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You Can Read the Bible Bible Only Podcast
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Read Through the Bible
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Day 13 Bible Only Podcast
1w agoTap to summarizeAs we begin this week, Joseph is in prison, sold by his brothers, falsely accused by Potiphar, and forgotten by the king’s cupbearer. We don’t yet know how much time has passed, but he was in Potiphar’s house at least long enough to be promoted to chief steward, then in prison long enough to become an overseer of the inmates. Now, it’s two more years until his next opportunity arises. Dwell on this: Joseph has spent over a decade with no idea whether his story would ever be redeemed. But in chapter 41, the story once again turns on a series of two dreams. The key actor in this sequence is Pharaoh. The leader of the Egyptian world is so troubled by these dreams, and so convinced that they mean something ominous, that he is willing to take help from anyone – even an imprisoned foreign slave. So Joseph is called to Pharaoh’s court, the culmination of all we’ve hoped for, and the singular moment in Joseph’s life. God has prepared him for this with tribulation and heartbreak, but also with moments where Joseph could see that God had worked through him. He has every reason to resent, but also reasons to hope. And one response will step forward here. There is a two-part climax to their exchange. Listen to how Joseph credits his interpretation, and then goes for broke when he realizes he has Pharaoh’s ear. If you’re reading, take a break at the end of Joseph’s speech, and dwell in that eternal moment before Pharaoh responds – Joseph closer to life, and to death, than he’s ever been before. Also, think about what Joseph says about the meaning of having two dreams – and the hope that might be renewed about his own dreams, from long ago. Our verse for this week is Hebrews 11:8: By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. Genesis 41 and 42. Now let’s read it!
Transcribe →Day 9 Bible Only Podcast
1w agoTap to summarizeIf you’re reading through the Old Testament for the first time, you might be startled by what you’re finding here. I’ve warned you before that God has chosen to reveal Himself through very human stories. This Bible isn’t the “good parts version,” and if it is, then I’d hate to see the version with all the bad stuff in it. Today we catch up with Jacob and Rachel and Leah, still living and working for the women’s father, Laban. Jealousy and deception catch up with everybody here. Leah is jealous of Rachel because Jacob loves Rachel more; Rachel is jealous of Leah because Leah is able to have children; Jacob feels ill used by Laban, but then gets back at him by strengthening his own flocks; and finally, Laban’s servants are jealous of Jacob’s wealth. Everybody got that? So, given all that you know about this family, what do you think Jacob is going to do? Take off while Laban is away, of course! I reminded you yesterday that you don’t have to like these characters. You’re allowed to acknowledge now that this family has some serious stuff going on. Even though they don’t seem to be aware of it, you’ve surely picked up on the three-generation cycle of jealousy and deception. And you can probably detect that this is all going to end badly. It’s a well-crafted story, but one that’s also all too familiar. But the subject of the Bible is God, isn’t it? See how Leah reflects on the LORD’s favor, how the LORD “remembers” Rachel, how God pushes Jacob back to his true home, and protects him from Laban’s wrath. Also listen to how Jacob refers to the LORD twice – as the “God of Abraham” and “the Fear of my father, Isaac.” Remember this week’s verse is Galatians 4:28: Now you brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. Genesis chapters 30 and 31. Now let’s read it!
Transcribe →Day 215 Bible Only Podcast
1w agoTap to summarizeAt the quarter mark of the book of Acts, let’s take stock of the patterns in Luke’s story. The Holy Spirit has been mentioned 21 times thus far. A crescendo has been building in the aggression of the Jerusalem authorities against Jesus’ disciples. Violence has now erupted. Yet on multiple occasions, a time of explosive growth for the church follows immediately after a moment of challenge or decision. Two new themes are developed at the beginning of the second act, one of which is the expansion of the gospel. Upon Stephen’s frightful end the disciples are scattered and we follow Philip from Jerusalem, through Judea, into Samaria. There he meets Simon the magician, and a court official of the queen of Ethiopia, both of whom believe in Jesus, but with different purposes in mind. Later, in chapter 10, we’re reunited with Peter in the seaside town of Joppa. Up the coast in Caesarea, a devout centurion named Cornelius is visited by an angel, who commissions Cornelius to send for Peter. Meanwhile Peter receives a vision as well, repeated three times: an image of animals that the law forbade, and the voice of God pressing him to “Rise, kill and eat…” for “What God has made clean, do not call common.” As Peter awakes, inwardly perplexed about what this could mean, the servants of the Gentile Cornelius arrive. The second theme that emerges is really a character: Saul. Luke makes sure we know straightaway what kind of man he was, observing simply, And Saul approved of [Stephen’s] execution. We watch him ravage the church in Jerusalem and ask the high priest for orders to take his rage to Damascus. But on the way someone meets him, something happens to him, and soon Saul himself is confounding the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ. There is much action here, and it seems Luke wants us to feel it that way. He has a story to tell and limited time in which to do it. There is little backstory, characters emerge and are dropped at will, and there are few coincidental observations about the life of the church. Luke is telling us, sometimes through silence, what he believes is important. Our verse for this week is Romans 3:23: For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God. Acts 8 through 10. Now let’s read it!
