Bible Backdrop
Bible Backdrop sets the stage for scripture. I look at the culture and places around Bible verses and stories to help listeners gain a better understanding of what they're reading.
Episodes
46 episodes since 2021
Bible Backdrop Extra: Egypt
We are introduced to the land of Egypt in the Joseph story, but aren't given much context. What was their history, culture and economy like? What did they eat and how did they live? In this Extra episode of Bible Backdrop, we look at this and o...
August 29, 2024
•
Episode 46
•
11:10
History of Israel: Joseph in Egypt
In this episode of Bible Backdrop, we pick up again with Joseph. He is sold as a slave to Potiphar and then, through a false accusation, put into prison. However, it's here that he will have contact with Pharaoh and ultimately save both Egypt a...
July 16, 2024
•
Episode 45
•
13:58
History of Israel: Joseph and Judah
In this episode of Bible Backdrop, we start the narrative of Joseph and his sale to the Ishmaelites. Then we talk about a side story with Judah and about how that fits into the Joseph narrative. Why was Joseph sold so cheaply? What was Reuben's...
June 10, 2024
•
Episode 44
•
13:56
Extra: The Canaanites
The Bible talks often about the Canaanites, especially in the book of Genesis. We get a glimpse of their culture through the stories that are told and in archaeology. What was their economy like? What gods did they worship? Why was it so import...
May 21, 2024
•
Episode 43
•
8:37
History of Israel: Jacob - Obedience and Dysfunction
Jacob, the patriarch who's name becomes Israel, has a history of not being fully obedient and running a very dysfunctional family. In this episode of Bible Backdrop, we see Jacob leave Laban, wrestle with God, reunite with Esau, not follow God'...
April 30, 2024
•
Episode 42
•
11:55
Bible Backdrop Extra: The Crucifixion
As we prepare for Easter, we often think about Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. But just how horrible was crucifixion? How did it affect the body of the person being crucified? What did Jesus go through before and during his time on the cro...
March 22, 2024
•
Episode 41
•
9:40
History of Israel: Isaac, Jacob, and Esau
The story of the birth of Israel continues with Isaac and his twin sons, Jacob and Esau. How did the older son come to serve the younger? How does Jacob live up to his name? Why was Esau rejected for the covenantal blessing? How was Jacob decei...
March 03, 2024
•
Episode 40
•
15:17
History of Israel: The Beginning...Abraham
The Bible tells amazing personal stories, but what about the bigger picture? What was Israel's place in the world during Bible times? This episode is the first in the series looking at the history of Israel and it's place in the ancient world. ...
February 07, 2024
•
Episode 39
•
10:26
The Feast of Weeks...better known as Shavuot! Or Pentecost...depends on who you ask.
The Feast of Weeks is designated as the third and final pilgrimage festival for Israelites and is described in Leviticus 23. Called Shavuot or Pentecost, it is known as a harvest festival, but becomes the day the church was founded in Acts 2. T...
January 15, 2024
•
Episode 38
•
6:37
The Origins of Hanukkah
Merry Christmas everyone! December 8 marks the first day of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights. Most know that this involves lighting a menorah, but what are the origins of this festival? The last episode of Bible Backdrop for 2023 goes in...
December 08, 2023
•
Episode 37
•
9:14
The Feasts of Passover and Unleavened Bread
Passover is one of the best known feasts in the Bible. Most people know the general story behind the Passover, but how was it celebrated in Bible times? This episode of Bible Backdrop looks at the history of Passover along with how the meal was...
November 10, 2023
•
Episode 36
•
15:31
The Feast of Booths
We hear about the Feast of Booths, but what exactly was it? Why did God institute this festival in the Jewish religious calendar? On this episode of Bible Backdrop, we look into some of the details on the Feast of Booths including the time of y...
October 03, 2023
•
Episode 35
•
9:42
Extra: Symbolism of the Day of Atonement
In the previous episode of Bible Backdrop, we talked about the details surrounding the Day of Atonement. After finishing the episode, there is so much symbolism surrounding this day that it really required an Extra episode. When you look closel...
September 08, 2023
•
Episode 34
•
5:42
Yom Kippur: The Day of Atonement
Yom Kippur is the holiest day on the Jewish calendar. Established by God with detailed instructions to Moses in Leviticus 16, this episode of Bible Backdrop looks at the particulars surrounding that day. What is the meaning of Yom Kippur? Where...
August 14, 2023
•
Episode 33
•
15:29
The Trespass Offering and the Guilt Offering
Wrapping up our series on the offerings in Leviticus, the latest episode of Bible Backdrop looks into the Trespass Offering and the Guilt Offering. Each of these had very specific requirements and we go into details on what was included, why it...
July 11, 2023
•
Episode 32
•
11:41
The Sin Offering
Continuing our series on the sacrifices in the Old Testament, this episode of Bible Backdrop looks at the Sin Offering. In many ways, it was different from the other offerings and we look into those differences here. God held people to a high s...
June 15, 2023
•
Episode 31
•
8:49
The Peace Offering
Leviticus 3 and Leviticus 7 gives instructions to the children of Israel regarding the Peace Offering. What exactly was included in a peace offering? Why did someone bring this kind of offering to God? Who needed to make the offering? In the la...
May 20, 2023
•
Episode 30
•
9:44
Extra: The Burnt Offering and the Grain Offering
The burnt offering and the grain offering are both described in Leviticus 1 and 2. Why were these sacrifices significant? What did they mean? In this episode of Bible Backdrop Extra, we go into the deeper meaning behind these sacrifices and the...
April 26, 2023
•
Episode 29
•
6:35
Sacrifices in the Old Testament Part 1
In Leviticus, God outlined 5 sacrifices: The burnt offering, the grain offering, the sin offering, the guilt offering and the peace offering. Each one had a different function and method. In this episode of Bible Backdrop, we'll look at the fir...
April 07, 2023
•
Episode 28
•
8:28
Extra: Symbolism of the Tabernacle
Welcome to the first episode of Bible Backdrop Extra! This is a shorter episode where I go a little deeper into an earlier episode. This week, I talk about the symbolism of the Tabernacle and how it points to Jesus. All the implements of worshi...
March 10, 2023
•
Episode 27
•
5:59
The Tabernacle
During their years of wandering in the desert, the Israelites worshiped and offered sacrifices to Yahweh at The Tabernacle. In this episode of Bible Backdrop, we look at how it was built along with the tools of worship that were used in the cou...
February 20, 2023
•
Episode 26
•
21:28
The Ark of the Covenant
Most of us have seen the movie "Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark." The Ark of the Covenant has intrigued people for years. What was so special about the Ark? How was it made? And what happened to it? In this episode of Bible Backdr...
January 16, 2023
•
Episode 25
•
12:18
Christmas Episode: Let's talk about Mary
Mary is one of the 3 central figures in the Christmas story. Like the episode on Joseph last year, this episode adds some context around Mary's role and the evidence of her strong faith. I also talk a little about the heavenly hosts and what th...
December 24, 2022
•
Episode 24
•
8:12
The Israelite Military in Bible times
In the Bible, the army of Israel is mentioned several times in the Old Testament. How did the army come to be and how was it formed? Was there always a standing army? How were wars fought during Bible times? In this latest episode of Bible Back...
November 28, 2022
•
Episode 23
•
12:57
Jobs and the Economy in Bible Times: Part 2
Skilled labor was essential to ancient Israel during Bible times. This episode of Bible Backdrop delves into 4 different types of skilled laborers and what they provided to the economy and society. We look at carpenters, stone workers, metal wo...
November 04, 2022
•
Episode 22
•
9:27