Podcasts about Assyria

Today we attempt an immersive historical reconstruction of Dur-Sharrukin, the short-lived but astonishing capital built by Sargon II of Assyria in the late eighth century BCE. Set primarily in 706 BCE, this episode takes the listener on a guided tour of the city at the height of its splendor, using a fictional Urartian envoy as a narrative lens to explore what may be the most ambitious urban project of the ancient Near East.Drawing closely on archaeological evidence, royal inscriptions, and comparative material from Assyria and Babylonia, the episode reconstructs the experience of approaching Dur-Sharrukin along the royal roads, passing through its immense fortifications, and moving from the regimented lower city into the elevated palace and temple complex. Along the way, it examines Assyrian logistics, deportation policy, urban planning, law courts, sacred gates, monumental reliefs, and the social reality of an imperial capital populated almost entirely by relocated peoples from across the empire.Particular attention is given to the unprecedented scale and order of the city, its rigid grid layout, state-allocated housing, massive walls, and the palace platform crowned by the ziggurat of Nabu. The episode also explores the hydraulic engineering that made the upper complex possible, including early screw-pump technology that anticipates later traditions surrounding the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Dur-Sharrukin emerges not merely as a capital, but as an ideological statement: a city designed to embody kingship, divine favor, and imperial domination in stone, water, and labor.Although the central figure of Aramu is fictional, the city is not. The episode uses historical fiction as a disciplined tool to illuminate daily experience, perception, and scale in a way that conventional narrative history often cannot. It also reflects on the tragedy of Dur-Sharrukin's fate, abandoned only months after completion following Sargon II's death, and largely erased from living memory despite rivaling the great wonders of the ancient world.This episode sets the stage for the next installment, which turns from the city to the engine that made it possible: the mature Assyrian army of the Sargonid period, examining its organization, equipment, tactics, and logistical systems in depth.I am also doing daily history facts again, at least until I run out of time again. You can find Oldest Stories daily on Tiktok and Youtube Shorts.If you like the show, consider sharing with your friends, leaving a like, subscribing, or even supporting financially:Buy the Oldest Stories books: https://a.co/d/7Wn4jhSDonate here: https://oldeststories.net/or on patreon: https://patreon.com/JamesBleckleyor on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCG2tPxnHNNvMd0VrInekaA/joinYoutube and Patreon members get access to bonus content about Egyptian culture and myths.

Preached on Sunday the 28th of Sunday, 2025.‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭17‬:‭1‬-‭23‬ ‭“In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah, Hoshea the son of Elah began to reign in Samaria over Israel, and he reigned nine years. And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, yet not as the kings of Israel who were before him. Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria. And Hoshea became his vassal and paid him tribute. But the king of Assyria found treachery in Hoshea, for he had sent messengers to So, king of Egypt, and offered no tribute to the king of Assyria, as he had done year by year. Therefore the king of Assyria shut him up and bound him in prison. Then the king of Assyria invaded all the land and came to Samaria, and for three years he besieged it. In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria, and he carried the Israelites away to Assyria and placed them in Halah, and on the Habor, the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes. And this occurred because the people of Israel had sinned against the Lord their God, who had brought them up out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods and walked in the customs of the nations whom the Lord drove out before the people of Israel, and in the customs that the kings of Israel had practiced. And the people of Israel did secretly against the Lord their God things that were not right. They built for themselves high places in all their towns, from watchtower to fortified city. They set up for themselves pillars and Asherim on every high hill and under every green tree, and there they made offerings on all the high places, as the nations did whom the Lord carried away before them. And they did wicked things, provoking the Lord to anger, and they served idols, of which the Lord had said to them, “You shall not do this.” Yet the Lord warned Israel and Judah by every prophet and every seer, saying, “Turn from your evil ways and keep my commandments and my statutes, in accordance with all the Law that I commanded your fathers, and that I sent to you by my servants the prophets.” But they would not listen, but were stubborn, as their fathers had been, who did not believe in the Lord their God. They despised his statutes and his covenant that he made with their fathers and the warnings that he gave them. They went after false idols and became false, and they followed the nations that were around them, concerning whom the Lord had commanded them that they should not do like them. And they abandoned all the commandments of the Lord their God, and made for themselves metal images of two calves; and they made an Asherah and worshiped all the host of heaven and served Baal. And they burned their sons and their daughters as offerings and used divination and omens and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking him to anger. Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel and removed them out of his sight. None was left but the tribe of Judah only. Judah also did not keep the commandments of the Lord their God, but walked in the customs that Israel had introduced. And the Lord rejected all the descendants of Israel and afflicted them and gave them into the hand of plunderers, until he had cast them out of his sight. When he had torn Israel from the Intro Music by Julius H. from Pixabay Outro Music by PianoAmor from Pixabay

Our Sovereign God May Not Return to Us If Jesus Followers Do Not Lead America's Return to God; You Are Here for These Times MESSAGE SUMMARY: If enough of us get serious with God, then, perhaps, God will heal us and this land. When we, as both individual Jesus Followers and as a country, turn to the Lord, will we hear God's call and answer as in Isaiah 6:8: “And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me.'”. As Jesus Followers but in our non-Christian behavior: we are mean; we are angry; we are judgmental; and we are selfish and self-centered. Also, in our non-Christian behavior, we are often in bondage to debt, drugs, and extramarital sex. In all these non-Christian behaviors, we are not different from the unbeliever next door. Therefore, we are not very different from God's people in the time of Hosea described in Hosea 11:7,10-11: “My people are bent on turning away from me, and though they call out to the Most High {God}, he shall not raise them up at all . . . They shall go after the LORD; he will roar like a lion; when he roars, his children shall come trembling from the west; they shall come trembling like birds from Egypt, and like doves from the land of Assyria, and I will return them to their homes, declares the LORD.". We need to ask ourselves: “Am I being faithful to Jesus Christ and what needs to change in me and my life? Also, we need to ask ourselves “how am I disobeying the Lord?”. Will you then say to God: “Here am I! Send me.” If NOT ENOUGH “Self-Identifying Christians” answer God's call to lead America in our “return to God”, then God, in His sovereignty, will not return to America – you are here for times like these!   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, I come this day inviting you to cut those deeply entrenched chains that keep me from being faithful to my true self in Christ. In doing so, may my life be a blessing to many. In Jesus' name, amen.      Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 44). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, because I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I will not be controlled by my Insensitivity. Rather, I will walk in the Spirit's fruit of Gentleness. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22f). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV):  Hosea 11:1-11; Isaiah 6:8-13; Matthew 13:13-17; Psalms 13:1-6. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “A Christmas Message – What God Has Done For Us” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

This is the final week in our study of 400 years of Kings and Prophets from Solomon to Jeremiah. King Josiah     •    Young King seeks God     •    Spiritual cleansing of Jerusalem     •    Book of the Law discovered     •    Reform beyond Judah     •    Passover observance  - King Josiah gives an order to all people to observe God's Passover. This had not been celebrated according to what was written, not even in the days of the judges, nor in the days of any of the kings of Israel and Judah. Josiah made sure the celebration was carried out according to what was written in the Book of the Covenant. He, like David, was a man after God's own heart. He reads the scriptures and applies them and a time of revival begins.  We read in 2 Kings 23:25 "Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the LORD as he did - with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses."     •    Death at Megiddo - A prophetic word comes from Huldah telling Josiah of the judgment that is coming from God against the people, but that because Josiah's heart was repentant he would not see the judgment that would come.  During this time there was great international upheaval between Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon.  2 Kings 23:29 "While Josiah was king, Pharaoh Necho king of Egypt went up to the Euphrates River to help the king of Assyria. King Josiah marched out to meet him in battle, but Necho faced him and killed him at Megiddo."  Jeremiah and the nation were devastated by the loss of king Josiah. Then Josiah's 3 sons reign. None were the king that their father was. They returned to the old ways for faithlessness to God. Josiah's 3 Sons     •    Jehoahaz - 2 Kings 23:31-33; 2 Chronicles 36:1-3 - reigned 3 month doing evil in the eyes of the Lord. He was imprisoned by Pharaoh Necho of Egypt, who was the one who had killed his father. Jehoahaz dies in Egypt.     •    Jehoiakim - 2 Kings 23:34 - 24:7; 2 Chronicles 36:4-8 - reigned 11 years and did evil in the eyes of the Lord. He was an evil and inefficient ruler. Constructed a new palace and Jeremiah denounces him for ignoring the people and ignoring God. Jehoiakim rejects Jeremiah and even burns the first copy of the book of Jeremiah. (Jeremiah 36:23) The city of Jerusalem is overtaken in 605 BC by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and many of the people are deported to Babylon. (Daniel was one that was taken - Daniel 1:1-2). When Jehoiakim dies he is given the "burial of a donkey." Jeremiah 22:13-19. Johoiachin, his son reigns for 3 months doing evil like his father and was taken captive by Babylon - 2 Kings 24:8-16; 2 Chronicles 36:9-10     •    Zedekiah - 2 Kings 24:17 - 25:21; 2 Chronicles 36:11-21; Jeremiah 39:1-10 - reigns for 11 years and he did evil in the eyes of the Lord. Zedekiah breaks the treaty with Babylon (Ezekiel 17:18). He looks to Egypt for deliverance but didn't receive any. The false prophets encouraged him in his evil ways. Jeremiah warns Zedekiah of coming suffering and prophecies. But Zedekiah does not change his way and Jerusalem falls to the Babylonians and Zedekiah dies in a tragic way. Jeremiah 39:6-7.  And so ends our study with the nation, the city of Jerusalem a the Temple destroyed in 586 B.C.  Interestingly enough the Temple would once again be destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D. in the same month, on the same day. This was a day Jesus predicted because they did not recognize Him and had rejected Him. Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

