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!
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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!
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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!
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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!
The children of Israel are on the fast-track to bondage. What is so tempting about foreign gods and why do the people turn to them so quickly? The cycle of idolatry, slavery, and deliverance is laid out and God shows Himself to be a good repenter. Chad and Daniel discuss all of this. Have a listen!
Chad and Daniel start the book of Judges in this episode. What is behind the name of the book? How do the tribes of Isreal begin to set themselves up for failure? And a king has his thumbs and big toes cut off. Have a listen!
Chad and Daniel wrap up the book of Joshua. There is a lot of talk about idolatry and the “good words” of God. Joshua dies but before he does he says his most famous words. Does “choose this day who you will serve” mean what we have come to think it means? Have a listen!
The cities of refuge are set up and land is allotted to the tribe of Levi. God doesn’t let His promises “fall” but fulfills them all for everyone. How does God having one plan for both Jews and Gentiles shape our eschatology? And why does the building of an altar almost start a civil war? Chad and Daniel discuss all of this. Have a listen!
Daniel Emery Price and Erick Sorensen talk with Chad Bird about his Christmas/Communion hymn, The Infant Priest Was Holy Born. It's a conversation filled with rich theology and laughter. Merry Christmas!
People remain in the land and Israel uses them as forced labor. How did it happen and is this what God wanted? Certain tribes want more land and Joshua recommends a solution they are not completely comfortable with. We are introduced to a place called Shiloh and the word “subdue” reappears. Chad and Daniel discuss all of this. Have a listen!