Bible Backdrop

The history of Israel series continues as we move into Judges 6 with the start of the story of Gideon. The Israelites have fallen away from the worship of Yahweh, so God sends the Midianites to oppress them. After 7 years, they cry out to God for relief and He sends Gideon...the youngest man from an insignificant family. Gideon's faith is tested as God calls him to do a difficult task before...

After the conquest of the Promised Land, Israel moves into the time of Judges. The book begins with the aftermath of Joshua's death and we see the people fall into a cycle of falling away from God, being subject to another nation, crying out to God for deliverance, a judge being raised, and then peace for a period of time before the cycle starts again. A word of warning: Judges can be a viole...

After defeating the kings of southern Canaan, Israel has to meet a new threat in the north. The largest army ever gathered in that region is prepared to fight against the Israelites...but they strike first. The resulting battle brings us to the end of Joshua as the nation then settles in the land.  If you are enjoying Bible Backdrop, please leave a five star rating and review. You can e-mail the s...

After the victories over Jericho and Ai and the reading of the law, Israel is ready to start the next phase of the campaign. However, it starts with a bit of controversy including a covenant that eventually needs to be fulfilled. Fulfilling that covenant is what leads to one of the greatest victories so far in taking the Promised Land. If you are enjoying Bible Backdrop, please leave a 5 star rati...

The battles for Jericho and Ai start the conquest of the Promised Land for Israel. How did they capture a fortress with gigantic walls? Why did God let them get defeated by the army in Ai? Why did they march around Jericho so many times? This and other questions are answered in this episode of Bible Backdrop. If you are enjoying Bible Backdrop, please leave a 5 star rating and review. Bible Backdr...

A new leader is established for Israel and they stand on the precipice of entering the Promised Land. Before that happens, they have to do a few things. On this episode of Bible Backdrop, we start in the book of Joshua and learn about Jericho, two spies and a prostitute. Then we see the nation of Israel finally cross the Jordan as the next generation does what their parents refused to do. 

In football, the preseason comes before the regular season; to get ready for when the games count. In this episode of Bible Backdrop, we see Israel going through a similar experience. They go through a number of challenges and battles to get ready for their conquering of the Promised Land. There are, of course, a number of rebellious moments and fiery serpents, but they make it through and sit on...

The nation of Israel leaves Mount Sinai to gain their inheritance in the Promised Land. As usual, things don't go according to plan. The people get angry, God rebukes, Moses intercedes and the process starts all over again. Until it comes time to actually take the Promised Land and then things go really sideways. Listen to this episode of Bible Backdrop as we tell some of the stories from the...

Moses has brought the Israelites to Mount Sinai to meet with God who shows up in a mighty way. However, even after this awesome meeting, the Israelites soon slip into idolatry and moral bankruptcy. This leads to some pretty awful consequences and almost causes the people to lose their special place as God's chosen people. How will they react? Will they simply move ahead or will they repent? L...

As the nation of Israel makes their way through the wilderness, they come across some trouble. Lack of food and water make the people a bit testy. On top of that, they have a new enemy that has decided to attack them at their weakest spot. And in each instance, God continually provides for them. On this episode of Bible Backdrop, find out some of the details regarding the Israelites journey to Mou...

The Israelites have been released from their bondage, but have one last hurdle to face. With their backs to the sea and the Egyptian army on their heels, it will take a miracle to save the fledgling nation. In this episode of Bible Backdrop, we look at some of the details surrounding the great miracle that finally broke Israel away from Egypt and showed even more of God's glory. If you are en...

The final plague hits Egypt and Pharaoh finally relents. In this episode of Bible Backdrop, we look at the 10th and final plague...the death of the firstborn. We examine some of the details in the story along with a look into what the aftermath would be for Egypt and Israel.  If you are enjoying Bible Backdrop, please leave a 5 star rating and review. If you want to get in touch with the show, the...

In the previous episode of Bible Backdrop, we looked at plagues 1-3. In this episode, we look at plagues 4-9. What was different about the plague of hail? Why was the plague of darkness the worst of the 9? Why was Pharaoh continually obstinate in not letting the Hebrews go? If you are enjoying Bible Backdrop, please subscribe and leave a 5-star rating and review. You can also get in touch with the...

