Wholly Buyable

Suffering is part of the human condition.But is it part of God's plan for his people?Why, if he is all powerful, doesn't he stop it?Yes listeners, we go there.Written and produced by Chas BayfieldMusic by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins MusicCover Art by Lisa Goff

Gilead. Marthas. Handmaids. Eyes. They sound biblical but if they are, where and what do these references mean? Are actual slave women co-opted as surrogate baby providers in the Bible? Do they truly lie in their mistresses' laps to conceive and give birth? What do the Handmaids mean by "Blessed be the fruit"? And who was the original Jezebel? Fans of the show need look no further. This is the Bible of the Handmaid's Tale.Written and produced by Chas Bayfield.Music by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins MusicCover art by Lisa GoffSend any questions or feedback to contact@whollybuyable.com

Meaningless! Meaningless! There aren't many books in the Bible or otherwise that begin as bleakly as this one.And, plot spoiler, the vibe doesn't lift much as Ecclesiastes progresses.There is no point to life it seems than for a person to eat, drink and take what pleasure they can from work, as a human lifespan is as brief as it is pointless. Furthermore, the dead are soon forgotten.Enjoy!

Unexpectedly, given that the only women described in the Book of Proverbs so far have been an adulteress and a quarrelsome wife, the book's finale is a eulogy to a character referred to as "the Wife of Noble Character".This woman is a striking example of smartness, industry, economy, care and moral support, and also provides a fascinating insight into the independence of ancient Near Eastern woman at a time when many assume wives were second class citizens. Instead, this woman is as essential as she is fabulous.

Death and Destruction are never satisfied, a fool can be crushed into powder yet still not lose his foolishness, and good friends sharpen each other with honest feedback.The Bible's proverbs are universal and speak to people outside of any religion as well as those who revere the Bible as their holy book. They can be read as advice from a father to his son, a mandate from God to his people or simply as timeless poetry.If it's 3000 year old wisdom you're after, step this way.Written and produced by Chas BayfieldMusic by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins MusicCover Art by Lisa GoffContact@whollybuyable.com

The wisdom of other ancients continues in the second part of the Thirty Sayings of the Wise. A later king of Israel, Hezekiah then adds some more of Solomon's proverbs. Fools, sluggards, neighbours, messengers and wives all come under the spotlight in sayings rich with everyday references: sparrows, honey, donkeys, a thornbush, lions and a golden apple.Oh, and a dog returning to its vomit...Written and produced by Chas BayfieldMusic by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins MusicCover art by Lisa GoffSend any comments or feedback to conatct@whollybuyable.com

Loose tongues cost lives, a bribe pacifies the angry and those with a fondness of wine will never be rich.Many of Solomon's wise sayings are as true today as when they were written three millennia ago.In this episode, the rhythm changes a little as the book segues from Solomon's own wisdom to what he refers to as 'The Thirty Sayings of the Wise', many of which still resonate with readers today.

The wealthy person who loses friends when they lose their money.The gossip who betrays a friend's confidence.And the person who is too lazy to lift their spoon to their mouth.The torrent of timeless, poetic and sometimes comical proverbs continues.Written and produced by Chas BayfieldMusic by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins MusicCover art by Lisa GoffSend any questions or feedback to contact@whollybuyable.com

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Pride comes before a fall.Grey hair is a crown of splendour. Even the fool who keeps silent is seen as wise.The proverbs that populate his book are as honest as they are poetic; much needed truths in a world that is craving authenticity and wisdom.Enjoy the podcast and send any questions or feedback to contact@whollybuyable.comWritten and produced by Chas BayfieldMusic by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins MusicCover art by Lisa Goff

Sometimes terse, sometimes poetic, sometimes enigmatic, these often two-line sayings balance the good against the bad, the preferable against the undesirable.Some of these proverbs offer wisdom, others state the blindingly obvious. Either way, readers are left with accurate insights into a world of relationships, work, commerce and politics that are as familiar in the twenty first century as they were in Solomon's Israel. Written and produced by Chas BayfieldMusic by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins MusicCover art by Lisa GoffSend questions of feedback to contact@whollybuyable.com

