The Bible in a Year Podcast with Scott Purcell

Who truly has "eyes to see" what God is doing? Today in Numbers, we follow the prophet Balaam as he sets out to curse Israel, only to be stopped in his tracks by his own donkey, who sees the Angel of the Lord when the prophet cannot. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus challenges us to examine the "plank" in our own eyes and to build our lives on a firm foundation. We then meet a Roman Centurion whose sp...

What does it mean to "look and live"? Today in Numbers, we encounter the story of the Bronze Serpent—a remedy for judgment that Jesus later uses to explain His own mission. We also witness Israel’s military victories over Sihon and Og, and the introduction of Balaam. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus spends a night in prayer before choosing His twelve apostles and then delivers a challenging message on...

What happens when our traditions collide with God's presence? Today in Numbers, we see the ritual of the Red Heifer and a tragic moment at Meribah: Moses strikes the rock in anger instead of speaking to it, a choice that carries a heavy cost. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus is questioned about fasting and the Sabbath, famously declaring that "the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath" and demonstrating t...

How does God prove who speaks for Him? Today in Numbers, we see the aftermath of rebellion. To settle the question of authority once and for all, God causes Aaron’s staff to not only sprout but to bud, blossom, and yield ripe almonds overnight—a miraculous sign of life from a dead stick. In the New Testament, Jesus offers an even greater sign of authority: He heals a paralyzed man lowered through...

Who has the right to lead? Today in Numbers, we see a dangerous challenge to Moses’ leadership as Korah and his followers rebel, claiming a holiness they hadn't been assigned—leading to a terrifying display of God's judgment. In the Gospel of Luke, we see the true nature of divine authority: Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law, cleanses a leper, and demonstrates His power over nature with a miraculo...

Will we trust what God said, or what our eyes see? Today in Numbers, the twelve spies return with a report that splits a nation. Despite the courage of Joshua and Caleb, the people succumb to fear, leading to a forty-year sentence in the wilderness. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus returns to Nazareth and announces that He is the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy, only to be met with a rejection that m...

What do we do when our desires conflict with God's provision? Today in Numbers, the "rabble" among Israel stirs up a craving for the food of Egypt, leading to a plague of quail and a heavy lesson on discontent. We also witness Miriam and Aaron’s challenge to Moses’ authority and the high-stakes mission of the twelve spies sent into Canaan. In the New Testament, we see the ultimate contrast: after...

How do you know when it’s time to move? Today in Numbers, we see Israel living by a simple but profound rule: when the Cloud moves, they move; when it stays, they stay. We hear the blast of the silver trumpets signaling the start of their journey from Sinai. But as we move into the New Testament, we hear a different kind of "trumpet blast"—the fiery preaching of John the Baptist, calling a nation...

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...

What does it look like to offer our best to God? Today in Numbers, we witness a massive display of generosity as the leaders of Israel bring their offerings for the dedication of the Altar. In the Gospel of Luke, we see a different kind of dedication: the infant Jesus is brought to the Temple, where the faithful Simeon and Anna recognize Him as the light of the nations and the redemption of Jerusa...

What does it look like to be truly set apart for God? Today in Numbers, we navigate the difficult laws regarding faithfulness and the unique "Nazarite Vow," concluding with the beautiful Priestly Blessing that has been spoken over God's people for millennia. In the New Testament, we reach the moment all history was waiting for: the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem and the shepherd’s encounter with a he...

What happens when God finally breaks His silence? Today in Numbers, we see the meticulous care required to move the most holy objects of the Tabernacle—tasks so sacred they were assigned by name. In the New Testament, we witness a different kind of "holy task" as Zechariah regains his voice at the birth of his son, John, and delivers a stunning prophecy about the "Daybreak from on high" that is ab...

What does it look like when God’s people are in perfect order? Today in Numbers, we see the specific placement of the tribes and the unique calling of the Levites to serve the Tabernacle. In the Gospel of Luke, the focus remains on the "order" of God's plan as Mary visits Elizabeth, and the unborn John the Baptist leaps for joy—prompting one of the most famous songs of praise in history: the Magni...

