We finish out the prophet Isaiah, and oh boy do we have some beautiful passages to unpack! We begin by talking about God's promise of the Persian king Cyrus's defeat of Babylon over 150 years before it happened. We explore Isaiah's 3 final "servant songs" promising a servant of the Lord who will glory God and remove the people's iniquity through suffering. We also see a powerful reoccurring image of light, pointing to a number of things, including a day when the new heavens and the new earth no longer need a sun and moon. After finishing out the book, we discuss a question about the sectioning of the Psalms.

Reading plan can be found on the Renewal Church app or at renewaldenver.org/bibleinayear.

If you have a question that you'd like answered, email it to [email protected] or head over to renewaldenver.org/bibleinayear

Music by badCOLLECTIVE.

We continue our reading through Isaiah as we explore more prophesies, covering both judgments on other nations (like Egypt), God's people, and even the whole earth! In doing so, we also see a picture of a final feast and restoration for all who trust in the Lord! We revisit some events from the reign of Hezekiah and end with a preview of someone special, Cyrus! Finally, we answer a question regarding a Babylonian prophesy that is frequently connected to the devil.

Reading plan can be found on the Renewal Church app or at renewaldenver.org/bibleinayear.

If you have a question that you'd like answered, email it to [email protected] or head over to renewaldenver.org/bibleinayear

Music by badCOLLECTIVE.

In part 2 of this week's readings, we move into our first prophet! We discuss how to understand and read the prophets as a whole and look at the first chapters of Isaiah. We explore the judgment against other nations AND against Judah, Isaiah's call to ministry, and a plethora of promises regarding the Day of the Lord, Immanuel, a righteous branch, a great light, and the Mountain of the Lord. Finally, we respond to a question regarding Naaman bowing down in the temple of another god.

Reading plan can be found on the Renewal Church app or at renewaldenver.org/bibleinayear.

If you have a question that you'd like answered, email it to [email protected] or head over to renewaldenver.org/bibleinayear

Music by badCOLLECTIVE.

We're splitting this week up into 2 podcasts! In this episode, we look at the end of the kingdom of Judah with Hezekiah who FINALLY removes those pesky high places, Manasseh who leads Judah into more sin that even the Canaanites had done, and Josiah who is the last good king. We end the book of 2 Kings and this era for the people of God by seeing the promised judgment come upon them in the form of the Babylonians who siege Jerusalem, take the people off into exile, and even burn down the temple of the Lord.

Timeline of Kings

Reading plan can be found on the Renewal Church app or at renewaldenver.org/bibleinayear.

If you have a question that you'd like answered, email it to [email protected] or head over to renewaldenver.org/bibleinayear

Music by badCOLLECTIVE.

We're firmly in the 2-kingdom era, but by the end of this week, only one kingdom will remain standing. We explore the great prophets Elijah and Elisha, look at lots of kings like Ahab, Jehu, and the boy, Joash. All throughout this tumultuous period in Israel and Judah's history, we see the great working of God even amongst sinful and rebellious people, and ultimately we see his promise of punishment come upon Israel when they turn from him. Finally, we answer the question of who really picked Saul to be the first king of Israel.

Timeline of Kings

Reading plan can be found on the Renewal Church app or at renewaldenver.org/bibleinayear.

If you have a question that you'd like answered, email it to [email protected] or head over to renewaldenver.org/bibleinayear

Music by badCOLLECTIVE.

In this week's reading, David is reestablished as king, he wrongly calls for a census (with a nudging from God?), and he dies. His son takes over and is blessed with great wisdom and riches and builds a temple for the Lord, but he eventually is led astray into idolatry, paving the way for the kingdom to split in his son's reign. Then we look at the beginnings of the two kingdom era in Israel and Judah. Finally, we discuss a question dealing with scribal comments added at a later date.

Renderings of what the Temple could have looked like

Timeline of Kings

Reading plan can be found on the Renewal Church app or at renewaldenver.org/bibleinayear.

If you have a question that you'd like answered, email it to [email protected] or head over to renewaldenver.org/bibleinayear

Music by badCOLLECTIVE.

We close out the chapter of Saul with his continued sinning and eventual death. After some more fighting, David eventually becomes king of all of Israel. Along the way, we see his mercy towards others, including his enemies, and we get a great promise from God to establish his house forever. Then David sins greatly by committing adultery and doubling down on it with murder. Finally, the consequences of that sin result in violence and rebellion in David's own household. Finally, we answer a question regarding stoning and the different ways that capital punishment is prescribed for humans compared to animal sacrifice.

Biblical Maps

Reading plan can be found on the Renewal Church app or at renewaldenver.org/bibleinayear.

If you have a question that you'd like answered, email it to [email protected] or head over to renewaldenver.org/bibleinayear

Music by badCOLLECTIVE.

This week we move into a new era of Israel's history. We meet Samuel, the answer to his desperate mother's prayer, the last judge of Israel, and a very godly man. But when it's time for the next leader, the people demand a king "like all the other nations." They get what they asked for in Saul who is rich, tall, and handsome. Things start off well but then turn sideways, paving the way for a new anointed one, David, whose heart is after the Lord. David plays the lyre, he slays a giant, and he wins numerous battles for the people. Along the way we see Israel continue to defy God's commands whether it be their priests, their new king, or the people as a whole. This leads to all sorts of problems when it comes to battling those pesky Philistines. Finally, we close by exploring the question about God punishing us in this life for our sins.

Biblical Maps

Reading plan can be found on the Renewal Church app or at renewaldenver.org/bibleinayear.

If you have a question that you'd like answered, email it to [email protected] or head over to renewaldenver.org/bibleinayear

Music by badCOLLECTIVE.

In one of the darkest chapters in the history of Israel, we wade through the mess that comes during the period of judges. We explore the people's idolatry in worshiping other gods and fall into the hands of neighboring nations. But every time they turn back to the Lord, he raises up a judge to save them. However, they never stay on the right path, and the people spiral downwards into horrendous acts and a civil war. Then we move into the book of Ruth which takes place at the time of judges where we see God working in normal people's lives to work out redemption for them and for Israel. Finally, we close out with a question regarding the role of excommunication in light of salvation by grace through faith.

Biblical Maps

Reading plan can be found on the Renewal Church app or at renewaldenver.org/bibleinayear.

If you have a question that you'd like answered, email it to [email protected] or head over to renewaldenver.org/bibleinayear

Music by badCOLLECTIVE.

This week, we close the book on Moses's time with Israel as we wrap up the Pentateuch. Then we follow the Lord's leading of Joshua and the people into the promised land and marvel at the fulfillment of promises made hundreds of years prior. In doing so, we look at several significant parallels, dates, and symbolisms happening in the promised land. We see people grafted into the people of God via faith and move into the book of Judges where we see that the people's great obedience doesn't last forever. Finally, we answer a listener question regarding the term "saints," specifically in the Psalms.

Biblical Maps

Wrestling with God by Reed Lessing and Andrew Steinmann

Reading plan can be found on the Renewal Church app or at renewaldenver.org/bibleinayear.

If you have a question that you'd like answered, email it to [email protected] or head over to renewaldenver.org/bibleinayear

Music by badCOLLECTIVE.