What in the Word?

Psalm 104 complements Psalm 103 by shifting from covenantal praise to cosmic praise of God as Creator and sustainer of the earth. Join us to look at the psalm’s imagery of God ordering chaotic waters and providing for all creatures, and how it calls listeners to trust in God’s power and goodness and ultimately points to the power and work of Christ. If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wo...

In this episode we explore 1 Chronicles 11–12 and the lists of David’s "mighty men." We unpack how Chronicles portrays God as the true builder of David’s kingship, the importance of unified, willing worshipers, and how human choice and divine sovereignty work together. If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com, and  we'll try to cover it  

This episode walks through 1 Chronicles 10 and looks at the abrupt end of Saul and the swift rise of David to explore why the Chronicler omits so much of the story that's available in 1 & 2 Samuel to make a theological point to exiled Israelites; and to us.    If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com, and  we'll try to cover it  

It's not all big words, I promise.   If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com, and  we'll try to cover it

In this episode we begin a short series on Chronicles, showing why these books are more than just a more boring version of Kings. Chronicles traces God’s people from creation to the return from exile and teaches important things about what it means to be God's people and God's work in history. If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com, and  we'll try to cov...

In this episode of "What in the Word," we look at Romans 5:1-11 and justification by faith, peace with God, and reconciliation through Jesus Christ. We discuss how these concepts unfold from the first four chapters of Romans and explore the personal and relational use Paul makes of the ideas and how peace with God transforms our understanding of life. If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you...

In 1 Samuel 25, there's an abrupt notice about the death of Samuel the prophet and a shift in action as David arises. Samuel has been David's primary defender up until now; how will God care for him, and how will David manage without the prophet? Join us as we witness how God orchestrates His plans through unusual means and demonstrates His remarkable ability to fulfill promises and teach lessons...

Joshua chapters 13 through 19 can be a challenging read, but they lay out significant themes of divine promise and Israel's distinct relationship with God. They illustrate the paradox of the gospel, show how God's eternal plan unfurls, and have hope for those who are waiting in weakness.  If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com, and  we'll try to cover it...

The fall of the city of Ai in Joshua chapter 8 is a tough thing to understand, and it's natural it should inspire the question: "What did Ai do to deserve this?" We look into the cultural, historical, and theological context to address the question and how it all applies to us.  If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com, and  we'll try to cover it.  

Deuteronomy 21 has some unique, often puzzling laws. These laws, like many in Deuteronomy and Leviticus, are not always easy to apply 1-to-1 onto our modern cultures, but what they do reveal is more and more of God's character, culminating in the revelation of the Trinity through Jesus Christ. Deut 21 is a great place to look back and look forward and reflect on how to faithfully apply biblical la...

Zechariah speaks to God's people who've returned to their homeland yet faced disappointment and unmet expectations. Discover how Zechariah encourages the people to look at the true reality behind visible reality, where God remains their active king despite the absence of a temple or a Davidic ruler.   

Psalm 116, like many others, is rich with wordplay and parallelism, some of which helps us understand the Psalmist's talk of being God's "slave" yet celebrating freedom from his bonds. If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com, and  we'll try to cover it.

Take a look with us quickly at the various perspectives on judgment presented by these three books.  

How can Paul rejoice that there are people out proclaiming the gospel with false motives, doing it in envy or to hurt another Christian? Join us as we look at how Paul's circumstances fuel a bold proclamation among believers and his strategic use of it as an encouragement to the Philippians.  If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com, and  we'll try to cove...

Num 28 and 29 repeat some information we get earlier in the law; but they're not just empty repetition. They offer a new generation of Israelites implicit promises of blessing, connect creation and redemption through the God who gives both, and shine a light on the only path for true self-worth and rest found in life with God. If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatinthewo...

Numbers 24 and 25 have funny and important moments surrounding Balaam, a pagan prophet, who experiences firsthand how God can use an unexpected instrument. His story is set up to illustrate three key points of Numbers that are worth thinking through for everyone who loves to live with God.  If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com, and  we'll try to cover...

In this episode, we take a very brief look at the next events in the life of Israel after the rebellion of Moses in Num 20. Discover how God begins to restore Israel and what their story has to teach us about the loss and disconnection that sin can bring and what reconnection God can forge.   If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com, and  we'll try to cove...

From the ritual of the red heifer to the infamous story of Balaam and his talking donkey, Num 19-25 are interesting and sometimes confusing. Today we look at the first part and at Moses, whose rebellion marks a low point and sets up the theological points to be made in the next few chapters. If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com, and  we'll try to cover...

Zephaniah 1 talks about "the day of the Lord." This pivotal day is about both judgment and salvation, as God's promises are fulfilled. Zephaniah emphasizes that salvation can only come through judgment, both in the immediate context of judgment upon Judah and the ultimate cosmic judgment that God promises. Comparing the language of Zephaniah with the accounts of Jesus's crucifixion, we gain a deep...

In this episode, we look at Micah chapter 6 and how God highlights simple ingratitude as a serious sin that's often at the root of seemingly more significant sins, like idolatry. If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com, and  we'll try to cover it.

The basic narrative of King Hezekiah appears in three different books of the Bible. We dissect what the focus of 2 Kings is in telling it, and the epic battle of words between God and the King of Assyria that takes place.   If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com, and  we'll try to cover it.

The concluding chapters of 2 Samuel weave patterns of sin, provision, and deliverance, foreshadowing the deliverance to come in Jesus Christ.   If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com, and  we'll try to cover it.

What does Jesus mean when he tells his disciples that they can't possibly know when he'll return, but they're to prepare for it? Through three parables, Jesus illustrates that readiness is not about predicting dates or looking for signs of his coming but about faithfully living out our discipleship, using every opportunity, and living for God now rather than thinking there will be time to do that...

In the lead-up to Matt 24, Jesus corrects poor understandings of his work and kingdom, and, as he approaches Jerusalem, deliberately confronts religious leaders, ultimately pronouncing woe upon them and upon the temple. This prompts some questions from his disciples (who misunderstand again). Join us to think for a few moments about how Jesus answers the disciples' questions. If you have a bit of...

In this episode, we look at the recurring use of the verb "do" in this chapter and four sets of contrasts that Jesus sets up to describe what it means to be part of the kingdom of heaven.  If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com and we'll try to cover it.