Ezekiel 33 - 1:06 . Ezekiel 34 - 10:01 . Proverbs 25 - 17:30 . In today’s passage, Ezekiel recalls the day when, 12 years into exile, he first hears word that Jerusalem has been overtaken. Those who remain behind want to claim the land as their own property, but the Lord sees their wickedness and vows to make them a desolate waste. The Lord also sees the shepherds of Israel, those leaders and rulers who have been entrusted with taking care of God’s flock. Rather than nurturing and protecting tho...
Nov 15, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 216
Ezekiel 31 - 1:03 . Ezekiel 32 - 6:35 . Proverbs 24 - 14:24 . We are in the section of Ezekiel’s prophecies where the proclamations against particular nations have collected together. In our last episode we concluded the prophecy against Tyre and began the prophecies against Egypt. We begin with a symbolic proclamation against the cedar of Assyria. Cedars were seen as symbols of royalty and majesty in the Near East; and just as noble Assyria was brought low, so too, Egypt will be cut down. Phara...
Nov 14, 2023•19 min•Season 3Ep. 215
Ezekiel 28 - 1:05 . Ezekiel 29 - 6:40 . Ezekiel 30 - 12:33 . Proverbs 23 - 18:07 . As you’ll recall from our last episode, Ezekiel is prophesying against the port city of Tyre. That section of prophecy concludes today and we’ll begin a new prophecy against the nation of Egypt. As evidenced by the pyramids that remain standing today, the treasures of the pharaohs, along with abundant of historical records, Egypt was once a major world power that ruled mightily for centuries. Bible readers will re...
Nov 13, 2023•23 min•Season 3Ep. 214
Ezekiel 25 - 1:06 . Ezekiel 26 - 4:48 . Ezekiel 27 - 11:03 . Proverbs 22:17 - 17:53 . Israel and Judah have incited the Lord’s wrath by their wanton disregard for His statutes, and the Lord intends to pour His wrath out on His people. Even so, He will continue to stand by His promise to save a remnant and bring them back into the land. This is not the case for the surrounding nations, who have shown contempt for Jerusalem and disregard for the Holy One of Israel. With today’s episode, we begin a...
Nov 10, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 213
Ezekiel 23 - 1:06 . Ezekiel 24 - 12:27 . Proverbs 22:1-16 - 18:17 . The Word of God sometimes shocks us with the imagery it gives to describe the sins of mankind, and today’s passage is no exception. As you might imagine, today’s podcast includes sexually explicit content, so parents, use discretion as you see fit. The Lord tells a parable of sorts, describing Samaria (aka Israel) and Jerusalem as two sisters named Oholah and Oholibah. With scandalous and sordid depictions of their rebellion aga...
Nov 09, 2023•21 min•Season 3Ep. 212
Ezekiel 20:32-49 - 1:10 . Ezekiel 21 - 4:54 . Ezekiel 22 - 13:28 . Proverbs 21:17-31 - 20:18 . In our last reading, some of the elders of Israel had gathered around Ezekiel to inquire of the Lord, but God denied them counsel and began to recount the history of Israel’s rebellion and idolatry. Time and again, the Lord would have been justified in exhausting His wrath against Israel, but over and over He relented from disaster so that His name wouldn’t be profaned among the nations. The Lord will ...
Nov 08, 2023•23 min•Season 3Ep. 211
Ezekiel 18 - 1:09 . Ezekiel 19 - 8:51 . Ezekiel 20 - 11:30 . Proverbs 21 - 18:47 . Our reading opens with a consideration of personal responsibility for sin. The Lord says that each man is responsible for his own sins; no man will be charged as guilty for the sins of his father, but will certainly be judged for his own actions. Moreover, a sinful man can be restored when he turns in repentance toward God, but the one who turns away from righteousness to live in unrighteousness will be condemned....
Nov 07, 2023•22 min•Season 3Ep. 210
Ezekiel 16 - 1:02 . Ezekiel 17 - 15:41 . Today’s episode contains sexual themes, so parental discretion is advised. Today we get a glimpse of God’s lovingkindness toward Israel as God describes Himself as a Father who adopts an unwanted baby, then as a man who redeems the life of a woman by claiming her as His bride. This woman becomes beautiful through the nurturing love of God, and as she grows in beauty, she begins to trust her beauty more than her husband. This bride is more anxious to pleas...