Daily Anglican Prayer - Wednesday Morning - Christmas Eve – 24th December 2025 Readings NRSV: Psalm 130; 131; 133; Isaiah 27.2-13; Luke 1.67-69. Led by Felicity Scott, an Anglican prayer minister in Queensland, Australia. The full prayer transcript is available by going to this episode on the Podcast website. https://dailyprayeranglicanprayerbookforaustralia.podbean.com Welcome to Wednesday Morning prayer celebrating Christmas eve. We proclaim the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ: GOD in his infinite mercy, forgives all sins, and through our baptism in the name of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, we are given a rebirth into new life, free from the burden of all sin. ALLELUIA With faithfulness we respond to the good news: We acknowledge Christ our Saviour and accept with gratitude, that we are forgiven for all wrong doings, past and present. To honour the gift of forgiveness, we release our burden of guilt and rise up to live in the glory of God forever more. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Blessed be God forever. Let us Pray. 1 Rejoice always pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus.      Glory to God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit:  as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.    2 The Opening Canticle, A Song of God's Grace Blessed are you,  the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: For you have blessed us in Christ Jesus with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,  You chose us to be yours in Christ, before the foundation of the world: That we should be holy and blameless before you.  In love you destined us to be your children, through Jesus Christ: according to the purpose of your will,  to the praise of your glorious grace: which you freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. Ephesians 1.3-6   3 The Opening Prayer The night has passed and the day lies open before us;  let us pray with one heart and mind.   Silence may be kept. As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,  so may the light of your presence, O God,  set our hearts on fire with love for you;  now and for ever.  Amen.   4 The Psalms as appointed. A pause is observed after each.   Psalm reading… Psalm 130; 131; 133;     5 At the end of the (last) pause there may follow We consecrate this day to your service, O Lord; may all our thoughts, words, and actions be well-pleasing to you and serve the good of our brothers and sisters; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen.   6 One or two Readings from the Bible as appointed.   1st Reading Isaiah 27.2-13 2 On that day: A pleasant vineyard—sing about it! 3 I, the LORD, am its keeper; every moment I water it. I guard it night and day so that no one can harm it; 4 I have no wrath. If it gives me thorns and briers, I will march to battle against it. I will burn it up. 5 Or else let it cling to me for protection; let it make peace with me; let it make peace with me. 6 In days to come Jacob shall take root; Israel shall blossom and put forth shoots and fill the whole world with fruit. 7 Has he struck them down as he struck down those who struck them? Or have they been killed as their killers were killed? 8 By expulsion, by exile you struggled against them; with his fierce blast he removed them in the day of the east wind. 9 Therefore by this the guilt of Jacob will be expiated, and this will be the full fruit of the removal of his sin: when he makes all the stones of the altars like chalkstones crushed to pieces; no sacred poles or incense altars will remain standing. 10 For the fortified city is solitary, a habitation deserted and forsaken, like the wilderness; the calves graze there; there they lie down and strip its branches. 11 When its boughs are dry, they are broken; women come and make a fire of them. For this is a people without understanding; therefore he who made them will not have compassion on them; he who formed them will show them no favor. 12 On that day the LORD will thresh from the channel of the Euphrates to the Wadi of Egypt, and you will be gathered one by one, O people of Israel. 13 And on that day a great trumpet will be blown, and those who were lost in the land of Assyria and those who were driven out to the land of Egypt will come and worship the LORD on the holy mountain at Jerusalem. Hear the word of the LORD. Thanks be to God 2nd Reading Luke 1.67-69. 67 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: 68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. 69 He has raised up a mighty savior for us; in the house of his child David,   Hear the message of Christ. Thanks be to God.     7 The Canticle, We praise you O God: we claim you as Lord. All creation thanks you: The Father everlasting. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven: The cherubim and serafim sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of power and might: Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Father of majesty unbounded: Your true and only son, worthy of all praise, the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide. You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal son of the father. When you took our flesh to set us free: You humbly chose the virgin's womb. You overcame the sting of death: And opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God's right hand in glory: We believe that you will come to be our judge. Come then, God, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood: And bring us with your Saints to glory everlasting.   8 The belief and principle is said I believe in God, creator of heaven and earth, whose love and merciful forgiveness endures everlasting. I believe in Christ the saviour, whose example of love and compassion, taught us a restored way to live, in collaborative unity with all people. I believe in the Holy Spirit, whose divine guidance brings us together to be one with the Holy Trinity. Amen.   9 The Prayers Lord have mercy.  Christ have mercy.  God have mercy.      10 The Lord's Prayer and the Collect of the Day Our Father in heaven,  hallowed be your name,  your kingdom come,  your will be done,  on earth as in heaven.  Give us today our daily bread.  Forgive us our sins  as we forgive those who sin against us.  Save us from the time of trial  and deliver us from evil.  For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours  now and for ever. Amen.      The Prayer of the Week Christmas eve Almighty GOD, You make us glad with the yearly expectation of the birth of your Son Jesus Christ: grant that as we joyfully receive him for our redeemer, so we may with sure confidence behold him when he shall come to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit one GOD, now and forever. Amen.   11 Intercessions and Thanksgivings may be made according to local custom and need. Let us pray Traditional Christmas Eve Prayer Lord, On this holy night, we gather to celebrate the birth of your Son, Jesus Christ. As we come together with family and friends, may our hearts be filled with joy and gratitude. Thank you for the gift of salvation and the love that you have shown us through Jesus. Bless this time of fellowship and worship. Humbly, in faith we Pray – LORD hear our prayer   Family Blessing for Christmas Eve Loving God, As we gather as a family on this Christmas Eve, we thank you for the love that binds us together. Bless each member of our families and fill our homes with warmth and joy. May the spirit of Christmas bring us closer to you and to one another. We ask for your guidance and protection in the coming year. In Jesus' name, we pray. Humbly, in faith we Pray – LORD hear our prayer   A Christmas Eve Prayer to Prepare Your Heart Lord GOD, on this Christmas Eve, we pause to prepare our hearts for a most beautiful celebration: Your birth and coming to earth as our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Clear our minds so we can focus on You and the joy You bring to us through Your gift of salvation. May the same thrill and anticipation that filled Mary, the chosen mother of Jesus, consume us and draw us close to You. May our spirits cry out, “Alleluia,” with the host of angels who first delivered the good news of great joy to humble, awe-struck shepherds that night so long ago—the news that would literally one day be heard around the world. Immanuel, God with Us, Prince of Peace, the Son of God, Messiah; may You fill our senses and hearts with awe and wonder on this special Christmas Eve. May this preparation night be a holy night as we once again receive and celebrate Your great gift to us this Christmas. Humbly, in faith we Pray – LORD hear our prayer   Ordinary Wednesday prayers Lord, we give you thanks, that through your son Jesus Christ, you have shown us the way to live in your righteousness. You made us in your likeness, you gave your only son Jesus Christ who gave us forgiveness of sin, bring us together as one, different in culture but given new life in Jesus Christ. Reconciled, forgiven, sharing you with others as you have called us to do. We pray for reconciliation with you God and reconciliation with each other and ask for strength to remain in your presence in all we do. Humbly, in faith we Pray – LORD hear our prayer   Saviour God, we remember with love all those that have passed this week. We thank you for the faithfully departed and your servants in every age. We ask that our ancestors and all your saints may be brought to the joyful resurrection and the fulfilment of your glorious kingdom. Humbly, in faith we Pray – LORD hear our prayer   God of justice, we ask for your help with ending domestic violence. We ask that you shine your heavenly light to guide people to live in peace with each other and make amends, by freeing their victims of abuse. Humbly, in faith we Pray – LORD hear our prayer   Blessed God, we ask your blessing for those listed on the Anglican cycle of prayer: All Prison ministry chaplaincy teams All people joining in this prayer offering. Humbly, in faith we Pray – LORD hear our prayer     12 The Morning Collect Eternal God and Father,  by whose power we were created  and through whose love we are redeemed:  guide and strengthen us by your Spirit,  that we may give ourselves to your service,  and live this day in love to one another and to you;  through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   13 The Lord be with you. And also with you.  Let us praise the Lord.  Thanks be to God.    May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant us to live in such harmony with one another in accord with Christ Jesus, that we may with one voice gratify our God and Father.  Amen. Romans 15.5-6   Music by Choir of St John's College, Cambridge. A reminder disclaimer to the listener. The readings in the podcast may include ancient and old-fashioned sayings and instructions that we do not in any way condone as in use or to be used in today's modern world. The readings have not been modernised to reflect todays thinking, instead the readings remain from the old version of the NRSV bible. The podcast owners explicitly declare that each listener is responsible for their own actions in response to the bible readings and the podcast owners bare no responsibility in this sense.  

Isaiah expert and Old Testament scholar Dr. John Oswalt is our guest again this week on the Profile. On this episode John discusses the discovery of the Great Isaiah Scroll in Qumran in 1947, more of Isaiah 53, and the prophecy of Cyrus the Great in chapter 45. Dr. John Oswalt Asbury served on the faculty of Asbury Theological seminary from 1970 to 1982 as professor of Old Testament and Semitic languages, and again from 1989 to 1999 as Professor of Old Testament. He rejoined Asbury in 2009 as visiting distinguished professor of Old Testament studies. He has also served as research professor of Old Testament at Wesley Biblical Seminary in Jackson, Miss., from 1999 to 2009, was president of Asbury College from 1983 to 1986, a member of the faculty of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Ill., from 1986 to 1989, and  Interim President of Wesley Biblical Seminary, Ridgeland, MS from April 2019 through March 2020.He is the author of 16 books, most notable of which is the two-volume commentary on the book of Isaiah in the New International Commentary of the Old Testament. His most recent book is The Holy One of Israel: Studies in the Book of Isaiah, released in 2014. He has also written numerous articles that have appeared in Bible encyclopedias, scholarly journals and popular religious periodicals. Dr. Oswalt is an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church, with membership in the Kentucky Annual Conference. He has served as a part-time pastor in congregations in New England and Kentucky, and is a frequent speaker in conferences, camps and local churches. Oswalt received a B.A. from Taylor University; a B.D. and Th.M. from Asbury Seminary; and a M.A. and Ph.D. from Brandeis University.The Bible Among the Myths Isaiah CommentaryResources from Watchman Fellowship Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Bart Ehrman by Dr. Rhyne Putman: www.watchman.org/Ehrman FREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.The complete Profile Notebook (Digital Edition, PDF, over 600-pages): www.watchman.org/DigitalNotebookSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2025 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

21 December 2025 | This week Evan concludes our Comfort and Joy Sermon series in Genesis 2 14-24 about how things that are broken by sin, such as relationships, work or fellowship are restored in Jesus. Genesis 2:14-24 14 And the name of the third river is the Tigris, which flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates. 15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die. ” 18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him. ” 19 Now out of the ground the Lord God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. 20 The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. 21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. 22 And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. 23 Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. ” 24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

In What Child Is This?, we explore the powerful prophecy of Isaiah 9:1–7, a Christmas passage that reaches far beyond the manger and into the heart of God's redemptive plan for the world. Isaiah reveals that the first rays of Messiah's light did not shine in Jerusalem's temple but in despised Galilee, a region crushed by Assyria and mocked by the world. God intentionally chose the darkest and most overlooked place to announce the coming of His Son, proving that divine hope shines brightest where human hope has failed. Galilee would later become the launch point of Jesus' earthly ministry, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy and revealing God's grace to the humble, the broken, and the forgotten. Isaiah also unveils the identity of the Child: Wonderful Counselor, divine wisdom beyond human understanding. Mighty God, fully God in human flesh. Everlasting Father, the source and sustainer of eternal life. Prince of Peace, the One who will ultimately end all war and rebellion. This Child is not merely a baby in a manger. He is the rightful King who will sit on David's throne, rule the nations, and establish a kingdom of justice, righteousness, and everlasting peace. Scripture declares that the zeal of the Lord will accomplish this without fail. Christmas is the down payment of the Kingdom. The cradle guarantees the crown. The First Advent assures the Second. This message calls us to see Christmas not only as a moment in history, but as a promise of what is still to come.

