The Bible in a Year Podcast with Scott Purcell

What is the legacy of a life lived for God? Today, we reach the final chapters of Deuteronomy and say goodbye to Moses. After blessing the tribes of Israel, Moses climbs Mount Nebo, views the Promised Land, and enters his eternal rest. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus is challenged on the nature of the afterlife by the Sadducees. He reveals that God is the "God of the living," not the dead, and then p...

Who is the Rock on which you stand? Today in Deuteronomy, Moses recites a song that God commanded him to teach Israel—a lyrical masterpiece that celebrates God’s faithfulness while warning against the "crooked and twisted" path of idolatry. In the Gospel of Luke, we see that the "Rock" has arrived in Jerusalem. Jesus cleanses the Temple of its corruption and stands His ground against the chief pri...

What do we do with the time and the truth we’ve been given? Today in Deuteronomy, Moses delivers his final, stirring appeal to Israel: "I have set before you life and death... therefore choose life." As he prepares to pass the leadership to Joshua, he reminds the people that God’s Word is not far off in heaven, but is very near—in their mouths and in their hearts. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus near...

Does God still offer a second chance after we've failed? Today in Deuteronomy, Moses renews the covenant with Israel on the plains of Moab. He reminds them that while secret things belong to God, the revealed things belong to us—specifically the choice to return to Him with all our heart. In the Gospel of Luke, we see what "returning" looks like in real time. We follow Jesus into Jericho where He...

What determines the direction of our lives? Today in Deuteronomy, we encounter one of the most sobering chapters in the Bible. Moses outlines the terrifying consequences of turning away from God’s covenant, serving as a powerful reminder of the weight of our spiritual choices. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus offers the remedy for a heavy heart: persistent prayer. Through the Parable of the Persistent...

What does it look like to live a life of "covenant gratitude"? Today in Deuteronomy, the Israelites are instructed on how to present their firstfruits to God, rehearsing their history of deliverance as they give. We also witness the dramatic scene at Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, where the blessings and curses of the Law are proclaimed. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus heals ten lepers, but only one—a...

How do our actions today echo in eternity? Today in Deuteronomy, we look at laws designed to protect the marginalized: escaped slaves, the poor, the newly married, and the immigrant. These statutes emphasize a "neighbor-first" culture where human dignity outweighs profit. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus pulls back the curtain on the afterlife with the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus—showing that ho...

How does our private integrity affect our public community? Today in Deuteronomy, we look at a series of civil laws that might seem strange at first, but each points to a deep concern for justice, family order, and the protection of the vulnerable. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells the puzzling but powerful Parable of the Shrewd Manager. He uses a story of a failing steward to teach a radical les...

What happens when the lost are found? Today in Deuteronomy, Moses establishes the laws for the Cities of Refuge and the rules of engagement for holy warfare—balancing the scales of justice with a clear eye on the sanctity of life. In the Gospel of Luke, we encounter the heart of Jesus’ message as He responds to the grumbling Pharisees with three consecutive stories: the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin,...

What does it cost to truly follow the King? Today in Deuteronomy, Moses sets out the requirements for the future kings of Israel: they must not multiply horses, wives, or gold, but must instead be students of the Word. We also hear the promise of a "Prophet like Moses" who is to come. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells the Parable of the Great Banquet—a story of an invitation refused—and then turn...

How does God’s grace change the way we handle our resources and our status? Today in Deuteronomy, Moses outlines the "Year of Release"—a revolutionary system where debts are cancelled and the poor are cared for with an open hand. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus continues to challenge the religious status quo. He mourns over Jerusalem, heals a man on the Sabbath at a Pharisee’s house, and then deliver...

Happy Day 100! We have officially traveled 100 days through the story of Scripture together. Today in Deuteronomy, Moses speaks on the vital importance of loyalty to God, providing strict warnings against false prophets and those who would lead the heart away from the Truth. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus shatters the idea that tragedy only strikes the "worst" sinners, calling everyone to a life of...

Are we prepared for what is coming? Today in Deuteronomy, Moses presents Israel with a stark choice: a blessing for obedience or a curse for disobedience. He instructs them on the centralized place of worship—reminding them that they cannot simply worship God however they please, but must follow His design. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus echoes this call to intentionality, urging His followers to li...