A beautiful woman who shows no discretion is like a pig with a ring in its nose.Morally upstanding people care for their animals.And those who spare the rod ruin their children.The Book of Proverbs is not afraid to pull punches and the aphorisms that flow from Solomon's pen are nothing if not colourful.Enjoy the wisdom!Written and produced by Chas BayfieldMusic by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins MusicCover art by Lisa Goff

The title of T E Lawrence (of Arabia)'s  autobiography, 'Seven Pillars of Wisdom' is taken from a verse in the Book of Proverbs.In this episode, we also meet 'Love covers a multitude of sins' and the finger wagging evangelicals' favourite, 'the wages of sin is death'.The Book of Proverbs is not only a treasure trove of wisdom, its beautiful poetic language has also endured.Written and produced by Chas BayfieldMusic by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins MusicCover art by Lisa Goff

"Come, let us drink deeply of love till morning. Let us enjoy ourselves with love!"Such is the siren call of the adulterous older woman, intent on seducing a foolish yet lustful young man while her husband is away on business.This is a one way street from which there is no return, Solomon advises his son, It is fair to say this is one of the more colourful sections of the Bible, but it is far from gratuitous.Another woman also takes centre stage in the Book of Proverbs: Wisdom.  And unlike the adulteress, she offers life instead of death.Written and produced by Chas BayfieldMusic by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins MusicCover Art by Lisa Goff

A new season begins.This is the Book of Proverbs, a monster collection of aphorisms and other gems of knowledge culled by Israel's King Solomon and other wise ancients.Much of the book is aimed at the king's children, but the wisdom is universal.The opening section is a shot across the bows, a signal of what is to come before the floodgates open. An appetite whetter if you will.As with the Bible's previous book, the Book of Psalms, there's not much story, but there is plenty or poetry. And, for those in need of wisdom and advice, there is also plenty to learn. 

Finally!We reach the end of the Book of Psalms.The book ends on a high as writers sing unrestrained songs of praise to God.As the Psalms reach their upbeat finale, expect Milton, Mendelssohn and missing verses. And joy, lots of it. Written and produced by Chas BayfieldMusic by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins MusicCover art by Lisa Goff

The idea that God knows each person on earth intimately has proven one of the more attractive facets of Christianity, and the concept makes its first biblical landfall in the Book of Psalms.The final short songs of the Psalms are some of the most joyful and poetic as the book crescendoes towards its finale.Written and produced by Chas BayfieldMusic by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins MusicCover art by Lisa Goff

Originally sung by reggae band The Melodians, and made internationally famous by Boney M, the lyrics about exiles weeping by Babylon's rivers were written thousands of years earlier by a scribe who remembered the desolation felt by his captive people. Modern day fame has catapulted this psalm into the public consciousness but it conceals horrors that are less well known. Psalm 137 is a song of both grief and revenge against the people who attempted to destroy Israel and its children.Written and produced by Chas Bayfield.Music by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins MusicCover art by Lisa Goff

Short but very sweet.The songs sung by ancient pilgrims as they travelled from the far corners of the Jewish world to the Jerusalem temple are immortalised in this section of the Book of Psalms.These are the 'Songs of Ascent' - despite the hill on which the city was built not being the highest in Israel, the journey to Jerusalem was always 'up'.These short songs of joy have been plundered by hymn writers throughout the ages, and Felix Mendelssohn and Johann Sebastian Bach were also fans.Cue music!Written and produced by Chas Bayfield.Music by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins Music.Cover art by Lisa Goff

Psalm 119 concludes.The entire poem is a eulogy to God's laws and the psalmist admires, studies, remembers, contemplates, learns and hopes to understand these rules. There is a repetitive, meditative quality to the poem which is followed by a series of songs sung as pilgrims travelled to Zion, the City of God, Jerusalem.These are the Songs of Ascent, and here is where they begin.Written and produced by Chas Bayfield.Music by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins Music.Cover art by Lisa Goff

A shout of joy that becomes a political hot potato in New Testament times, and the longest chapter in the Bible. If it's God‘s laws, rules, ways, decrees, precepts, statutes and commands you're interested, in this is your happy place.Written and producec by Chas Bayfield.Music by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins Music.Cover art by Lisa Goff

We're all familiar with the phrase "Hallelujah".A heartfelt shout of joy uttered by religious and non religious alike.It first makes landfall in a series of Psalms known, unsurprisingly, as the Halel.We run into these songs here and find that they contain the shortest chapter in the entire Bible, a song that punches above its weight.Expect euphoria.Written and produced by Chas BayfieldMusic by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins MusicCover art by Lisa Goff

Book Five, the final part of the Book of Psalms begins.This is where we meet the most quoted Psalm in the Bible, and one of its most beloved.Psalm 110 sees Israel's great king David referring enigmatically to an even greater king, one who he describes as his Lord, a ruler whose kingdom will reign forever.Christians believe they know who this king might be!But first, the book navigates through an epic and poetic storm on the high seas.

