The Bible in a Year Podcast with Scott Purcell

Where is God when life leaves you completely empty? Today we begin the book of Ruth, a beautiful story of loyalty and redemption set during the dark era of the Judges. We follow Naomi, a woman emptied by tragedy, and her daughter-in-law Ruth, whose radical faithfulness leads her into the fields of a righteous man named Boaz. In the Gospel of John, we encounter another story of unexpected grace. Je...

What happens when the truth is forgotten and everyone becomes their own authority? Today, we finish the Book of Judges with a heartbreaking civil war that nearly annihilates one of the twelve tribes. It is a grim conclusion to a period defined by the recurring phrase: "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes." In the Gospel of John, Jesus offers the o...

How dark can things get when everyone does what is right in their own eyes? Today we enter one of the most difficult and graphic portions of the Old Testament. In Judges, we see the tribe of Dan abandon their God-given inheritance to steal a priest and an idol, followed by the harrowing account of a Levite and his concubine in Gibeah. These stories serve as a visceral reminder of what happens when...

What happens when our secret compromises finally catch up to us? Today in the Book of Judges, we reach the climax of Samson’s story. Despite his incredible strength, his lack of self-control leads him into the hands of Delilah. We watch as he is blinded and mocked, only to find one last moment of strength in his death. In the Gospel of John, we see a different kind of drama. The religious leaders...

Where does true strength come from? Today in the Book of Judges, we follow the beginning of Samson’s public life. Though he is a Nazirite set apart for God, Samson’s story is a whirlwind of impulsive desires, violent outbursts, and clever riddles. We see him tear a lion apart and strike down thirty men over a bet, proving that while the Spirit of the Lord gives him power, his character remains a w...

Will you stay when the message gets difficult? Today in the Book of Judges, we see the tragic fallout of internal strife as a "password" becomes a matter of life and death for the tribes of Israel. Amidst this chaos, a glimmer of hope appears as the Angel of the Lord visits a barren couple to announce the birth of Samson—a child set apart from birth to begin the rescue from the Philistines. In the...

What are we truly hungry for, and what are we willing to sacrifice to get it? Today in the Book of Judges, we see Israel once again crying out in distress. We meet Jephthah, an outcast turned deliverer, whose military brilliance is overshadowed by a rash and heartbreaking vow. In the Gospel of John, the crowd that Jesus fed yesterday catches up to Him, seeking more physical bread. Jesus pivots the...

What kind of leader do we truly hunger for? Today in the Book of Judges, we see the disastrous consequences of seeking a king outside of God's timing. Abimelech, the son of Gideon, murders his brothers to seize power, leading to a dark chapter of civil strife and the prophetic "Parable of the Bramble." In the Gospel of John, we see a different kind of power. Jesus feeds a massive crowd with just f...

What evidence is enough to make us believe? Today in the Book of Judges, we see one of the most unconventional military victories in history. Armed with nothing but trumpets, torches, and jars, Gideon’s 300 men throw the Midianite camp into a panic, proving that God does not need a large army to win a great war. In the Gospel of John, Jesus addresses those who refuse to believe in Him despite the...

How does God turn a "mighty man of valor" out of a man hiding in a winepress? Today in the Book of Judges, we see Israel oppressed by the Midianites, leading to the call of Gideon. We witness his hesitation, his request for signs, and the radical "downsizing" of his army as God prepares to show that the victory belongs to Him alone. In the Gospel of John, Jesus responds to the religious leaders wh...

Does God still move when we feel paralyzed by our circumstances? Today in Judges, we meet Deborah, the only female judge, whose wisdom and courage spark a great deliverance for Israel. Alongside the warrior Jael, she proves that God can use the unexpected to bring down the mighty. In the Gospel of John, Jesus continues to demonstrate His authority over sickness and space. Whether healing an offici...

Why do we keep falling back into the same traps? Today in the Book of Judges, we see the tragic cycle that will haunt Israel for generations: they abandon God, fall into oppression, cry out for help, and are rescued by a "judge," only to repeat the pattern once the leader dies. In the Gospel of John, however, we see the power of a single witness. The Samaritan woman’s testimony brings her entire v...

What happens when we stop short of God's best? Today we transition into the Book of Judges. After the death of Joshua, we see the tribes of Israel begin to settle, but with a troubling pattern: they fail to fully drive out the inhabitants of the land, choosing compromise over complete obedience. In the Gospel of John, Jesus intentionally travels through Samaria—a place most Jews avoided—to meet a...

