our own doing in our own way on our own recognizance. What, how, and who we are covered by is God’s decision, in God’s way. In this episode we also zoom out and review where we are in the Exodus story. In reading Psalms 119:1-88, we are given some heart, thought, and behavioral fidelity from King David as we continue to read Levitical laws given to the Israelites and the severity of not following God’s guidelines for living and representing Him well.
Resources:
Dr. Carmen Imes, Exodus Class - Exodus 1-40, (14 hours) Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/classroom/overview/exodus-overview/
Dr. Tim Mackie and Jon Collins, Exodus Summary (6 minutes and 33 seconds). Bible Project. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH_aojNJM3E
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Exodus 25-26, Leviticus 19, and Psalms 79. This story echoes the creation story with numerous connections between the Garden of Eden (Gen 2) and the Tabernacle of the Temple (Exodus 25-31). It’s a post-rescue “get faith fit challenge,” a story of the people of Israel's restoration call to action. God acts in faith towards us and hints towards the faith for us He will provide in the placement of the two tablets. God does not destroy or deconstruct all of their cultures with the laws, but the Scripture, including this story was written for us and not to us, the laws are specifically seeking to address boundaries - do’s and don’ts - that reflect God’s immutable character better for the internal purpose of flourishing and the external purpose of putting God on display. The laws seek to restore and redeem from cultural alienation and dislocations from where they were (Egypt), where they are (nomadic, newly arrived at the base of Mount Sinai), and their neighbors around them (e.g. Canaanites).
Resources:
Dr. Carmen Imes, Exodus Class - Exodus 1-40, (14 hours) Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/classroom/overview/exodus-overview/
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Exodus 24, Leviticus 17-18, and Psalms 78. This story is about new beginnings, a transformation story, a personal and intimate “I do,” and a radical shift in behavior that puts God on display and is in sharp contrast to neighboring cultures and past experiences.
Resources:
Dr. Carmen Imes, Exodus Class - Exodus 1-40, (14 hours) Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/classroom/overview/exodus-overview/
Spoken Gospel (Levitus 17-18)| Blood and Sex| Bible Study (Feb 20, 2020). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dlz3SWOkzBE&t=120s
Father Mike Schmitz, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bible-in-a-year-with-fr-mike-schmitz/id1539568321
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Credits
This is the weekend review and reflection challenge. We'll be back on Monday! If you need to catch up, the weekend gives you the chance to do that. Remember, you can start whenever, pause whenever, but never stop listening (or reading) the Bible!
Reflection challenge question: What is one or two things you learned this week from listening to the Bible that you can put into practice in your life today?
Don’t forget, you can subscribe to our show wherever you are podcasting to get notifications to remind you on Monday that the show has been posted! Subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing our show also helps to organically grow our channel and make it easier for people to find us! Thanks for listening and we look forward to being back with you next week.
Today we read Exodus 23, Leviticus 16, and Psalms 77. This story is about justice and grace.
Resources:
Dr. Carmen Imes, Exodus Class - Exodus 1-40, (14 hours) Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/classroom/overview/exodus-overview/
Dr. Tim Mackie and John Collins. Bible Project Podcast Episode 6. What is the Day of Atonement? https://bibleproject.com/podcast/what-day-atonement/
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Exodus 21-22, Leviticus 15, and Psalms 76. This is a story about God’s guidelines towards more justice and care to represent Him well and flourish as individuals and in community. This is a story about the gap between where we have drifted to post-Genesis 2 and what is necessary to be a place where a holy God can dwell with us. Post-Genesis 2, God has responded to our alienation, dislocation, and drift into darkness with a flood, dispersion, fire, a family covenant and circumcision, an exodus with a passover, and now instruction, guidelines towards restoration. The story is not where God sends a flood, fire, or plagues, to start over and to free His people. In this story, God is starting right where the people are and leaning into the messiness and complexity of increasing justice and fairness, restoring the way His people rule, work, care, and subdue in the culture and community they have created. It’s a new type of project and it requires a careful look. The laws begin to highlight God’s character where He is seeking to reduce human exploitation and regulate less than ideal situations. God is seeking to protect the more vulnerable and limit the oppressive application of power. Yet, it is so interesting that God did not deconstruct and reconstruct the entire culture with more than 613 laws. Instead, He gives just the amount He wants where 80% are designed to lift up the poor, the widows, orphans, slaves, and women who were the most vulnerable in the patriarchal ancient culture of the Israelites. The laws are best understood in and through their relationship with the New Testament and what Jesus did and said in relation to the Old Testament. It’s so cool.
Resources:
Dr. Carmen Imes, Exodus Class - Exodus 1-40, (14 hours) Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/classroom/overview/exodus-overview/
Dr. Carmen Imes (2019). Bearing God’s Name, Why Sinai Still Matters? InterVarsity Press
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Exodus 20, Leviticus 14, and Psalms 75. This part of Exodus is a story about boundaries that come after commitment. The law was given to the people of Israel after God had rescued them and commissioned them. The law also gives the people instructions on what it means to bear God’s name and represent Him well in the flourishing of their lives and the way others can see who God is in how they live their lives. This part of Leviticus continues to highlight our mortality and the risk of death in the presence of skin disease and mold. It results in separation and sacrifice. Then we also remember how the New Testament offers a testament of Jesus who in Luke 5:12-14 touches a man with skin disease who wanted to be clean and he was. Jesus chose to come into the world through childbirth and in Matthew, Mark, and Luke it re[ports how Jesus allowed a woman who was bleeding for years to touch Him and be healed, commending her faith in public and calling her daughter. God is claiming us as His and as His people, designed for that purpose, He knows the only place where we will thrive in creation and flourish in community is in representing Him.
Resources:
Dr. Carmen Imes, Exodus Class - Exodus 1-40, (14 hours) Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/classroom/overview/exodus-overview/
Dr. Tim Mackie and John Collins. Image of God. Bible Project (6 minutes and 17 seconds) https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/image-of-god/
Dr. Carmen Imes (2019). Bearing God’s Name, Why Sinai Still Matters? InterVarsity Press
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Exodus 19, Leviticus 13, and Psalm 74. This is a story about being commissioned as a nation of Israel to God. It is the end of the wilderness and God calling the nation into a covenant. God is acknowledging that the whole earth is His, but that this nation is being called for Him to be a Kingdom of Priests and a Holy Nation. A new identity and vocation, the one that closely reflects Genesis 2 is now being given to the Hebrew people, who are now the nation of Israel. The verse that says we will be God’s treasured possession is a Hebrew word, segullah that even the other ancient languages knew to mean a personal treasury of a king with a special responsibility to represent the sovereignty. We make connections to the people of Israel and the New Testament where Peter explains the righteous remnant, those keeping God’s covenant, which include multiple ethnicities in a pagan society will be acquired as God’s treasure - so cool. We also continue to read in Leviticus how rituals are in place to differentiate the parts of humanity related to mortality and death separate from what God is - immortality and life itself.
Resources:
Dr. Carmen Imes, Exodus Class - Exodus 1-40, (14 hours) Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/classroom/overview/exodus-overview/
Dr. Carmen Imes (2019). Bearing God’s Name, Why Sinai Still Matters? InterVarsity Press
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Exodus 17-18, Leviticus 12, and Psalms 73. This is a story about the time and space between something we left and somewhere or something we are becoming. The wilderness can be a place of growth or a place of rebellion and ingratitude. It is meaningful to note that God’s response to the people’s lack of trust and ungratefulness is reassurance and provision. There are contrasts being made between their work for Pharaoh and their cycle of work and rest where God provides instead of us providing for a false-god - Pharoah. This is also a story which highlights the leadership God appointed and the leadership innovations the people make to be and become a more sustainable community of God, a Kingdom of Priests.
This is the weekend review and reflection challenge. We'll be back on Monday! If you need to catch up, the weekend gives you the chance to do that. Remember, you can start whenever, pause whenever, but never stop listening (or reading) the Bible!
Reflection challenge question: What is one or two things you learned this week from listening to the Bible that you can put into practice in your life today?
Don’t forget, you can subscribe to our show wherever you are podcasting to get notifications to remind you on Monday that the show has been posted! Subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing our show also helps to organically grow our channel and make it easier for people to find us! Thanks for listening and we look forward to being back with you next week.
