Download the Study Notes Today, we’ll highlight the rest of the OT story by discussing the highs and lows of various characters and periods in Israel’s history. Follow along with the notes: Oh, That King Saul Saul, if you remember from our last episode, was handsome and a head taller than any man in Israel. High point: Saul showed admirable …
Real People, Real God—Samuel, Hannah, Eli
Download the Study Notes Today, we begin with a look at Samuel’s parents (before they were parents)—Elkanah and Hannah. They are a wonderful picture of faithfulness to Yahweh during the time of Israel’s judges. Remember the time of the Judges? “Israel had no king, and everyone did as they saw fit.” Judges 21:25 (emphasis added) The Non-Example To illustrate how low Israel had …
Real People, Real God—Hannah’s & Mary’s Prayers
Download the Study Notes We’re pausing for a moment in our Through the Bible Character Series to take a brief look at the prayers of two Israelite women. Both pregnant, these ladies lived at different times in Israel’s history, but had very similar prayers. In light of the Christmas season, we’ll look at Mary’s prayer, sometimes called the …
Real People, Real God—Deborah and the Judges
Download the Study Notes Please welcome my guest co-host for today, Jill Eileen Smith. She’s a good friend and an expert researcher. Today, we’ll chat primarily about her book, The Prophetess, a biblical novel exploring the life and times of Deborah, Israel’s only female judge. A Series of Amazing Women Mesu: You’ve written about several amazing women in the …
Real People, Real God—Joshua in the Promised Land
Download the Study Notes Have you ever been asked to do something so beyond your ability that you felt like giving up before you even started? Today’s character study begins with a glimpse of Moses’ final days and then focuses on Joshua, a man assigned a God-sized task…. Israel leaves Sinai The Israelites had been camped at the base …
Aaron—Let the Mediating Begin
Have you noticed how important that first point-of-contact person is at your doctor’s office? We used to call them receptionists, but they have different titles nowadays. “Patient Care Specialist” (PCS) is the most appropriate title I’ve seen for those mediators who are really good at their jobs. Concerns arise when my favorite and fabulous PCS leaves the practice, and I …