Bible Brief | Discover the Story

Ezra and Nehemiah lead expeditions back to the promised Land of Canaan, but upon arrival they find a city still in ruins and a people run amok. The Law is read, walls are built, and before long, the people are mourning their own sin. Read along with the story. Today we're reading Ezra 7-10, Nehemiah 1-8. Thank you to our generous patrons who makes this show possible. The Bible Brief is listen...

Esther risks her life to approach the king, Haman plots to hang Mordecai from the gallows, and the great reversal of Esther begins at a dinner party with Ahasuerus and Haman.  Read along with the story. Today we're reading Esther 4-10. Thank you to our generous patrons who makes this show possible. The Bible Brief is listener-supported and brought to you by the Bible Literacy Foundation, dedi...

King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) sponsors a beauty contest to pick a new queen. Esther the secret Jewess is chosen, and her cousin Mordecai foils an assassination attempt on the king. The enemy Haman rises, and he launches a plot to exterminate the Jews. Read along with the story. Today we're reading Esther 1-3. Thank you to our generous patrons who makes this show possible. The Bible Brief is listene...

Many Jewish exiles return to Judah from their homes in the Diaspora. Yet, at Jerusalem they find only ashes, remnants of the burnt city destroyed by the Babylonian king. They begin building the second Temple.  Read along with the story. Today we're reading Daniel 9, Ezra 1-6. Thank you to our generous patrons who makes this show possible. The Bible Brief is listener-supported and brought to y...

King Belshazzar of Babylon throws a big party while the Medo-Persian Empire chips away at the fading Babylonian power. Daniel rises to prominence under the next king Darius before being thrown in the lion's den.   Read along with the story. Today we're reading Daniel 5-6. Thank you to our generous patrons who makes this show possible. The Bible Brief is listener-supported and brought to...

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego disobey the king and are thrown into the burning fiery furnace. Nebuchadnezzar dishonors God and is given the mind of a beast for 7 years.  Read along with the story. Today we're reading Daniel 3-4. Thank you to our generous patrons who makes this show possible. The Bible Brief is listener-supported and brought to you by the Bible Literacy Foundation, dedicated...

Nebuchadnezzar dreams of a great statue and struggles to find the meaning of his dream. Soon the prophet Daniel comes before him to tell him how his dreams tells the future of kingdoms.  Read along with the story. Today we're reading Daniel 2. Thank you to our generous patrons who makes this show possible. The Bible Brief is listener-supported and brought to you by the Bible Literacy Foundati...

The people of Judah have rebelled against God and they bring upon themselves the curses of the Sinai Covenant. Jerusalem burns, and the people are sent into Babylonian Exile. Read along with the story. Today we're reading 2 Chronicles 36, Jeremiah 29. Thank you to our generous patrons who makes this show possible. The Bible Brief is listener-supported and brought to you by the Bible Literacy...

The prophet Jeremiah speaks to Judah of coming judgment on the nation, yet he also shares the great future hope of the nation: A Branch, a New Exodus, and a New Covenant! Read along with the story. Today we're reading 2 Chronicles 34, Jeremiah 18, 23, 31, Lamentations 3. Thank you to our generous patrons who makes this show possible. The Bible Brief is listener-supported and brought to you by...

Wicked Manasseh reigns after his father Hezekiah, and he relives the idolatry of the past. Yet, Hezekiah's grandson Josiah soon reigns and rekindles worship of God in Israel.  Read along with the story. Today we're reading 2 Kings 21, 2 Chronicles 33-35. Thank you to our generous patrons who makes this show possible. The Bible Brief is listener-supported and brought to you by the Bible L...

The book of Isaiah includes the prophet's vision of God seated upon his throne in the heavenly temple. A priest-king who also stoops to become the suffering servant of God to take punishment for sin. Read along with the story. Today we're reading Isaiah 6, 52-53. Thank you to our generous patrons who makes this show possible. The Bible Brief is listener-supported and brought to you by th...

God calls the prophet Isaiah to speak to the straying people of Judah. He reveals great judgments ahead, but also the hope of the Branch. God continues his promise of David's King. Read along with the story. Today we're reading Isaiah 1, 3, 11. Thank you to our generous patrons who makes this show possible. The Bible Brief is listener-supported and brought to you by the Bible Literacy Fo...