Today we read Exodus 15-16, Leviticus, 11, and Psalm 71. This story takes us to that liminal space between going and coming into something new. This is a story of God fighting for us. This is a story about a brother, Moses, and a sister, Miriam, leading the Israelites in a song, a song about the sea. It is a story just after a rescue where freedom is made complete when God ends the imminent threat of re-enslavement by the Egyptians. We read about God’s victory, justice, reputation, creation, and the purpose is being made clear, we are going to a place where God and us can be together, always. It is a story of God's presence and provision in liminal spaces and seasons. He is beginning the process of helping His people let go of the old and trust in Him for food - echoes of the Tree of Life from Genesis. It’s a story of God’s great care for us and His patience. It’s the beginning of Levitical laws on purity and holiness, it also echoes back to moral accountability, the “do not eat from the Tree of Knowledge” policy given to us in Genesis 2. God is asking to be the Lord of our lives, what are His people going to do?
Resources:
Dr. Carmen Imes, Exodus Class - Exodus 1-40, (14 hours) Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/classroom/overview/exodus-overview/
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Exodus 13-14, Leviticus 10, and Psalms 53. In this story, we read about the actual Exodus. The journey out of Egypt through the “Sea of Reeds.” We discuss a lot of the details of this story such as the meaning of the word glory, the symmetry in a heavy plague and a heavy heart, and the number of people in the new nation of Israel, and we begin to see the importance of how to follow God in the way He designed in a consistent and cohesive way.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings (Feb, 2017), A Strengthened Heart (35 minutes), Retrieved from https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/19
Give an overview of the book of Leviticus.
Transcript for BEMA 19
Dr. Tim Mackie and John Collins, https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/exodus-1-18/
Fretheim, Terence (Nov. 2016) The Reclamation of Creation: Redemption and Law in Exodus. Volume 45, Issue 4 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/002096430004500403
Dr. Carmen Imes, Exodus Class - Exodus 1-40, (14 hours) Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/classroom/overview/exodus-overview/
Dr. Haley Goranson Jacob (2019) Bible Project Podcast. Destined for Glory. https://bibleproject.com/podcast/destined-glory/
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Exodus 12, Leviticus 9, and Psalms 114. This is a messy story that is confronting, it requires a choice that has a cost. God is claiming all the first borns and the choice is to allow the Lord to pay the debt or pay the debt in full - death. This story forces the decision, do we cling to our idols and or ways or do we surrender to the rescuer and allow God to redeem and restore us in His recruitment of us back into the story as a kingdom of priests to put God on display, reflect His reputation by helping other navigate their atonement, give to those in need, stand in the gap with intercessory prayers and not stand in the way of others or cause them to stumble away from the Lord. This story brings home that His calls to action are with intention and He makes a way for everyone who is willing to leave their idols, the things that enslave them behind, for His restoration, redemption, and recruitment into a brand ambassadorship we were custom made for by God himself. We are not being freed for freedom's sake but called, recruited, into the vocation we were custom made for, in a story that is still unfolding today. We were made for purpose. God is willing to pay the cost to have us back, but we must decide, Him first, or something else? Imagine we are like a child that refuses to put their coat on and goes out into the cold, God will keep carrying our coat and walking alongside us, asking us to put the coat on, but if we refuse, there is a cost, our bodies will eventually give way and we will freeze to death. This is a hard but important part of the story.
Resources:
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings (Feb, 2017), A Strengthened Heart (35 minutes), Retrieved from https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/19
Give an overview of the book of Leviticus.
Transcript for BEMA 19
Dr. Tim Mackie and John Collins, https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/exodus-1-18/
Fretheim, Terence (Nov. 2016) The Reclamation of Creation: Redemption and Law in Exodus. Volume 45, Issue 4 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/002096430004500403
Dr. Carmen Imes, Exodus Class - Exodus 1-40, (14 hours) Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/classroom/overview/exodus-overview/
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Exodus 10-11, Leviticus 8, and Psalms 50. The first story we read today in Exodus 10 and 11 is best understood in context and comparison. I think it’s important to draw a sharp contrast between what Pharaoh did - killed Hebrew babies for coming into existence vs God not retaliating in vengeance but displaying His power beyond Pharaoh yet offering mercy, offering a way for no one to die and then offering individual families a way to allow a sacrifice to cover over their house and avoid death. This comparison displays God as both just and merciful, but if we still struggle with it all, I think it’s important to remind ourselves to put our trust in the one who is wisdom itself and put our faith in the “who” over our need for the answer to “why.” It’s also ok for stories like this to cause distress and feel uncomfortable. But our reaction to these feelings is important. I recall the story of Job here. What we do not want is to make our response one where we know wisdom, right and wrong, over God and where we lean into a sense of self-righteousness or pride that might in fact lead our hearts to become harder and more distant from Yahweh. The second story, Leviticus 8, reminds me of how the responsibility to teach makes me seek to understand something and apply it in a deeper way than when I am just the student. Maybe this is my shortcoming or perhaps your experiences are similar. This got me thinking about how (a) God commissioning Moses and (b) Moses commissioning Aaron and his sons to (c) commission all of Israel is something like the train-the-trainer model where the first teaches the second, the second then shadows the first, then the first shadows the second, and the process is repeated where the second becomes the first and so on until we have a kingdom of priests that (1) puts God on display, (2) helps others navigate their atonement in Jesus, and (3) intercedes in prayer for people, and (3) is prodigally generous with our resources to those in need.
*Correction, it was Judah not Levi that suggested to sell Joseph into slavery in Genesis 18
Resources:
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings (March, 2017), A Kingdom of What? (40 minutes), Retrieved from https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/25
Give an overview of the book of Leviticus.
A Kingdom of What? Presentation (PDF)
Discussion Video for BEMA 25
Leviticus: A Call to Priesthood (Sermon Series) — Real Life on the Palouse - Paule Patterson
Dr. Tim Mackie and John Collins, https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/exodus-1-18/
Dr. Carmen Imes, Exodus Class - Exodus 1-40, (14 hours) Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/classroom/overview/exodus-overview/
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Exodus 9, Leviticus 7, and Psalms 49. The story of Exodus and Leviticus seem to incrementally feel more uncomfortable and seem strange. But, it’s important not to give up on these very important parts of “the story” that is unfolding. Dr. Tim Mackie describes Exodus as a foundation story which is really important for the storyline in the Bible where we are being drawn into our need for a Savior in a clearer way than ever before. When we compare the Exodus story to the Noah’s Ark story in Genesis, we see here that God is confronting the wicked at the same time that He is commissioning His people to go when in the Noah story, we only read that God commissioned Noah and His family and the story does not say that God confronted, denied, or invited the wicked to change their heart. Dr. Tim Mackie describes reading Leviticus like eating our vegetables, it is good for our bones, for our spiritual bones. We also have to remember that one of the reasons this part of the story line feels so foreign to us is that this is a very foreign culture to us. Therefore, instead of just turning away, we keep reading and focusing on what God is doing in, through, and despite the culture, the people, and the situations. There is where wisdom can be found. For example, animal sacrifice is hard to read, but we are also reading about the “why” it is a sacrifice that covers our sin debt. It is God making a way to atone for us that will ultimately be fulfilled in the New Testament through Jesus.
Resources:
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings (March, 2017), A Kingdom of What? (40 minutes), Retrieved from https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/25
Give an overview of the book of Leviticus.
A Kingdom of What? Presentation (PDF)
Discussion Video for BEMA 25
Leviticus: A Call to Priesthood (Sermon Series) — Real Life on the Palouse - Paule Patterson
Dr. Tim Mackie and John Collins, https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/exodus-1-18/
Dr. Carmen Imes, Exodus Class - Exodus 1-40, (14 hours) Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/classroom/overview/exodus-overview/
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
This is the weekend review and reflection challenge. We'll be back on Monday! If you need to catch up, the weekend gives you the chance to do that. Remember, you can start whenever, pause whenever, but never stop listening (or reading) the Bible!
Reflection challenge question: What is one or two things you learned this week from listening to the Bible that you can put into practice in your life today?
Don’t forget, you can subscribe to our show wherever you are podcasting to get notifications to remind you on Monday that the show has been posted! Subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing our show also helps to organically grow our channel and make it easier for people to find us! Thanks for listening and we look forward to being back with you next week.
