Thrive: Deeper

Ezekiel chapters 21-32 in the Bible are a collection of prophecies and messages delivered by the prophet Ezekiel. These chapters primarily focus on God's judgment against various nations, including Judah and its neighbors, for their idolatry, wickedness, and disobedience. Consequences of Sin : These chapters illustrate the sobering reality that sin has consequences. Just as Judah faced judgment fo...

Ezekiel 12-20 Chapter 12: Ezekiel symbolizes the people's exile by moving his belongings at night. The exiles doubt the prophecies, but God confirms their fulfillment. Chapter 13: False prophets are rebuked for spreading deceitful messages. God will punish false prophets who give false hope. Chapter 14: Elders come to Ezekiel for guidance, but their hearts are still attached to idols. God's judgme...

In the midst of the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel, a prophet and captive in a foreign land, is chosen to bear witness to remarkable visions and profound messages. The initial vision paints a vivid tableau of a stormy whirlwind, from which emerges a wondrous entity comprising four living beings with human, lion, eagle, and ox-like features. This enigmatic being supports a platform bearing a throne upon...

Jeremiah chapter 41 to 52, covers the period following the fall of Jerusalem, with a focus on the events that occurred in the aftermath of the city's destruction. We see the chaotic situation in Judah, the assassination of Gedaliah, the fear of reprisals from the Babylonians, and the eventual escape of some Judeans to Egypt against Jeremiah's warnings. The section also includes prophecies and mess...

The overall context of Jeremiah 33-40 is one of impending doom and captivity for the people of Judah, as well as the prophet Jeremiah's steadfast proclamation of God's judgment, restoration, and hope amidst challenging circumstances. In 605 BCE, the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II launched the first of several campaigns against Judah, leading to the subjugation of the kingdom. Over a span of app...

In these chapters, Jeremiah confronts the false prophets who have been deceiving the people with their misleading words. He denounces their lies and condemns their actions, warning of the dire consequences that await them. Amidst this criticism, Jeremiah emphasises the sovereignty of God and the importance of true prophetic messages. He assures the people that God is aware of the deceptive practic...

Judgment and Consequences : Jeremiah proclaims that God will bring upon them severe punishment, including famine, warfare, and exile, as a result of their persistent rebellion. False Religion and Idolatry : Jeremiah denounces the worship of false gods and the practices associated with idol worship, highlighting the people's unfaithfulness to the true God. The Role of the Prophet : Jeremiah's calli...

In these chapters, Jeremiah speaks out against the wickedness and disobedience of the people of Judah. He warns them of the impending destruction and judgment that will befall them if they do not repent and turn back to God. Jeremiah uses vivid imagery and metaphors to depict the severity of their sins and the consequences that await them. The people of Judah are portrayed as stubborn and unrepent...

The Book of Habakkuk is unique in that it is a dialogue between the prophet and God, rather than a collection of prophetic oracles. It deals with timeless questions about the problem of evil, the nature of God's justice, and the role of suffering in the world. It teaches that even in the midst of uncertainty and chaos, God is still in control, and that faith and trust in Him is the only sure found...

The Book of Nahum is one of the twelve minor prophets in the Hebrew Bible. It consists of three chapters and is primarily concerned with the destruction of Nineveh (located in modern day Iraq), the capital of the Assyrian Empire. The book is believed to have been written during the seventh century BCE, around the time when the Assyrians were at the height of their power. Key points: God is SOVEREI...

Chapters 16-21 of the Gospel of John contain some of the most significant events in the life of Jesus Christ. In Chapter 16, Jesus predicts his impending death and the coming of the Holy Spirit to guide his disciples after his departure. In Chapter 17, Jesus prays for his disciples and for all believers, asking for their unity and protection. Chapter 18 describes Jesus' arrest and trial before Pil...

In John Chapters 11-15, we see Jesus' power over death as he raises Lazarus from the dead. He then arrives in Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover, where he teaches his disciples about his impending death and the importance of serving others. Jesus washes the feet of his disciples, predicting his betrayal and denial. He reassures his disciples of his love and promises them the Holy Spirit. He e...

TIn John Chapters 8-10, Jesus confronts the Pharisees, who are trying to trap Him with questions. He tells them that He is the light of the world and the Son of God. He also forgives a woman caught in adultery and heals a man born blind, which causes controversy among the Pharisees. Jesus also teaches about being the good shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep. The Pharisees continue to plo...

