The Jewish people were returning to their homeland! The Temple was being rebuilt! But Israel was still stuck in sin. Ezra the priest saw the people’s unrighteousness and repented on their behalf. His humility and leadership shine through in the Israelites’ return to Israel, as we conclude our 4-part study on the book of Ezra this week. We hope this study of Ezra has reminded you of the great love, grace, and sovereignty of God both through Israel’s history and your own life today!

Do you like surprises, or do they stress you out? In the days of the rebuilding of the Temple, Ezra encountered a good surprise—the king’s permission to follow God’s law in Israel—and a bad one—the sin that characterized the Jewish people who returned to Israel. Join us this week for part 3 of our 4-part series on the book of Ezra to learn how God orchestrated the return of His people and His law to the Holy Land!

When we start a project, we get frustrated when obstacles keep us from finishing. Imagine how frustrated the Jewish people must have felt when they faced seemingly immovable obstacles while rebuilding the Temple! Their enemies tried to harass them, bribe officials, and use the king’s authority to stop them, but God made a way for His Chosen People to keep building. Join us on this week’s show, part 2 of our 4-part series on the book of Ezra, to find out how the Jewish people overcame their obstacles to keep rebuilding the Temple!

Join us this week as we start a new series on the book of Ezra! This book records a key turning point in Israel’s remarkable history—the beginning of the Israelites’ return from Babylonian exile. Chris illustrates how archaeological history and Scripture intersect in his teaching on chapter 1 in the opening of our 4-part series this week, sharing how God stirred the hearts of His Chosen People to return to their Promised Land.

Meet Alyssa Ruddell, our newest field representative, on this week’s broadcast! Her experiences serving in the Holy Land and interning with The Friends of Israel have prepared her for her ministry in the Jewish community in Houston, Texas. Alyssa shares how she is serving the Jewish people in Houston and equipping other young adults to do the same. Tune in to hear her journey to Jewish ministry and how you can be a true friend of Israel and the Jewish people too!

What in the world is going on in the Middle East? We’ve got the answers for you on this week’s show! Chris interviews IDF Major Elliot Chodoff to get the scoop on Israel’s judicial reform plans, its state of government, and the shift in the political spectrum taking place in the Jewish state. Elliot also details the warming relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran and what this means for Israel’s future. Join us for this insightful, timely analysis of the important events brewing in Israel!

There’s no better way to teach about Israel than by going to Israel—and that’s where we find Chris this week! Steve turns the tables to interview Chris, who is enjoying his time in the Holy Land on The Friends of Israel’s Up to Jerusalem tour. Chris is excited to be back in the land, and you’ll be excited, too, when you hear all the highlights from his current trip. If you’ve got the itch to tour Israel, this week’s show is just what the doctor ordered!

If you’ve ever enjoyed our magazine, Israel My Glory, you’ll love hearing about its past, present, and future on this week’s show! After 23 years of faithful service with IMG, editor-in-chief Lorna Simcox is handing off the baton to Jesse King, the new managing editor of the magazine. Chris speaks with Lorna and Jesse this week to help you get to know the people behind IMG. Lorna’s reflection on her cherished years with the magazine and Jesse’s excitement for the future will encourage you for what comes next for IMG!

In the days of the prophet Hosea, Israel’s spiritual adultery brought God’s judgment upon itself. But God was preparing to draw His people to repentance. After digging into their five cycles of judgment last week, we now see the hope that awaited Israel in the conclusion of our 4-part series on the book of Hosea. In His mercy, God brought a great promise of restoration and salvation for Israel through the prophet’s message. May this series continually remind you of God’s holiness, patience, forgiveness, and faithfulness to His people always!

The book of Hosea is a sad story of Israel’s failures in faithfulness to God. The Israelites of Hosea’s time committed spiritual adultery against the Lord, as they worshiped false gods instead of Him. So God used the Assyrian Empire to judge them harshly for their sins. Today’s show, part 3 of our 4-part series on Hosea, explores these cycles of judgment the Israelites endured. But there is still hope to come! Discover through this week’s study how judgment can help us fully appreciate God’s gracious gift of mercy!