Bible Backdrop

The nation of Israel leaves Mount Sinai to gain their inheritance in the Promised Land. As usual, things don't go according to plan. The people get angry, God rebukes, Moses intercedes and the process starts all over again. Until it comes time to actually take the Promised Land and then things go really sideways. Listen to this episode of Bible Backdrop as we tell some of the stories from the book of Numbers about the constant rebellion of the people of Israel.

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Moses has brought the Israelites to Mount Sinai to meet with God who shows up in a mighty way. However, even after this awesome meeting, the Israelites soon slip into idolatry and moral bankruptcy. This leads to some pretty awful consequences and almost causes the people to lose their special place as God's chosen people. How will they react? Will they simply move ahead or will they repent? Listen to the latest episode of Bible Backdrop to find out.

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As the nation of Israel makes their way through the wilderness, they come across some trouble. Lack of food and water make the people a bit testy. On top of that, they have a new enemy that has decided to attack them at their weakest spot. And in each instance, God continually provides for them. On this episode of Bible Backdrop, find out some of the details regarding the Israelites journey to Mount Sinai. What was important about the springs of Marah? What were the manna and quail like? Why did the Amalekites attack the Israelites? If you are...

The Israelites have been released from their bondage, but have one last hurdle to face. With their backs to the sea and the Egyptian army on their heels, it will take a miracle to save the fledgling nation. In this episode of Bible Backdrop, we look at some of the details surrounding the great miracle that finally broke Israel away from Egypt and showed even more of God's glory.

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The final plague hits Egypt and Pharaoh finally relents. In this episode of Bible Backdrop, we look at the 10th and final plague...the death of the firstborn. We examine some of the details in the story along with a look into what the aftermath would be for Egypt and Israel. 

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In the previous episode of Bible Backdrop, we looked at plagues 1-3. In this episode, we look at plagues 4-9. What was different about the plague of hail? Why was the plague of darkness the worst of the 9? Why was Pharaoh continually obstinate in not letting the Hebrews go?

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What were some of the other consequences of the plagues of Egypt? Why, after witnessing these miracles, does Pharaoh continue to harden his heart? And what is God showing Israel through these plagues? In this episode of Bible Backdrop, we start to look at the first 3 of the 10 plagues of Egypt. We discover how they match to a different Egyptian god and talk about their far reaching consequences. If you are enjoying Bible Backdrop, please leave a 5-star rating and review. You can get in touch with the show by the e-mail mentioned in this episode. Bible Backdrop is...

In the latest episode of Bible Backdrop, we continue our series on the History of Israel looking at Moses' return to Egypt. What events led him there? How did he respond to God's calling? Did God really almost kill him? 

After 40 years of living in the wilderness and tending his father in law's sheep, Moses is called by God to talk to Pharaoh to let Israel go. Moses is beaten down, uncertain and tries to back out. God is having none of it and Moses is compelled to go. But...he won't do it alone. Listen to t...

Exodus is the story of God redeeming his chosen people, Israel. After settling in Egypt, the people multiply and a nervous Pharaoh starts giving orders to try and stem this exploding population. In this time of death and darkness, a mother has a child whom she willingly gives up in the hopes that he will be saved. The child, Moses, is rescued but things don't always go according to plan. He will learn much and there are tough days ahead for him.

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This is it...the ultimate moment in the book of Genesis. Joseph finally reveals himself to his brothers and we see the fallout from that event. In this episode of Bible Backdrop, Joseph is reunited with his brothers and then, later, with his father who he has not seen for over 20 years. All the families move and are settled in the land of Goshen. We talk about what the land of Goshen was, why the Israelites were able to grow separate from the Egyptians, and why it was important to tell Pharaoh they were shepherds. We also see power...

In Genesis 43 and 44, Joseph sees his older brothers again and now they've brought Benjamin. Joseph is overwhelmed, but tests his brothers to see if they have really changed. How will they react? Also, why didn't the Egyptians eat with the Hebrews? Why did Joseph use his silver cup to trick them? All of this and more is covered in the latest episode of Bible Backdrop!