Transcribe →Day 113 Bible Only Podcast
1w agoTap to summarize1 Samuel chapters 23 and 24 Civil war. The last time there was open conflict between rival Israelites, there had been no king in Israel. Things were supposed to be different now – the Israelites had sought as much when they had demanded a king. Remember, it was the succession difficulties of Samuel’s sons, which had followed those of Eli, that would instigate Israel’s demand to be “like the nations.” Now they were reaping the whirlwind. Saul had not only recruited the sons of Israel into his army, he had tried to employ them in executing the LORD’s priests, and was now leading them throughout Israel in jealous pursuit of his son-in-law. David had also acquired a following, a ragtag group of the disenchanted, whose integrity has yet to be tested. The narrative opens with David returning to southeast Judah to defend the town of Keilah from the Philistines. Notice that David inquires of the LORD about taking action in a very Moses/Joshua way, being ready to heed His word both to fight and to flee. Saul pursues; the people of Keilah take sides. This war leaves few untouched. Saul’s son Jonathan has chosen sides as well. He goes to Horesh alone to meet David and make a covenant before the LORD, assuring David, “Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Saul my father also knows this.” The narrative drives toward a crescendo in chapter 24. David has a chance to strike a lethal blow, to end a war he did not start, to become king. Saul’s army would surely rally to him, the aggrieved party, and nonetheless he had an army of his own. But David, at least here, would not take the kingdom “like the nations.” After sparing Saul’s life, David attempts to pierce his heart: “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Behold, David seeks your harm’? Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the LORD gave you today into my hand in the cave. And some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD’s anointed.’” Our verse for this week is Isaiah 40:28: Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable. 1 Samuel 23 and 24. Now let’s read it!
Transcribe →Day 63 Bible Only Podcast
1w agoTap to summarizeWe are still in the thick of the specific commands by which Israel will set themselves apart as fully devoted to the LORD their God. Remember that this is all delivered by Moses at the borders of the Promised Land – his final appeal to Israel to keep all that the LORD has commanded. Yesterday’s reading followed a theme of civil and economic justice, and today’s text bounces through a variety of instructions that hint at the role of the priests in Israelite life. The first of these is a reminder of how the Levites will be provided for, since they will serve as the LORD’s priests and have no inheritance of land. Following a brief warning about the practices of the people of Canaan, Moses returns to the question of how to discern between false prophets and those whom the LORD has sent. It begins with a promise: “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from you brothers…” The LORD warns that a prophet can neither “speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him,” nor speak “in the name of other gods.” Since the first stipulation is hard to gauge, a test is given: “If the [prophet’s] word does not come to pass or come true,” then “that is not a word the LORD has spoken.” It sounds like a violation of the third commandment, and consequently “You do not need to be afraid of him.” In chapter 19 Moses revisits the six cities of refuge that were designated in Numbers 35. These cities were safe spaces for those who unintentionally and without malice killed someone. The remainder of this chapter focuses on other issues of justice, such as property boundaries and determining the credibility of an accusation. Listen as the priests play a role in the justice system alongside the local judges. Our reading today ends with the manner of making war against Israel’s enemies. Notice the call to courage; the role of the priest; and the type of soldier who is to fight in Israel’s army. Watch also as a distinction is made between battle against ordinary enemies and those whom “the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance.” These are to be completely destroyed, devoted to the LORD. Our verse for this week is Matthew 22:39: And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Deuteronomy 18 through 20. Now let’s read it!