Much as the Psalms were songs of praise to God, some were written as a kind of oral history; a retelling of Israel's story set to music. The music and the repeated telling of these stories embedded in Israel's people a sense of where they had come from and how God had rescued them, set them apart and chosen them to be his special people.This podcast retells that retelling in plain English, without any assumption that listeners are religious. Written and produced by Chas BayfieldMusic by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins MusicCover art by Lisa Goff

The Bible (and the Wholly Buyable podcast) reaches its halfway point with songs of such ebullience they have inspired some of the world's greatest musicians.Enjoy the joy.Written and produced by Chas BayfieldMusic by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins MusicCover Art by Lisa Goff

The Book of Psalms is so long that it is split into five separate books.This is where Book Four begins.Some believe that these are some of the oldest psalms  and that they were written by the Old Testament ancient, Moses.If that is the case, this would make them some of the oldest writing in the Bible.The transience of life, God's shield of invincibility and his praiseworthiness all take central stage in these enduring songs.Written and produced by Chas BayfieldMusic by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins MusicCover Art by Lisa Goff

The Psalms is not a book you can rush.These poems pack an even greater punch when you stop to inspect them more closely.If you're not religious and just want a better handle on what is in between the leatherette cover of a Bible, you've found your happy place.We're currently sailing through the Book of Psalms, the ancient Jewish songs that not only accompanied worship in Jerusalem's temple, but which have encouraged believers for millennia.If nothing else, you'll leave this podcast far better informed about Psalms 85-89 than almost everyone you know.See you on the other side!Written and produced by Chas BayfieldMusic by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins MusicCover art by Lisa Goff

We're halfway through the Book of Psalms and we're hitting peak poetry.To the psalmist, one day in God's courts is worth a thousand elsewhere.He would sooner work as a humble temple guard than live in luxury with his enemy.Adoration of God is the order of the day, interspersed with the occasional request to God to pour out his fury on any nations that do not worship him.As ever, these songs continue to sing to their own tune.Written and produced by Chas BayfieldMusic by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins MusicCover art by Lisa Goff

Who knew?The title of John Steinbeck's classic has its origins in the Book of Psalms.Join us as the Jews' epic song book passes its midway point.This episode sees the song of a man who seems so broken he cannot speak, and we hear of women who have no more tears left to weep.There is also a history lesson courtesy of the second longest song in the book.All delivered religion free for those of you who simply want to know what actually goes on between the Bible's flimsy, gilt edged pages. Written and produced by Chas BayfieldMusic by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins MusicCover art by Lisa Goff

Book Two of the Book of Psalms ends and Book Three begins.David is all but silent and it's the turn of the temple musicians known as the Sons of Korah and another writer called Asaph to have their voices heard.David's son, Solomon, also finds his voice.However, the quintessential themes remain: God is a refuge and a rock and he is called upon to rescue the writers and their nation from their enemies.These men believe absolutely that the creator of the universe cares deeply about them and their wellbeing, which is why they cry out to him. 

A man looking so hard for God that his eyes fail.Enemies forcing people to pay back what they didn't steal A man out of his depth as waters continue rising.A king so mocked and shamed that drunks sing about him.These are some of the darker passages in the Bible, but hope remains for the psalmists that God will prevail, and that they will see triumph over their adversaries.

A psalm quoted at the coronation of King Charles III and the first words tapped out by Samuel Morse.The Psalms are a treasure of literary gems while remaining a source of inspiration and encouragement to millions. Expect gratitude and joy as these ancient songwriters continue to use words to give shape to thankfulness. 