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In today's episode of Bible Backdrop, the famine has hit and Jacob's sons are forced to go to Egypt to buy grain. There they come face to face with the man in charge of selling the grain...the grand vizier...the man second only to Pharaoh. Joseph. But it's not just Joseph...they are face to face with their sin and it's consequences. And those consequences could be dire...

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We are introduced to the land of Egypt in the Joseph story, but aren't given much context. What was their history, culture and economy like? What did they eat and how did they live? In this Extra episode of Bible Backdrop, we look at this and other things to see what Egypt looked like during the time of Joseph. If you are enjoying Bible Backdrop, please leave a 5 star rating and review. If you want to get in touch with the show, you can send an e-mail to the address listed in this episode.

In this episode of Bible Backdrop, we pick up again with Joseph. He is sold as a slave to Potiphar and then, through a false accusation, put into prison. However, it's here that he will have contact with Pharaoh and ultimately save both Egypt and Israel. As we continue the narrative, we answer a few questions. Who was Potiphar? Why was his wife so focused on Joseph? What does a cupbearer do? Listen to this episode of Bible Backdrop to learn this and much more!

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In this episode of Bible Backdrop, we start the narrative of Joseph and his sale to the Ishmaelites. Then we talk about a side story with Judah and about how that fits into the Joseph narrative. Why was Joseph sold so cheaply? What was Reuben's motive to rescue Joseph? What does the Bible include the story about Judah in the middle of the Joseph narrative? Listen to this episode to find out more.

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The Bible talks often about the Canaanites, especially in the book of Genesis. We get a glimpse of their culture through the stories that are told and in archaeology. What was their economy like? What gods did they worship? Why was it so important for Israel to not absorb their culture? In this Extra episode of Bible Backdrop, we look at Canaanite society, culture, economy and political structure. This will give us some more context as we move ahead through the Genesis story.

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Jacob, the patriarch who's name becomes Israel, has a history of not being fully obedient and running a very dysfunctional family. In this episode of Bible Backdrop, we see Jacob leave Laban, wrestle with God, reunite with Esau, not follow God's directions and then have his son's slaughter a Canaanite city. Jacob's story is one of constant failure, grace, and reconciliation. His story is both a warning and a beacon of hope for us. If you are enjoying Bible Backdrop, please leave a 5 star rating and review.

As we prepare for Easter, we often think about Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. But just how horrible was crucifixion? How did it affect the body of the person being crucified? What did Jesus go through before and during his time on the cross? In this Extra episode of Bible Backdrop, we look at some of the science and biology behind the crucifixion. When you read the Gospel stories, you will have a better understanding of what our Lord and Savior physically went through while on the cross to bear our sins.

The story of the birth of Israel continues with Isaac and his twin sons, Jacob and Esau. How did the older son come to serve the younger? How does Jacob live up to his name? Why was Esau rejected for the covenantal blessing? How was Jacob deceived into marrying the wrong sister? This episode of Bible Backdrop continues to cover the story of Israel's history by talking about the people that were instrumental in the founding of the nation.

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The Bible tells amazing personal stories, but what about the bigger picture? What was Israel's place in the world during Bible times? This episode is the first in the series looking at the history of Israel and it's place in the ancient world. This will give us context to when these events took place.

The first episode is all about Abraham with a little about Isaac and Ishmael. There's also some discussion about the formation of kingdoms and how it differed in the land of Canaan. While these are personal stories, they set the stage for what...

The Feast of Weeks is designated as the third and final pilgrimage festival for Israelites and is described in Leviticus 23. Called Shavuot or Pentecost, it is known as a harvest festival, but becomes the day the church was founded in Acts 2. This episode of Bible Backdrop goes into some of the history and traditions surrounding this festival.

