Scripture and Tradition Bible Studies

Habakkuk is unique among the Minor Prophets because he doesn't have any oracles for Israel or Judah. Instead, he dialogues with God about the injustice he sees around him and wonders why God doesn't punish the wicked. God gives him answers that only cause him more consternation. His only recourse is to wait for God to act and live by faith.   Enjoy this sample from Lesson 14, "Habakkuk: The R...

The short book of Nahum is rather straightforward, but beautifully structured. Its message is against the mighty empire of Assyria, who will surely fall due to her egregious  sins. This oracle, though firmly fulfilled in 612 BC, is powerful typology for the end of the world.   Enjoy this sample from Lesson 13, "Nahum's Oracle Against Assyria" from Dr. Nick's 20 part course, "The Minor Pr...

S ome of the most beautiful prophecies of Jesus Christ's birth and mission are recorded in the second half of Micah. We all know that Bethlehem, the birthplace of David,  was prophesied to be the birthplace of the New David and King of Israel, but the larger context reveals much more about who Jesus is and what he came to do! Enjoy this sample from Lesson 12, "The Ruler From Bethlehem (M...

The Prophet Micah has many echoes of messages found in Hosea, Amos, and Isaiah. He preaches against both Israel and Judah for  their covenantal infidelities and brings a covenantal lawsuit against them (Heb: riv/b ), as Hosea did. Yet, there are some powerful and  beautiful prophecies found in Micah as well. This lesson will study one of them, how God himself will shepherd his people as...

The Prophet Jonah is a well known character of the Old Testament. The story of Jonah and the whale is famous! Yet, few realize how troubled a man of God he really is. Rather than jumping to obey God's commands, he runs from it, reluctantly obeys, then is angry at when the  Ninevites repent! There is more to this story than meets the eye, especially when applied to Jesus and Peter in the New T...

Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament at only 21 verses, but it packs a punch. Obadiah is a "non-standard" prophet because he preaches his oracle against Edom, rather than Israel and Judah. Nevertheless, he gives great hope for the remnant of Judah who will be restored in God's Kingdom.   Enjoy this sample from Lesson 9, "Obadiah's Oracle Against Edom" from Dr. Nick's 20 part cour...

The second half of Amos continues the oracles of Judgement against Israel in the form of three "woes" and five visions. However, the book ends on a beautiful, positive prophecy of restoration for Israel and all nations in the restored "booth of David." Enjoy this sample from Lesson 8, "Raise up the Booth of David (Amos 5:18—9:15)" from Dr. Nick's 20 part course, "The Minor Prophets: The Book of th...

The Prophet Amos begins his message against the Northern Kingdom with an ominous warning, "The Lord roars from Zion" (1:2). This image of God as a lion is found throughout the book, both in a threatening manner against the wicked, but also in a liberating manner for the righteous. However, all nations should beware God's holiness and power, not just Israel. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 7, "The Lo...

While the first half of Joel is pretty heavy and bleak in its focus on a future punishment by an invading army, the second half of Joel is much more encouraging in its focus on the salvation and restoration of God's people when he pours out his Spirit on all flesh! Enjoy this sample from Lesson 6, "I Will Pour Out My Spirit (Joel 2:12—3:21)" from Dr. Nick's 20 part course, "The Minor Prophets...

Joel is a short, but very powerful book. His main message is "repent, for the day of the Lord is at hand." In this lesson we'll give an introduction to the book overall, then dive into meaning  and imagery he uses to warn the Jews to return to God before it's too late. Joel's message to his audience applies to us as well.   Enjoy this sample from Lesson 5, "The Day of The Lord (Joel 1:1—...

This lesson concludes the Book of Hosea with some of the most beautiful language of God's love for his people. Israel was called God's bride in earlier chapters, but now Israel is called God's son, and such paternal love lasts forever. If Israel returns to the Lord, accepts penance as  an act of love, then God will certainly ransom Israel in a New Exodus. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 4, "God...

Because Israel repeatedly broke their covenantal relationship with God over the centuries, God now brings forth a covenantal lawsuit (Heb: riv/b) against them. They rejected God, so he will reject them. They "played the harlot" going after other lovers in the form of idols, so God will separate himself from Israel resulting in their departure from the land into exile and into the arms of the natio...