Click here to WATCH LIVE STREAM Worship Service on our Youtube Channel. “Christmas, Part 2” Matthew 2 Micah 5:2-6 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. 3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel. 4 And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. 5 And he shall be their peace. When the Assyrian comes into our land and treads in our palaces, then we will raise against him seven shepherds and eight princes of men; 6 they shall shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod at its entrances; and he shall deliver us from the Assyrian when he comes into our land and treads within our border.   Matthew 2:1-2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”   Numbers 24:17 …a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel…   Matthew 2:3-4 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.   Matthew 2:5-6 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'”   Micah 5:2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.   2 Samuel 5:2 In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. And the Lord said to you, ‘You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel.'”   Matthew 2:7-8 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.”   Matthew 2:9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.   Matthew 2:10-12 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.   Matthew 2:13-15 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”   Exodus 4:21-23 And the LORD said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the miracles that I have put in your power. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go. 22 Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the LORD, Israel is my firstborn son, 23 and I say to you, “Let my son go that he may serve me.” If you refuse to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son.'” Hosea 11:1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.   Galatians 3:16 Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.    Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.   Genesis 3:15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.   Matthew 2:17-18 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: 18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”   Jeremiah 31:15-17 Thus says the LORD: “A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.” 16 Thus says the LORD: “Keep your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears, for there is a reward for your work, declares the LORD,   and they shall come back from the land of the enemy. 17 There is hope for your future, declares the LORD, and your children shall come back to their own country.   Jeremiah 33:14-16 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15 In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 16 In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness.'   Mathew 2:19-21 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” 21 And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.   Matthew 2:22-23 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. 23 And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene. John 1:46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”   Jesus is our true deliverer.   Colossians 1:13-14 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.   Jesus is our true comforter.   Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.   Jesus is our true King.   Isaiah 11:1 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. Isaiah 53:2-3 For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Respond | Connect | Next Steps The post Christmas 2 appeared first on Charleston Baptist Church.

Hosea 11:1-11 English Standard Version The Lord's Love for Israel 11 When Israel was a child, I loved him,     and out of Egypt I called my son. 2 The more they were called,     the more they went away; they kept sacrificing to the Baals     and burning offerings to idols. 3 Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk;     I took them up by their arms,     but they did not know that I healed them. 4 I led them with cords of kindness,[a]     with the bands of love, and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws,     and I bent down to them and fed them. 5 They shall not[b] return to the land of Egypt,     but Assyria shall be their king,     because they have refused to return to me. 6 The sword shall rage against their cities,     consume the bars of their gates,     and devour them because of their own counsels. 7 My people are bent on turning away from me,     and though they call out to the Most High,     he shall not raise them up at all. 8 How can I give you up, O Ephraim?     How can I hand you over, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah?     How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils within me;     my compassion grows warm and tender. 9 I will not execute my burning anger;     I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and not a man,     the Holy One in your midst,     and I will not come in wrath.[c] 10 They shall go after the Lord;     he will roar like a lion; when he roars,     his children shall come trembling from the west; 11 they shall come trembling like birds from Egypt,     and like doves from the land of Assyria,     and I will return them to their homes, declares the Lord. Footnotes Hosea 11:4 Or humaneness; Hebrew man Hosea 11:5 Or surely Hosea 11:9 Or into the city  

To all those loved by God who are in Rome (and Casper), called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 1:7). Amen.Ahaz is a wicked, unbelieving king. He is a descendant of King David, but he is unlike David who cherished his children and led the nation of Israel in their worship of the true God. Ahaz sacrificed his own son in the fire as he led the nation of Israel in the worship of pagan gods.Earlier in chapter 7, Isaiah records how King Ahaz of Judah is being threatened by Pekah, the king of Israel, who has allied himself with Rezin, the king of Aram, to destroy Judah. The prophet Isaiah calls King Ahaz to trust in the Lord for protection from this alliance. Ahaz refuses. His solution to this threat is to make is own alliance with the nation of Assyria, north of Aram (2 Kings 16:1-9).Isaiah tells Ahaz that he doesn't need this alliance with the wicked nation of Assyria. The Lord will protect Judah from its enemies. To prove this, Isaiah tells Ahaz to pick a sign – any sign – as proof of his protection. The Lord spoke to Ahaz again. He said, "Ask for a sign from the Lord your God. Ask for it either in the depths below or in the heights above" (Isaiah 7:10-11).Ahaz could have asked for anything. He could have gone simple and asked for a shooting star across the sky that night. He could have gone big and asked for an asteroid to come crashing down on his enemies. He could have asked for any sign he wanted.But King Ahaz doesn't trust in God. Instead, he trusts the alliance he had made with Assyria. Because he doesn't trust God, there was no sign that would have convinced him of God's power to save his throne or country. In false humility, Ahaz refuses to "test" the Lord. Ahaz responded, "I will not ask. I will not test the Lord" (Isaiah 7:12).To prove to Ahaz and to the world that his promises can be trusted, God decides on his own sign. He is not going to allow an unbelieving king to stand in the way of the physical deliverance of Judah and the eternal deliverance of all who believe the sign. God chooses a sign that is an embarrassment to Ahaz because it is so simple, yet so miraculous. It is also a sign that would take 700 years to fulfill. So, Isaiah said, "Listen now, you house of David. Is it not enough for you to test the patience of men? Will you test the patience of my God as well? Therefore the Lord himself will give a sign for all of you. Look! The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and name him Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:13-14).God promises the virgin's Son and his Son will be named Immanuel – God with us... and God for us.What does it mean that Jesus, the Son of God, is "God with us"? To help understand the relationship of God to humans, imagine the relationship of humans to ants. Young Hudson volunteered to be our resident "ant-lover" for this story.Imagine that Hudson's dad, Ty, is going to be resurfacing their driveway. But Hudson notices that there's a large anthill at the edge of the driveway. He becomes worried that when the hot asphalt is poured onto the driveway, the asphalt will also fill the anthill – killing the countless ants inside.Hudson, being the ant-lover that he is, goes outside to start talking to the ants. He tells them about his dad, the driveway, the asphalt, and their anthill. He tells them the entire story.What do the ants do? ... Nothing. They ignore Hudson, even though he's trying to help them. So, Hudson gets down on their level. He puts his face right above the anthill and shouts warnings for them to pack up and leave. The ants just run away.What can Hudson do? He loves the ants. He wants to rescue the ants. But he's too superior to them. They're too puny. He's like a "god" to them.Hudson decides that the only way they'll listen to him is if he becomes one of them. So, that's what he does. He goes to his closet and put on his Ant-Man suit from Halloween. (Ant-Man is one of the Avengers.)Hudson, in his Ant-Man suit, pushes a button and shrinks down to become the size of an ant. (This is a very high-tech Halloween costume!) In this form, he's able to communicate with the ants and save those who believe his message.It sounds like a silly story, doesn't it? It will seem even more silly when Hudson wears his Ant-Man suit to church one day.It seems ridiculous that a person would become an ant to save the ants. But that's no more ridiculous than God becoming a human to save the humans.Think of the world the Son of God left. Our classiest mansion would be an anthill to him. Earth's finest cuisine would be crumbs on heaven's table. The idea of becoming an ant with a segmented body and antennae? That's nothing compared to God becoming an embryo and entering the womb of Mary.But that's what the Son of God did. The God of the universe was born into the poverty of a peasant and spent his first night in the cow's feed trough. The God of the universe left the glory of heaven and moved into our neighborhood. The God of the universe left his eternal seat on his golden throne, surrounded by saints and angels to be born in time and laid in a manger surrounded by Saint Mary and Saint Joseph. Who could have imagined God would do such a thing?Why would Jesus come? He comes to be Immanuel. He comes to be God with us.But I want you to understand that God being with us is not necessarily good news. He has every right to be God with us in righteous anger over our sins. He can be God with us in justified judgment over how we act and live. He can be God with us in deserving punishment over our continual crimes against God and humanity.A king coming to be with his people is not good news if he's there to raise their taxes. A judge coming to be with the people in the courtroom is not good news if he's there to sentence them to prison. A human coming to be with the ants is not good news if he's there to step on their anthill. And God coming to be with his creation is not good news if he's coming to bring the hellish punishment they rightly deserve.It is significant that when the angel appears to Joseph in a dream he says, "Joseph, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:20-21). The God who is coming is not coming to destroy his people because of their sins. Rather, he's coming to save his people from their sins. In other words, the God who is with you is the God who comes for you.We call this the incarnation. Divinity combined with humanity. God's gift of his Son wrapped in cute, little baby skin. We confess our belief in the incarnation in our three Christian universal creeds.The Apostles' Creed: "I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary..."The Nicene Creed: "For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and became fully human."The Athanasian Creed: "He is God, eternally begotten from the nature of the Father, and he is man, born in time from the nature of his mother, fully God, fully man, with rational soul and human flesh, equal to the Father as to his deity, less than the Father as to his humanity..."This is what the incarnation of God taking on human flesh reveals: Jesus is the King coming to free his people from the tyranny of the Devil. He is the Judge coming to release the prisoners from the prison of hell. He is the God-Man coming to proclaim rescue to those who will listen and believe. He is the God who could come to us to wipe us out and shed our blood. However, instead he is the God who comes to wipe out our sins with his blood.God with us is only good news if God is for us. The good news is in changing the preposition. "For" means that Jesus is on our side, out to get our enemies. We are the "apple of his eye" (Psalm 17:8). He comes to live the perfect life for us, in our place. He comes to suffer for us, in our place. He comes to die for us, in our place. He comes to be the fulfillment of his names. He is Jesus because he saves us from our sins. He is Immanuel because he is God with us since he came for us.Again, why would Jesus come? Because he loves to be with the ones he loves.Dr. Maxwell Maltz tells a remarkable story of a love like this. A man attempted to save his parents from a burning house. He couldn't get to them. They perished. He was burned and disfigured in the fire. The man mistakenly interpreted his pain as God's punishment. He would not let anyone see him — not even his wife.The wife went to Dr. Maltz, a plastic surgeon, for help. He told her not to worry. He said, "I can restore his face." The wife was unenthused. Her husband had repeatedly refused any help. She knew he would refuse again.Then why her visit? She told the doctor, "I want you to disfigure my face so I can be like him. If I can share his pain, maybe he'll let me back in his life."Dr. Maltz was shocked. He denied her request but was so moved by her love that he went to speak with her husband. Knocking on the man's bedroom door, he called loudly. "Sir, my name is Dr. Maltz. I'm a plastic surgeon, and I can restore your face." No response. "Please come out." Again, there was no answer.Still speaking through the door, Dr. Maltz told the man of his wife's proposal. He said, "She wants me to disfigure her face, to make her face like yours in the hope that you let her back into your life. That's how much she loves you." There was a moment of silence, and then, ever so slowly, the doorknob began to turn.The way the woman felt for her husband is a small picture of the way God feels about us. But he did more than make the offer. He took on our face, our disfigurement. He became like us. Just look at the places he was willing to go to reach people – feed troughs, carpentry shops, deserts, and cemeteries. He visited mountain tops and temple courtyards. He went into the homes of friends, Pharisees, tax collectors, centurions, and dead little girls. The places Jesus went to reach us show how far he goes to fulfill his name, "He saves."Getting back to the story of King Ahaz... Israel and Aram failed in their plan against Judah. Both Israel and Aram were defeated by the Assyrians, with the northern kingdom of Israel falling to Assyria in 722 B.C.But then, look out, Ahaz! Assyria was not going to stop with knocking off Israel and Aram. Assyria would then turn its attention to Judah. After the promise of the virgin birth, Isaiah told King Ahaz, "The Lord will bring on you, on your people, and on your father's house, days worse than any since the day that Ephraim broke away from Judah. The Lord will bring the king of Assyria" (Isaiah 7:17).God fulfilled that promise, too. Assyria threatened Jerusalem 21 years later. At that time, Isaiah had to counsel the next king of Judah, Hezekiah, to trust in the Lord and not in political or military alliances. King Hezekiah listened to the counsel of Isaiah, and that threat again was lifted.God fulfilled his promise to wicked King Ahaz in sending a virgin's Son to be named Immanuel. This is why every Advent we sing, "Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel." Jesus is Immanuel – God with us by being God for us. He loves to be with the ones he loves. Amen.This gospel is about his Son, who in the flesh was born a descendant of David, who in the spirit of holiness was declared to be God's powerful Son by his resurrection from the dead—Jesus Christ, our Lord (Romans 1:3-4). Amen.View this sermon (with video and/or audio recording) on our website: https://www.casperwels.com/sermons/god-with-us-and-god-for-us/