Merry Christmas everyone! December 8 marks the first day of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights. Most know that this involves lighting a menorah, but what are the origins of this festival? The last episode of Bible Backdrop for 2023 goes into the story and other details about Hanukkah. Why is it celebrated? How do Jews today celebrate? Why is it important?

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Passover is one of the best known feasts in the Bible. Most people know the general story behind the Passover, but how was it celebrated in Bible times? This episode of Bible Backdrop looks at the history of Passover along with how the meal was eaten. We also discuss the Feast of Unleavened Bread that was a 7 day festival in honor of God's deliverance. If you are enjoying Bible Backdrop, please tell a friend and have them subscribe. To get in touch with the show, you can e-mail me at the address given in the podcast episode.

We hear about the Feast of Booths, but what exactly was it? Why did God institute this festival in the Jewish religious calendar? On this episode of Bible Backdrop, we look into some of the details on the Feast of Booths including the time of year, the events that took place, and what the booths looked like. We also look into how Jesus used this to great effect during His ministry.

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In the previous episode of Bible Backdrop, we talked about the details surrounding the Day of Atonement. After finishing the episode, there is so much symbolism surrounding this day that it really required an Extra episode. When you look closely at the events, you can easily see how it ties back to Jesus and his sacrifice for our atonement. 

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Yom Kippur is the holiest day on the Jewish calendar. Established by God with detailed instructions to Moses in Leviticus 16, this episode of Bible Backdrop looks at the particulars surrounding that day. What is the meaning of Yom Kippur? Where did it fall on the Jewish calendar? What did the high priest have to do on that day? What was so different about it?

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Wrapping up our series on the offerings in Leviticus, the latest episode of Bible Backdrop looks into the Trespass Offering and the Guilt Offering. Each of these had very specific requirements and we go into details on what was included, why it was included, and how they affect us today.

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Continuing our series on the sacrifices in the Old Testament, this episode of Bible Backdrop looks at the Sin Offering. In many ways, it was different from the other offerings and we look into those differences here. God held people to a high standard when it came to the Sin Offering and it shows in the sacrifices.

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Leviticus 3 and Leviticus 7 gives instructions to the children of Israel regarding the Peace Offering. What exactly was included in a peace offering? Why did someone bring this kind of offering to God? Who needed to make the offering? In the latest episode of Bible Backdrop, we take a look at these verses and go into some additional details.

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The burnt offering and the grain offering are both described in Leviticus 1 and 2. Why were these sacrifices significant? What did they mean? In this episode of Bible Backdrop Extra, we go into the deeper meaning behind these sacrifices and their symbolism. 

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In Leviticus, God outlined 5 sacrifices: The burnt offering, the grain offering, the sin offering, the guilt offering and the peace offering. Each one had a different function and method. In this episode of Bible Backdrop, we'll look at the first two sacrifices and go into a few details regarding each one. 

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Welcome to the first episode of Bible Backdrop Extra! This is a shorter episode where I go a little deeper into an earlier episode. This week, I talk about the symbolism of the Tabernacle and how it points to Jesus. All the implements of worship, their placement, even the courtyard points to Jesus' teaching. 

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During their years of wandering in the desert, the Israelites worshiped and offered sacrifices to Yahweh at The Tabernacle. In this episode of Bible Backdrop, we look at how it was built along with the tools of worship that were used in the course of offering sacrifices. How big was the Tabernacle? What were the curtains made of? Could anyone go in? These are some of the questions answered in this latest episode.

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Most of us have seen the movie "Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark." The Ark of the Covenant has intrigued people for years. What was so special about the Ark? How was it made? And what happened to it? In this episode of Bible Backdrop, we'll look at some of the details surrounding the Ark, when it was used, and how it was made. We'll also give a few theories as to what may have happened to it.

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Mary is one of the 3 central figures in the Christmas story. Like the episode on Joseph last year, this episode adds some context around Mary's role and the evidence of her strong faith. I also talk a little about the heavenly hosts and what that means to the story. Have a Merry Christmas!