From Bethlehem Shepherd, to all conquering general, to king of Israel.Few people have had a story arc quite as extraordinary as David's.But his journey was not without extreme adversity, and fortunately for readers of the Book of Psalms, he captured his struggle with both enemies and the God who he hoped would protect him in poetry that has endured the centuries.Written and produced by Chas BayfieldMusic bt Michael Auld an Jon Hawkins MusicCover art by Lisa Goff

In this sequence of Psalms, Israel's king, David suffers a long dark night of the soul after sending a man to his death, he berates an evil shepherd who massacred a community of Israel's priests and is betrayed by a close friend.Written and produced by Chas BayfieldMusic by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins MusicCover art by Lisa Goff

The temple musicians known as the Sons of Korah are in full song.A psalm about a glorious king and his bride, three songs eulogising God's earthly capital, Zion, and a song that promises death to those who trust in their own wisdom.Join us as we jump back into the Jews' ancient song book Written and produced by Chas BayfieldMusic by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins MusicCover art by Lisa Goff

The Book of Psalms is so long that it is divided up into five smaller books.This is where Book One ends and Book Two begins.However, the familiar themes of God as a rock and refuge continue, and the spirit of David looms large as both author and inspirer of many of the songs.However, the tone is notably darker and gloomier in Book Two, as praise makes way for lament.Join us as we continue through the Jews' ancient but enduring songbook.Written and produced by Chas BayfieldMusic by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins Music(birdsong accidental)Cover art by Lisa Goff

A betrayal: ruthless witnesses coming forward; accusations, people repaying good deeds with evil ones. Prayers unanswered, enemies laughing, and slander that appeared never to end. At what point will God intervene? David asks.These are some of the darkest verses in the Book of Psalms, and some of the most beautiful. Written and produced by Chas BayfieldMusic by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins Music(birdsong accidental)Cover art by Lisa Goff

Hate one another is not a verse you'll find in the Bible but this particular four letter word raises its head in the Book of Psalms.Join us as we navigate our slow moving tourbus through the Bible's longest book and into what seem like stormy waters.Written and produced by Chas BayfieldMusic by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins MusicCover art by Lisa Goff

The Jews' songbook continues.Join us as we travel through this richly poetic literature, much of it believed to be written by Israel's king David - or his more than able ghostwriter.What we lose in story or plot twists, we gain in deeply felt emotion as a man bares his heart before God.These are songs that sing to their own tune.Written and produced by Chas BayfieldMusic by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins MusicCover art by Lisa Goff

By far the most famous Psalm and one of the standout passages in the Bible, the shepherd who leads his sheep into green pastures has inspired writers, artists and musicians throughout the ages.It is just one of the beautiful poems you'll encounter in this podcast.Travel with us as we continue our journey through the Jews' epic songbook.Written and produced by Chas BayfieldMusic by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins MusicCover art by Lisa Goff

Join me on my audacious attempt to narrate the entirety of the Bible, roughly 20 minutes at a time. I do my best to keep it secular; this podcast is aimed at people who might never open a Bible, but who feel that it is too important book not to have a working knowledge of.We're making headway into the Bible's longest book, the Book of Psalms, which is effectively an anthology of 150 hymns.Trust me, it's a lot more interesting than it sounds!Written and produced by Chas BayfieldMusic by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins MusicCover art by Lisa Goff

The fearless bravado of the young Bethlehem shepherd has long gone. Now he is Israel's king, David has to face threats far more personally draining that that of either the giant Philistine, Goliath or the lions who preyed on his father's sheep.In these songs, David seems worn down by the stress of being Israel's king, and feels threatened from every side. Yet he knows to cry out to God, and genuinely believes that God can and will rescue him form whatever perilous situation he finds himself in.

Adoration, schadenfreude, vindication and hate take centre stage in these songs purported to have been written by shepherd turned giant killer turned king of Israel, David.The king remained close to God for his entire life, and his devout petitions have helped shape how countess Christians and Jews still view God today.