Friday Bible Study (12/12/25) // Ezra 4 (ESV) // Adversaries Oppose the Rebuilding 4 Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the returned exiles were building a temple to the Lord, the God of Israel, 2 they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of fathers' houses and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we worship your God as you do, and we have been sacrificing to him ever since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria who brought us here.” 3 But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of fathers' houses in Israel said to them, “You have nothing to do with us in building a house to our God; but we alone will build to the Lord, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us.”4 Then the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah and made them afraid to build 5 and bribed counselors against them to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.6 And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.The Letter to King Artaxerxes7 In the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam and Mithredath and Tabeel and the rest of their associates wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia. The letter was written in Aramaic and translated.[a] 8 Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows: 9 Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their associates, the judges, the governors, the officials, the Persians, the men of Erech, the Babylonians, the men of Susa, that is, the Elamites, 10 and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Osnappar deported and settled in the cities of Samaria and in the rest of the province Beyond the River. 11 (This is a copy of the letter that they sent.) “To Artaxerxes the king: Your servants, the men of the province Beyond the River, send greeting. And now 12 be it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you to us have gone to Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are finishing the walls and repairing the foundations. 13 Now be it known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and the royal revenue will be impaired. 14 Now because we eat the salt of the palace[b] and it is not fitting for us to witness the king's dishonor, therefore we send and inform the king, 15 in order that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. You will find in the book of the records and learn that this city is a rebellious city, hurtful to kings and provinces, and that sedition was stirred up in it from of old. That was why this city was laid waste. 16 We make known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls finished, you will then have no possession in the province Beyond the River.”Website: https://mbchicago.org FOLLOW US Facebook:   / mbc.chicago   Instagram:   / mbc.chicago   TikTok:   / mbc.chicago   Podcasts: Listen on Apple, Spotify & others TO SUPPORT US Zelle to: info@mbchicago.org Website: https://mbchicago.org/give Venmo: https://venmo.com/mbchurch DAF Donations: https://every.org/mbc.chicago PayPal: https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_but... #Ezra #DanielBatarseh #BibleStudy #mbchicago #mbcchicago #Bible #versebyverse #church #chicago #livechurch #churchlive #chicagochurch #chicagochurches #sermon #bibleexplained #bibleproject #bibleverse #bookbybook #oldtestament #explained

Apologies for my voice and the lack of graphics. Been sick again and barely got this out today.Episode 179 examines the founding, construction, abandonment, and rediscovery of Dur-Sharrukin (Khorsabad), the short-lived royal capital built by Sargon II of Assyria in the late eighth century BCE. The narrative begins with the history of early Mesopotamian excavation through the career of Paul-Émile Botta, whose 1843–1844 work near Mosul and Khorsabad helped inaugurate Assyriology and introduced Europe to monumental Assyrian palace architecture, relief sculpture, and royal inscriptions. The episode follows Botta's unusual path into Near Eastern exploration, placing his expeditionary background within wider nineteenth-century networks of travel, collecting, and emerging archaeological method, and contrasts the French discoveries at Khorsabad with the subsequent British excavations associated with Austen Henry Layard at Kalhu and Nineveh.From this modern historiographical prelude, the episode turns back to 717 BCE and reconstructs Dur-Sharrukin as an ideological and administrative project of empire. It discusses the city's location, scale, labor regime, deportee settlement, and the programmatic symbolism of a purpose-built capital dedicated to the “true king.” Particular attention is given to the citadel complex—palace, temples, and ziggurat—alongside the logistical systems required to sustain rapid construction, long-distance procurement of materials, and the production of large-scale court art such as lamassu guardians and carved orthostats. The episode also engages changing archaeological interpretations of the site, including how later excavations and recent geophysical survey have revised older claims that the city was never fully completed or inhabited by demonstrating a substantial lower town and more complex occupational history.The final section addresses the political and religious implications of Sargon II's death in 705 BCE and the resulting abandonment of the city under Sennacherib, framing Dur-Sharrukin as a case study in the relationship between royal charisma, omen interpretation, and the volatility of capital cities in the Neo-Assyrian world. In doing so, the episode situates Dur-Sharrukin within broader Near Eastern patterns of state power, forced migration, monumental construction, and the archaeological afterlives of imperial projects.I am also doing daily history facts again, at least until I run out of time again. You can find Oldest Stories daily on Tiktok and Youtube Shorts.If you like the show, consider sharing with your friends, leaving a like, subscribing, or even supporting financially:Buy the Oldest Stories books: https://a.co/d/7Wn4jhSDonate here: https://oldeststories.net/or on patreon: https://patreon.com/JamesBleckleyor on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCG2tPxnHNNvMd0VrInekaA/joinYoutube and Patreon members get access to bonus content about Egyptian culture and myths.

Last week we ended our study time looking at a great king of Judah, Hezekiah. Today we start with one of the worst kings of Judah, Manasseh, Hezekiah's son. Manasseh reigned from 697-642 B.C. His story is found in 2 Kings 21:1-18 and 2 Chronicles 33:1-20. Manasseh reigned 55 years. He reigned longer than any other king and did more damage than any other king.  He did evil in God's eyes. It is a disgusting and tragic story.  He destroys everything good his father had done. King Manasseh     ⁃    Apostasy and Idolatry - 2 Chronicles 33:33     ⁃    Sacrificed his children  - 2 Chronicles 33:6     ⁃    Innocent blood shed including the blood of prophets -  2 Kings 21:16. (Hebrews 11:37 - ancient Jewish tradition that says it was during Manasseh's reign that Isaiah was sawn in half by Manasseh)     ⁃    Captivity in Babylon - Manasseh was taken prisoner by Assyria and taken to Babylon  - 2 Chronicles 33:11     ⁃    Repentance and return to Judah- while in prison Manasseh had a change of heart, humbling himself greatly before God and praying. The Lord was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so God brought Manasseh back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom, proving to Manasseh that He is the true God - 2 Chronicles 33:12-13 What we learn: God is a gracious God and hears the cries of those who humble themselves before Him.  He responds to a repentant heart.  In the final years of his life, Manasseh worked to redo things but to no avail as his son, King Amon takes the throne. Amon reigned from 642-640 B.C. and his story is found in 2 Kings 21:19-26 and 2 Chronicles 33:21-25. Amon did evil in the eyes of the Lord. King Amon     ⁃    Return to idolatry - 2 Chronicles 33:22-23     ⁃    Conspiracy and Assassination - 2 Chronicles 33:24-25 - Josiah, Amon's son was then made king. King Josiah Josiah is just a boy when he begins his 31 year reign and in Pastor's opinion, the greatest king of Judah. Josiah reigned from 640-609 B.C. His story is found in 2 Kings 22:1-23:30 and 2 Chronicles 34-35. During his reign there were many prophets: Jeremiah, Zephaniah, Nahum, Habakkuk and Huldah.  God is working to bring the nation back to Himself. During King Josiah's reign, Judah experienced three of its happiest decades: peace, prosperity and revival.  King Josiah     ⁃    Young King seeks the God of David - he followed in the ways of David - 2 Kings 22:1-2 and 2 Chronicles 34:3      ⁃    Spiritual cleansing of Jerusalem - 2 Chronicles 34:4-5     ⁃    Book of the Law of God written by Moses (possibly the original Torah) is discovered  - 2 Chronicles 34:8, 2 Chronicles 34:14, 2 Chronicles 34:19, 2 Chronicles 34:22.  In 2 Chronicles 34:27 we read of Huldah who tells the king that God says that judgment is coming, but because he (Josiah) had humbled himself before God, wept and torn his robes, that Josiah will not live to see the destruction. Josiah recognizes the Lord's graciousness and he sets forth to bring revival.      ⁃    Revival happens 2 Kings 23:2-3 - God's people pledge themselves to the covenant of God.     ⁃    Revival and reform go beyond Judah - 2 Kings 23:15, 17 Josiah was a bright, brilliant, incredible and godly leader, a man bold in his faith and one who trusted God.  May we learn from his example. Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

Pastor Jared Richard explores Isaiah 11's unique "Christmas tree"—not a decorated evergreen, but a stump with a shoot and root—as a powerful gospel metaphor. The stump represents God's judgment on pride, showing how "God will always humble the proud" as He did with Israel and Assyria. From this apparent death springs the shoot, a greater David who will establish a perfect kingdom where "the wolf will dwell with the lamb" (Isaiah 11:6) and all creation finds peace. Most remarkably, this king is also the root of Jesse, revealing Jesus as both descendant and divine source—the God-man who offers surprising eternal life. Pastor Richard urges us not to place our hope in an idealized past but in Christ's future kingdom, where all brokenness will be healed and "the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea" (Isaiah 11:9).   WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! Take a moment to fill out our digital connection card here: https://www.bayleaf.org/connect We hope you enjoy this programming and please let us know if there is anything we can do to be of service to you.   ONE CHURCH. TWO LOCATIONS. ONE MISSION. Bay Leaf at Falls Lake: 12200 Bayleaf Church Road, Raleigh, North Carolina 27614 Bay Leaf at 540: 10921 Leesville Rd, Raleigh, NC 27613   SERVICE TIMES Come join us on Sundays at Bay Leaf at Falls Lake (8:30 AM or 11:00 AM) or at Bay Leaf at 540 (10:00 AM)!   CONTACT www.bayleaf.org (919) 847-4477 #BayLeafLife #Worship #Inspiration

