Insight and Understanding

Can God really see what’s going on in our lives? This last episode in our Genesis 16 series tells two stories--one from the Bible and one from my personal life—that both show God’s supernatural ability to see us in our messiest moments. He is the God who sees.

Read Genesis 16

Listen to Genesis 16

Theme Music: “Front Porch” by Mason Perkins, Mason Perkins Music

Resources:
If you haven’t yet accepted God’s offer of love to you, click here for more information or email me with questions.

Please visit my online home at: insightandunderstanding.com.

Sources: (In order of appearance)

“In the Midst of the Mess: Hagar and the God Who Sees.” n.d. CBE International. Accessed February 20, 2024. https://www.cbeinternational.org/resource/midst-mess-hagar-and-god-who-sees/.

‌“Hagar: Bible | Jewish Women’s Archive.” 2009. Jwa.org. 2009. https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/hagar-bible.

Alter, Robert. 2019. The Hebrew Bible, Volume 1 : The Five Books of Moses: Torah. New York ; London: W. W. Norton & Company.

Original word sources:
Biblehub.com, using Interlinear Tool

God always keeps his promises. You can depend on that. But how he keeps those promises is sometimes surprising. When I was studying Genesis 16 for this episode, God reminded me that His plans are not my plans. He is God and I am not.

Read Genesis 16

Listen to Genesis 16

Map of Hagar’s Journey (scroll to bottom right)

Who Are Arabs?

Theme Music: “Front Porch” by Mason Perkins, Mason Perkins Music

Resources:
If you haven’t yet accepted God’s offer of love to you, click here for more information or email me with questions.

Please visit my online home at: insightandunderstanding.com.

Sources: (In order of appearance)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. (Genesis 12, Genesis 16)

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Benson Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Alter, Robert. 2019. The Hebrew Bible, Volume 1 : The Five Books of Moses: Torah. New York ; London: W. W. Norton & Company.

What Is a Concubine?

Enduring Word Commentary, Genesis 16

THE MESSAGE
Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

Genesis 13:14-17 (NIV)

Genesis 15 (NIV)

Original word sources:
Biblehub.com, using Interlinear Tool

Have you ever had to wait for God’s promise to happen? Maybe you’re still waiting. That space of waiting can try our faith and send us into the depths of despair or maybe “I’ll help God” action mode. Our episode today begins a new series from Genesis 16 that reminds us to trust that God will keep His promises.

Read Genesis 16

Listen to Genesis 16

Theme Music: “Front Porch” by Mason Perkins, Mason Perkins Music

Resources:
If you haven’t yet accepted God’s offer of love to you, click here for more information or email me with questions.

Please visit my online home at: insightandunderstanding.com.

Sources: (In order of appearance)
Scriptures mentioned:
Genesis 12 (NIV)

Genesis 15 (NIV)

Genesis 16 (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. (Matthew 11:28-30, Exodus 20:8-10)

Jr, Walter C, Duane Garrett, and Zondervan. 2006. NIV, Archaeological Study Bible : An Illustrated Walk through Biblical History and Culture. Grand Rapids: Zondervan. (Notes on Genesis 16:1-2)

Matthew Poole’s Commentary

Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible by Matthew Henry

What Is a Concubine?

The Complete Jewish Study Bible : Illuminating the Jewishness of God’s Word. 2016. Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Bibles. (Genesis 16:3)

Alter, Robert. 2019. The Hebrew Bible, Volume 1 : The Five Books of Moses: Torah. New York ; London: W. W. Norton & Company. (notes on Genesis 16:3; Genesis 16:5)

Original word sources:
Biblehub.com, using Interlinear Tool

Rest isn’t a regular rhythm of our 21st century American culture, unless you count our devices. We recharge our phones every night, and regularly reboot our computers, but rarely do we get enough sleep or rest to recharge. In this episode, we’re looking at God’s perspective on rest found in Genesis and Exodus. It might surprise you.

Theme Music: “Front Porch” by Mason Perkins, Mason Perkins Music

Resources:
If you haven’t yet accepted God’s offer of love to you, click here for more information or email me with questions.

Please visit my online home at: insightandunderstanding.com.

Sources: (In order of appearance)
Scriptures mentioned:
Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

Genesis 2:2-3 (NIV)

Exodus 16 (NIV)

Exodus 20 (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. (Matthew 11:28-30, Exodus 20:8-10)


Original word sources:
Biblehub.com, using Interlinear Tool

Harris, R. Laird, Gleason L. Archer, and Bruce K. Waltke. Theological Wordbook of The Old Testament. Chicago: Moody Press, 2004. 