Hosea is the first of the 12 Minor Prophets and it will not be easy to forget him or his message. God told him to preach against the Northern Kingdom of Israel not only in verbal oracles, but also to symbolize that  message through his own marriage — his "wife of harlotry" represents Israel! Enjoy this sample from Lesson 2, "Hosea's Symbolic Marriage (Hos 1-3)" from Dr. Nick's 20 part course,...

  Who are the prophets and what is prophecy? What is their role and function in the Old Testament and how does that apply in the New Testament? This first lesson lays the foundation for this exciting and relevant section of OT literature. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 1, "Introducing the Prophets" from Dr. Nick's 20 part course, "The Minor Prophets: The Book of the Twelve." Anyone can jo...

The Book of Nehemiah forms the next iteration of the faithful remnant of Jews who return to rebuild their Jewish identity during the Babylonian Captivity. The third wave of exiles are led by Nehemiah, an incredibly righteous and talented man, to rebuild the city walls and fortify Jerusalem. It wasn't easy, but by the grace of God, it was completed in record speed. Despite all that God did for his...

The Book of Ezra covers the history of the first two waves of exiles that returned from captivity. King Cyrus, the Lord's "anointed one" proclaimed an edict that all the Jews who wished to do so could return home and rebuild their lives. Thus, the first wave occurred in 538 BC. Another wave returned under the holy leadership of Ezra some 80 years later. Studying these events reveals that the New E...

Our first lesson lays the essential groundwork for situating Ezra-Nehemiah in the historical context of Salvation History. In a phrase, the New Exodus promised by God through his prophets has begun! Enjoy this sample from Lesson 1, "Introducing Ezra-Nehemiah" from Dr. Nick's three-part course, "Ezra-Nehemiah: The New Exodus Begins." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire a...

In this final lesson of our journey through 1-2 Chronicles we see incredible signs of hope in the reforms of Hezekiah and Josiah. However, the people are deeply  prone to evil so these royal reforms come to nothing and in the end, Judah is conquered and destroyed by Babylon. Yet, even in the horrific unfolding of the Deuteronomic curses, God's mercy abounds towards the  restoration of hi...

Royal infidelities continue in the period from Jehoram to Ahaz. This era is probably  one of the most frightening  in the history of the divided kingdom as the line of David is nearly snuffed out due to a bad marriage, but God's protection carries Judah through such  dark  times. Yet, the kingdom continues to spiral out of control under the evil king  Ahaz. Enjoy...

2 Chronicles 10 begins the final major section of 1-2 Chronicles which focuses on the Judean Kings of the Davidic Kingdom. The Northern Kingdom is largely ignored because they have rebelled against God. The Chronicler examines the ups and downs of the southern reigns and judges them based on their fidelity to God's covenant and law. Chapters 10-20 focuses on these kings beginning with Jeroboa...

The Temple is not just a building, it is the most important moment in OT Salvation History. It's the center of the universe and the summation of all previous covenants! Enjoy this sample from Lesson 7, "The Theology of the Temple" from Dr. Nick's ten-part course, "1-2 Chronicles: The Kingdom of the Lord." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course...

2 Chronicles 1-9  recounts the life and mission of King Solomon as the great temple builder. All of 1 Chronicles leads to this moment. Solomon's early life is rooted in proper worship of God, which leads him to ask for wisdom to accomplish his duties as king, which God grants in abundance, along with great wealth, for the purpose of spiritual leadership. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 6, "Solo...

1 Chron 21-29 mark the final days of David's life according to the Chronicler. He spends this time making all provisions and preparations necessary for the future construction of the Temple under Solomon. These narratives further reveal that the site and worship of the Temple is a completion and fulfillment of the promises under the previous covenants with Abraham and Moses. Enjoy this sample from...

The davidic covenant in chapter 17 is the heart and core of 1-2 Chronicles. All previous chapters point to it, and all subsequent chapters flow from it. This lesson will outline the theological and spiritual characteristics of God's covenant with David to make his kingdom secure and everlasting. We'll also review how all characteristics are fulfilled in the person and mission of Jesus Christ. &nbs...

David is known for many things, but rarely as a liturgist. The Chronicler takes pains to show that David is just that. His heart is fixated on worship and liturgy. Everything he does as king is ordered towards the proper adoration of God.   Enjoy this sample from Lesson 3, "David's Liturgical Reign (1 Chron 10-16)" from Dr. Nick's ten-part course, "1-2 Chronicles: The Kingdom of the Lord...