In football, the preseason comes before the regular season; to get ready for when the games count. In this episode of Bible Backdrop, we see Israel going through a similar experience. They go through a number of challenges and battles to get re...

The nation of Israel leaves Mount Sinai to gain their inheritance in the Promised Land. As usual, things don't go according to plan. The people get angry, God rebukes, Moses intercedes and the process starts all over again. Until it comes time ...

Moses has brought the Israelites to Mount Sinai to meet with God who shows up in a mighty way. However, even after this awesome meeting, the Israelites soon slip into idolatry and moral bankruptcy. This leads to some pretty awful consequences a...

As the nation of Israel makes their way through the wilderness, they come across some trouble. Lack of food and water make the people a bit testy. On top of that, they have a new enemy that has decided to attack them at their weakest spot. And ...

The Israelites have been released from their bondage, but have one last hurdle to face. With their backs to the sea and the Egyptian army on their heels, it will take a miracle to save the fledgling nation. In this episode of Bible Backdrop, we...

The final plague hits Egypt and Pharaoh finally relents. In this episode of Bible Backdrop, we look at the 10th and final plague...the death of the firstborn. We examine some of the details in the story along with a look into what the aftermath...

In the previous episode of Bible Backdrop, we looked at plagues 1-3. In this episode, we look at plagues 4-9. What was different about the plague of hail? Why was the plague of darkness the worst of the 9? Why was Pharaoh continually obstinate ...

What were some of the other consequences of the plagues of Egypt? Why, after witnessing these miracles, does Pharaoh continue to harden his heart? And what is God showing Israel through these plagues? In this episode of Bible Backdrop, we start...

In the latest episode of Bible Backdrop, we continue our series on the History of Israel looking at Moses' return to Egypt. What events led him there? How did he respond to God's calling? Did God really almost kill him? After 40 yea...

Exodus is the story of God redeeming his chosen people, Israel. After settling in Egypt, the people multiply and a nervous Pharaoh starts giving orders to try and stem this exploding population. In this time of death and darkness, a mother has ...

This is it...the ultimate moment in the book of Genesis. Joseph finally reveals himself to his brothers and we see the fallout from that event. In this episode of Bible Backdrop, Joseph is reunited with his brothers and then, later, with his fa...

In Genesis 43 and 44, Joseph sees his older brothers again and now they've brought Benjamin. Joseph is overwhelmed, but tests his brothers to see if they have really changed. How will they react? Also, why didn't the Egyptians eat with the Hebr...

In today's episode of Bible Backdrop, the famine has hit and Jacob's sons are forced to go to Egypt to buy grain. There they come face to face with the man in charge of selling the grain...the grand vizier...the man second only to Pharaoh. Jose...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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'...

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...

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...

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. ...

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...

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...

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...

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...