Cancelled.It's easy to think of this as a 21st century phenomenon, but three millennia ago, David is deeply concerned about reputational damage.These songs speak of the king's desire for peace, his distress and his need for healing, but most of all they demonstrate his deep need for - and love of God.What's more, these psalms demonstrate remarkable humility for a proven military conqueror and one of the most powerful kings in the ancient Near East.Written and produced by Chas BayfieldMusic by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins MusicCover art by Lisa Goff

The poetry continues as we embark on a journey through the Bible's songbook.The Book of Psalms is an epic collection of ancient, beautiful poems in which the writers cry out to God for help, profess their love for God, marvel at his creative power and generally eulogise about him, his temple, his kings and his sheer awe-inspiring majesty.Its 150 songs make the Book of Psalms the Bible's longest book, but they also contain some of its finest literature and most heartfelt writing. The Book of Psalms is a book like no other, and one of the few that has transcended the Bible and entered popular culture.Written and produced by Chas BayfieldMusic by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins MusicCover art by Lisa Goff

Once Job's friend Elihu has wrapped up, it's time for one of the only two people who actually know the truth behind Job's suffering to step up.Having begged for an audience with God and having been ridiculed for seeing himself as worthy of a tribunal with God, God himself joins in the conversation.Prepare to meet two of the Bible's most fearsome creatures as he does so.The Book of Job is coming in to landWritten and produced by Chas BayfieldMusic by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins MusicCover art by Lisa Goff

Having seen Job go through the rounds with three of his friends, readers now have a "wait, what?" moment as a fourth man steps up, having witnessed the entire conversation so far. This man is Elihu, and until now, his youth has prevented him from speaking. Now however, he's had enough of Job's nonsense and proves that age - or lack of it is no guarantor that you will get to the truth.Written and produced by Chas BayfieldMusic by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins MusicCover art by Lisa Goff

Tired of hearing his friends' near endless tirade against him, Job launches into a monologue that charts the depths of his distress. It's less a defence and more a wistful look back at how wonderful life was before tragedy struck. Meanwhile God seems utterly indifferent and leaves Job with no answers as to why his life has taken such a dramatic U turn.Written and produced by Chas BayfieldMusic by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins MusicCover art by Lisa Goff

The suffering of  Job simply does not add up for his three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar.Despite what they know of Job from their own experience, their brains simply cannot compute that he might be innocent.Even when Job points out the very obvious fact that God allows many evil people to thrive, his friends maintain their unswervable position that his suffering has been brought on himself by some terrible misdeed.And so it goes on, with readers knowing what they don't - that Job is innocent and that God and the Devil are playing games.Written and produced by Chas BayfieldMusic by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins MusicCover art by Lisa Goff

Job is utterly bewildered.His friends are convinced that he has done something dreadful to warrant so much suffering.He knows that he hasn't, and simply wants a hearing with God.This opens a can of worms.Is Job, a mere human,  claiming that God has made a mistake?Listeners feel especially smug knowing that all parties are wrong.Job hasn't sinned, at least no more than the average person.And God hasn't made a mistake, he's simply playing a game.Schadenfreude is set to high as Job's friends set themselves up for a catastrophic fall.But will Job himself be vindicated?First he has to stay alive, and hear yet more godly wisdom from friends who prove to be not quite as wise as they think.Written and produced by Chas BayfieldMusic by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins MusicCover art by Lisa Goff

A man sits in rags while his woulds fester.Three of his friends sit with him, explaining to him why he is suffering.It is crystal clear to them: his suffering is a punishment from God, and because the suffering is severe, so must be the sin that he is being punished for.What none of tyhem know is that Job is the subject of a game that is being played in the heavenly realm by God and the Devil.His suffering is to prove to the Devil that nothing will make Job lose his faith in God.Like three men trying to solve a puzzle without employing any lateral thinking, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar are never going to come close to figuring out what is going on.Nor though is Job, who suffers not only physical discomfort but the endless rebukes of three men who believe they have all the answers.Written and produced by Chas BayfieldMusic by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins MusicCover art by Lisa Goff

Job is a good man.He enjoys a prosperous life.He worships God.The Devil is confident that Job's faith is paper thin and that a bit of adversity will soon have him rejecting God.God takes the opposite position and so the experiment slash wager begins.With his skin itching and sore, all his material wealth gone and his children dead, Job must now endure the "wisdom" of three of his friends, each of whom claims to know exactly why he is suffering, without any self realisation that they are each adding to Job's problems.Written and produced by Chas BayfieldMusic by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins MsuoicCover art by Lisa Goff