Bible Backdrop

After the stories of Gideon and Abimilech, Israel once again falls into apostasy and God sends the Ammonites and the Philistines to oppress them. As they beg God's forgiveness and deliverance, He tells them to ask the gods that they were following to deliver them. Israel then wholeheartedly repents and God decides to help. The people go to a former outcast, Jephthah, to help lead them. But he's not interested and it takes a promise of permanent leadership to persuade him. Seeing the overwhelming odds, Jephthah makes a foolish vow showing that he is still a flawed man.

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 do so at the e-mail mentioned in the episode.

Judges, as a book, is about man's failure and inability to follow God. Nowhere better do we see this than the stories of Gideon and Abimelech. Gideon goes from great faithfulness and victory to idolatry in almost the blink of an eye. This leads to what is considered his legacy in his son Abimelech. In the end, it's a failure for everyone involved when they don't follow the Lord.

If you are enjoying Bible Backdrop, please leave a 5-star rating and review. You can also get in touch with the show at the e-mail found in the episode. Bible Backdrop is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you find your podcasts.

While the nation of Israel was going through their cycle of apostasy and repentance, there were other nations that were going through some pretty tough times. In this episode of Bible Backdrop, we're taking a step back from the narrative in the book of Judges and taking a look at what's happening in the wider world. We look at Egypt, Greece, Babylon, Assyria, and the Hittite empire. We discuss the phenomenon known as the Late Bronze Age Collapse and see how that event impacts these nations.

If you are enjoying Bible Backdrop, please leave a 5 star rating and review. To get in touch with show, you can go to the e-mail mentioned in the episode.

The history of Israel series continues as we move into Judges 6 with the start of the story of Gideon. The Israelites have fallen away from the worship of Yahweh, so God sends the Midianites to oppress them. After 7 years, they cry out to God for relief and He sends Gideon...the youngest man from an insignificant family. Gideon's faith is tested as God calls him to do a difficult task before taking on the Midianites. Then, after that's done, God whittles down his force to such a small number that it will have to be recognized that God won the battle. How does that happen? Listen to this episode to find out.

If you're enjoying Bible Backdrop, please leave a 5-star rating and review. To get in touch with the show, you can e-mail the address given in the episode.

After the conquest of the Promised Land, Israel moves into the time of Judges. The book begins with the aftermath of Joshua's death and we see the people fall into a cycle of falling away from God, being subject to another nation, crying out to God for deliverance, a judge being raised, and then peace for a period of time before the cycle starts again. A word of warning: Judges can be a violent and often disturbing book. It is an example of how people act when they try to live apart from God and it is not pretty.

If you are enjoying Bible Backdrop, please leave a 5 star rating and review. If you want to contact the show, the e-mail address is given in the episode. Find Bible Backdrop on Apple, Spotify or wherever podcasts are shown.

After defeating the kings of southern Canaan, Israel has to meet a new threat in the north. The largest army ever gathered in that region is prepared to fight against the Israelites...but they strike first. The resulting battle brings us to the end of Joshua as the nation then settles in the land. 

If you are enjoying Bible Backdrop, please leave a five star rating and review. You can e-mail the show at the address given in the episode. 

After the victories over Jericho and Ai and the reading of the law, Israel is ready to start the next phase of the campaign. However, it starts with a bit of controversy including a covenant that eventually needs to be fulfilled. Fulfilling that covenant is what leads to one of the greatest victories so far in taking the Promised Land.

If you are enjoying Bible Backdrop, please leave a 5 star rating and review. If you want to get in touch with the show, the email is given in the episode. Bible Backdrop is available on Apple, Spotify and wherever podcasts are found.

The battles for Jericho and Ai start the conquest of the Promised Land for Israel. How did they capture a fortress with gigantic walls? Why did God let them get defeated by the army in Ai? Why did they march around Jericho so many times? This and other questions are answered in this episode of Bible Backdrop.

If you are enjoying Bible Backdrop, please leave a 5 star rating and review. Bible Backdrop is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any other podcast station. If you want to get in touch with the show, you can e-mail me at the address in this episode. 

A new leader is established for Israel and they stand on the precipice of entering the Promised Land. Before that happens, they have to do a few things. On this episode of Bible Backdrop, we start in the book of Joshua and learn about Jericho, two spies and a prostitute. Then we see the nation of Israel finally cross the Jordan as the next generation does what their parents refused to do. 

In football, the preseason comes before the regular season; to get ready for when the games count. In this episode of Bible Backdrop, we see Israel going through a similar experience. They go through a number of challenges and battles to get ready for their conquering of the Promised Land. There are, of course, a number of rebellious moments and fiery serpents, but they make it through and sit on the edge of the Jordan ready to move ahead. If you are enjoying Bible Backdrop, please leave a 5 star rating and review. You can also get in touch with the show at the e-mail address mentioned in the episode. You can find Bible Backdrop on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere else you find podcasts.