Who will you serve? Today we conclude the Book of Joshua with a dramatic covenant renewal at Shechem. Joshua, now an old man, stands before all Israel and challenges them to decide once and for all: will they serve the gods of their ancestors, or the Lord who brought them into the land? In the Gospel of John, we see a parallel heart of devotion in John the Baptist. As Jesus’ ministry grows, John’s...

What does it mean to truly belong to God? Today in the Gospel of John, we eavesdrop on a late-night conversation between Jesus and a Pharisee named Nicodemus. Jesus delivers the radical news that spiritual heritage isn't enough—we must be "born again" to see the Kingdom of God. In the Old Testament, the conquest concludes with a beautiful summary of God's faithfulness: "Not one word of all the goo...

What happens when the ordinary meets the Divine? Today in the Gospel of John, we witness Jesus’ first miracle at a wedding in Cana. By turning water into wine, He reveals His glory and signals that the time of "ceremonial washing" is giving way to the "new wine" of His Kingdom. In the Old Testament, the tribal allotments are finalized, and God establishes the Cities of Refuge—a vital system of mer...

What does it look like to truly encounter the Messiah? Today in the Gospel of John, John the Baptist makes his famous declaration: "Behold, the Lamb of God!" We follow the ripple effect of this announcement as the first disciples—Andrew, Peter, Philip, and Nathanael—begin to follow Jesus. In the Old Testament, the division of the Promised Land continues. We see the daughters of Zelophehad receive...

Who is Jesus, and where did He come from? Today, we begin the Gospel of John, arguably one of the most profound books ever written. John doesn't start with a manger or a genealogy; he starts in eternity past, revealing Jesus as the "Logos"—the Word who was with God and is God. In the Old Testament, we continue the detailed work of Joshua as the land is divided among the tribes, specifically focusi...

What does it look like to receive what God has promised? Today in Joshua, the season of war transitions into a season of inheritance. Even as Joshua grows old, God instructs him to divide the land among the tribes, and we see the legendary Caleb—now 85 years old—claim his mountain with the same fire and faith he had forty years prior. In the Gospel of Luke, we reach a stunning conclusion. Jesus ap...

What happens when the promises of God finally become a reality? Today in Joshua, we see the culmination of years of struggle as the Northern kings are defeated, the land finally rests from war, and a detailed list of conquered kings serves as a "receipt" of God’s faithfulness. In the Gospel of Luke, we move from the silence of the tomb to the shock of the Resurrection. We join the women at the emp...

What happens when the Creator of the universe intervenes in human history? Today in Joshua, we witness a miracle of cosmic proportions as God causes the sun and moon to stand still to give Israel victory over the Amorite kings. It is a day of unprecedented power. In the Gospel of Luke, however, we see a different kind of power. We stand at the foot of the Cross as the "Light of the World" is extin...

How do we handle the pressure of public judgment and the lure of deception? Today in Joshua, we see a community restored. After dealing with the sin of Achan, Israel returns to Ai with a strategic ambush and claims a decisive victory. However, a new challenge arises not from the battlefield, but through a clever disguise, as the Gibeonites trick Israel into a treaty. In the Gospel of Luke, the ult...

What happens when our private sins collide with our public mission? Today in Joshua, we see the "Commander of the Army of the Lord" appear before the famous Battle of Jericho. We witness the walls fall through faith and obedience, but the celebration is cut short. The hidden sin of one man, Achan, leads to a humiliating defeat at Ai, proving that God’s presence is tied to His people's holiness. In...

How do we remember the faithfulness of God in the midst of a transition? Today in Joshua, we witness one of the most miraculous moments in Israel's history: the parting of the Jordan River. Just as God opened the Red Sea for Moses, He opens the Jordan for Joshua, leading the people into the Promised Land on dry ground. In the Gospel of Luke, we enter the upper room. As the shadows of betrayal loom...

How do we find courage when the world feels like it's shifting beneath our feet? Today we start the Book of Joshua, moving from the wilderness wandering to the conquest of the Promised Land. God’s command to the new leader is simple yet profound: "Be strong and courageous." We also meet Rahab, an unlikely hero whose faith saves her household. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus delivers His "Olivet Disco...