Scripture and Tradition Bible Studies

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...

The books of 1-2 Chronicles begin in seemingly the least engaging way imaginable, that is, with nine chapters of long genealogies! However, these lists of peoples, tribes, clans, and families teach us a lot about the theology of the author and what his main focus will be for the rest of the books . Enjoy this sample from Lesson 2, "Genealogies of Salvation History (1 Chron 1-9)" from Dr. Nick's te...

It's important to spend some time laying the foundation for a study of 1-2 Chronicles by examining the significance of the title, authorship, dating, structure, key themes that make it unique compared to the books of Samuel and Kings, and applying those themes to the New Covenant in Christ and the Church. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 1, "Introducing 1-2 Chronicles" from Dr. Nick's ten-part c...

Sirach makes a major shift in emphasis in these final chapters of the book. Up to this point, he has been praising wisdom in creation. Now he will focus on praising wisdom in the redemption of wise men's lives. The final chapter is a grand finale of Sirach's own quest for wisdom as he lived out his own advice to us, his readers. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 7, "In Praise of Wise Men (Chs. 44...

"Lesson 6: Practical Wisdom," is so called because of the numerous topics that Sirach gives in the section of the book on applying wisdom to various aspects of life including: trusting in God, pursuing true worship, discernment of wives and friends, showing gratitude for physicians, pursuing leisure to study the law, etc. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 6, "Practical Wisdom (Chs. 37:18—43:33)" from...

Chapter 24 is the center of the Book of Sirach. It is the climatic poem of Wisdom praising herself in creation as she describes her eternal origins in God and favored dwelling among God's people. When she tabernacles in Jerusalem, she restores us to Paradise, the Garden of Eden through worship of God.  Enjoy this sample from Lesson 5, "In Praise of Wisdom (Chs. 24:1—37:17)" from Dr. Nick's se...

Lesson 4 begins with our fourth  beautiful poem on Wisdom as a Mother and Bride, followed by another set of practical advice on how to avoid obstacles to seeking her. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 4, "Wisdom in Creation (Chs.14:20—23:27)" from Dr. Nick's seven-part course, "Sirach: Fear the Lord." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full cours...

Another beautiful poem on Wisdom opens up this lesson, with incredible connections to Jesus Christ, who is Wisdom incarnate. If you submit yourself to Wisdom, and take her yoke upon you, she will give you rest, which is exactly what Jesus promises as well! Enjoy this sample from Lesson 3, "Wisdom For Life (Chs. 6:18—14:19)" from Dr. Nick's seven-part course, "Sirach: Fear the Lord." Anyone ca...

Sirach opens with a prologue that is super unique and interesting among the books of Scripture. It gives us historical details that help to pinpoint the authorship and dating. Then, the book itself begins with an incredible poem on the origins of Wisdom in the Triune God. Though wisdom comes from God, it is a gift to all those who Fear the Lord . Enjoy this sample from Lesson 2, "Wisdom Comes from...

Besides the Psalter, this book is the longest of the Wisdom Book corpus in the Old Testament. It is a treasure trove of teachings on the divine origin of Wisdom, her attributes, and her love for all those seek her. Similar to the Book of Proverbs, Sirach guides God's people along the paths of holy and virtuous living in all aspects of life. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 1, "Introducing t...

Wisdom 10-19 forms  the second half of the book, which takes a unique direction. The first half in chapters 1-9 talked about the great pursuit of  righteousness, wisdom, and immortality. Now it takes those truths and speaks of how wisdom saves the righteous and punishes the wicked throughout salvation history beginning with the creation of Adam himself throughout the deliverance of Israe...

Solomon warns kings and rulers that all authority comes from God and must be exercised to promote God's laws and holiness. If they love righteousness and seek wisdom, then they'll reign for ever in God's Kingdom. Then, he uses his own love pursuit of eternal Wisdom as an example they should follow. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 3, "Seek Wisdom (Chs. 6-9)" from Dr. Nick's four-part course, "Th...