The Bible Lab

Arguing divine justice and human suffering

Job isn't just a story about a guy going through hard times. It's a divinely inspired examination of God's justice and the reality of human suffering. At issue is a debate about divine retribution theology; that is, the belief that every positive or negative consequence in life can be attributed to divine punishment or reward. Job's friends hold to this theology tightly - if Job is suffering, it has to be because he is guilty of concealing major offenses against God. Unwittingly, Job gives into the same thinking: his suffering is unjust because he hasn't committed any transgressions deserving punishment. 

In this episode, Jake and Joel discuss in detail how to make sense of what God is telling us about Himself through this powerful narrative. Make sure to check our past messages and episodes on Job:

Resources

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Each week during Season 2 of the podcast, we will break down the previous week's readings, including big events, key themes, rabbit-hole curiosities, and devotional thoughts.

If you want to follow along with our reading plan from cover to cover, you can find it right here. We'll be following the 3x5 reading plan, which covers 3 chapters a day and 5 on Sundays. 

Additionally, if you're looking for resources to compliment your study, check out The 3x5 Workbook by David Kalas. This is a great tool to challenge you by providing weekly review quizzes and answers to help your learnings stick. 

If you have questions you want covered on the show from your readings, email them ahead of time to [email protected]!

How does revival happen?

The powerful post-exilic narratives of Nehemiah and Esther highlight God’s providence, the renewal of His people, and his call to faithful endurance even despite opposition. Themes of spiritual restoration, communal responsibility, and courageous leadership are central elements in the stories of Israel’s return from exile.

In Nehemiah, the focus is on the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls and the deeper work of renewing the covenant with God. Despite opposition and internal corruption, the story emphasizes the importance of sacrificial leadership, fear of the Lord, and building both physically and spiritually. The book of Esther showcases God’s sovereignty through seemingly ordinary events, drawing striking parallels with Joseph’s story. It reveals how divine favor and faithful courage can lead to deliverance, even in exile. Both books underscore the theme of God working behind the scenes, protecting His people even when He seems silent.

Major Events: Construction of the wall, dealing with opposition, intermarriage and corruption among Nehemiah's contemporaries; Esther and Mordecai uncover Haman's plot to exterminate the Jewish people

Key Themes: Echoes of the Exodus in both book, the significance of communal effort in God’s mission, the importance of personal holiness and separation from worldly influence, and how everyday believers are essential to God’s redemptive work in the world

Together, Nehemiah and Esther remind readers that God's faithfulness persists, His purposes prevail, and every believer has a role in His unfolding story of grace through Jesus.

Resources

- - - - 

Each week during Season 2 of the podcast, we will break down the previous week's readings, including big events, key themes, rabbit-hole curiosities, and devotional thoughts.

If you want to follow along with our reading plan from cover to cover, you can find it right here. We'll be following the 3x5 reading plan, which covers 3 chapters a day and 5 on Sundays. 

Additionally, if you're looking for resources to compliment your study, check out The 3x5 Workbook by David Kalas. This is a great tool to challenge you by providing weekly review quizzes and answers to help your learnings stick. 

If you have questions you want covered on the show from your readings, email them ahead of time to [email protected]!

How does revival happen?

Post-exilic literature in the Scriptures deals in detail with the question of if and how a people can be restored spiritually. All throughout 2 Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah, we read about leaders like Hezekiah, Josiah, Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah who undertook the tall task of calling the Jewish people back to faithfulness. As we read these books we learn a great deal about how God revives a people, rebuilds their identity, and ultimately why Christ alone is the one who can transform us into a people for His own possession. In this episode Joel and Jake cover:

Resources

- - - - 

Each week during Season 2 of the podcast, we will break down the previous week's readings, including big events, key themes, rabbit-hole curiosities, and devotional thoughts.

If you want to follow along with our reading plan from cover to cover, you can find it right here. We'll be following the 3x5 reading plan, which covers 3 chapters a day and 5 on Sundays. 

Additionally, if you're looking for resources to compliment your study, check out The 3x5 Workbook by David Kalas. This is a great tool to challenge you by providing weekly review quizzes and answers to help your learnings stick. 

If you have questions you want covered on the show from your readings, email them ahead of time to [email protected]!

Does the Bible say we need to go to church?

It's a question pastors get all the time, and the answer might surprise you. If you're looking for a verse that says "go to church on Sundays," you won't find one. The Bible also never tells you to drive with your eyes open, but there are plenty of Biblical principles to support why it's a good idea! In this bonus episode, Pastor Jake covers some clear Biblical answers about the whats and whys of consistent involvement in a local church body. 

Chronicles is a book about the HEART

2 Chronicles picks up the story of David's kingly line with a retelling of Solomon and the temple. Solomon's completion of the temple, his beautiful dedication prayer, and his majestic success as king are the high water mark of Israel's glory. After that, Chronicles presents the slow degradation of a divided Kingdom, compromising kings, and looming exile. 