"Of all the books in the OT, Isaiah is perhaps the richest. Its literary grandeur is unequaled. Its scope is unparalleled. The breadth of its view of God is unmatched. In so many ways it is a book of superlatives. Thus, it is no wonder that Isaiah is the most quoted prophet in the NT, and along with Psalms and Deuteronomy, one of the most frequently cited of all OT books. Study of it is an opportunity for unending inspiration and challenge…it comes to us as a word from God, a revelation of the inevitable conflict between divine glory and human pride, of self-destruction which that pride must bring, and of the grace of God in restoring that destroyed humanity to himself. To read the book with the open eyes of the spirit is to see oneself, at times all too clearly, but also to see God whose holiness is made irresistible by his love." - Dr. John Oswalt from his two-volume commentary on the book of Isaiah. Dr. John Oswalt is our very special guest this week and next on Apologetics Profile. He will be taking us through some of the highlights of this magisterial theological work. His insights will better equip you to give a defense to non-believers who doubt the history and authorship of Isaiah. Dr. John Oswalt Asbury served on the faculty of Asbury Theological seminary from 1970 to 1982 as professor of Old Testament and Semitic languages, and again from 1989 to 1999 as Professor of Old Testament. He rejoined Asbury in 2009 as visiting distinguished professor of Old Testament studies. He has also served as research professor of Old Testament at Wesley Biblical Seminary in Jackson, Miss., from 1999 to 2009, was president of Asbury College from 1983 to 1986, a member of the faculty of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Ill., from 1986 to 1989, and  Interim President of Wesley Biblical Seminary, Ridgeland, MS from April 2019 through March 2020.He is the author of 16 books, most notable of which is the two-volume commentary on the book of Isaiah in the New International Commentary of the Old Testament. His most recent book is The Holy One of Israel: Studies in the Book of Isaiah, released in 2014. He has also written numerous articles that have appeared in Bible encyclopedias, scholarly journals and popular religious periodicals. Dr. Oswalt is an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church, with membership in the Kentucky Annual Conference. He has served as a part-time pastor in congregations in New England and Kentucky, and is a frequent speaker in conferences, camps and local churches. Oswalt received a B.A. from Taylor University; a B.D. and Th.M. from Asbury Seminary; and a M.A. and Ph.D. from Brandeis University.The Bible Among the Myths Isaiah CommentaryResources from Watchman Fellowship Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Bart Ehrman by Dr. Rhyne Putman: www.watchman.org/Ehrman FREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.The complete Profile Notebook (Digital Edition, PDF, over 600-pages): www.watchman.org/DigitalNotebookSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2025 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

This sermon explores Isaiah 9:6's prophecy of the Messiah by examining the historical context of 8th century BC Israel, when both northern and southern kingdoms had fallen into political corruption, moral debauchery, and spiritual darkness. Pastor Joe Fant demonstrates how God, through the prophet Isaiah, promised a coming child who would be the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. This prophecy was fulfilled 700 years later when Jesus began His ministry in Galilee—the very region Isaiah identified. The sermon emphasizes that while human governments and political alliances fail, Jesus established an eternal kingdom of justice and righteousness. God pursues His people even in their darkest moments, and the baby in the manger represents God's zealous love for His people, offering hope, victory over sin and death, and eternal joy to those who turn to Him in faith. Key Points: The historical context reveals three types of darkness in Isaiah's time: political (corrupt kings seeking pagan alliances), moral (idol worship and child sacrifice), and spiritual (turning to demons and necromancers instead of God) King Ahaz in the south and King Pekah in the north both rejected God and led the people into wickedness, seeking protection from Assyria through political alliances rather than trusting God Isaiah prophesied that the regions first devastated by darkness (Zebulun and Naphtali in Galilee) would be the first to see the great light Jesus fulfilled this prophecy by beginning His ministry in Galilee, bringing the light of the gospel to the darkest places first The victory Jesus won through His death and resurrection surpasses even Gideon's miraculous victory over 135,000 Midianites with only 300 men Jesus is the child born and son given who possesses perfect government, eternal wisdom, divine power, and brings true peace The solution to darkness is unwavering loyalty to Scripture and proper fear of the Lord, not looking to worldly solutions God pursues His people even when they are far from Him, demonstrating His zeal and love through sending prophets, His Word, and ultimately His Son Scripture Reference: Isaiah 9:1-7 (primary focus on verse 6) Isaiah 8:12-22 (context of darkness and calling to Scripture) Isaiah 1:2-4, 21-23 (description of Israel's moral corruption) 2 Kings 16 (King Ahaz's wickedness) 2 Kings 15:27-28 (King Pekah's evil reign) Matthew 4:12-17 (Jesus beginning ministry in Galilee, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy) John 1:1-14 (Jesus as the Light of the world) 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 (victory over death through Christ)

In a world filled with noise, interruptions, and uncertainty, peace can feel out of reach. But in this Advent message, Pastor Corey walks through John 14:27, Philippians 4:6–9, and Isaiah 26 to show that the peace Jesus offers is not circumstantial or fragile—it's supernatural, steady, and unshakable.From anxious disciples caught in a storm to God's people facing the threat of Assyria, Scripture reveals that peace isn't the absence of conflict—it's the presence of trust. While worry rises when outcomes are uncertain, Jesus gives a peace that persists even when the future feels unclear.Through powerful biblical truth and moving stories like Horatio Spafford's hymn “It Is Well with My Soul,” this message reminds us that peace isn't found in a place or a plan—it's found in a Person. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, steadies us in the present and secures us for the future.If your mind feels consumed by worry, anxiety, or chaos, this message will help you see how God's peace can guard your heart and mind—even when circumstances don't change.✔ Why peace is the antidote to chaos✔ Why the opposite of peace isn't war—but worry✔ How Jesus gives peace when outcomes are uncertain✔ Why peace increases as we know the Peace-Giver✔ How supernatural peace can exist even in deep sorrowShare this message with someone who needs to be reminded that no matter what they're facing, God's peace is still available—and it is well with their soul.

Christ Has Come – Week 2Episode Title: The Promised King & His Gift of PeaceIsaiah 9:1–7In this Advent episode of Christ Has Come, Keith Harris walks through Isaiah 9 and helps us see the depth of God's promise to send a Child who would be our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Isaiah spoke these words into a land drowning in darkness, fear, and oppression—yet he proclaimed that God Himself would shine light into their gloom through the coming of a King whose peace would never end.Together, we explore:The darkness of Isaiah's day—a people crushed by Assyria, trapped in fear, and running toward everything but the Lord for help.The surprising promise of God—that the regions hit hardest by judgment would become the first to see salvation when the Light Himself arrived.The identity of the promised Child, and how each of Isaiah's titles points clearly and beautifully to Jesus.The peace Jesus brings, not by removing us from the world's brokenness but by stepping into it and reconciling us to God through His cross.Why the peace of Jesus isn't fragile or temporary, but rooted in His unchanging character, His finished work, and His everlasting reign.This week's study reminds us that peace isn't a feeling—it's a Person, and that Person has come. Jesus is the Prince of Peace who enters our darkness, steadies our restless hearts, and promises to be with His people always.---If you would like to see a written version of this study, complete with footnotes and cross-references, you can find it here.

Today we come to one of the most fascinating times in the history of the kingdom of Judah, an amazing king who does amazing things by the power of an amazing God. But first we take a look at King Ahaz who ruled from 731-715 BC. In 2 Kings 16:2-3 we read that Ahaz did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord. He followed the ways of other kings, even sacrificing his son in the fire. King Ahaz     ⁃    Finds himself under attack by Pekah and Rezin     ⁃    Discovers there is a price to pay when you turn your back on the Living God     ⁃    Seeks help from the Assyrians - Assyria was a massive growing super power.     ⁃    Then God brings a rebuke through the prophet Isaiah (a most effective and influential prophet) but Ahaz refuses to listen.     ⁃    Ahaz continues to turn away from God and desecrated the Temple of God as he continues to rebel against God.     ⁃    His rebellion brings sadness and tragedy and he continues to suffer military attacks. During Ahaz's reign in Judah, we read in 2 Kings 17:5-6 that Israel is defeated by the Assyrians after a 3 year siege. At the end of Ahaz's reign we see that in spite of the faithlessness of God's people, God remains faithful.  The next king of Judah is one of the best. King Hezekiah is Ahaz's son and Hezakiah rules 715-686 BC. King Hezekiah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. 2 Kings 18:3.   King Hezekiah     ⁃    In the first month of the first year of his reign he had the Temple cleansed. 2 Chronicles 29:3-5     ⁃    Then Hezekiah holds a national Passover celebration inviting all of Israel and Judah. They had a 2 week Passover celebration. 2 Chronicles 30:1.     ⁃    Hezekiah destroys the sacred stones, high places and Asherah poles and also brakes into pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had used to God's glory but that had become an idol of the Israelites who had been burning incense to it. 2 Kings 18:4      ⁃    Hezekiah is facing the enemy of Assyria as they are coming to conquer Jerusalem and so in 2 Kings 20:20 we read that he built a tunnel and a pool. In the 1880's the Siloam Inscription was discovered. It tells the story of the building of the tunnel. Hezekiah built this tunnel to ensure there would be water when under siege by the Assyrian army by diverting the Gehon spring into Jerusalem leaving no fresh water available to the Assyrian army.      ⁃    Then the siege begins against Jerusalem. 2 Kings 18:28-29 the king's commander, speaking in Hebrew, calls out that the king of Assyria says that Hezekiah has deceived you because he will not be able to deliver you from me and my army. The king of Assyria is trying to get the people in Jerusalem to just give up.     ⁃    Then Hezekiah prays a beautiful prayer - 2 Kings 19:15-16 and God listens and the King of Assyria is defeated by God Himself. 2 Kings 19:35-36. The Assyrians withdraw and return to Nineveh and the siege is ended.     ⁃    Then Hezekiah becomes very ill to the point of death. Isaiah comes to Hezekiah to tell him to put his house in order. Hezekiah weeps and prays and God sees Hezekiah's tears and hears his prayer and God heals him. 2 Kings 20:1-5      ⁃    Hezekiah is visited by the Babylonians, a rising power that will ultimately defeat the Assyrians. 2 Kings 20:13 we read of Hezekiah being tempted by pride. The prophet Isaiah then brings a word to Hezekiah telling him that everything you just showed off to the Babylonians will be taken by Babylonians. Hezekiah repents.     ⁃    The prophets Micah and Isaiah were very active during Hezekiah's reign.     ⁃    Hezekiah was one of the greatest kings the nation had ever known. 2 Kings 18:5-6 tells us that Hezekiah trusted the Lord, that there was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, both before and after him, that Hezekiah held fast to the Lord and did not stop following God and that he kept the commands of the Lord. Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