Today we read Exodus 8, Leviticus 6, and Psalm 48. This story is God beginning His response to the groins of suffering from Israel. God introduces and reminds Egypt and Israel that He is God, the one and only. Some biblical scholars think that each plague is a direct counter-expression of power against an Egyptian god and others see it more as a general sovereignty over Egyptian gods that is conveyed. The story also has many of us wondering about the three mentions of a hard heart. Hebrew adds some clarity in the sense that each use is different in meaning, two seem to assign the “who” and the third is not clear on the “who,” just that Pharaoh's heart is hard. Father Mike Schmitz compares God to the sun and describes how we have influence over the state of our hearts and if we keep it soft, like wax, it will melt in the presence of the sun. However, if our heart is more firm, like clay, it will harden in the presence of the sun. We learn more about God’s incredible mercy and the cost of a right relationship with Him.
Resources:
Dr. Carmen Imes, Exodus Class - Exodus 1-40, (14 hours) Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/classroom/overview/exodus-overview/
Father Mike Schmitz and Jeff Cavins, Episode 31-33, The Bible in a Year, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/day-33-locusts-darkness-and-death-of-the-firstborn-2023/id1539568321?i=1000597676343
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Exodus 6-7, Leviticus 5, and Psalms 47. In this story, we read how God uses symbols, like a staff and snake, that convey important messages and meaning in that culture. In other words, God speaks to us in our language to help us understand. We also learn that the purpose of confrontation is not to just be freed from or make a point, it is to be free for our real purpose, to worship God, to be a blessing to others as God’s Image and Name Bearers in the world. Our work and the way we rule and subdue is further clarified in Leviticus as we understand our four fold purpose as a kingdom of priests is to put God on display, help others navigate their way to God, pray for and intercede for the world, and give generously. But this all comes after atonement. We have to let go and allow God to free us. He covers the cost of our sin debt. In these stories we talk about what it means when confronted, do we, like Pharaoh, blame shift or harden our hearts, even as God gives us chance after chance. God relentlessly and mercifully seeks to make a way to cover us, atone for us and restore us to a close physical relationship with Him where he can dwell with us and redeem us to our Genesis 2 purpose. So far, Leviticus reminds me of how I felt reading Genesis 3, where I was devastated at our choice to sin, but hopeful at God’s promise in 3:15 that a wounded victor will defeat the advisory and when I recall the cost of our sin, “death,” I begin to get a sense of that cost here in Leviticus. We get a glimpse, as the reader, of the innocence and blood that was and will be required, ultimately through Jesus conquering death that will atone for us. Letting go and confrontation are sometimes something we cannot avoid and we need to think carefully about our response to them.
Resources:
Dr. Tim Mackie and John Collins, https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/exodus-1-18/
Dr. Tim Mackie and John Collins (2017) Torah Leviticus Q&R, Episode 5, Bible Project. Podcast: https://bibleproject.com/podcast/leviticus-qr/
Dr. Carmen Imes, Exodus Class - Exodus 1-40, (14 hours) Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/classroom/overview/exodus-overview/
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Exodus 4-5, Leviticus 4, and Psalms 46. In this story, we learn how God is going to equip Moses with his Shepherd's staff and his brother, Aaron on this rescue mission. We also try to unpack the enigmatic story about a bridegroom of blood in Exodus, chapter 4 with Dr. Carmen Imes. Like a foreigner in a foreign land, we visit Leviticus, a culture far different than our own and consider what we can learn about atonement. For me, it brought to light how casual and nonchalant we, or I should say, I, can sometimes be about sin. I know it’s wrong, but here, in Leviticus an animal was slaughtered for sin to pay the cost and cover over the sin in order to allow God to dwell in their midst. While this ritual reads gruesome and weird to a culture like ours, it puts front and center the weightiness of sin and the cost is alienation and dislocation from God. Dr. Tim Mackie makes the analogy to going to a restaurant and realizing after we ate that we forgot our money. Yes, opps, but we still owe the restaurant for the meal we ate. So we ask our friend to “cover us.” Even if we do not mean to sin, there is a cost. Dr. Tim Mackie also points to the rituals we have today with trash, placing them in certain places and taking them out. In Leviticus, God was giving the people a way to take out their sin and the only way is through innocent blood standing in the gap, covering the cost. If you do not already know, Leviticus happens after the people of Israel are freed from slavery by God and then someone quite immediately drifts into idol worship at the end of Exodus. Atonement was needed for the Hebrew people and it is needed for us, but we know because of what Jesus said at the last supper (Luke 22:7-23) and what He did through His death and resurrection, He stands in the gap, He paid the cost to cover us. If animal sacrifice causes me to squirm, my heart is gutted everytime I think about what Jesus did for me, for us, in order to have us back to dwell with us to restore and redeem us to the blessing and our role of being a blessing to others.
Resources:
Dr. Tim Mackie and John Collins, https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/exodus-1-18/
Dr. Tim Mackie and John Collins (2017) Torah Leviticus Q&R, Episode 5, Bible Project. Podcast: https://bibleproject.com/podcast/leviticus-qr/
Dr. Carmen Imes, Exodus Class - Exodus 1-40, (14 hours) Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/classroom/overview/exodus-overview/
Pollard, William (1996) The Soul of the Firm. Harper Business.
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Exodus 3, Leviticus 2-3, and Psalms 45. This story describes God’s commissioning of Moses into a rescue mission. This time the rescue mission is not for one person or one family, but an entire community of people, descendants of the 12 tribes of Jacob - Israel, that would become the nation of Israel. It is the story of how Moses’s identity is clarified and tied up, or intertwined with God’s identity. We are given a name for God, Yahweh. When Moses asks, who am I? God answers, I will be with you. We also learn that God will stand on His character revealed and there is a promise in the statement God makes, “I will be who I will be.” Who He is has not been entirely revealed yet, and there is both a promise and a challenge in God’s statement, “I will be.” It feels like stable and staying power, that far superseded our own, but it also calls on us to trust Him for the character He has already revealed to us. There is a sense that our commissioning into His purpose and His mission will help clarify both who He is and who we are. We also learn about a burning bush where the fire of God does not consume the bush. We learn from the Eastern Orthodox tradition that there is a foreshadowing to Mary who is flesh and the spirit of the Lord, which is sometimes depicted as fire, came upon her, she carries Jesus, and does not die. In a similar way, it foreshadows the Holy Spirit who is given to us, and our bodies become a temple (1 Cor. 6:19) that will not die but come to life with His presence. As God was close in the Garden of Eden (Gen 2), He will draw near again through His son Jesus and the Holy Spirit. He draws near to Moses here in the form of a burning bush and later in the Tent of Meetings and Tabernacle. We also learn more in Leviticus about the need for and what the cost of atonement will require. We will place our hand, our guilt and our sin onto an innocent animal. It is death and blood to cover and atone for us. It’s so gruesome and unbearable, but it’s pointing to Jesus which is even more unbearable and unbelievable to consider. While it is entirely uncomfortable, we have to see what is happening here, try to understand it within its cultural context and make sense of what it means in the larger, connected story, and what it means for us as the story is still unfolding.
Resources:
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings (March, 2017), A Kingdom of What? (40 minutes), Retrieved from https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/25
Give an overview of the book of Leviticus.
A Kingdom of What? Presentation (PDF)
Discussion Video for BEMA 25
Leviticus: A Call to Priesthood (Sermon Series) — Real Life on the Palouse - Paule Patterson
Dr. Tim Mackie and John Collins, https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/exodus-1-18/
Dr. Carmen Imes, Exodus Class - Exodus 1-40, (14 hours) Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/classroom/overview/exodus-overview/
Dr. Carmen Imes (2019). Bearing God’s Name, Why Sinai Still Matters? InterVarsity Press
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Exodus 1-2, Leviticus 1, and Psalms 44. We introduce two more stories that are connected to the first, in Genesis. Exodus is a two-part story. The first story is focused on an individual, Moses, and starts with a story about the women who rescued him and how Moses was commissioned by God to be a rescuer for his people. Moses' story is inverse to Joseph’s from the last part of Genesis we just finished. In this story, Moses is raised by Egyptians, but he is Hebrew and struggles with his identity. Whereas, Joseph was raised by Hebrews, but was adopted into the Egyptian family as a young adult and was also called to make a choice about where his story would end - both choose the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The second story in Exodus is focused on the collective Hebrew slaves who will be delivered by God and His chosen rescuers - Moses and his older brother, Aaron to become the nation of Israel. God delivers the Hebrews from Pharaoh and they are commissions by God, given a covenant and God’s presence. In the story of Exodus, they are freed from slavery and then in Leviticus they understand more about what they are freed for - to become a kingdom of priests (e.g., Exodus 19:6, 1 Peter 2:9, Revelations 1:6). The story of Leviticus is also a two part story where the first half is about me/us approaching God. While the Hebrews had been “saved” from the advisory - Pharaoh, atonement or the reconciliation of us to God through offering is laid out as necessary before restoration and redemption can truly begin. The second half is about me/us helping others find their way to or find their way back to God. This story tells of what it means to be a priest and a kingdom of priests - not a kingdom with priests where most people are exempt. We will learn about the 4 fold role of the priesthood in Leviticus: (1) putting God on display, bearing His name, (2) helping others navigate their way to God by being His image bearers, creation care agents, and vice-regents e.g., salt, light, fruits of the spirit through more grace, more justice, more mercy more lifting up those who are the lowest and downcast (3) interceding for others, standing in the gap instead of blocking others way, praying to God on behalf of others and (4) being generous with the distribution of our resources to those in need. The early church did this well, and there are a few exemplar individuals, like Jesus in the N.T. who model what it means to live out the 4 fold role of priesthood. There are a lot of amazing things to discuss and hard things to understand in these stories, but trust in God, even when it’s hard. Lean in and pray that He will keep your heart soft and your eyes ready to “see” what He wants to show you. Keep in mind, God is revealing himself through a culture. He is not condoning or condemning the entire culture but incarnating in it, look at what God is doing and what it would have meant in that time to understand what it reveals about God's character. It is only then that applications to our own life can be made. Remember, the Bible was written for us, not to us.