John Chapters 4-7 focus on the interactions of Jesus with various people and groups, highlighting his teachings and miracles. In Chapter 4, Jesus speaks with a Samaritan woman at a well, breaking social and cultural norms, and revealing to her that he is the Messiah. This interaction leads to many Samaritans coming to believe in Jesus. In Chapter 5, Jesus heals a man who had been an invalid for 38...

Overall, John Chapter 3 teaches about the need for spiritual rebirth through belief in Jesus, the love and salvation that God offers through his Son, and the importance of testifying to Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus tells Nicodemus that to see the kingdom of God, one must be "born again". This represents a spiritual transformation that occurs when someone accepts Jesus as their savior. This transfor...

The Gospel of John 1-2 is seen as a profound theological reflection on the nature of Jesus and his relationship to God. The central idea of these chapters is that Jesus is the Word (Logos) of God, a term that has rich philosophical and theological connotations in the ancient world. The Word is not only the source of all creation, but also the source of light and life, which are essential elements...

• We’ve seen Isaiah’s message of both Judgement and Hope for Jerusalem • Isaiah made it clear through his messages that the people of Israel and Jerusalem had rebelled against God, amongst other things they had continued with their worship of idols, and treating the poor and less fortunate with contempt. • As a result of this rebellion, Isaiah tells the rulers that God is going to use both the nat...

Through Isaiah, God warned that he would bring military crisis and judgement upon Jerusalem. People were characterised by spiritual insensitivity, religious hypocrisy and unwillingness to trust their destiny to God. The coming crisis would be severe , but God would suddenly and miraculously rescue the city from the armies outside the walls of Jerusalem. This prophecy anticipated God’s deliverance...

Isaiah Chapters 13-28 are focussed on Isaiah’s Judgment Speeches. These are not just judgements on Israel and Judah, but all the nations of the world and specifically those surrounding Israel and Judah at the time. God is sovereign over ALL nations. God’s people should not have feared the surrounding nations, but they also should not rely on them for aid! However, as we have already seen in Isaiah...

Isaiah 1-12 (740-700 BC) Isaiah the Prophet lived in Jerusalem in the last part of the 2 Kingdom period (Israel in the North and Judah in the South) and his prophetic word was directed to the leaders of Jerusalem and Judah. Isaiah had been warning Hezekiah (the king of Judah at the time) about the nations rebellion against God and under Hezekiah’s reign there was a ‘revival’ of sorts. In 701bc, th...

Micah was a contemporary of Isaiah and Hosea – He prophesied mostly in Judah (but speaking to all Israel (North and South), across the reigns of 3 kings of Judah: Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. This book, much like Hosea is also written in Hebrew Poetry. Micah announces God's judgment against Israel. Israel has exploited the poor and twisted the laws of the Torah, and God’s justice means that he will...

The book of Hosea is mostly written in the form of Hebrew poetry. Hosea actually means ‘Salvation’ in Hebrew. Hosea was a contemporary of Isaiah and Micah – at the time of Israel (Northern Kingdom) ruler Jeroboam 2. 750-722 BC. Hosea is one of the most autobiographical of the prophetic Books in that the opening account of Hosea’s own marriage and family actually formed a vital part of his message....

In this episode we cover the books of Jonah and Amos, both written about the same time period during the rule of Jeroboam 2 one of Israel’s worst Kings. The story of Jonah, is probably one of the most well known Bible stories. In many ways, it is holding up a mirror to our own disfunction when it comes to understanding God’s ways and in particular His unmerited grace. Are we OK with the fact that...

Written to Christians in the Roman province of Galatia. (In the center of modern Turkey). Capital of Galatia at the time was Ancyra. Written about the same time as Corinthians or alternate view is that this was Pauls earliest letter. The Christians in this province came manly from a Gentile background. They were relatively new believers (most likely only a matter of 2 or 3 years). Paul wrote to re...

The Apostle Paul teaches about the spiritual war that the children of God are engaged in. He defends himself against those who oppose him. He recounted how he was caught up into the third heaven and described how his weaknesses proved to be a blessing. Before ending his epistle, Paul exhorted the Saints in Corinth to examine themselves and prove their faithfulness. In last part of 2 Corinthians we...