In this sermon on Isaiah 9, Pastor Jared Richard explores how God prepared for Christmas centuries before Christ's birth. Using the analogy of a Ferrero Rocher chocolate with its layers, Pastor Richard unpacks three prophetic layers: the failure of faithless King Ahaz who trusted Assyria rather than God, the promise of a greater king described with four divine titles (Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace), and finally the arrival of Jesus as the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy. The sermon highlights how we, like Ahaz, often seek peace through human wisdom, politics, wealth, or idolatry instead of trusting God. Just as God demonstrated His power through weakness when Gideon defeated the Midianites, He sent His Son as a child to conquer our greatest enemies—sin, Satan, and death. While Christ's first coming allows us peace with God, we await His return for the complete fulfillment of Isaiah's promise of eternal peace.   WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! Take a moment to fill out our digital connection card here: https://www.bayleaf.org/connect We hope you enjoy this programming and please let us know if there is anything we can do to be of service to you.   ONE CHURCH. TWO LOCATIONS. ONE MISSION. Bay Leaf at Falls Lake: 12200 Bayleaf Church Road, Raleigh, North Carolina 27614 Bay Leaf at 540: 10921 Leesville Rd, Raleigh, NC 27613   SERVICE TIMES Come join us on Sundays at Bay Leaf at Falls Lake (8:30 AM or 11:00 AM) or at Bay Leaf at 540 (10:00 AM)!   CONTACT www.bayleaf.org (919) 847-4477 #BayLeafLife #Worship #Inspiration

7.1 In the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, son of Uzziah, king of Judah, Rezin the king of Syria and Pekah the son of Remaliah the king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to wage war against it, but could not yet mount an attack against it. 2 When the house of David was told, “Syria is in league with Ephraim,” the heart of Ahaz and the heart of his people shook as the trees of the forest shake before the wind.3 And the Lord said to Isaiah, “Go out to meet Ahaz, you and Shear-jashub your son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool on the highway to the Washer's Field. 4 And say to him, ‘Be careful, be quiet, do not fear, and do not let your heart be faint because of these two smoldering stumps of firebrands, at the fierce anger of Rezin and Syria and the son of Remaliah. 5 Because Syria, with Ephraim and the son of Remaliah, has devised evil against you, saying, 6 “Let us go up against Judah and terrify it, and let us conquer it for ourselves, and set up the son of Tabeel as king in the midst of it,” 7 thus says the Lord God:“‘It shall not stand,    and it shall not come to pass.8 For the head of Syria is Damascus,    and the head of Damascus is Rezin.And within sixty-five years    Ephraim will be shattered from being a people.9 And the head of Ephraim is Samaria,    and the head of Samaria is the son of Remaliah.If you are not firm in faith,    you will not be firm at all.'”10 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz: 11 “Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” 12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.” 13 And he said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 15 He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. 16 For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted. 17 The Lord will bring upon you and upon your people and upon your father's house such days as have not come since the day that Ephraim departed from Judah—the king of Assyria!”

Ranking Resilience and the Importance of Water: Colleague Eric Cline uses definitions from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change—coping, adapting, and transforming—to rank ancient civilizations, attributing the survival of Egypt and Assyria partly to their access to major river systems, a resource the failed Hittite empire lacked; the Phoenicians and Cypriots are ranked highest for "transforming" and becoming antifragile, while Egypt is described as merely "coping," and the Cypriots eventually lost their independence to Assyrian expansion despite their initial post-collapse success. 1953 Retry

Genesis 25-26   25:1 Now Abraham took another wife, whose name was Keturah. 2 She bore to him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. 3 Jokshan fathered Sheba and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim. 4 The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All of these were the sons of Keturah. 5 Now Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac; 6 but to the sons of his concubines, Abraham gave gifts while he was still living, and sent them away from his son Isaac eastward, to the land of the east. 7 These are all the years of Abraham's life that he lived, 175 years. 8 Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and satisfied with life; and he was gathered to his people. 9 Then his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, facing Mamre, 10 the field which Abraham purchased from the sons of Heth; there Abraham was buried with his wife Sarah. 11 It came about after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac; and Isaac lived by Beer-lahai-roi. 12 Now these are the records of the generations of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's slave woman, bore to Abraham; 13 and these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, in the order of their birth: Nebaioth, the firstborn of Ishmael, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, 14 Mishma, Dumah, Massa, 15 Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. 16 These are the sons of Ishmael and these are their names, by their villages, and by their camps; twelve princes according to their tribes. 17 These are the years of the life of Ishmael, 137 years; and he breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people. 18 They settled from Havilah to Shur which is east of Egypt going toward Assyria; he settled in defiance of all his relatives. 19 Now these are the records of the generations of Isaac, Abraham's son: Abraham fathered Isaac; 20 and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean, to be his wife. 21 Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was unable to have children; and the Lord answered him, and his wife Rebekah conceived. 22 But the children struggled together within her; and she said, “If it is so, why am I in this condition?” So she went to inquire of the Lord. 23 And the Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb; And two peoples will be separated from your body; And one people will be stronger than the other; And the older will serve the younger.” 24 When her days leading to the delivery were at an end, behold, there were twins in her womb. 25 Now the first came out red, all over like a hairy garment; and they named him Esau. 26 Afterward his brother came out with his hand holding on to Esau's heel, so he was named Jacob; and Isaac was sixty years old when she gave birth to them. 27 When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field; but Jacob was a civilized man, living in tents. 28 Now Isaac loved Esau because he had a taste for game; but Rebekah loved Jacob. 29 When Jacob had cooked a stew one day, Esau came in from the field and he was exhausted; 30 and Esau said to Jacob, “Please let me have a mouthful of that red stuff there, for I am exhausted.” Therefore he was called Edom by name. 31 But Jacob said, “First sell me your birthright.” 32 Esau said, “Look, I am about to die; so of what use then is the birthright to me?” 33 And Jacob said, “First swear to me”; so he swore an oath to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew; and he ate and drank, and got up and went on his way. So Esau despised his birthright.   26:1 Now there was a famine in the land, besides the previous famine that had occurred in the days of Abraham. So Isaac went to Gerar, to Abimelech king of the Philistines. 2 And the Lord appeared to him and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; stay in the land of which I shall tell you. 3 Live for a time in this land and I will be with you and bless you, for to you and to your descendants I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath which I swore to your father Abraham. 4 I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven, and will give your descendants all these lands; and by your descendants all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, 5 because Abraham obeyed Me and fulfilled his duty to Me, and kept My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.” 6 So Isaac lived in Gerar. 7 When the men of the place asked about his wife, he said, “She is my sister,” for he was afraid to say, “my wife,” thinking, “the men of the place might kill me on account of Rebekah, since she is beautiful.” 8 Now it came about, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked down through a window, and saw them, and behold, Isaac was caressing his wife Rebekah. 9 Then Abimelech called Isaac and said, “Behold, she certainly is your wife! So how is it that you said, ‘She is my sister'?” And Isaac said to him, “Because I thought, ‘otherwise I might be killed on account of her.'” 10 And Abimelech said, “What is this that you have done to us? One of the people might easily have slept with your wife, and you would have brought guilt upon us.” 11 So Abimelech commanded all the people, saying, “He who touches this man or his wife will certainly be put to death.” 12 Now Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundred times as much. And the Lord blessed him, 13 and the man became rich, and continued to grow richer until he became very wealthy; 14 for he had possessions of flocks and herds, and a great household, so that the Philistines envied him. 15 Now all the wells which his father's servants had dug in the days of his father Abraham, the Philistines stopped up by filling them with dirt. 16 Then Abimelech said to Isaac, “Go away from us, for you are too powerful for us.” 17 So Isaac departed from there and camped in the Valley of Gerar, and settled there. 18 Then Isaac dug again the wells of water which had been dug in the days of his father Abraham, for the Philistines had stopped them up after the death of Abraham; and he gave them the same names which his father had given them. 19 But when Isaac's servants dug in the valley and found there a well of flowing water, 20 the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with the herdsmen of Isaac, saying, “The water is ours!” So he named the well Esek, because they argued with him. 21 Then they dug another well, and they quarreled over it too, so he named it Sitnah. 22 Then he moved away from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it; so he named it Rehoboth, for he said, “At last the Lord has made room for us, and we will be fruitful in the land.” 23 And he went up from there to Beersheba. 24 And the Lord appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham; Do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants, For the sake of My servant Abraham.” 25 So he built an altar there and called upon the name of the Lord, and pitched his tent there; and there Isaac's servants dug a well. 26 Then Abimelech came to him from Gerar with his adviser Ahuzzath, and Phicol the commander of his army. 27 Isaac said to them, “Why have you come to me, since you hate me and have sent me away from you?” 28 They said, “We have seen plainly that the Lord has been with you; so we said, ‘An oath must now be taken by us,' that is, by you and us. So let us make a covenant with you, 29 that you will do us no harm, just as we have not touched you and have done to you nothing but good, and have sent you away in peace. You are now the blessed of the Lord.” 30 Then he made them a feast, and they ate and drank. 31 In the morning they got up early and exchanged oaths; then Isaac sent them away, and they left him in peace. 32 Now it came about on the same day, that Isaac's servants came in and told him about the well which they had dug, and said to him, “We have found water.” 33 So he called it Shibah; therefore the name of the city is Beersheba to this day. 34 When Esau was forty years old he married Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite; 35 and they brought grief to Isaac and Rebekah.     BIBLE READING GUIDE - FREE EBOOK - Get the free eBook, Bible in Life, to help you learn how to read and apply the Bible well: https://www.listenerscommentary.com     GIVE -  The Listener's Commentary is a listener supported Bible teaching ministry made possible by the generosity of people like you. Thank you! Give here:  https://www.listenerscommentary.com/give     STUDY HUB - Want more than the audio? Join the study hub to access articles, maps, charts, pictures, and links to other resources to help you study the Bible for yourself. https://www.listenerscommentary.com/members-sign-up   MORE TEACHING - For more resources and Bible teaching from John visit https://www.johnwhittaker.net 