Transcribe →Day 55 Bible Only Podcast
1w agoTap to summarizeAs we approach the end of Numbers, the new generation of Israelites is approaching the day when the LORD opens the Promised Land to them. Today’s readings center on this, beginning with a crisis of national unity. Chapter 32 is a dialogue-rich story concerning the tribes of Gad and Reuben. As Israel has settled the East Bank of the Jordan River, representatives from these two tribes approach Moses with a proposal: “Let this land be given to us for a possession. Do not take us across the Jordan.” This raises serious questions for Moses: “Are Reuben and Gad giving up on God’s promise?” “Will you allow the other tribes to fend for themselves in Canaan?” And “Isn’t this the same kind of self-seeking that bought us 40 extra years in the wilderness?” Echoes of Numbers 13 and 14 abound as Moses warns forcefully about rekindling the wrath of the LORD. But then Reuben and Gad make an appealing promise, and a peace is made that will be tested later. You might notice here that the LORD is absent from this negotiation, and the author offers no commentary on the resolution. He only presents the characters and dialogue. Remember that most Biblical narratives don’t offer an obvious “moral of the story.” On the one hand, Reuben and Gad appear to be settling for less than what God has promised them. On the other hand, this is a substantial expansion of Israel’s territory. It’s possible that we’ll have to be patient to see if this was a good idea or not. Chapter 33 is a history lesson and Chapter 34 is a geography lesson. First, the entire journey from Goshen to the banks of the Jordan is recounted. Next, the boundaries of the land are set. Of keen historical note is that these boundaries of Canaan match those found in Egyptian records of the same time period. But in the middle of these is an ominous warning: “But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then those of them whom you let remain shall be as barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall trouble you in the land where you dwell. And I will do to you as I thought to do to them.” This warning, attached to the command to drive out all the inhabitants of Canaan, will stand in the background for centuries to come. Our verses for this week are Matthew 22:37-38: “And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.” Numbers 32 through 34. Now let’s read it!
Transcribe →Day 33 Bible Only Podcast
1w agoTap to summarizeToday, we reenter the world of sacrifices with a few reminders about this ancient system of worship. First, for Israel, making sacrifices is about relationship maintenance. It isn’t about impressing God or achieving salvation. The grace of God had already been given by selecting Israel, out of all nations, as the LORD’s very own. Sacrifices were Israel’s way of maintaining its thanks and humility before the God who rescued it out of Egypt and made it a nation. Following on that theme, these sacrifices were not performed because the LORD required food. This is unique. In the ancient Middle East gods were capable of controlling human armies, the weather, and your fate, but they could not feed themselves. This gave the humans some degree of power and manipulation over the gods. Listen for how the LORD – Israel’s God – refutes this system, including who gets to eat the offerings after they’re cooked. Gifts are offered to Him, waved before Him, placed before Him, and even smelled by Him, but never consumed by Him. The LORD requires nothing from Israel. For this God, acts of grace always flow in one direction. So it’s with this in mind that we once again reenter this world. Listen in Leviticus 3 and 4 as the following instructions and themes recur: how the blood is sprinkled on the sides of the altar; how sacrifices are a pleasing aroma to the LORD; even how the fat is treated for different sacrifices. Much is conjectured about the pragmatic purpose behind these specific instructions, but at their core this is about practicing obedience to a Holy God. In chapter 4, we begin to see sacrifices that atone for specific sins. Notice that even unintentional violations require sacrifice. Listen for how the priests’ sin brings guilt, not only on themselves, but on the nation. Hear words like “atonement” and “forgiven” used regularly for the first time. You’ll be seeing these again. Our verse for this week is Hebrews 11:29: By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. Leviticus chapters 3 and 4. Now let’s read it!