Resources:
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings (March, 2017), A Kingdom of What? (40 minutes), Retrieved from https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/25
Give an overview of the book of Leviticus.
A Kingdom of What? Presentation (PDF)
Discussion Video for BEMA 25
Leviticus: A Call to Priesthood (Sermon Series) — Real Life on the Palouse - Paule Patterson
Dr. Tim Mackie and John Collins, https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/exodus-1-18/
Dr. Carmen Imes, Exodus Class - Exodus 1-40, (14 hours) Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/classroom/overview/exodus-overview/
Dr. Carmen Imes (2019). Bearing God’s Name, Why Sinai Still Matters? InterVarsity Press
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
This is the weekend review and reflection challenge. We'll be back on Monday! If you need to catch up, the weekend gives you the chance to do that. Remember, you can start whenever, pause whenever, but never stop listening (or reading) the Bible!
Reflection challenge question: What is one or two things you learned this week from listening to the Bible that you can put into practice in your life today?
Don’t forget, you can subscribe to our show wherever you are podcasting to get notifications to remind you on Monday that the show has been posted! Subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing our show also helps to organically grow our channel and make it easier for people to find us! Thanks for listening and we look forward to being back with you next week.
Today we read Genesis 49-50, Job 41-42, and Psalms 17. This ends our story of Genesis and Job, but the story of Israel is just beginning. Rabbi Fohrman makes comparisons between the story of Joseph and the story of Esther. He also concludes the story of Genesis with a really cool possibility regarding the dispossessed children of Ham (the Canaanites) and Abraham (Ishmaelites) seeing Joseph (another disposed child) laying his crown on Jacob’s coffin at the threshing floor at Atad and choosing restoration and redemption over vengeance. A threshing floor is a place of judgment in Scripture and Rabbi Fohrman’s Genesis Parsha companion makes the point that Hebrew words used to describe a threshing floor here include the provision that is surrounded by thorn bushes. The picture he paints is that the Canaanites and Ishmaelites came to take from the favored and accepted children but when they saw Joseph, a man like them who had been exiled by the blessed family, a man who chose restoration and redemption over vengeance, this softened their hearts to lay their crowns on Jacob’s coffin creating the visual of crowns surrounding a threshing floor with thorn bushes. For those who have read ahead, this paints a picture like the one we know of Jesus with a crown of thorns who took our place in judgment. Wow.
Resources:
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings (2021) Character Study - Joseph Part 2. BEMA Discipleship Project https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/215
Genesis: A Parsha Companion by Rabbi David Fohrman
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Genesis 47-48, Job 39-40, and Psalms 16. Jacob uses his blessing to bless Pharaoh (and by extension all of Egypt), Joseph, and Joseph’s sons. But again, we see in this story how God chose Jacob’s younger son as the one who will be greater, which continues to upend what Joseph and the reader would expect in a culture that places the highest value on the firstborn male. The story sets us up with curiosity regarding who Joseph will ultimately pick as his family, will it be Israel or will it be Egypt? While he has wealth and status, plus his own family in Egypt, Joseph chooses Israel and takes a risk in burying his father back in Canaan. In a surprising act of generosity, Pharaoh sends a large Egyptian state processional back with Joseph and his family to bury Jacob. Father Mike Schmitz points out in the story of Job that God doesn’t ask Job to stop asking questions and God doesn’t tell Job to stop wrestling with Him, but God does put Job into context. God is revealing, if not reminding Job, there is a bigger story going on and while you may not know the “why” there is one because God is a good God and everything we are a part of and go through has meaning, even the moments of suffering matter in the story. So the question becomes, can you trust in the “who” and make that more important than knowing the “why?” Joseph did. Even in his exile, alienation, and dislocation, he slowly grew in his commitment and centralization of God in his life. May we all learn from Joseph and Job that we all need to be and need people around us who are patient, gentle, pursue wisdom, are willing to repent, are willing to forgive, and are willing to remind us that only God knows the full story and that God will use our suffering in some important way in the redemption story still unfolding today, can we put our trust in the “who” over our need for the answer to “why?” God never says be silent or stop asking me questions, but a heart check might be in order because sometimes this is what it comes down to - a soft broken hallelujah or a hard heart that stops believing in the justice and goodness of God, trading it for our own wisdom - and this is one of the most clever ways I think the deceiver, the advisory of God can cause more alienation and dislocation of our hearts. Remember, this is basically a retelling of Genesis 3 where Adam and Eve choose the Tree of Knowledge over trusting in God’s plan and choosing His Tree of Life.
Resources:
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings (2021) Character Study - Joseph Part 2. BEMA Discipleship Project https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/215
Genesis: A Parsha Companion by Rabbi David Fohrman
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Genesis 45-46, Job 37-38, and Proverbs 4:20-27. This story reminds us that Scripture is telling us God’s story and how we are a part of it. We’re learning in this story how prodigal love and trust for God and others is the uncomfortable road in the direction toward His restoration and redemption to blessing in order to become more of a blessing in His name. From the story of Job, we also learn through his friend Elihu that God does not oppress. The question, therefore, is, can we trust, even when we don’t understand? Dr. Traci Birge, a theology professor at Azusa Pacific University who I met at an Institute of Biblical Research conference last May proposed that sometimes, instead of asking what we did wrong, if you cannot find an answer, which is what Job’s friends were telling him to do in this story. Then, try not to move to the question, like Job did, why did God do this to me which tends to lead to challenging God about His justice and wisdom, basically putting God on notice for a defense. In this case we can tend to elevate ourselves as sinless in these scenarios. Dr. Birge suggests, perhaps the question is what is God trying to show me or teach me through this situation? It might be something about who God is or what He’s doing in the world or through your suffering to offer redemption and restoration to some other important aspect of the larger story that is unfolding, which we are a part of today. This ties back to Joseph’s story and how he reframed the story. Not necessarily more comforting, but there is a peace in trusting that God is just and wise. He loves us and He is working, even-if and even-when we do not understand it right now.
Resources:
Lucado, Max. (2017) Anxious for Nothing. Finding Calm in a Chaotic World. Thomas Nelson.
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Genesis 43-44, Job 35-36, and Proverbs 4:10-19. In this story, Judah confronts head on the terrible truth that started it all, his father loved Rachel more than he loved his mother and he loved her children more than he loved him. His father’s soul seemed bound to Benjamin’s and Judah accepted it. He was not battling against that anymore out of hurt and jealousy. Judah offered himself in the place of Benjamin as a slave, asking Joseph (who he did not recognize as the other favored son) to accept him, Judah, and let Benjamin go home. Even though Judah was hurt and facing a hard situation, he chose prodigal (reckless and unwarranted) love for his father and what his father wanted over everything else. This relates to the Job story where Elihu is warning us that if we allow our anger, grief, and hurt in response to suffering to move our soft hearts to harden in the direction of replacing the throne of God with ourselves, judging God as unjust and claiming ourselves sinless then we are in jeopardy of exiling our own hearts from His. Scripture makes it clear that God is not telling Job to stop asking questions, to stop wrestling, to stop crying out to God but to caution him against using the very permissive will God gave him to remove God from the throne of justice and goodness, a place only God is capable of leading from - there is a larger story at hand and it’s still unfolding today.