Nov 06, 2023•22 min•Season 3Ep. 209
Ezekiel 13 - 1:03 . Ezekiel 14 - 7:36 . Ezekiel 15 - 13:11 . We begin today’s passage with prophecies against false teachers who make up things to say from the Lord even though he didn’t actually say them. These prophets are figuratively like those who don’t repair the structure of a weakened wall so that it is strong once again, but who simply whitewash over it to make it look nice. Women who practice sorcery and sell bracelets as magic charms are condemned here as well. Later, the Lord God say...
Nov 03, 2023•16 min•Season 3Ep. 208
Ezekiel 9 - 1:06 . Ezekiel 10 - 3:55 . Ezekiel 11 - 8:55 . Ezekiel 12 - 13:59 . Proverbs 20:16 - 19:57 . In our last episode, while meeting with Judah’s elders, Ezekiel was carried off in a vision by the Lord. In one scene after another, the Lord showed Ezekiel the abhorrent practices of idolatry that the people were committing, especially those in the Lord’s temple. Today, the prophet sees an otherworldly visual representation of the Lord’s sovereign decrees as judgment is declared upon Jerusal...
Nov 02, 2023•23 min•Season 3Ep. 207
Ezekiel 5 - 1:02 . Ezekiel 6 - 5:40 . Ezekiel 7 - 9:55 . Ezekiel 8 - 16:47 . When we last left Ezekiel, the Lord had given him prophetic acts to perform before the people of Jerusalem. In one he drew the city of Jerusalem on a brick and then laid siege to it. In another, he was commanded to lay on his left side for 390 days, and then 40 days on his right, all while eating bread baked over cow dung. Today, at the Lord’s direction, Ezekiel shaves his head and beard, a look that was considered sham...
Nov 01, 2023•22 min•Season 3Ep. 206
Ezekiel 1 - 1:05 . Ezekiel 2 - 6:42 . Ezekiel 3 - 8:47 . Ezekiel 4 - 15:23 . Proverbs 20 - 19:13 . Ezekiel is on his way to Babylon with a group of exiles when suddenly, the heavens are opened and he sees a vision from God. The symbolism here is pretty deep. Coming from the north, like the Chaldean armies, the Lord’s angels are fourfold with four faces and four wings, communicating the Lord’s sovereignty over the fourfold directions of the earth (north, south, east, and west) over every mighty c...
Oct 31, 2023•22 min•Season 3Ep. 205
Lamentations 3 - 1:04 . Lamentations 4 - 9:16 . Lamentations 5 - 13:50 . Proverbs 19 - 16:24 . Today, we complete the book of Lamentations, a work of suffering, shame, horror, and defeat, but centered in the middle of the work, we read of Jeremiah’s confident hope in the Lord (that section occurs in today’s reading near the end of chapter 3). As a whole, Lamentations is presented in a series of five poems, of which the first four are acrostics of the Hebrew alphabet, much like Psalm 119, only sh...
Oct 30, 2023•21 min•Season 3Ep. 204
Lamentations 1 - 1:03 . Lamentations 2 - 8:09 . Proverbs 18 - 14:42 . The book of Lamentations has some pretty harrowing imagery, especially as it relates to children, so parental discretion is advised. We have concluded the book Jeremiah but we have not yet exhausted his writings; church history carries tradition that it is Jeremiah who wrote the book of Lamentations after the desolation of Judah had come to pass. Remember that Chaldeans laid siege to Jerusalem, basically surrounding them and s...
Oct 27, 2023•19 min•Season 3Ep. 203
Jeremiah 51:24-64 - 1:09 . Jeremiah 52 - 11:45 . Proverbs 17 - 18:44 . The prophecy against Babylon continues from our last episode today as we read the rest of chapter 51. In it, the Lord calls upon several nations to wage war against Babylon, bringing devastation and destruction. When that time of judgment comes, the Lord calls his people out of Babylon, telling them not to be fearful. When the prophecy concludes, Jeremiah instructs Seraiah to go to Babylon, declare the prophecy, then tie the ...