Transcribe →Day 261 Bible Only Podcast
1w agoTap to summarizeNow the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel who was over them. Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak arose and began to rebuild the house of God that is in Jerusalem, and the prophets of God were with them, supporting them. – Ezra 5:1-2 Haggai’s brief ministry takes place around 520 B.C., when the project of rebuilding the temple of Jerusalem had been stalled for over a decade. Today, you’ll get to read what the LORD said through him that motivated the workers to return to the task. More importantly, you’ll read how the LORD felt about this project, seven decades after He had allowed Solomon’s temple to be destroyed. I want to let Haggai’s words stand on their own, so I don’t want to say too much more. You’ll notice that there are at least four distinct oracles spanning just three months. Remember the characters Zerubbabel the governor and Joshua the priest from Ezra. Remember also the resistance they experienced from the people of land, who bribed counselors against them to frustrate their purpose… and made them afraid to build. This is the setting into which Haggai is commissioned to charge, thus says the LORD of hosts: “Consider your ways.” Our verse for this week is Colossians 3:23: Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. The prophet Haggai. Now let’s read it!
Transcribe →Day 95 Bible Only Podcast
1w agoTap to summarizeAt the conclusion of Joshua, the author celebrates the fact that: Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua and had known all the work that the Lord did for Israel. However, the first few chapters of Judges paint a bleak picture. Israel does not remain faithful; in fact, they descend further and further away from the LORD. A cycle of distress, rescue, temporary faithfulness and then corruption drives the narrative. One of the purposes of the book of Judges is to serve as a bridge between Joshua and Samuel – between conquest and kingdom. The author will often allude to the days “when there was no king in Israel” – noting that this is written during the era of the Israelite kingdom, which will emerge in the book of Samuel. In chapter 2, the camera pulls the LORD into foreground. The issue at the core of Judges is expressed by the angel of the LORD in chapter 2: “I will never break my covenant with you, and you shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land; you shall break down their altars.’ But you have not obeyed my voice. What is this you have done?” What indeed! Whenever they marched out, the hand of the Lord was against them for harm, as the Lord had warned, and as the Lord had sworn to them. And they were in terrible distress. Remember that the primary character of the Bible is the LORD. If a judgment is made, it’s going to be from the LORD’s perspective. Listen to how Israel’s wanderings are described and to how the LORD responds to them. See if you can detect a pattern of when He delivers them from harm, or allows them to suffer in it. Our verse for this week is Psalm 138:8: The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands. Judges chapters 1 and 2. Now let’s read it!
Transcribe →Day 114 Bible Only Podcast
1w agoTap to summarizeChapter 25 begins with a closing note about the prophet Samuel. Given his stature in Israel’s story, the mention is curiously brief. This opens for two stories that help fill out our sense of David’s character. The second will feel similar to what we saw yesterday in the cave of Engedi. The first is a unique encounter between David, a worthless man, and his wife. We saw yesterday that as David and his men roam the wilderness of Judah, they are providing a measure of security for its residents. While Israel has ostensible control of the region, Philistine raiding parties are still threatening life and property. Today David reaches out to Nabal, whose estate David had been protecting, and asks to share in a feast day with him. Given the size of David’s militia, it’s hard to fathom how much support David was expecting from Nabal, but Nabal – described as harsh and badly behaved, heaps insults upon David. David is hot, and commands his men to strap on their swords. The story turns in two places. First, one of Nabal’s servants has the nerve to go to Nabal’s wife, Abigail, and warn her not only that David has a point, but that all of them are going to be wiped out. Second, Abigail goes to David, and in the longest speech attributed to a woman in the whole Old Testament, sways David by reminding him that “The LORD will certainly make [him] a sure house…” and will appoint him “…prince over Israel.” As soon as this episode ends, we find that Saul is still on David’s tail, despite his confession in chapter 24 that he knows that David will “surely be king.” We’re also reminded that Saul’s army suffers either from disinterest or incompetence, and David is able to sneak into the camp at night and toy with Saul again. Saul is again convicted, repentant, and releases David with a blessing. Take note of the interesting narrative structure of chapters 24 through 26. In the bookends, we have stories of David overriding the advice of his men – even chastising them – and refusing to kill the man he calls, “The LORD’s anointed.” However, in between, it is David who is rash, and who is kept from evil by the advice of another. As in all the Bible, we are dealing with human beings whose triumphs and flaws are on full display. Listen for connections throughout these stories today. Our verse for this week is Isaiah 40:28: Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable. 1 Samuel 25 and 26. Now let’s read it!
Transcribe →