Sennacherib, King of Assyria, comes against the city of Jerusalem with his vast army, while Hezekiah prays for God to deliver the city out of Assyria's hand. The prophet Isaiah brings God's response to Hezekiah. Read along with the story. Today we're reading 2 Kings 18-20, 2 Chronicles 32. Thank you to our generous patrons who makes this show possible. The Bible Brief is listener-su...

A century after the boy king is hidden in the Temple his descendant arises who leads a righteous renaissance in Judah. He is God honoring king named Hezekiah.  Read along with the story. Today we're reading 1 Kings 12, 1 Chronicles 29-31, . Thank you to our generous patrons who makes this show possible. The Bible Brief is listener-supported and brought to you by the Bible Literacy Foundation,...

The Assyrian Empire rises and Israel finds itself at odds with the great power. Samaria is under siege for 3 years, and the Kingdom of Israel falls. They fall because of disobedience.  Read along with the story. Today we're reading 2 Kings 17. Thank you to our generous patrons who makes this show possible. The Bible Brief is listener-supported and brought to you by the Bible Literacy Foundati...

Jonah runs from God, before he is swallowed by a great fish. Then, the prophet finally speaks to Nineveh before gaining his undesired result.  Read along with the story. Today we're reading the book of Jonah. Thank you to our generous patrons who makes this show possible. The Bible Brief is listener-supported and brought to you by the Bible Literacy Foundation, dedicated to helping people lik...

Athaliah lusts for power and kills all the royal family, but hidden away in the Temple is the great hope for the line of David. A young boy who will come to rule. Read along with the story. Today we're reading 2 Kings 8-11, 2 Chronicles 21-23. Thank you to our generous patrons who makes this show possible. The Bible Brief is listener-supported and brought to you by the Bible Literacy Foundati...

The Kings of Judah take a more righteous path than their northern neighbors as Asa and Jehoshaphat rule over the small area. Both kings face battles, and God delivers them from their trouble.  Read along with the story. Today we're reading 2 Chronicles 14-20. Thank you to our generous patrons who makes this show possible. The Bible Brief is listener-supported and brought to you by the Bible L...

Elijah goes up to heaven in a whirlwind, and Elisha takes over his miraculous ministry. Israel and Judah ally to war against Syria. The nation soon shakes, as a new dynasty rises in both kingdoms.  Read along with the story. Today we're reading 1 Kings 19 - 2 Kings 10 Thank you to our generous patrons who makes this show possible. The Bible Brief is listener-supported and brought to you by th...

Elijah is discouraged and alone, fleeing from the vendetta of Jezebel against God's prophets. He head to Sinai, where God shows up, in the most subtle and quiet way.  Read along with the story. Today we're reading 1 Kings 19. Thank you to our generous patrons who makes this show possible. The Bible Brief is listener-supported and brought to you by the Bible Literacy Foundation, dedicated...

The wicked king Ahab rises after the death of his father Omri, and he rules alongside his evil wife Jezebel. The prophet Elijah announces a drought and later challenges the prophets of Baal to a test of their god.  Read along with the story. Today we're reading 1 Kings 17-18 Thank you to our generous patrons who makes this show possible. The Bible Brief is listener-supported and brought to yo...

Jeroboam's sins repeat themselves in several following dynasties in the Northern kingdom of Israel. Counterfeit gods lead the nation astray. Soon Omri's dynasty rises. Read along with the story. Today we're reading 1 Kings 14-16. Thank you to our generous patrons who makes this show possible. The Bible Brief is listener-supported and brought to you by the Bible Literacy Foundation,...

We're reviewing the 500 years since Joshua led the Israelites into the promised Land. Judges led to kings, which led to division. Yet, God is longsuffering through it all.  Thank you to our generous patrons who makes this show possible. The Bible Brief is listener-supported and brought to you by the Bible Literacy Foundation, dedicated to helping people like you learn the Bible. Looking for m...

Rehoboam leads Judah away from the Lord, and God sends Shishak the king of Egypt to defeat the kingdom of Judah. However, upon the humility of Judah's leadership, God tempers his judgment. Read along with the story. Today we're reading 1 Kings 14 - 15, 2 Chronicles 12. Thank you to our generous patrons who makes this show possible. The Bible Brief is listener-supported and brought to you...

Jeroboam leads the northern tribes of Israel astray. He builds two golden calves, sets up his own priesthood, and creates his own religious feast. He rejects God, before God rejects him. Read along with the story. Today we're reading 1 Kings 13-15. Thank you to our generous patrons who makes this show possible. The Bible Brief is listener-supported and brought to you by the Bible Literacy Fou...