Mounce, William D. Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2006.

Vine, W. E., Unger, Merrill F, White, William. Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words. Nashville: Nelson Books, 1985.

Being a good Christian can feel like you’re carrying a ton of bricks—it’s overwhelming, exhausting, and nearly impossible. What Jesus said in Matthew 11 about his yoke being easy and his burden light may not mirror your experience, and for years it didn’t mirror mine either. But today, I live in the truth of those words. And so can you.

Part 1: Episode 10

Part 2: Episode 11

Theme Music: “Front Porch” by Mason Perkins, Mason Perkins Music

Resources:
If you haven’t yet accepted God’s offer of love to you, click here for more information or email me with questions.

Please visit my online home at: insightandunderstanding.com.

Video Overview of the Book of Matthew

Sources: (In order of appearance)
This episode comes from Matthew 11:28-30.

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. (Matthew 11:28-30, Ephesians 4:32, I John 5:3)

“The Greek Word γάρ - Textkit Greek and Latin Forums.” n.d. Www.textkit.com. Accessed January 22, 2024. https://www.textkit.com/greek-latin-forum/viewtopic.php?t=64653.

NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible. 2016. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan. (Notes on Matthew 23:23)

Vine, W. E., Unger, Merrill F, White, William. Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words. Nashville: Nelson Books, 1985.

Spiros Zodhiates. 2008. Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible : Key Insights into God’s Word : NASB, New American Standard Bible. Chattanooga, Tn: Amg Publishers.

“Matthew 11 Pulpit Commentary.” n.d. Biblehub.com. Accessed January 22, 2024. https://biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/11.htm.

Tverberg, Lois. 2015. “Jesus’ Yoke.” En-Gedi Resource Center. July 8, 2015. https://engediresourcecenter.com/2015/07/07/jesus-yoke/.

Scripture quotations marked TPT are from The Passion Translation®. Copyright © 2017, 2018, 2020 by Passion & Fire Ministries, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ThePassionTranslation.com.

Original word sources:
Biblehub.com, using Interlinear Tool

Harris, R. Laird, Gleason L. Archer, and Bruce K. Waltke. Theological Wordbook of The Old Testament. Chicago: Moody Press, 2004. 

Mounce, William D. Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2006.

Vine, W. E., Unger, Merrill F, White, William. Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words. Nashville: Nelson Books, 1985.

When we feel anxious and exhausted, we want to escape and make it all go away by attempting to fill our lives with pleasures that may temporarily make us forget, but they don’t actually bring us rest. In today’s episode, Jesus has a different recipe for rest, but it sounds like He is inviting these worn-down, worn-out people to do more work. Keep listening, because things aren’t always what they seem.

Part 1: Episode 10

Theme Music: “Front Porch” by Mason Perkins, Mason Perkins Music

Resources:
If you haven’t yet accepted God’s offer of love to you, click here for more information or email me with questions.

Please visit my online home at: insightandunderstanding.com.

Video Overview of the Book of Matthew

Sources: (In order of appearance)
This episode comes from Matthew 11:28-30.

The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible, BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee. This text of God's Word has been dedicated to the public domain. (Matthew 11:28-30)

MacLaren’s Expositions of Holy Scripture

Article with Photos: Building an Ox Yoke

Video: How to Yoke Oxen

Kids Video: “An Easy Yoke”

“An untrained ox would disrupt the process…”

Amplified Bible (AMP). Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved. (Matthew 11:28-30)

Original word sources:
Biblehub.com, using Interlinear Tool

Harris, R. Laird, Gleason L. Archer, and Bruce K. Waltke. Theological Wordbook of The Old Testament. Chicago: Moody Press, 2004. 

Mounce, William D. Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2006.

Vine, W. E., Unger, Merrill F, White, William. Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words. Nashville: Nelson Books, 1985.

At the moment, my life is full of invitations and expectations—from responsibilities, things I’ve committed to, people around me in addition to my own often unrealistic expectations and goals. How can you find rest when you're exhausted?

Theme Music: “Front Porch” by Mason Perkins, Mason Perkins Music

Resources:
If you haven’t yet accepted God’s offer of love to you, click here for more information or email me with questions.

Please visit my online home at: insightandunderstanding.com.

Video Overview of the Book of Matthew

Sources: (In order of appearance)
This episode comes from Matthew 11:28-30.