Oct 26, 2023•23 min•Season 3Ep. 202
Jeremiah 50 - 1:08 . Jeremiah 51 - 13:22 . Proverbs 16:17-33 - 18:42 . The final prophecy against a particular nation is a doozy, proclaiming total annihilation and ruin and spanning two long chapters, (50, 51) one of which is the sixth longest chapter in Scripture. Who could this prophecy be against? What nation’s actions would merit such a rebuke? If you guessed Babylon, you are right! Though the Lord allowed Babylon to attack His own people and send them into exile, Babylon is still responsib...
Oct 25, 2023•22 min•Season 3Ep. 201
Jeremiah 48:21 - 1:09 . Jeremiah 49 - 7:08 . Proverbs 16 - 17:05 . We’re now in the section of Jeremiah that includes prophecies against individual nations. These prophecies were gathered over the course of Jeremiah’s life and have been collected here at the end of his account. The overarching theme of these chapters is that the Lord sees the injustice and disgrace of the surrounding nations, and they will not escape his wrath and judgment. In some cases, the Lord says that he will restore the n...
Oct 24, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 200
Jeremiah 44:15 - 1:09 . Jeremiah 45 - 5:45 . Jeremiah 46 - 6:58 . Jeremiah 47 - 14:33 . Jeremiah 48 - 16:15 . Proverbs 15:18 - 20:16 . Following the destruction of Jerusalem, Jeremiah had elected to stay in the land with permission from the Chaldeans. After an insurrection and no small tumult within the remnant who stayed in the land, the skittish group asked for direction from the Lord. Jeremiah told them plainly that staying in the land would result in blessing but fleeing to Egypt would resul...
Oct 23, 2023•23 min•Season 3Ep. 199
Jeremiah 41 - 1:08 . Jeremiah 42 - 4:59 . Jeremiah 43 - 11:00 . Jeremiah 44 - 14:11 . Proverbs 15 - 17:58 . The prophecies of Jeremiah foretelling the devastation of Jerusalem have come to pass. Through it all the Lord has kept His promises and has protected Jeremiah from harm. With the blessing of the Chaldean captain of the guards, Jeremiah has elected to stay in Jerusalem. As Jeremiah continues to serve the Lord through this transition he must navigate new relationships and new authorities. A...
Oct 20, 2023•21 min•Season 3Ep. 198
Habakkuk 1 - 1:07 . Habakkuk 2 - 4:38 . Habakkuk 3 - 8:59 . 2 Chronicles 36 - 13:06 . Proverbs 14:16 - 18:20 . As we cover the siege of Jerusalem and it’s fall there will be a lot of overlap as we try to cover all the material that pertains to this period in biblical history. Today, we’ll begin with a reading that spans the entire book of Habakkuk, wherein the prophet of the same name is recorded speaking to the Lord on behalf of his people. He openly and honestly struggles with understanding wh...
Oct 19, 2023•22 min•Season 3Ep. 197
2 Kings 24 - 1:06 . 2 Kings 25 - 5:09 . Jeremiah 40 - 12:04 . Proverbs 14 - 16:44 . In our last episode, the prophecies of Jeremiah came to pass. The Chaldean army laid siege to Jerusalem and right before his eyes were gouged out, Zedekiah’s sons were executed in front of him. Our chronological reading of the Old Testament continues as we read this account from 2 Kings. In both readings we are introduced to Nebuzaradan, the Chaldean captain of the guards. Those who surrender to the Chaldeans are...
Oct 18, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 196
Jeremiah 37 - 1:03 . Jeremiah 38 - 5:12 . Jeremiah 39 - 12:32 . Proverbs 13 - 16:31 . From a chronological standpoint, today’s reading can be a little confusing. Have you ever been watching a TV show that begins with a jump in the story’s timeline for dramatic interest, then jumps backward to show the circumstances that have led up to that point? That’s what’s happening here. Our last reading opened with Jeremiah in prison, but there was no explanation of how he got there. The accounts in chapte...