Where do we place our confidence? Today in Deuteronomy, Moses delivers a "humility check" to Israel, reminding them that they are entering the Promised Land because of God's faithfulness, not their own goodness. He recounts the disaster of the Golden Calf as proof of their "stiff-necked" nature. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus addresses the root of our own pride and fear—warning against the hypocrisy...

How do we move from "knowing about" God to truly loving Him? Today in Deuteronomy, we encounter the Shema—the command to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and strength. Moses warns the people not to forget God once they enter the land of plenty. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus shows us exactly what "forgetting God" looks like in practice, as He delivers a series of "Woes" to the Pharise...

How do we stay faithful to a God we cannot see? Today in Deuteronomy, Moses warns against the temptation of idolatry and recounts the earth-shaking moment at Mount Sinai when God gave the Ten Commandments. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus emphasizes that our relationship with God is built on persistent, bold prayer—asking, seeking, and knocking—while warning that simply "cleaning up" our lives isn't e...

What does it look like to truly love God and your neighbor? Today in Deuteronomy, Moses recounts the defeat of King Og of Bashan—a literal giant—and exhorts the people to hold fast to God’s statutes so that the nations may see their wisdom. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus defines "neighbor" through the radical Parable of the Good Samaritan, corrects Martha’s busy spirit by pointing to Mary’s devotion...

How do we prepare the next generation for the promises of God? Today, we open the book of Deuteronomy, which means "Second Law." It isn't just a repeat of the rules; it is a heart-to-heart sermon from Moses to a new generation. We look back at the failures of the past at Kadesh Barnea and look forward to the conquest ahead. In the New Testament, Jesus emphasizes the urgency of the harvest, sending...

Where do we find safety and glory? Today, we finish the Book of Numbers by exploring the "Cities of Refuge"—God’s provision of justice and protection for those who have caused accidental death. In the Gospel of Luke, we move from the lowlands of the camp to the mountain of Transfiguration, where Jesus’ glory is revealed alongside Moses and Elijah. It is a moment that confirms His mission and His a...

How far have you come, and where are you going? Today in Numbers, we review the "travel log" of Israel—a list of every stop from Egypt to the Jordan—reminding us that God was present in every camp along the way. We then see the specific boundaries of the land they are about to inherit. In the New Testament, we see Jesus provide a feast in the wilderness for 5,000 people, followed by a sobering con...

What do you do when you are standing on the edge of a miracle? Today in Numbers, we see the intricate process of dividing the spoils of war and the request of Reuben and Gad to settle the land east of the Jordan—a request that tests the unity of the nation. In the New Testament, we witness two desperate stories of faith: a woman who had suffered for twelve years reaches out to touch the hem of Jes...

What does it mean to be at home in the presence of God? Today in Numbers, we see the completion of the tribal offerings, the lighting of the golden lampstand, and the purification of the Levites for their sacred work. In the Gospel of Luke, we find a twelve-year-old Jesus in the Temple, astounding the religious teachers with His wisdom and declaring His unique identity: "I must be in my Father’s h...

How do we prepare for what’s next? Today in Numbers, we witness a bittersweet moment as Moses prepares for his departure, laying hands on Joshua to commission him as the next leader of Israel. We also revisit the "rhythm of worship" with a detailed look at the daily, weekly, and monthly offerings. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus shifts His teaching to parables, specifically the Parable of the Sower,...

What does it look like to be counted by God? Today in Numbers, we see a second census—a counting of the new generation that survived the wilderness and is now preparing to enter the Promised Land. We also see God's justice in action through the daughters of Zelophehad. In the New Testament, we move from the "numbers" of a nation to the heart of an individual, as a woman with a "sinful" reputation...

How does God turn a curse into a world-changing blessing? Today in Numbers, we reach the climax of the Balaam story. Despite King Balak’s fury, Balaam delivers a final oracle foretelling a "Star out of Jacob"—a prophecy that pointed straight to the Messiah. However, we also see the tragic turn at Peor, where Israel falls into idolatry. In the Gospel of Luke, we witness the Power behind the Prophec...