Isaiah 7:1-17 When Ahaz, son of Jotham and grandson of Uzziah, was king of Judah, King Rezin of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah, the king of Israel, set out to attack Jerusalem. However, they were unable to carry out their plan.2 The news had come to the royal court of Judah: “Syria is allied with Israel against us!” So the hearts of the king and his people trembled with fear, like trees shaking in a storm.3 Then the Lord said to Isaiah, “Take your son Shear-jashub and go out to meet King Ahaz. You will find him at the end of the aqueduct that feeds water into the upper pool, near the road leading to the field where cloth is washed. 4 Tell him to stop worrying. Tell him he doesn't need to fear the fierce anger of those two burned-out embers, King Rezin of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah. 5 Yes, the kings of Syria and Israel are plotting against him, saying, 6 ‘We will attack Judah and capture it for ourselves. Then we will install the son of Tabeel as Judah's king.' 7 But this is what the Sovereign Lord says:“This invasion will never happen; it will never take place; 8 for Syria is no stronger than its capital, Damascus, and Damascus is no stronger than its king, Rezin. As for Israel, within sixty-five years it will be crushed and completely destroyed. 9 Israel is no stronger than its capital, Samaria, and Samaria is no stronger than its king, Pekah son of Remaliah. Unless your faith is firm, I cannot make you stand firm.”The Sign of Immanuel 10 Later, the Lord sent this message to King Ahaz: 11 “Ask the Lord your God for a sign of confirmation, Ahaz. Make it as difficult as you want—as high as heaven or as deep as the place of the dead.”12 But the king refused. “No,” he said, “I will not test the Lord like that.”13 Then Isaiah said, “Listen well, you royal family of David! Isn't it enough to exhaust human patience? Must you exhaust the patience of my God as well? 14 All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us'). 15 By the time this child is old enough to choose what is right and reject what is wrong, he will be eating yogurt and honey. 16 For before the child is that old, the lands of the two kings you fear so much will both be deserted.17 “Then the Lord will bring things on you, your nation, and your family unlike anything since Israel broke away from Judah. He will bring the king of Assyria upon you!”Matthew 1:18-25 18 This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord's message through his prophet:23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.'”24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. 25 But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.

Feeling pulled in a hundred directions? In this message, Pastor Eric Robertson will be sharing how the Wonderful Counselor can cut through all of the noise. King Ahaz (2 Kings 16:1-20) became the King of Judah at 20 years old. The nation of Israel was fractured after Solomon's reign. The Northern Kingdom and their alliances made Judah unstable. Isaiah tells Ahaz and the nation to repent and return to God, then God will deal with the Northern Kingdom (Isaiah 7:8–9). Ahaz refuses and instead creates an unholy alliance with Assyria, using the temple's gold and silver as payment. Assyria helps Ahaz defeat the North, but Ahaz began worshipping Assyrian gods (1 Kings 16:15–19.What does this have to do with Christmas?After Ahaz rejects God's counsel, Isaiah prophesies again:Isaiah 9:6–7For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace... He will reign on David's throne... with justice and righteousness... The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.God will solve not only Israel's problems but the world's problems... with a child. In this series, we will look at the four names of this child and see how the names of Jesus can still save the world and save you.God's Got a PlanWe hear Wonderful Counselor and think Jesus is simply someone we vent to, but what if He is your strategist? "Wonderful Counselor" in Hebrew is:peleʾ—divine, miraculous, beyond comprehensionyoʿetz—counselor or strategistWhy the Confusion?We don't have a handful of trusted voices—we have many, and we're faithful to none.We don't want to get things wrong.We want to control outcomes without owning failures. Result... analysis paralysis. Jesus becomes a voice among many.What are we missing?The issue isn't a lack of strategies but too many, and we aren't committed to the one that matters. Our spiritual lives aren't led by King Jesus but by worldly advisors. The names given to Jesus in Isaiah 9 are names of God. Ahaz's willingness to adopt any counsel made him unable to live out his calling. The way of Jesus is not one way among many—it is the ONLY way.Jesus is not just an Advisor; He is The Advisor. His way works only when we fully commit.Matthew 13:44–45 — We don't add the Gospel; we sell the farm and buy the field.Matthew 16:24–26 — We need single-hearted obedience. God's wisdom often contradicts the world's.When we are faithful to God's counsel, we receive God's outcome.Next Steps: One Way, One Voice, One CounselorPick ONE thing God is dealing with you about and obey.Remove ONE voice that weakens your walk.Give God ONE moment of undivided attention daily.Are you following the Wonderful Counsel of Jesus?

Click here to WATCH LIVE STREAM Worship Service on our Youtube Channel. “Christmas, Part 1” Micah 5:2-5 Micah 4:11-13 Now many nations are assembled against you, saying, “Let her be defiled, and let our eyes gaze upon Zion.” 12 But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD; they do not understand his plan, that he has gathered them as sheaves to the threshing floor. 13 Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion, for I will make your horn iron, and I will make your hoofs bronze; you shall beat in pieces many peoples; and shall devote their gain to the Lord, their wealth to the Lord of the whole earth. Micah 5:1 Now muster your troops, O daughter of troops; siege is laid against us; with a rod they strike the judge of Israel on the cheek. Micah 5:2-6 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. 3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel. 4 And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. 5 And he shall be their peace. When the Assyrian comes into our land and treads in our palaces, then we will raise against him seven shepherds and eight princes of men; 6 they shall shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod at its entrances; and he shall deliver us from the Assyrian when he comes into our land and treads within our border. · God's gracious promise. Micah 5:2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. Matthew 2:3-6 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'” Micah 5:3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel. Micah 4:9-10 Now why do you cry aloud? Is there no king in you? Has your counselor perished, that pain seized you like a woman in labor? 10 Writhe and groan, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in labor, for now you shall go out from the city and dwell in the open country; you shall go to Babylon. There you shall be rescued; there the Lord will redeem you from the hand of your enemies. Genesis 35:16-19 Then they journeyed from Bethel. When they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel went into labor, and she had hard labor. 17 And when her labor was at its hardest, the midwife said to her, “Do not fear, for you have another son.” 18 And as her soul was departing (for she was dying), she called his name Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin. 19 So Rachel died, and she was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem) Galatians 4:4-7 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. · God's great King. Micah 5:4-5a And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. 5 And he shall be their peace. John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. Deuteronomy 33:12 Of Benjamin he said, “The beloved of the Lord dwells in safety. The High God surrounds him all day long, and dwells between his shoulders.” Ephesians 2:13-14 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility Isaiah 9:6-7 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. · God's victorious plan. Micah 5:5b-6 When the Assyrian comes into our land and treads in our palaces, then we will raise against him seven shepherds and eight princes of men; 6 they shall shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod at its entrances; and he shall deliver us from the Assyrian when he comes into our land and treads within our border. Micah 5:7 Then the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many peoples like dew from the Lord, like showers on the grass, which delay not for a man nor wait for the children of man. Micah 5:8-9 And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples, like a lion among the beasts of the forest, like a young lion among the flocks of sheep, which, when it goes through, treads down and tears in pieces, and there is none to deliver. 9 Your hand shall be lifted up over your adversaries, and all your enemies shall be cut off. Matthew 16:18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell[ shall not prevail against it. Revelation 12:10-11 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. 11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Respond | Connect | Next Steps The post Christmas 1 appeared first on Charleston Baptist Church.

Isaiah 8:14-15 confronts the reader with a sobering and unavoidable truth: every person must decide what the Lord will be to them: a Rock of refuge or a Rock of offense. As Isaiah speaks to Judah in a time of national panic, political scheming, and spiritual drifting, he announces that the crisis before them is not merely geopolitical but profoundly theological. The people are scrambling for alliances, leaning on Assyria for protection, and embracing conspiratorial fears rather than trusting the Lord. Into this climate of anxiety, the prophet declares that God Himself will become the dividing line of the nation. To those who fear Him, He is a sanctuary—a place of stability when everything else collapses. But to those who resist Him, He becomes a stone in their path, a rock that causes them to trip and be shattered. Isaiah shows that God is not simply an option among many; He is the determining reality of their destiny. Whether one finds safety or judgment depends entirely on one's response to Him. This passage sets the stage for a timeless truth: God's presence is either the believer's greatest protection or the unbeliever's greatest peril, and how a person relates to the Rock reveals the actual condition of the heart.

Nahum is the sequel to the book of Jonah. Assyria, whose capital was Nineveh, was exceptionally bloodthirsty and evil. The repentance there under Jonah was unprecedented and never repeated anywhere. God used Nahum to predict the total destruction of the city which returned to wickedness: Nahum 1:1 (LSB): "The oracle of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite." From the few things Nahum writes which allow us to zero in on the timing, it appears it was only 20 to 50 years from Nahum's prophecy until the total destruction of Nineveh. There's nothing complicated in Nahum, just the sober and straightforward word from God that He was going to judge the evil nation Assyria and her capital Nineveh for idolatry and cruelty. The repentance of the Ninevites was genuine–Jesus Himself said so. But alas, as majestic as was the glory of God's grace showered upon Nineveh in the days of Jonah, genuine faith in the true God waned in the following generations. Old patterns resurfaced. Assyria crumbled from within because they spurned God and forfeited His blessings. It's interesting that God didn't tell Jonah what was ultimately going to happen to Nineveh. God knew all about it, but it wasn't Jonah's place to know. Remember that! Living by faith does not come with details about what's going to happen. You need to seek God's wisdom, make your choices, and trust Him to work through them. God does not owe you explanations. The opening line in the trailer to the movie sequel to Jonah would be "Nahum: God's Vengeance" if not "Nineveh: The Sequel." 1 - Wrath Is Poured Out Like Fire (Ch 1) 2 - Behold, I Am Against You (Ch 2) 3 - Your Wound Is Incurable (Ch 3)

When life leaves us shaken by fear, anxiety, broken promises, sickness, family tensions or financial pressure, can we really trust God to keep His promises? In this sermon, we trace the story of King Ahaz, Israel, Assyria and the coming Messiah, and see how God proves Himself to be a promise-keeping God who gives strength to stand firm in the fight and a word of hope in season. We explore what it means to listen to God's story, not the story in our head, and how Jesus' birth, death and resurrection confirm that every promise of God finds its “Yes” in Him. If you need prayer, we're here for you. Reach out at ⁠www.gatewaybaptist.com.au/prayerNew to faith or returning to Jesus today? We'd love to help you take a next step. Reach out via gtwy.au/online and our team will connect with you.Subscribe for more content to help you grow as a fully devoted follower of Jesus: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/GatewayBaptistChurchAus?sub_confirmation=1Key ScripturesIsaiah 7:1–17 Isaiah 40:28–31Galatians 6:9Micah 6:8Matthew 1:18–23 John 10:27 Hebrews 10:23________________________Gateway Baptist Church meets across six locations in South-East Queensland and online.For over 90 years, we've been committed to guiding people to become fully devoted followers of Jesus.Learn more about us at ⁠https://gatewaybaptist.com.au⁠ or join us on Sundays at ⁠gtwy.au/live#HopeInTheDark #JesusSaves #FaithInTheStorm #GatewayBaptist #Gospel #Salvation #Jesus #Faith #Christian #Church #Churchonline #GatewayOnline #JasonElsmore

Like Jonah before him, the prophet Nahum preaches devastation and ruin for Ninevah, the capital of Assyria, a place of unparalleled power and wealth. Though they thought themselves to be secure from danger, their downfall came after nearby rivers flooded the city and destroyed part of the city wall, allowing Babylon to enter easily and set it ablaze. Later in Habakkuk, the prophet of the same name is recorded speaking to the Lord on behalf of his people. He openly and honestly struggles with understanding why God would allow injustice to prevail. By his conversation with the Lord, we are reminded of the sovereign power and authority of God, who calls the righteous to live by faith.Nahum 1 - 1:15 . Nahum 2 - 4:27 . Nahum 3 - 7:20 . Habakkuk 1 - 12:54 . Habakkuk 2 - 16:20 . Habakkuk 3 - 20:55 . Psalm 149 - 25:02 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

When did Assyria invade Israel? Come Bible Study WITH ME through 2 Kings 17 and ask all the questions!