What were some of the other consequences of the plagues of Egypt? Why, after witnessing these miracles, does Pharaoh continue to harden his heart? And what is God showing Israel through these plagues? In this episode of Bible Backdrop, we start to look at the first 3 of the 10 plagues of Egypt. We discover how they match to a different Egyptian god and talk about their far reaching consequences. I...

In the latest episode of Bible Backdrop, we continue our series on the History of Israel looking at Moses' return to Egypt. What events led him there? How did he respond to God's calling? Did God really almost kill him?  After 40 years of living in the wilderness and tending his father in law's sheep, Moses is called by God to talk to Pharaoh to let Israel go. Moses is beaten down,...

Exodus is the story of God redeeming his chosen people, Israel. After settling in Egypt, the people multiply and a nervous Pharaoh starts giving orders to try and stem this exploding population. In this time of death and darkness, a mother has a child whom she willingly gives up in the hopes that he will be saved. The child, Moses, is rescued but things don't always go according to plan. He w...

This is it...the ultimate moment in the book of Genesis. Joseph finally reveals himself to his brothers and we see the fallout from that event. In this episode of Bible Backdrop, Joseph is reunited with his brothers and then, later, with his father who he has not seen for over 20 years. All the families move and are settled in the land of Goshen. We talk about what the land of Goshen was, why the...

In Genesis 43 and 44, Joseph sees his older brothers again and now they've brought Benjamin. Joseph is overwhelmed, but tests his brothers to see if they have really changed. How will they react? Also, why didn't the Egyptians eat with the Hebrews? Why did Joseph use his silver cup to trick them? All of this and more is covered in the latest episode of Bible Backdrop! Bible Backdrop is a...

In today's episode of Bible Backdrop, the famine has hit and Jacob's sons are forced to go to Egypt to buy grain. There they come face to face with the man in charge of selling the grain...the grand vizier...the man second only to Pharaoh. Joseph. But it's not just Joseph...they are face to face with their sin and it's consequences. And those consequences could be dire... If yo...

We are introduced to the land of Egypt in the Joseph story, but aren't given much context. What was their history, culture and economy like? What did they eat and how did they live? In this Extra episode of Bible Backdrop, we look at this and other things to see what Egypt looked like during the time of Joseph. If you are enjoying Bible Backdrop, please leave a 5 star rating and review. If yo...

In this episode of Bible Backdrop, we pick up again with Joseph. He is sold as a slave to Potiphar and then, through a false accusation, put into prison. However, it's here that he will have contact with Pharaoh and ultimately save both Egypt and Israel. As we continue the narrative, we answer a few questions. Who was Potiphar? Why was his wife so focused on Joseph? What does a cupbearer do?...

In this episode of Bible Backdrop, we start the narrative of Joseph and his sale to the Ishmaelites. Then we talk about a side story with Judah and about how that fits into the Joseph narrative. Why was Joseph sold so cheaply? What was Reuben's motive to rescue Joseph? What does the Bible include the story about Judah in the middle of the Joseph narrative? Listen to this episode to find out m...

The Bible talks often about the Canaanites, especially in the book of Genesis. We get a glimpse of their culture through the stories that are told and in archaeology. What was their economy like? What gods did they worship? Why was it so important for Israel to not absorb their culture? In this Extra episode of Bible Backdrop, we look at Canaanite society, culture, economy and political structure....

Jacob, the patriarch who's name becomes Israel, has a history of not being fully obedient and running a very dysfunctional family. In this episode of Bible Backdrop, we see Jacob leave Laban, wrestle with God, reunite with Esau, not follow God's directions and then have his son's slaughter a Canaanite city. Jacob's story is one of constant failure, grace, and reconciliation. Hi...

As we prepare for Easter, we often think about Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. But just how horrible was crucifixion? How did it affect the body of the person being crucified? What did Jesus go through before and during his time on the cross? In this Extra episode of Bible Backdrop, we look at some of the science and biology behind the crucifixion. When you read the Gospel stories, you w...