The Third Hour Podcast

Somewhere around the halfway mark of Leviticus, the tone changes to an entirely different legal and cosmological perspective. Meet the Holiness Code! Join the Third Hour Podcast as we discuss the identity and aims of the code's author, along with some bonus child sacrifice and jubilee years.

Leviticus isn't often considered very exciting. We're determined to fix that! Between the identity and mindset of the book's first author, the difference between cleanliness and sin, and whatever is going on with the scapegoat, there's plenty to learn on this week's episode of the Third Hour Podcast.

When Moses comes down the mountain, he's greeted by the graven image of a golden calf. Join the Third Hour Podcast as we examine Aaron's culpability in this idolatry, the ensuing discussion between God and Moses, what this story can teach us about its author's politics, and, in the end, how Exodus affects our approach to the divine.

This week, the Third Hour Podcast discusses the blueprints for the Tabernacle! No, really, that's what we're talking about. Bonus: a brief discussion about the meaning of "sin."

Now that the Children of Israel have escaped Egypt, their minds turn to the business of survival. Manna and quail, water from the ground, and battles with neighboring tribes all demand attention. For Moses, however, it's time to climb the mountain and receive instructions from God.

When Moses and the Children of Israel are finally permitted to leave Egypt, they strike out along an unusual route—after some plunder, of course. This week on the Third Hour Podcast, we discuss the history of the Passover, the parting of the Reed Sea, and, most importantly, how we react when we encounter a God we don't recognize in scripture.

Now when Israel was in Egypt land, oppressed so hard they could not stand, so the Lord said, "Go down, Moses, way down Egypt land, tell old Pharaoh to let my people go." You know the rest. But have you considered some of the story's peculiarities? Join the Third Hour Podcast as we discuss hardened hearts, poetic structure, whether God harms the innocent to prove something to the guilty, and the necessity of liberation.

As we enter the Book of Exodus, the state of affairs has changed in Egypt. As the Children of Israel suffer in captivity, a child is saved by water and grows into a man concerned with justice. When he encounters a burning bush in the wilderness, his life trajectory is altered to encompass the liberation of his people. Join the Third Hour Podcast to discuss Moses, dangerous encounters with divinity, and the archaeology of Exodus.

Joseph has come a long way. Now working as Pharaoh's governor, Joseph uses his newfound influence to play tricks on his brothers and ultimately reunite with his family. Meanwhile, the Third Hour Podcast discusses his divination cup, the implications of his governorship on Egypt, and the blessings and prophecies offered by Jacob.

Poor Joseph. Poor, poor Joseph. Sold into slavery in Egypt, tempted by Potiphar's wife (really?), and thrown into a dungeon. Meanwhile, Pharaoh has dreams and Judah reneges on his responsibilities to Tamar. How will these stories resolve? Find out right here on the Third Hour Podcast.