Resources:
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings (2021) Character Study - Joseph Part 2. BEMA Discipleship Project https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/215
Genesis: A Parsha Companion by Rabbi David Fohrman
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Genesis 41-42, Job 33-34, and Proverbs 4:1-9. In this story we examine two different types of exile experienced by Joseph and we also see how God reverses Joseph’s exile from his family and employer (or should I say, owner). Yet the story leaves us in suspense regarding the restoration or redemption of Joseph’s own family. We pin our hope for this to happen in future installations of the story. In the story of Job, we learn more from Elihu’s insights about who God is and where Job is drifting. We reflect on what blame is and consider what self-compassion and a growth mindset can look like when we are confronted by a challenging friend about the truth.
Resources:
Prof. Patricia D. Ahearne-Kroll (2021) Joseph and Asenath. The Torah.com https://www.thetorah.com/article/joseph-and-asenath
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings (2021) Character Study - Joseph Part 2. BEMA Discipleship Project https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/215
Genesis: A Parsha Companion by Rabbi David Fohrman
The Space Between Self-Esteem and Self Compassion: Kristin Neff at TEDxCentennialParkWomen
Dr. Brene Brown (2012) The Power of Vulnerability: Authenticity, Connection, and Courage. Audible. https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Power-of-Vulnerability-Audiobook/B00CYKDYBQ
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
This is the weekend review and reflection challenge. We'll be back on Monday! If you need to catch up, the weekend gives you the chance to do that. Remember, you can start whenever, pause whenever, but never stop listening (or reading) the Bible!
Reflection challenge question: What is one or two things you learned this week from listening to the Bible that you can put into practice in your life today?
Don’t forget, you can subscribe to our show wherever you are podcasting to get notifications to remind you on Monday that the show has been posted! Subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing our show also helps to organically grow our channel and make it easier for people to find us! Thanks for listening and we look forward to being back with you next week.
Today we read Genesis 39-40, Job 31-32, and Proverbs 3:33-35. This is the story of Joseph maturing through maddening situations. Job is also going to be challenged to mature in his maddening situation. We are introduced to a fourth, perhaps more mysterious friend of Job’s named Elihu, who is going to challenge both Job's and his three friends' views of themselves and God's immutable character and wisdom. Elihu is going to focus on Job's understandable, but perhaps a bit arrogant and sinful, reaction to undeserved suffering which was illustrated by Job's statements which took a kind of pride or refuge in questioning the justice of God and stressing his "dogooderness."
Resources:
Marty Solomon and Brett Billing (March, 2021). BEMA Discipleship Podcast. Character Study - Jacob Part I, https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/212
Genesis: A Parsha Companion by Rabbi David Fohrman
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Genesis 38, Job 29-30, and Proverbs 3:28-32. This passage may seem disruptive and confusing as we might expect the Joseph story to continue here, yet, this passage has a specific place in the unified story of the Bible with connections in repetition of motif and Hebrew word choices. This passage answers the question, which of the sons of Jacob will take over the right of primogeniture and step into the line of blessing coming down from Abraham after Isaac and Jacob? We might expect it to be Joseph, and yes Joseph does receive a double portion of inheritance from His father and God does bless Him and give Him favor, but God is also picking who will be the descendants of His earthly family - Mary and Joseph. And I notice that God’s picks are typically socio-culturally unexpected. We see that here, again, in this story. God chooses Judah and Tamar to continue the rescue mission of bringing the wounded victor, Jesus. We continue to see a pattern, God does not pick a person and call them into His mission based on merit. We do not earn or deserve the call to be blessed or be a blessing, but rather the call is a testament to the amazing immutable character of God who loves us prodigally with grace and that Jesus Christ will save us based on God’s merit, not the chosen people in the rescue mission. He does not want any confusion about Him descending from a line of people who were holy in their own right but that God aligns with sinners who trust Him, seek and accept His restoration and redemption back into the Kingdom mission of close relationship with Him in a special place (where Heaven meets Earth; where the Holy Spirit fills us) with special benefits (forever with Him) for the purpose of blessing others and creation care! The story of the Bible is unfolding today and Jesus will return for the completion of this Kingdom mission restoration and redemption project. So exciting!
Resources:
Hans-Georg WÜNCH. (January, 2012). Genesis 38 – Judah’s Turning Point: Structural Analysis and Narrative Techniques and their Meaning for Genesis 38 and its Placement in the Story of Joseph, Old Testament Essays. pgs. 777-806
Matthew Henry Commentary on Genesis 38, Bible Hub. Retrieved from: https://biblehub.com/commentaries/mhc/genesis/38.htm
Father Mike Schmitz (2021). Day 20: Judah and Tamar. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/day-20-judah-and-tamar-2023/id1539568321?i=1000595616695
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Genesis 37, Job 27-28, and Proverbs 3:25-27. We start the Joseph story. I introduce some sources and perspectives from the Jewish tradition that I had not learned before, which I thought was interesting and I hope you think so too. It’s a story about a teenager, favoritism, sibling jealousy, and then the conflict - kidnapping, human trafficking, and a cover-up. Yet, I believe there is a telling in this story about betrayal, exile, and an empty well that lays an expectation to the unified story of the Bible where Jesus will be betrayed by Judas, not Judah - like this story. Jesus will be sentenced to death, which is a similar word to exile in Hebrew and yet we know that Jesus will conquer death, which is why there is an empty grave and His disciples find it hard to believe. Likewise, Reuben, in this story, cannot believe the well, where Joseph was supposed to be, was empty.
Resources:
Marty Solomon and Brett Billing (March, 2021). BEMA Discipleship Podcast. Character Study - Jacob Part I, https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/212
Genesis: A Parsha Companion by Rabbi David Fohrman
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Genesis 35-36, Job 25-26, and Proverbs 3:19-24. Today we read about Jacob’s maturity in his faith and He responds to God with less wrestling. We read about Rachel dying as she gives birth to the 12th son of Jacob, Benjamin. We also learn about Jacob’s eldest son, Reuben and a new generation of wrestling begins as Reuben takes and violates Rachel’s handmaiden, Bilhah, for reasons we do not know, but we explore some options. Then we read about Esau’s descendants and continue to read about Job’s discussion with his friends about justice, suffering, righteousness, and God’s wisdom.
Resources:
Dr. Sahani Tzoref (2021). Did Reuban Lie with Bilhah? Yes, No? We Don’t Talk about it! Reuben’s sin and its consequences in the Toray, Pseudepigrapha and Midrash. The Torah.com, https://www.thetorah.com/article/did-reuben-lie-with-bilhah-yes-no-we-dont-talk-about-it
Dr. John Walton (2009) Volume 1, Zondervan Illustrated Biblical Commentary Genesis, pg. 120
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Genesis 33-34, Job 23-24, and Proverbs 3:13-18. It’s a rollercoaster reading today that starts with a high and ends with dark low. This reading contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children and it pertains to sexual violence. The story starts with the reconciliation of Esau and Jacob. This is something special to savor. Then it takes a startling turn away from forgiveness and reconciliation to a neighboring prince taking and violating Jacob and Leah’s daughter, Dinah. The neighboring king and prince try to negotiate with Jacob to marry Dinah, but Jacob and his sons devised a plan to get the king, prince, and all their men to agree to circumcision in order to allow the marriage but after the agreement, Simeon and Levi, two of Dinah’s 12 brothers kill all of the neighboring men when they are healing from circumcision and take their sister back. Then all of the brothers take all of the neighboring women, children, animals, and wealth. Wow, the high is the forgiveness and reconciliation of Esau and Jacob. The low is violating the innocent, taking, followed by deceiving, murder, and presumably more violation at a larger scale - vengeance.
Resources:
Dr. Timothy Kelly. (2008). Prodigal God, Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith
Father Mike Schmitz. The Bible in a Year. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/day-17-jacob-meets-esau-2023/id1539568321?i=1000594827356
Marty Solomon. BEMA Discipleship Podcast. Character Study - Jacob Part I, https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/212
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
This is the weekend review and reflection challenge. We'll be back on Monday! If you need to catch up, the weekend gives you the chance to do that. Remember, you can start whenever, pause whenever, but never stop listening (or reading) the Bible!
