What in the Word?

#63: Isa 40-48: Impossible, Difficult, Done.

In this episode, we look at God's challenge to Judah and the nations to justify their false gods, and then the surprising twist that, despite labeling his people as blind and deaf, God promises they will become his witnesses: a seemingly impossible transformation that will herald a new era of deliverance.
Isaiah's prophecy paints a vivid picture of a miraculous time when God promises to "do a new thing."
If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com and we'll try to cover it.
 

#62: Isa 28: Baby Talk

In this episode, we find out why Isaiah's listeners in Judah think his speech is so much "baby talk" and how God turns their own foolish talk back on their own heads while providing hope for those who trust him.
 
If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com and we'll try to cover it.

#61: Isaiah's Mountain of Fat Things

We start this episode by seeing how the judgment upon Egypt gets described and how it urges us to have faith in God's control.
That takes us unto chapters 24 to 27, which broaden the perspective to God's ultimate triumph over all things. It despairs over the hopelessness of human ways in the face of divine judgment, but rejoices in the hope and the feasting that's coming in God's kingdom.
If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com and we'll try to cover it.

#60: Isa 13-23: But Up! Unto the Watch-Tower Get

In this episode, we do a broad overview of Isaiah chapters 13 to 23 and think through why Isaiah makes these oracles not just to nations like Babylon and Egypt, but also to lesser-known territories.
We'll look at Isaiah's foundation in God's transcendent holiness and look at a few pieces of the puzzle that have implications for us.
If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com and we'll try to cover it

#59: Isaiah 7: It Comes After Isaiah 6

Many know one verse from this chapter for its connection to Jesus Christ, but few understand its immediate relevance to King Ahaz and the people of Judah amidst a looming Assyrian threat.
Exploring the historical context, we learn about how the powerful rise of Assyria dictated regional alliances and strategies, but that Isaiah's message in it all was clear: Trust what God says, not what you see.
If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com and we'll try to cover it.

#58: Isaiah 6: An Uncleanness Mr. Clean Can't Handle

Isaiah chapter 6 details Isaiah's well-known encounter with God. The question is about Isaiah's startling self-identification with the desperately wicked unclean of Judah. Understanding it means understanding the concept of justice-righteousness as used in Isaiah, as well as spiritual uncleanness.
If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com and we'll try to cover it.

#57: Mark 9: Let Me Be Your Salty Dog

It's a bluegrass classic, folks.
 
If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com and we'll try to cover it.
 
 

#56: Judges 14: A Wedding That Ain't Real Sweet

Judges 14 tells the story of Samson and his contentious wedding. We see how the repeating cycles of apostasy and deliverance throughout the book of Judges reveal what to think about Sampson and how he embodies Israel's estrangement from God. Meanwhile, interesting features of the story, like the lion, bees, and the riddle, relate to Israel's spiritual condition, the nature of sin, and the power of God.
If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com and we'll try to cover it.

#55: Eccl 7: Herding Cats

In this episode, we take a look at some enigmatic verses of Ecclesiastes 7, exploring the challenges of wisdom, righteousness, and the human desire for control.
We think about the limits of wisdom and righteousness and come back to the fundamental message that true contentment comes from acknowledging God.
If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com and we'll try to cover it.

#54: Eccl 3: Life Is Absurd

In this episode, we explore Ecclesiastes 3 and the Hebrew word hebel, and how it encapsulates the absurdity and fleeting nature of life.
Ecclesiastes 3 challenges us to question why wisdom, despite its advantages over foolishness, fails to grant control over life's uncertainties and offers a fresh perspective on how to navigate life's unpredictability.
If you have a bit of the Bible that makes you wonder, email whatintheword@tuta.com and we'll try to cover it