In the Bible, the army of Israel is mentioned several times in the Old Testament. How did the army come to be and how was it formed? Was there always a standing army? How were wars fought during Bible times? In this latest episode of Bible Backdrop, I look at how the Israelite military was formed from the very first battle in Genesis to the formation of the professional army under Saul and David. 

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Skilled labor was essential to ancient Israel during Bible times. This episode of Bible Backdrop delves into 4 different types of skilled laborers and what they provided to the economy and society. We look at carpenters, stone workers, metal workers, potters and tent makers. Each one provided a necessary service for both the community and the nation.

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How did people earn a living during Bible times? What was the economy like? In this episode of Bible Backdrop, we take a look at some of the jobs people did and how they were able to make a living. We cover agriculture, livestock, fishing and trade.

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The family structure in the Bible was extremely important. Extended families were large and tied to the land. What did this mean for people during this time? What laws protected the family and their tie to the land? In this episode of Bible Backdrop, I look at the family structures and how this affected people during this time. I also look at how the establishment of the monarchy changed this dynamic. 

Bible Backdrop looks at the history and culture surrounding the Bible. If you are enjoying this podcast, please put in a 5-star rating and review. If y...

Homes in Bible times were much different than our homes today. Multiple generations lived under one roof and living quarters were tight. This episode of Bible Backdrop goes into some of the details about homes in Bible times. Why was the roof so important? Where did people stay most of the time? Listen to this episode to learn more!

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What did people eat during Bible times? What foods were readily available and what was only eaten by the wealthy? In this episode of Bible Backdrop, we look at the food of the Bible: fruits, vegetables, meat and grains. All of it is significant and will help as you study the Bible. 

Bible Backdrop is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher. Also, you can find us on the GoodPods app. If you are enjoying Bible Backdrop, please leave a 5-star rating and review. Word of mouth is still the best way for this podcast to spread, s...

We see them throughout the Old Testament, but who exactly were the Philistines? Where did they come from? Why were they in conflict with the Israelites? What were they like? In this episode of Bible Backdrop, we look at the history, culture, religion and politics of the Philistine people. While being a "cultural philistine" is seen as a negative, the actual people were quite advanced. Want to learn more? Download and listen to the latest episode.

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We hear about the Sanhedrin in the New Testament, but what are its origins? Is there evidence in the Old Testament? What did they do and how was it formed? Today's episode of Bible Backdrop dives into the history and structure of the Sanhedrin. We discuss the theories of when it started, what it took to be a judge, and what kind of cases they handled.

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We all know the parable of the Good Samaritan and the story of the woman at the well, but who exactly were the Samaritans? Where did they come from? What did they believe? What happened to them? In this episode of Bible Backdrop, I take a look at the history of the Samaritans and their affect on the nation of Israel. Stay for a few minutes after the main episode is over to hear some unscripted thoughts from your host! If you enjoy Bible Backdrop, tell a friend and have them subscribe. You can also get in touch with...

Finishing out the series on the cities where Paul wrote his epistles, today we talk about Colossae and Thessalonica. What was Colossae's chief export? How did Thessalonica become a Roman "free city?" Why did Paul have to leave so quickly? Listen to this episode to learn more.

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On this episode of Bible Backdrop, we continue our series on the cities of Paul's letters by looking at Philippi. While not as large as Ephesus or Corinth, it was still very important and a great center of trade. It was also important to Roman history. How? Listen to the latest episode to hear the story. If you are enjoying Bible Backdrop, please subscribe and leave a 5-star rating and review. Also, you can e-mail the show if you have any comments. The e-mail is mentioned in this episode.

In the book of Acts, chapters 18 & 19, Luke tells the story of Paul's time in Ephesus. What was this city like? What was the temple of Artemis? Why was it so important? In this episode of Bible Backdrop, I talk about the history, culture, and geography of the city of Ephesus. Not only was it home to one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world, but it was also a thriving center of commerce and education. 