Does God care about the details of our lives and our numbers? Today we open the book of Numbers, beginning with a massive census that shows every individual in Israel had a place and a purpose in the camp. We then move to the Gospel of Luke, where the focus shifts from a great nation to a single young woman in Nazareth as the Angel Gabriel announces the most significant birth in human history. Tod...

What happens when God’s silence is finally broken? Today, we conclude the book of Leviticus with a sobering look at the consequences of disobedience and the laws regarding vows and tithes. Then, we transition into the Gospel of Luke, where the "orderly account" begins not with a king, but with an elderly priest in the Temple receiving a message from an angel that will change history. Today’s Scrip...

What does true restoration look like? Today in Leviticus, we explore the radical concept of the "Year of Jubilee"—a season of debt cancellation and freedom that pointed toward a future hope. That hope is realized in our New Testament reading as we reach the empty tomb. Death is defeated, the stone is rolled away, and Jesus is Risen, commissioning His followers to take this message of liberty to th...

How does God mark time and memory? Today in Leviticus, we explore the appointed feasts of the Lord—from Passover to Tabernacles—which served as a rhythm of worship for Israel. These shadows of things to come meet their reality in our New Testament reading, as we witness the darkness over the land, the cry of the Savior, and the quiet burial of Jesus in a tomb. Today’s Scripture: 📖 Leviticus 23–24...

What makes a priest "holy" enough to stand before God? Today in Leviticus, we read the strict standards for those who serve at the altar, emphasizing that those who draw near to God must be unblemished. This serves as a striking backdrop to our reading in Mark, where the only truly sinless Priest is handed over to be crucified, mocked by the very people He came to save. Today’s Scripture: 📖 Levit...

What does it look like to live a life "set apart" for God? Today in Leviticus, we explore the "Holiness Code," where God defines what it means to be holy in the every day—including the foundational command to "love your neighbor as yourself." In the New Testament, we see the dark contrast of human failure as Jesus is betrayed with a kiss, abandoned by His friends, and denied by Peter during His tr...

Why is blood so significant in the biblical story? Today in Leviticus, we encounter the profound declaration that "the life of the flesh is in the blood," establishing the foundation for all sacrifice. This theme comes to a climax in the Gospel of Mark as Jesus shares the Passover meal with His disciples, identifying the wine as His "blood of the covenant," before entering the Garden of Gethsemane...

How does a Holy God dwell among an imperfect people? Today, we reach the theological heart of Leviticus: the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). We see the powerful imagery of the two goats—one sacrificed and one sent into the wilderness—carrying away the sins of the nation. In Mark, we transition into the final days of Jesus’ life as He is anointed for burial and prepares for the ultimate Passover. To...

How do we move from "unclean" to "restored"? Today in Leviticus, we look at the elaborate and symbolic rituals used to bring a healed person back into the community. In the Gospel of Mark, the tone shifts as Jesus sits on the Mount of Olives and warns His disciples about the coming destruction of the Temple and the signs of His return. Today’s Scripture: 📖 Leviticus 14 – The laws for the purifica...

How does God view the "small" things in our lives? Today’s reading in Leviticus provides an exhaustive look at the laws concerning skin diseases and infections, showing God's care for the health and holiness of the community. In the Gospel of Mark, the focus shifts to the heart as Jesus reveals the Greatest Commandment and points out a poor widow whose tiny gift outweighed the massive offerings of...

What does it mean to be a "holy" people in an ordinary world? Today in Leviticus, we explore the dietary laws and purity rituals that visually separated Israel from the nations around them. In the New Testament, the religious leaders try to trap Jesus with a political question about taxes, leading to one of His most brilliant and enduring commands: "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, a...

Does it matter how we worship God? Today’s reading in Leviticus shows us the heights of God's glory as fire consumes the sacrifice on the altar, but also the depths of His holiness as Nadab and Abihu are judged for offering "strange fire." In Mark, Jesus is questioned on His authority and responds with a powerful parable about how the world treats the messengers—and the Son—of the Vineyard Owner....