Oct 17, 2023•21 min•Season 3Ep. 195
Jeremiah 34 - 1:02 . Jeremiah 35 - 7:34 . Jeremiah 36 - 12:05 . From a chronological standpoint, today’s reading can be a little confusing. Have you ever been watching a TV show that begins with a jump in the story’s timeline for dramatic interest, then jumps backward to show the circumstances that have led up to that point? That’s what’s happening here. Our last reading opened with Jeremiah in prison, but there was no explanation of how he got there. The accounts in chapters 35-36 (starting aft...
Oct 16, 2023•21 min•Season 3Ep. 194
Jeremiah 32 - 1:04 . Jeremiah 33 - 11:46 . Proverbs 12:15-28 - 18:19 . This part of the text may be a little confusing, so let me give a little historical context. The Babylonian siege began after King Zedekiah had been in office for nine years. This siege was lifted for a small window of time when the troops caught word that an Egyptian army was approaching. During this break, Zedekiah arrested Jeremiah because he was encouraging the men of Judah to surrender, but God commanded Jeremiah to tell...
Oct 13, 2023•21 min•Season 3Ep. 193
Jeremiah 30 - 1:04 . Jeremiah 31 - 6:37 . Proverbs 12:1-14 - 17:52 . Today, the Lord offers consolation and hope for those in exile. After 70 years of living outside of the land the Lord has given them, the Lord will bring judgment upon those nations which brought destruction. His people will once again return to the land of promise. Though their land had been decimated by war, it will be brought back to life. The Lord then expresses His everlasting love for His people, promising to rebuild them...
Oct 12, 2023•21 min•Season 3Ep. 192
Jeremiah 27 - 1:05 . Jeremiah 28 - 6:04 . Jeremiah 29 - 10:43 . Proverbs 11:17-31 - 18:13 . In an age before billboards, movies, and cat videos, there were few ways to stand out from the crowd and command the attention of people who might otherwise ignore you. At the Lord’s command, Jeremiah frequently acts out some of his prophesies in order to dramatically display the reality of what will soon take place. You wouldn’t soon forget a man wearing chains and a yoke who looks you in the eye and tel...
Oct 11, 2023•21 min•Season 3Ep. 191
Jeremiah 25 - 1:05 . Jeremiah 26 - 10:00 . Proverbs 11 - 15:25 . At this point in the life of Jeremiah, he has served as a prophet among the people of Judah for 23 years. During that time, the people have ignored his prophecies and his calls for repentance. Moreover, other prophets have come before him, but the people have not paid attention. As such, they have brought disaster on themselves and the cup of God’s wrath will poured out on them and on the nations. Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylo...
Oct 10, 2023•18 min•Season 3Ep. 190
Jeremiah 23 - 1:05 . Jeremiah 24 - 11:41 . Proverbs 10 - 14:20 . In our last reading, Jeremiah condemned Zedekiah and the three godless kings that preceded him. These leaders of Judah, whom the Lord addresses as shepherds in today’s reading, have led the Lord’s flock away from Him, but God promises to raise up one who is called “a Righteous Branch for David,” a king and a shepherd who will reign wisely and administer justice righteously. Moreover, the prophets of Judah have not only prophesied f...
Oct 06, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 189
Jeremiah 20 - 1:05 . Jeremiah 21 - 5:30 . Jeremiah 22 - 10:06 . Proverbs 9 - 17:13 . Jeremiah has proclaimed that those who trust in men are cursed and those who trust in the Lord will be blessed. Today, the prophet must put this very teaching into practice, for after gathering the priests, prophets, and leaders of Judah to declare the judgment of the Lord, he is beaten, put in the stocks, and humiliated by one of the priests. Both before and after this event, Jeremiah pleads with the Lord to do...
Oct 05, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 188
Jeremiah 17 - 1:06 . Jeremiah 18 - 8:04 . Jeremiah 19 - 12:51 . Proverbs 8:22-36 - 16:51 . Jeremiah continues his pronouncement against the persistent sin of Judah as our text begins today, saying that those who trust in men are cursed and those who trust in the Lord will be blessed. The Lord instructs Jeremiah to visit the house of a potter, and in so doing he observes the potter disregarding a jar he had created because it became flawed, at which point he makes another jar. The Lord says that ...
Oct 04, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 187
