Chad and Daniel begin the book of 1 Samuel in this episode. Elkanah’s barren wife Hannah finds herself full of anxiety and vexation. While loved by her husband, her co-wife regularly torments her. Hannah makes a unique vow. And a priest who has difficulty discerning between someone who is praying and someone who is drunk gives her some good news. Have a listen!
Chad and Daniel wrap up the book of Ruth in this episode. Boaz responds to Ruth’s proposal and explains that there are some things to be taken care of before it can go forward. As things come to close we find Naomi becoming the focus of the story again and the name of a king is spoken. Have a listen!
Boaz breaks out the bread and wine and serves Ruth. He instructs his workers to leave grain behind for Ruth to gather. Naomi instructs Ruth to make a move in perusing Boaz that involves uncovering his “feet” and calling him a redeemer. Chad and Daniel discuss all of this. Have a listen!
Naomi and Ruth return to Bethlehem at the time of the harvest where Ruth begins to glean in the fields of a man named Boaz. Why does Naomi change her name? How is she viewing God in all of this? And how far does Boaz go to care for Ruth? Chad and Daniel discuss all of this. Have a listen!
Chad and Daniel begin the book of Ruth in this episode. A famine hits Judah so a man takes his wife, Naomi, and two sons to Moab. He dies, and his sons marry Moabite women. The sons also die, and Naomi hears the famine is over decides to travel back to Bethlehem. She tells her daughters-in-law to go to their homes but Ruth refuses to leave her. Have a listen.
Chad and Daniel wrap up the book of Judges. Israel goes to war with the tribe of Benjamin after hearing what took place with the Levite and his concubine. Benjamin is wiped out except for 600 men and two bad solutions to the problem of those men not having wives are implemented. Judges is dark, but Ruth is coming. Have a listen!
Chad and Daniel wrestle with one of the darkest and most heart-wrenching passages in the old testament. The depravity of man is on full display and we find that we need a priest who is not like us. Have a listen.
The men of Dan take Micah’s idols and Levite priest. Micah pursues them but quickly realizes he will not be returning home with what was stolen from him. The Danites attack the city of Laish, overcome it, rename it Dan, and set up the idols. And we are introduced to a different Levite who has an “unfaithful” concubine that runs away. Chad and Daniel discuss all of this. Have a listen!
A man named Micah steals silver from his mother and then returns it and starts a cult at his home. He upgrades from his “priest” son to a traveling Levite for hire who assures some spies from Dan as they seek out land to invade. Chad and Daniel discuss all of this. Have a listen!
Chad and Daniel wrap up the life of Samson in this episode. Sin is everywhere. Betrayal is everywhere. But the Christ whom Samson foreshadows has the final word. Have a listen!
The Philistines carry out a plan to capture Samson, but the jawbone of a donkey is weaponized to thwart it. Samson visits a prostitute and takes the gates of the city with him when he leaves. And we meet the woman he loves that will be his undoing. Chad and Daniel discuss all of this. Have a listen!
Samson’s wedding goes side-ways and he presents a high-stakes wager involving an impossible riddle. He then lives up to his end of the deal in the most intimidating way possible resulting in tragedy for his wife and father-in-law. And a whole lot of fire-tails are put to use. Chad and Daniel discuss all of this. Have a listen!
Manoah asks God to send the messenger back to speak with him. The messenger returns, and they quickly discover they have seen God. Samson is born, grows and is looking for a wife. And a pretty cool rabbit hole gets explored regarding Hagar and the name of God. Chad and Daniel discuss all of this. Have a listen!
Jephthah gets in a conflict with the men of Ephraim resulting in a lot of bloodshed. Jephthah is followed by three Judges we don’t know much about other than their massive families. We are introduced to the mother of Samson and a messenger who is more than an angel. Chad and Daniel discuss all of this. Have a listen!
Jephthah sends messengers to the king of Ammonites, who it turns out is not interested in peace or a history lesson. Jephthah makes an ill-advised vow to God before going into battle and then tragically fulfills it. Does God approve of this vow? Does Jephthah actually do what it seems to say he does? Where is Christ in all of this? Chad and Daniel spend eight extra minutes discussing all of this. Have a listen!
Once again Israel ramps up its idolatry and God is not pleased and says He will not save them again and then does. How does law and gospel help us understand texts like this? When is God’s impatience a comfort to us? And we meet a warrior son of a prostitute named Jephthah. Chad and Daniel discuss all of this. Have a listen!
Abimelech gets word of the drunken threats issued against him and plans an ambush. Zebul’s eyesight isn’t any better than his judgment. The wrath of Abimelech is thorough and includes a whole lot of salt. Jotham’s fable/prophecy comes full circle and Abimelech unsuccessfully tries to avoid what he sees as an embarrassing death legacy. Chad and Daniel discuss all of this. Have a listen!
Gideon takes many wives and has a ton of children and one son named Abimelech from a woman who was not his wife. Gideon dies, and the people take their idolatry to the next level. Abimelech puts together a plan to seize power that involves killing all his brothers. And Gideon’s youngest son delivers a fable/prophecy to the leaders of Shechem. Chad and Daniel discuss all of this. Have a listen!
Gideon makes a 2nd threatening promise and then follows through on both of them. We learn more about his family and what may be some additional motivation in these conflicts. The people start wanting a ruler and Gideon slips into compromise. Chad and Daniel discuss all of this. Have a listen!
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Gideon gets some reassurance from an interpretation of a very strange dream. He and his reduced force go into battle with trumpets and jars. Why are all these victories so lopsided and how does Isaiah talk about this battle when speaking of the coming Christ? Chad and Daniel discuss all of this. Have a listen!
Great Freedom Conference in Germany
Gideon takes a group of men and destroys the altar of Baal. People want him to die but he gets a nickname instead. God has more for him to do but Gideon has some doubts and tests God with a fleece. When Gideon agrees to go to battle, God thinks he has too many men with him and comes up with a strange way of reducing the forces. Chad and Daniel discuss all of this. Have a listen!
Great Freedom Conference in Germany
To the surprise of no one, Israel engages in idolatry again and finds themselves oppressed by their enemies. Jesus calls Gideon to deliver the people but Gideon is hesitant and wants a sign. Bad things happen when you refuse to listen to God. Chad and Daniel discuss all of this. Have a listen!
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A song is sung by Deborah to cement what God has done in the history of Israel. Why does this song and others have an address to the enemies? Why is God’s interaction with creation so personal? Chad and Daniel discuss all of this. Have a listen!
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Israel is in trouble again, so we are introduced to a prophetess judge named Deborah. A man named Barak is unwilling to go fight without her and so God will deliverer the people’s enemy into the hand of a woman, but which woman? Chad and Daniel discuss all of this. Have a listen!
Great Freedom Conference in Germany
Israel is becoming more and more pagan and God sells them to their enemies. A left-handed man has a short sword and a message from God for a fat king. And rest seems to be the thing everyone is after. Chad and Daniel discuss all of this. Have a listen!