Reflection challenge question: What is one or two things you learned this week from listening to the Bible that you can put into practice in your life today?
Don’t forget, you can subscribe to our show wherever you are podcasting to get notifications to remind you on Monday that the show has been posted! Subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing our show also helps to organically grow our channel and make it easier for people to find us! Thanks for listening and we look forward to being back with you next week.
Today we read Genesis 31 and 31, Job 21 and 22, and Proverbs 3:9-12. This is a story about the chosen family of God’s transition home and their struggle to let go as well as their fear of what comes next. Change is hard. There can be fear and frustration with staying and fear and a thin spark of hope in leaving or going home. It’s the story of God responding to all of Jacob’s wrestling with and for the blessing God had already promised would be his. God wrestles Jacob in this story and in wounding him, Jacob seems to gain perspective and God blesses Him, renaming him Israel. In the other story we are reading, Job is angry and hurt by the situation, his friends, and his lack of understanding with the “why.” He’s feeling misunderstood and perhaps lost in this story.
Resources:
Why did people keep family idols in the Bible? Got Questions.org https://www.gotquestions.org/family-idols.html
Dr. Carissa Quinn and Dr Tim Mackie, (Jan. 2021). Wrestling God, Reflections, Episode 2, Podcast (13 minutes) https://bibleproject.com/podcast/wrestling-god/
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Genesis 29 and 30, Job 19 and 20, and Proverbs 3:5-8. This is another story about a marriage that starts at a well, but there are some rough patches. In this marriage, there is less calling out to God and there continues to be a pattern of deception. Jacob wants Rachel. Laban wants Leah married first. Jacob doesn’t want Leah. Jacob still wants Rachel. Leah bears 6 of the sons which leads to 6 of the 12 tribes of Judah. Rachel wants to conceive, Leah wants to be loved by Jacob. Jacob, Leah, and Rachel double down on the sins of Abraham and Sarah taking two of their slaves as handmaids - Bilhah and Zilpah. They each had two sons, Bilhah had two for Leah and Zilpah had two for Rachel. The mothers didn’t even get to name their children. God gives Rachel a son, Joseph. When the wanting becomes weakness; when we want an outcome and profit more than we want to be a blessing and trust the Lord, dark and hurtful decisions are made. Soft hearts become hard and we hurt people. Jacob and these four women are the parents of the twelve tribes of Israel, but before that happens, there is more to this story.
Resources:
John Parsons, Vaytezei - Leah's Weak Eyes. Accessed from: https://www.hebrew4christians.com/Scripture/Parashah/Summaries/Vayetzei/Leah_s_Eyes/leah_s_eyes.html
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Genesis 27 and 28, Job 17 and 18, and Proverbs 3:1-4. As I’m reading it, I’m seeing a story that starts with a lot of “taking.” There is a family of people focused on taking from someone, taking away something, and being consumed with the desire to take or get back something. Even Rebekah tries to take at the same time she is trying to give and Isaac gives but is deceived, and unlike Dr. Timothy Keller’s portrayal of the father in the prodigal son story, Isaac runs out of the “give.” I thought this story was supposed to be about being blessed and being a blessing, right? Jacob runs away from Esau, who is enraged about losing or having his blessing taken by Jacob in a deceptive scheme. Then in Jacob's exile, the story moves to one of the most exciting parts of of the narrative where God comes close to Jacob and reveals himself to him in a dream - vows are made. Meanwhile, Job, perhaps rightfully so, continues his lamented debate with himself and his friends.
References:
Pastor David Guzik (2018). Genesis 28 - Jacob Feels Esau https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/genesis-28/
Father Mike Schmitz, Bible in a Year, Day 14: Isaac Blesses Jacob (20 minutes) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/day-14-isaac-blesses-jacob-2023/id1539568321?i=1000594405835
Dr. Tim Mackie and Jon Collins, Genesis Scroll Podcast, Episode 9 (March, 2022 - 62 minutes). Why Can’t Jacob and Esau Both Be Blessed?https://bibleproject.com/podcast/why-cant-jacob-and-esau-both-be-blessed/
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Genesis 25 and 26, Job 15 and 16, Proverbs 2:2-22. There is real and experienced tension in this story and the tension is with Jesus’s statement from Matthew 19: 30 . . “many who are first shall be last and many who are last shall be first. This is a very different socio-cultural model of structuring family and organizing a mission, in this case, God’s rescue mission. There is a natural and social rivalry in this story. There is also another struggle with conceiving in this story. We read how Job continues to push back on his friends who are offering Proverbs wisdom, yet Job knows there is something discerning about his case because He is righteous and faithful to God. We also learn something interesting about the North, South, East, West, and how it’s often used in the Old Testament to have a meaning.
References:
https://bibleproject.com/podcast/why-cant-jacob-and-esau-both-be-blessed/
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Genesis 24, Job 13 and 14, Proverbs 2:16-19. This is the first account of a husband “loving” his wife and not just “knowing” her. Yet, this is more than the Isaac and Rebekah story, this is a story that points to Jesus and His rescue mission that leads to redemption. Genesis 24 is the longest chapter in the book of Genesis and there are some really interesting connections between this story of a bride and groom at a well and then later stories about a Isaac and Rachel’s son Jacob meeting his bride at a well and later in Exodus we’ll read how Moses met his bride at a well and then fast forward to the New Testament, John 4 where Jesus had the longest recorded conversation with anyone, a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well! A well that still exists today in Samaria where you can drink clear cool water! So many cool things to discuss today.
Resources:
Kendra Haloviak Valentine, PhD, Associate professor of New Testament studies, H. M. S. Richards Divinity School, La Sierra University, Riverside, California, United States. The Wedding at the Well, January 2014. Ministry Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.ministrymagazine.org/archive/2014/01/the-wedding-at-the-well
Kristi McLelland (June, 2022) Jesus and Women in the First Century and Now. Lifeway Press.
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
This is the weekend review and reflection challenge. We'll be back on Monday! If you need to catch up, the weekend gives you the chance to do that. Remember, you can start whenever, pause whenever, but never stop listening (or reading) the Bible!
Reflection challenge question: What is one or two things you learned this week from listening to the Bible that you can put into practice in your life today?
Don’t forget, you can subscribe to our show wherever you are podcasting to get notifications to remind you on Monday that the show has been posted! Subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing our show also helps to organically grow our channel and make it easier for people to find us! Thanks for listening and we look forward to being back with you next week.
Today we read Genesis 22 and 23, Job 11 and 12, and Proverbs 2:9-15. For me, the theme of the passage today is “I surrender all.” Hebrew scholars such as Dr. Carissa Quinn and Dr. Tim Mackie, Dr. Krayer, and Father Mike Schmitz help to clarify and connect this passage to the unified story of the Bible. There is clarification on what “wild donkey” means and a reflection on how God can bless both the chosen and not-chosen. There is also considerable clarification on the imagery and activation impact of trees in a story which often signifies God’s presence, a choice, and a call to trust in God fully. I also might break into a few lines of the song, “I Surrender All.” We discuss how the story of Abraham and Isaac in relation to the mountain sacrifice is a reversal of the Garden of Eden and Adam and Eve's decision. Abraham and Isaac chose faith in God for their future where Adam and Eve chose their own way. With the help of biblical scholars, we have a lot to chew on as we get ready for the next generation in the story - Isaac and Rebekah.
Resources:
Dr. Tim Mackie, Jon Collins, Carissa, Bible Project Genesis Scroll podcast, Trees of Testing and Blessing, Episode 4 (66 minutes) 1/2022
https://bibleproject.com/podcast/under-trees-yahweh/
Fr. Mike Schmitz (Bible in a Year) Podcast (19 minutes), Day 11: The Sacrifice of Isaac
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/day-11-the-sacrifice-of-isaac-2023/id1539568321?i=1000593626016
Dr. Patrick Krayer (2022), God’s Promise to Hagar: Clearing up a misunderstanding, Intervene USA Organization
https://www.interserveusa.org/gods-promise-to-hagar-clearing-up-a-misunderstaning/
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Genesis 20 and 21, Job 9 and 10, and Proverbs 2:6-8. Abraham and Sarah revert back to fear, self-preservation, and selfishness as they deceive King Abimelech and cast out Hagar, the slave immigrant from Egypt, and her son, Ishmael. We learn about the immutable character of God who works to protect and care for those His people sinned against. We discuss how some believe Abraham’s son Ishmael is the descendant of Mohammad who becomes the prophet of Islam. Also note, when God called Ishmael a "wild donkey" this metaphor in Hebrew is something more like a horse running free than something negative. He was offering Hagar the image of something good from a good God. The story of Job continues as we sit uncomfortably with the fact that God’s wisdom is not ours and we may not deserve suffering but find ourselves smack dab in the middle of it. Yet we are God’s and we can cry to, cry at, and cry out for Him in our suffering and He will hear us and be with us, even-if and even-when we might or we do lose what is important to us.