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Who were the Galatians? How did the area get its name? Why did Paul write a letter there? In this episode of Bible Backdrop, I answer these questions along with some history of the area. Before you listen, I recommend you read the book of Galatians and also Acts 13. If you like the show, please subscribe and write a 5 star rating and review. You can also get in touch with the show by the e-mail address mentioned in the podcast. 

What was the city of Corinth like when Paul established the church there? This episode looks at the ancient city of Corinth...it's good and bad sides. Why did Paul have so much trouble with this church? Why was this city so important to trade in the Mediterranean? Listen to the latest episode to hear all about Corinth.

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What is a covenant? Where do we see them in the Bible? Why are they important? In the latest episode of Bible Backdrop, I look at the different types of covenants and talk about their importance to scripture. We see covenants all throughout the Bible but some of them stand out. Which ones? Listen to the latest episode to find out.

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Do you know about the Zealots? Why would Rome care about Jesus? Who are the Essenes? In this episode of the Bible Backdrop Podcast, we dive into a discussion on the Zealots and the Essenes. Then we talk about how all 4 groups (including the Pharisees and Sadducees) affected Jesus ministry. Are you enjoying the podcast? If so, please be sure to subscribe and leave a 5 star rating and review.

Have you ever read the Gospels and wondered where the Pharisees and Sadducees came from? The latest episode of Bible Backdrop tells some of the history behind these groups. Where did they come from and what happened to them? Download the latest episode to find out! If you like the podcast, please subscribe and leave a 5-star rating and review.

How long is a cubit? How big is an ephah? What was currency like in Bible times? On this episode of Bible Backdrop, we look into some of the weights, measurements, and currency in the Bible. Maybe not the most exciting topic, but I'm hoping it will help you the next time you're reading your Bible. If you like Bible Backdrop, please leave a 5-star rating and review. Have a question or comment? You can contact the show via the e-mail address given in every episode. Thank you for listening!

Want to learn more about the history and culture surrounding the Bible? Then welcome to the Bible Backdrop Podcast! This episode looks at the process for marriage and weddings during Biblical times. We go over the steps and negotiations required for betrothal, engagement and the wedding. Then we review the wedding in Cana where Jesus performed his first miracle. Finally, the episode wraps up talking about a few other related topics. I'm interested to hear what you think! If you like the podcast, please put in a 5 star rating and review. If you want to get in touch with...

What's the story with Joseph? In this unscripted episode, I talk a little bit about Joseph and his role in the Christmas story. Although he says nothing, his actions speak volumes. The book I reference is called: The Forgotten Man of Christmas: Joseph's Story by Howard Edington. So while we talk about all the other parts of the Christmas story, don't forget about this extraordinary man.

Thank you for listening to the second Christmas episode of the Bible Backdrop Podcast! In this episode, I dive into a history on Herod and his role in the Christmas story. Then, I talk about the flight to Egypt of Joseph, Mary and Jesus. Why go there? This episode will help answer that question. Afterwards, I give a glimpse into some subjects that I'll tackle in the future. If you are enjoying this podcast, please help by giving a 5-star rating and review.

We all know the basics of the Christmas story...but do we know some of the details behind it? In this episode of Bible Backdrop, I take a look at why Bethlehem is so important to the Christmas story followed by a similar discussion of the Magi. 

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Welcome to the Bible Backdrop Podcast! This podcast is dedicated to researching the cultural and historical context to Bible verses to help "set the stage" and gain a better understanding of scripture. Our first episode asks a simple question: What is the Bible. As we find out, the answer isn't that simple. 

If you want to hear future episodes, please click Subscribe as I will be publishing episodes about every two weeks. Like what you hear? Great! Please leave a 5-star rating and review to help get the podcast noticed. Think things can be better or have a...