The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible, BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee. This text of God's Word has been dedicated to the public domain. (Psalm 27:1)

Enduring Word Commentary, Matthew 1

The Discovery Bible New American Standard New Testament Copyright @1987 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved. (Matthew 11:28-30)

MacLaren’s Expositions of Holy Scripture

Benson Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®). ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. (Study notes from Matthew 11:28)

“Take My Yoke upon You.” 2023. Renner Ministries. July 28, 2023.

‌“What Happens in Your Brain When You Have a Goal.” n.d. Www.linkedin.com. Accessed January 11, 2024.

Original word sources:
Biblehub.com, using Interlinear Tool

Harris, R. Laird, Gleason L. Archer, and Bruce K. Waltke. Theological Wordbook of The Old Testament. Chicago: Moody Press, 2004. 

Mounce, William D. Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2006.

Vine, W. E., Unger, Merrill F, White, William. Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words. Nashville: Nelson Books, 1985.

01.03.24 | 9:57

What are you waiting for? Most of us are waiting for something. In today’s episode, we’ll talk about how to patiently wait even if you don’t know exactly what you’re waiting for.

Theme Music: “Front Porch” by Mason Perkins, Mason Perkins Music

Resources:
If you haven’t yet accepted God’s offer of love to you, click here for more information or email me with questions.

Please visit my online home at: insightandunderstanding.com.

Video Overview of the Book of Psalms

Themes of the Sections of Psalms

Sources: (In order of appearance)
This episode comes from Psalm 27.

The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible, BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee. This text of God's Word has been dedicated to the public domain. (Psalm 27:1)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. (Psalm 27:14 and study notes on Psalm 27:14)

Original word sources:
Biblehub.com, choose Interlinear Tool

Harris, R. Laird, Gleason L. Archer, and Bruce K. Waltke. Theological Wordbook of The Old Testament. Chicago: Moody Press, 2004. 

Mounce, William D. Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2006.

Vine, W. E., Unger, Merrill F, White, William. Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words. Nashville: Nelson Books, 1985.

As an unmarried woman in a shame-based culture, Mary may have felt joy, anxiety, and many other emotions as she anticipated the birth of her first child, Jesus. How did she respond to an unexpected shift in her life?

Theme Music: “Front Porch” by Mason Perkins, Mason Perkins Music

Resources:
If you haven’t yet accepted God’s offer of love to you, click here for more information or email me with questions.

Please visit my online home at: insightandunerstanding.com.

Check out the blog version of this podcast with references and sources.

Sources: (In order of appearance)
This episode comes from Luke 1:38-55.

Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, Copyright ©2016 by Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan. All rights reserved. (Luke 1:38)

The Sixth Month of Pregnancy

The Magnificat

The Discovery Bible New American Standard New Testament Copyright @1987 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved. (Luke 1:38-55)

Bible Hub for meanings of original words

The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible, BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee. This text of God's Word has been dedicated to the public domain. (Luke 1:38-55)

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. (Luke 2:14)

Life is filled with times when things don’t seem to go like we hoped or planned. Mary the mother of Jesus knew all about unexpected and life-changing news. But wait! This isn’t just about Christmas! Mary’s response sets an example for us to follow every day of the year.

Theme Music: “Front Porch” by Mason Perkins, Mason Perkins Music

Resources:
If you haven’t yet accepted God’s offer of love to you, click here for more information or email me with questions.

Check out the blog version of this podcast with references and sources.

Think about it…
When your life is in crisis, how do you respond to God

Sources: (In order of appearance)
Today’s episode comes from Luke 1:26-38

Notes on the Bible by Albert Barnes [1834]. Public Domain. (Is. 9:1-2)

Map of Roman Road System in Palestine

Betrothal in the Jewish Culture (from Walking the Text)

Jesus, Son of David

The Angel Gabriel

New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. (Daniel 8:15; Daniel 9:21; Genesis 18:14)

The Discovery Bible New American Standard New Testament Copyright @1987 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved. (Luke 1:26-38)

Bible Hub for meanings of original words

The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible, BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee. This text of God's Word has been dedicated to the public domain. (Jeremiah 29:13)

Amplified Bible (AMP). Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved. (Luke 1:37)

The New Testament in Modern English by J.B Phillips copyright © 1960, 1972 J. B. Phillips. Administered by The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England. Used by Permission. (Luke 1:37)

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved. (Luke 1:37)