Resources:
“I Raise a Hallelujah” Song and Story: https://bethelmusic.com/videos/raise-a-hallelujah/
Noegel, S. B., & Wheeler, B. M. (2010). The A to Z of Prophets in Islam and Judaism: Scarecrow Press.
Dr. Tim Mackie and Jon Collins, Bible Project Genesis Scroll podcast, Trees of Testing and Blessing, Episode 4 (66 minutes) 1/2022
https://bibleproject.com/podcast/under-trees-yahweh/
Fr. Mike Schmitz (Bible in a Year) Podcast (20 minutes)
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/day-10-hagar-and-ishmael-2023/id1539568321?i=1000593364643
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Genesis 18 and 19, Job 7 and 8, and Proverbs 2:1-5. This is a hard story and it also contains adult scenarios that may not be appropriate for children. But it starts on a positive note, with the nearness of God and Isaac being promised to Abraham and Sarah a son is promised to them within a year. Sarah, being 90 years old, struggles with the faith to believe it and then tries to hide her doubt from God. Then there are these three men, but we really don’t have a lot of clarity on this because it also states that Abraham (standing under the tree) and Sarah at some point (was standing in the door to the tent listening) were before the Lord. Dr. Mackie on the Bible Project podcast interprets that God appeared to Abraham and Sarah both under trees at the door of their tent is a scene that looks backward to Eden and forward to the tabernacle. That’s a pretty cool picture to mentally reflect on. We also continue the story of Job and learn about how his hurt and confusion have sparks of anger and that God is ready and willing to meet us where we are. We also have the chance to reflect on the kind of advice we give our friends if and when they are suffering based on our learning from Job’s friends who were perhaps well intended but misguided in their advice to Job.
Resources:
Dr. Tim Mackie and Jon Collins, Bible Project Genesis Scroll podcast,Under the Trees with Yahweh Episode 3, (51 minutes) 1/2022
https://bibleproject.com/podcast/under-trees-yahweh/
Fr. Mike Schimitz (Bible in a Year) Podcast (21 minutes)
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/day-9-sodom-and-gomorrah-2023/id1539568321?i=1000593089723
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Genesis 16 and 17, Job 5 and 6, and Proverbs 1:20-33. We have learned about Adam and Eve, Noah and his family, and now Abram and Sarai who became Abraham and Sarah. These were all families elected by God to be blessed and to be a blessing to all creation as God’s image bearers. These were all families who had faith but also struggled to keep the faith. We learn in this story today how hard it can be to wait on God’s timing and how hard it can be to lean into our relationship with God in suffering. We are introduced to Hagar, which in Hebrew means immigrant. We learn more about who God is as we learn about His covenant with Abraham and this sign of the convent, circumcision.
We also learn from Job in this story because he reiterates how suffering is not always a sign of consequence and we are reminded that blessing is not a reward that is earned but a gift from a God that loves to give and share. We ultimately learn that there is a natural pattern to justice and fairness in the ordering of creation, but there is also exception that may go beyond our comprehension for God’s thoughts and ways are not our own and He is wisdom and we cannot compare our wisdom to His but ultimately make the choice to trust in His immutable character and have faith in His goodness and love for us, even if and when we cannot understand the “why.”
Note: This episode of Bible reading and commentary has adult scenarios that may not be appropriate for children.
Resources:
Dr. Tim Mackie and Jon Collins, Bible Project podcast, Abraham, the Immigrant, and Circumcision, God’s Family Episode 4, (66 minutes) 12/2020
https://bibleproject.com/podcast/abraham-immigrant-and-circumcision/
Dr. Tim Mackie and Jon Collins, Bible Project, visual commentary (6 minutes and 19 seconds)
https://bibleproject.com/podcast/abraham-immigrant-and-circumcision/
Fr. Mike Schimitz (Bible in a Year) Podcast (19 minutes)
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/day-8-the-surrender-of-abraham-2023/id1539568321?i=1000593012966
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Genesis 14 and 15, Job 3 and 4, and Proverbs 1:8-19. We learn about a rescue mission that Abram went on to save his nephew Lot and his family from the coalition of kings who had taken them as captives alongside their plunder in conquering Sodom and Gomorrah. Then we are introduced to a really cool character, Melchizedek, who was both a priest and a king who blesses Abram and to whom Abram gives a tenth of everything he owns. An expectation is set in the story and a parallel is later made between this priest-king and Jesus. We learn more about blessings and covenants in this story and like Abram, we can hear how we are also called to be part of God’s rescue mission and at the same time God is our rescuer and priest king. We also hear more about Job’s story and discuss the three wisdom books of literature in the Bible: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job, learning more about how they relate to one another.
Resources:
Dr. Carmen Imes, Torah Tuesday - Genesis 14:18-20 (Jan 3, 2023) (11 minutes and twenty one seconds) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2ryTsJpjJM
Eli Shukron and Yoel Bin-Nun, A Matzevah Temple from the Period of the Patriarchs in the City of Salem, Later the City of David. https://www.k-etzion.co.il/Eli-Shukron-and-Yoel-Bin-Nun--A-Matzevah-Temple-from-the-Period-of-the-Patriarchs-in-the-City-of-Salem,-Later-the-City-of-David
https://www.k-etzion.co.il/Eli-Shukron-and-Yoel-Bin-Nun--A-Matzevah-Temple-from-the-Period-of-the-Patriarchs-in-the-City-of-Salem,-Later-the-City-of-David
Dr. Tim Mackie and Jon Collins, Bible Project Visual Commentary (5 minutes and 9 seconds)
https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/abraham-and-melchizedek/
Dr. Tim Mackie and Jon Collins have a Bible Project Podcast (44 minutes) March 8, 2021
https://bibleproject.com/podcast/who-was-melchizedek/
Fr. Mike Schimitz (Bible in a Year) Podcast (18 minutes and 40 seconds)
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/day-7-gods-covenant-with-abram-2023/id1539568321?i=1000592947917
Dr. Tim Macki and Jon Collins, Bible Project, visual commentary (6 minutes and 19 seconds)
https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/wisdom-job/
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
This is the weekend review and reflection challenge. We'll be back on Monday! If you need to catch up, the weekend gives you the chance to do that. Remember, you can start whenever, pause whenever, but never stop listening (or reading) the Bible!
Reflection challenge question: What is one or two things you learned this week from listening to the Bible that you can put into practice in your life today?
Don’t forget, you can subscribe to our show wherever you are podcasting to get notifications to remind you on Monday that the show has been posted! Subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing our show also helps to organically grow our channel and make it easier for people to find us! Thanks for listening and we look forward to being back with you next week.
Today we read Genesis 12 through 13, Job 1 and 2, and Proverbs 1:1-7. In these stories we learn about even-if and even-when faith in God. In this story we move away from the Early World period and zoom into two stories, one is about the founding father of Israel - Abram who later is re-named by God, Abraham. This family was chosen by God to not only be blessed but to be a blessing to all people. In the first part of this story, Abram carries out acts of faith, he also struggles to obey God and live in God’s promises, offering his wife Sarai to the pharaoh of Egypt out of fear. Yet, God remains faithful to Abram and Sarai. Wow, God is good. The other story is about a man in the wisdom book of Job. In that story we will zoom into what it looks like to struggle for and have even-when faith in times of suffering and loss, when we might struggle with doubt and it can be hard to feel or understand God’s goodness. Yet, we can call out to God like Job, and even when we may not understand His answer, we can make a choice to trust that God is wisdom and we cannot compare Him to our own and we can trust in God’s immutable character because He keeps His promises.
Resources:
Hillsong Conference (2015) Taya, Even When it Hurts I’ll Praise You https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByM53v4JauY
Overview: Job, Bible Project
A God of Love A World of Suffering - Job (Tim Mackie - The Bible Project)(2022)
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Genesis 10 - 11 and Psalms 2. This is the last two chapters of the Early World period (Genesis 1 through 11) and it is just before we meet Abram and Sarai, who will later be named by God as Abraham and Sarah, the Father and Mother of Israel. We learn about Nimrod and the Tower of Babel. We learn about the importance of the “why” and the posture of our hearts when we do something “for” God when we really want something “from” God or worse, to be like a god instead of being in His likeness and reflecting His image as we were designed to do from the start of creation.