Resources

- - - - 

Each week during Season 2 of the podcast, we will break down the previous week's readings, including big events, key themes, rabbit-hole curiosities, and devotional thoughts.

If you want to follow along with our reading plan from cover to cover, you can find it right here. We'll be following the 3x5 reading plan, which covers 3 chapters a day and 5 on Sundays. 

Additionally, if you're looking for resources to compliment your study, check out The 3x5 Workbook by David Kalas. This is a great tool to challenge you by providing weekly review quizzes and answers to help your learnings stick. 

If you have questions you want covered on the show from your readings, email them ahead of time to [email protected]!

The Power of Knowing Where You Came From

At first glance, the book of Chronicles can present some challenges to Bible readers: the content is largely repeated from other areas in the books of Old Testament history and it covers expansive genealogies of Israelite figures who are relatively unknown to us. But this book was written for a powerful reason: to remind the returning exiles of Judah who they were and where they came from. This episode provides an narrative overview on 1 Chronicles, including some important teachings on how to read Old Testament narratives well.

Resources

- - - - 

Each week during Season 2 of the podcast, we will break down the previous week's readings, including big events, key themes, rabbit-hole curiosities, and devotional thoughts.

If you want to follow along with our reading plan from cover to cover, you can find it right here. We'll be following the 3x5 reading plan, which covers 3 chapters a day and 5 on Sundays. 

Additionally, if you're looking for resources to compliment your study, check out The 3x5 Workbook by David Kalas. This is a great tool to challenge you by providing weekly review quizzes and answers to help your learnings stick. 

If you have questions you want covered on the show from your readings, email them ahead of time to [email protected]!

Divided Kingdoms and Divided Hearts

It doesn't take long after David's passing for things to get out of control in the land of Israel. While Solomon enjoyed relative stability and success, his moral failings are the catalyst for a downward spiral of degeneracy among the heirs to David's throne. Ultimately the era of Israel's kings is one of spiritual compromise that results in a divided kingdom, military defeat, and the loss of the promised land God had given to their forefathers. Yet, for all the disappointment and tragedy that is chronicled in 2 Kings, these events are a turning point that set the stage for messianic hopes that would be fulfilled in Jesus. Here's what we discuss in this week's episode:

Resources

- - - - 

Each week during Season 2 of the podcast, we will break down the previous week's readings, including big events, key themes, rabbit-hole curiosities, and devotional thoughts.

If you want to follow along with our reading plan from cover to cover, you can find it right here. We'll be following the 3x5 reading plan, which covers 3 chapters a day and 5 on Sundays. 

Additionally, if you're looking for resources to compliment your study, check out The 3x5 Workbook by David Kalas. This is a great tool to challenge you by providing weekly review quizzes and answers to help your learnings stick. 

If you have questions you want covered on the show from your readings, email them ahead of time to [email protected]!

In-Depth on David's Reign

David is curiously called a king after God's own heart, but is also guilty of serious offenses against God's holiness. What conclusions should we draw about his time as king over Israel? God certainly didn't love David because he earned it, but rather David's life is evidence for the sovereign and electing love of God. He places His love upon us because He chooses to. There are also plenty of practical lessons to be learned from David's life and important Biblical themes that become clear in his story. Here's what we discuss in this week's episode:

SPECIAL THANKS TO LEAST OF THESE

Our gratitude goes out to the band Least of These for permission to use their song "Filthy Man" as our new intro music for the Bible Lab. Be sure to check them out!

Resources

- - - - 

Each week during Season 2 of the podcast, we will break down the previous week's readings, including big events, key themes, rabbit-hole curiosities, and devotional thoughts.

If you want to follow along with our reading plan from cover to cover, you can find it right here. We'll be following the 3x5 reading plan, which covers 3 chapters a day and 5 on Sundays. 

Additionally, if you're looking for resources to compliment your study, check out The 3x5 Workbook by David Kalas. This is a great tool to challenge you by providing weekly review quizzes and answers to help your learnings stick. 

If you have questions you want covered on the show from your readings, email them ahead of time to [email protected]!

A Tale of Two Kings

Saul's story is a cautionary tale in how our own desires, left unchecked, can consume us. There is a lot to learn from this contentious time in Israel's history. Saul is falling apart, and David's credibility is ascending. Both of these characters provide a great deal of material for reflection. This week's discussion helps us navigate doing effective character study to apply lessons from their respective stories to connect to Christ and to us.

Resources

- - - - 

Each week during Season 2 of the podcast, we will break down the previous week's readings, including big events, key themes, rabbit-hole curiosities, and devotional thoughts.

If you want to follow along with our reading plan from cover to cover, you can find it right here. We'll be following the 3x5 reading plan, which covers 3 chapters a day and 5 on Sundays. 

Additionally, if you're looking for resources to compliment your study, check out The 3x5 Workbook by David Kalas. This is a great tool to challenge you by providing weekly review quizzes and answers to help your learnings stick. 

If you have questions you want covered on the show from your readings, email them ahead of time to [email protected]!