Resources:
The Bible in a Year (2021) with Fr. Mike Schmitz, featuring Jeff Cavins. Ascension Family Faith Formation. Day 6 Trust in the Lord https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/day-6-trust-in-the-lord-2023/id1539568321?i=1000592800936
Spark Bible, Explore Resources on Genesis 11: https://sparkbible.com/explore/Genesis/11
Dr. John Walton on Seedbed, Seven Minute Seminary. The Real Problem With The Tower Of Babel (2014) https://sparkbible.com/r/seedbed/john-walton-the-meaning-of-the-tower-of-babel
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Genesis 7 through 9 and Psalms 1. In this story, God washes the Earth clean of humanity's evil that we’ve been hearing the escalation of since Genesis 3, but God commissions Noah and His family to preserve what God ordered and intended for creation. While God repeats the divine blessing and commission to Noah and His family that God gave to Adam and Eve, they fail too. Yet, God continues His relationship with His people. His rescue mission is still moving forward. An important note on interpretation, practitioners and scholars interpret the flood story differently because they use different methods to understand what scripture is saying. The best contrast example I can think of is between Ken Ham’s interpretation of the flood and Dr. Tremper Longman III and Dr. John Walton interpretation of the flood. Ken Ham offers a Christian science perspective and he is the founder and CEO of the Creation Museum, Ark Experience and developed the Ask Genesis Organization. His point of view is quite different from Old Testament theologians Dr. Tremper Longman III and Dr. John Walton who offer a biblical scholarship perspective which can be found in their book The Lost World of the Flood: Mythology, Theology, and the Deluge Debate. While some of the main things remain the main things between these different point of view, it's interesting to reflect on the differences and the reasons why.
Resource:
Dr. Tremper Longman III and Dr. John Walton who wrote the book The Lost World of the Flood: Mythology, Theology, and the Deluge Debate. They both have educational lectures on this topic in Seminary Now, https://seminarynow.com/ .
Ken Ham, Ask Genesis, https://answersingenesis.org/
Dr. Tim Mackie, the Bible Project, Genesis
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Genesis 5-6 and Psalms 136. We tragically learn about the escalation of dislocation from God and the Garden of Eden as violence and vengefulness continue and polygamy is first and officially noted by Lamech who is proud of the fact that he is more violent and vengeful than Cain, who murdered his own brother. We are then introduced to the "Sons of God," which were either evil angels or kings who claim divine descent, these "Sons of God" took as many wives as they wanted and create the Nephilim or warriors of old; whichever view is right, the people are building kingdoms that fill God’s world with more violence and more corruption. In response, God grieves because the people He created and shared His power with for creation care and name bearing are pulling further and further away from Him.
Resources:
Dr. Tim Mackie and The Bible Project, Understanding the Book of Genesis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQI72THyO5I
Dr. Michael Heiser and his book The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Genesis 3-4 and Psalms 104. This part of the story is heart-wrenching for God, for us, and for all of creation. This part of the story is sometimes referred to as "the fall" and sometimes people inadvertently consider this God's new order, when it is the farthest thing from what God ordered. It is the characterization of humans choosing to pull away from God and toward our own way which leads us into chaos and disorder. Yet, God offers hope and a hint of His rescue plan is embedded in Genesis 3:15.
Resources:
Dr. Tim Mackie (co-founder of the Bible Project) and The Satan and Demons (Bible Project video); https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/satan-demons/
Dr. John Walton and his book The Lost World of Adam and Eve: Genesis 2-3 and the Human Origins Debate
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Today we read Genesis 2 where God created a special place - the Garden of Eden. Here, God appointed Adam and Eve into a special relationship with Him where He walks and talks with them. Adam is "Ish," Hebrew for physical strength and he is called to work and care for creation and to name the animals. Eve is "Isha", Hebrew for physical reflection and less strong yet she is called by God to be Adam's kendgo, Hebrew for rescuer, warrior, or protector. This word was only ever used to describe God or Israel in support of His people. A "helper" was someone with the power to aid the person in need of help. So cool! Men and women have unique patterned gifts to interdependently lead and serve in God's Kingdom. In this special place and special relationship with God, He offers eternal life with the Tree of Life and moral accountability. Here God also gives one rule, do not eat from the Tree of Knowledge. In Genesis 2, it is the first time we here Adam speak and he speaks vows to God and Eve, they become "one flesh."
Resources:
Dr. Carmen Imes (2022). Helper: You Keep Using That Word for Women. But it doesn’t mean what you think it means. Christianity Today. https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2022/august-web-only/womens-rights-leadership-old-testament-using-word-helper.html
Dr. Tim Mackie and The Bible Project, https://bibleproject.com/classroom/overview/adam-noah/
Dr. John Walton and his book The Lost World of Adam and Eve: Genesis 2-3 and the Human Origins Debate
Dr. N.T. Wright, The Book of Genesis, The Beginning of the Beginnings
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
In the beginning . . . .Today we read Genesis 1 and Psalms 19. This is the story of how God can create something that we like to refer to as nature out of nothing AND how God can supernaturally call nature to respond to His voice to establish order. It's the story of a God of order, not chaos, and a God that chose to share a portion of His power and authority with humanity to rule, fill and subdue the earth. It's the story of whose we are - we belong to and with God - and the story of our purpose for what Fr. Mike Schmitz and Jeff Cavins describe as work, leisure, and love and God's desire to bless us with provisions and future generations. Note, the purpose is not the pursuit of profit or the blessing but to work, love, and soon we'll learn it is to rest in relationship with God in Genesis 2.
Resources:
Dr. Tim Mackie and The Bible Project, Bible Project Visual Commentary of Genesis 1
Dr. John Walton and his book The Lost World of Genesis One: Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
The Bible can be hard to understand and you may have noticed that different people have different methods of reading the Bible which lead to different interpretations. Let's talk about "why" and some of the clues and keys to empower you to think about how and why you interpret the Bible the way you do and we will share how we will approach reading the Bible and offer short explainers based on secondary sources using the exegetical methods and hermeneutical principles like reading out of the Bible in a connected ordered way to understand it as a unified story about God! As Dr. John Walton and Dr. Tim Mackie write and say, the Bible was written for us, not for us, and that gives us insight into how we are to learn and grow in our understanding of Scripture.
Sources:
Scot McKnight, Blue-Parakeet: Rethinking How to Read the Bible: https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Parakeet-2nd-Rethinking-Bible/dp/0310538920
Dr. John Walton Biblical Commentaries: https://bestcommentaries.com/author/john-h-walton/
Bible Hub: https://biblehub.com/
Bible Gateway: https://www.biblegateway.com/
Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
The Bible can be hard to understand and you may have noticed that different people have different methods of reading the Bible which lead to different interpretations. Let's talk about "why" and some of the clues and keys to empower you to think about how and why you interpret the Bible the way you do and we will share how we will approach reading the Bible and offer short explainers based on secondary sources using the exegetical methods and hermeneutical principles like reading out of the Bible in a connected ordered way to understand it as a unified story about God! As Dr. John Walton and Dr. Tim Mackie write and say, the Bible was written for us, not for us, and that gives us insight into how we are to learn and grow in our understanding of Scripture.
Sources:
Scot McKnight, Blue-Parakeet: Rethinking How to Read the Bible: https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Parakeet-2nd-Rethinking-Bible/dp/0310538920
Dr. John Walton Biblical Commentaries: https://bestcommentaries.com/author/john-h-walton/
Bible Hub: https://biblehub.com/
Bible Gateway: https://www.biblegateway.com/
Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
Ever wonder what the Bible is, how it came to be and why it's so special? Here is a great starter episode to briefly explain what the Bible is all about. It is the greatest story ever told and it's a story that is still unfolding today.
Sources:
Dr. Tim Mackie co-founder of the Bible Project https://bibleproject.com/ interview with Austin on Gospel Simplicity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6HmN3RZ8J0
Dr. N.T. Wright interview with J. John (Reverend Canon): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnCJRnDFaU0
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, https://www.amazon.com/Mere-Christianity-C-S-Lewis/dp/0060652926
Dr. Tremper Longman, Old Testament Essentials, Seminary Now: https://seminarynow.com
Credits:
Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.