This chapter marks a transition, as the prophet shifts his attention from Israel to the nations. The Lord has sworn to judge the nations for their unbelief. Alex, Jim, and Sam discuss Isaiah 13–14.

Sargon II of Assyria faces a crisis of legitimacy after a humiliating defeat, but transforms potential disaster into triumph through military genius and calculated brutality. This episode chronicles his desperate 720 BCE campaign from Mesopotamia to the Levant, where he perfects combined arms warfare and decimates Samaria so thoroughly that ten tribes of Israel vanish from history.Following his controversial rise to power, Sargon must prove divine favor through victory or lose everything. Watch as he masters siege warfare with unprecedented tactical sophistication, deploying battering rams under coordinated covering fire to crack fortress walls that stymied his predecessors. His lightning campaign against Yahu-Bihdi's coalition demonstrates the Assyrian war machine at peak efficiency—mass deportations, public flayings, and systematic urban destruction become instruments of imperial control.The episode explores Sargon's subsequent campaigns along Assyria's contested frontiers, from the fragmenting Mannean kingdom in the Zagros Mountains to rebellious Tabal under Phrygian influence. Detailed correspondence reveals the mechanics of ancient border warfare, including an elaborate ruse involving fake fortress construction to ambush Urartian raiders. We examine how Sargon manipulates succession crises, deploys intelligence networks, and uses overwhelming force—sometimes fielding armies larger than entire city populations—to maintain imperial dominance against Urartu, Phrygia, and internal dissent.The narrative culminates with the mysterious fall of Carchemish, the last Neo-Hittite vassal, whose wealth funds Sargon's most ambitious project yet: a new capital city that will bear both his glory and an ominous curse.I am also doing daily history facts again, at least until I run out of time again. You can find Oldest Stories daily on Tiktok and Youtube Shorts.If you like the show, consider sharing with your friends, leaving a like, subscribing, or even supporting financially:Buy the Oldest Stories books: https://a.co/d/7Wn4jhSDonate here: https://oldeststories.net/or on patreon: https://patreon.com/JamesBleckleyor on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCG2tPxnHNNvMd0VrInekaA/joinYoutube and Patreon members get access to bonus content about Egyptian culture and myths.

“The Lord is a jealous God, filled with vengeance and rage. He takes revenge on all who oppose him and continues to rage against his enemies! The Lord is slow to get angry, but his power is great, and he never lets the guilty go unpunished.” - Nahum 1:2-3The book of Nahum, the 34th book of the Old Testament, is somewhat a companion to Jonah. When we read Jonah, we saw God send Jonah to Nineveh to repent of their ways and, what do you know, they did! Well Nahum picks up a little while later and we see Nineveh has gone back to their old ways and Nahum is now foretelling God's judgment on Assyria and its capitol, Nineveh. Nahum isn't long, it's only three chapters, so you may be wondering, “How on earth is this episode on Nahum an hour and twenty minutes long?” Don't let Nahum's length fool you - it is an incredibly rich portrait of who God is and, specifically, his relationship to evil. To help us navigate the book of Nahum is Dr. Thomas Renz, Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at Oak Hill Theological College in London and author of a commentary on Nahum. In this conversation, Dr. Renz takes us deep in the heart of Nahum - I reckon you can't get a better overview of this book anywhere else. Doable Discipleship is a Saddleback Church podcast produced and hosted by Jason Wieland. It premiered in 2017 and now offers more than 450 episodes. Episodes release every Tuesday on your favorite podcast app and on the Saddleback Church YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/saddleback).Subscribe to the Doable Discipleship podcast at Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/doable-discipleship/id1240966935) or Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1Zc9nuwQZOLadbFCZCmZ1V)Related Doable Discipleship Episodes: Navigating the Bible: Micah - https://youtu.be/Tcm3HykhkS8Navigating the Bible: Jonah - https://youtu.be/PxhIyhLSgJQNavigating the Bible: Obadiah - https://youtu.be/jB6W-TM5Y-oNavigating the Bible: Amos - https://youtu.be/8DqVHu7leDUNavigating the Bible: Joel - https://youtu.be/Ilg6r300q4UNavigating the Bible: Hosea - https://youtu.be/nWZ4TuAUSRQNavigating the Bible: Daniel - https://youtu.be/bnQ-PioWxfgNavigating the Bible: Ezekiel - https://youtu.be/hlg6gBYxqsgNavigating the Bible: Lamentations - https://youtu.be/6rrizlXeYXENavigating the Bible: Jeremiah - https://youtu.be/lXPjWl8PdRkNavigating the Bible: Isaiah - https://youtu.be/NZJLaPkgEgsNavigating the Bible: Song of Songs - https://youtu.be/Sg0CYlNBVMgNavigating the Bible: Ecclesiastes - https://youtu.be/-Wr7LCh8F9ENavigating the Bible: Proverbs - https://youtu.be/DytRT5AsZg8Navigating the Bible: Psalms - https://youtu.be/oZeesooAYUINavigating the Bible: Job - https://youtu.be/14jaf2T1eCQNavigating the Bible: Esther - https://youtu.be/7RZ7ATWQZucNavigating the Bible: Nehemiah - https://youtu.be/Gok4WDgwn5INavigating the Bible: Ezra - https://youtu.be/aBC0nEjYeyoNavigating the Bible: 2 Chronicles - https://youtu.be/OG3rHTgMgEINavigating the Bible: 1 Chronicles - https://youtu.be/lQ_Qc4zbfgANavigating the Bible: 2 Kings - https://youtu.be/04q9gDhBKTkNavigating the Bible: 1 Kings - https://youtu.be/aS-KoeQXl2kNavigating the Bible: 2 Samuel - https://youtu.be/ZbpafGgOW7cNavigating the Bible: 1 Samuel - https://youtu.be/lY8wPElSFMYNavigating the Bible: Rute - https://youtu.be/YaH-t-ZzTaMNavigating the Bible: Judges - https://youtu.be/qNGcOf2o0NUNavigating the Bible: Joshua - https://youtu.be/hF28aThBtFsNavigating the Bible: Deuteronomy - https://youtu.be/HzmNgPOM4zUNavigating the Bible: Numbers - https://youtu.be/H1HO6V9HDxsNavigating the Bible: Leviticus - https://youtu.be/08RhDCXYex4Navigating the Bible: Exodus - https://youtu.be/NB9UTpS1F3MNavigating the Bible: Genesis - https://youtu.be/ddhjMfOoasAInspiring Dreams by Keys of Moon | https://soundcloud.com/keysofmoonMusic promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/Creative Commons CC BY 4.0https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Thoughts on the Bible Readings December 3rd (Job 3, 4; Jonah 4; Hebrews 10)The initial suffering of Job is intensified in chapters 3-41 as we are told of his education. Following the drift of the conversations and the unfolding drama in Job can be complex. Recommended reading to assist the above is available from CSSS -"The Education of Job" by David Baird. In chapter 3 Job is in such despair that he mourns his birth. Surely many of us have been there at some time in our life, but we should never lose hope - when we cannot help ourselves, God can and is willing and waiting for us to commit ourselves to Him in continual prayer. If it wasn't for the pathetic situation Job found himself in, the imagery and poetry is magnificent. One after another the metaphors of his tragedy are multiplied. Job 3verses13-19 tell us that in death people are unconscious and are as though they had never existed. From verses 20-26 the question is asked, "Would it have been better to have never existed, than to be enlightened and find oneself in the condition that Job now found himself?" Job 4 is about the response of Eliphaz who most likely was the eldest of Job's friends. The great error of his discourse that was widely believed at this time was, that God pays back people swiftly for their actions - right, or wrong. It is known as the doctrine of exact retribution. So, the argument of Eliphaz is that the innocent never suffer. And since you, Job, are suffering you must be guilty. Verse 7 is the key to Eliphaz's discourse. From verse 8 to the chapter's end Eliphaz says, this is what I have found in my experience. The record of the book of Job is not an endorsement of the beliefs of any of the friends. It is simply a record of what was said among them. In chapter 4 several of Eliphaz's views supposed spiritual views on the spiritual world are found to be false.Jonah 4 concludes the book with the mission, which God gave him, being accomplished. Yet Yahweh must still teach the prophet some important lessons. In those lessons we find a great contrast between our God's compassion and the prophet's anger. Jonah, still the great patriot who knew what God would bring upon guilty Israel through the Assyrians, said to his Sovereign, I should not have done what you asked, since You are true to Your revealed character. God now will re-educate His prophet. Jonah left the city in a bad mood brooding on what would follow. The temperature intensely rose and Jonah's misery increased. And so, Yahweh in His kindness caused a gourd grow to rapidly and shade the prophet. Jonah was thankful for this. But then, just as quickly a grub destroyed the gourd. Jonah was outraged and complained to God, who told the prophet that the Almighty had worked two miracles, as was His right, to teach Jonah that Assyria was God's and did not belong to the prophet. Even the animals of Nineveh were under God's care. Today, the modern city of Mosul is built on the site of ancient Nineveh. The Taliban constructed massive tunnels beneath the city. And though there is no record of where Jonah went, or what he did, after the book's end, archaeologists have found beneath the city of Nineveh a tomb with the inscription, "Nabi Yonas" (i.e. the prophet Jonah). So, it appears the lessons were learnt and the prophet continued to labour preaching God's Word to the Assyrians.

He was a Galilean of the tribe of Simeon. The Old Testament book that bears his name foretells the destruction of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, by the Medes, and the restoration of the Kingdom of Judah; all of this came to pass. Nahum is counted as the seventh of the Minor Prophets. He reposed in peace. His name means 'consolation' or 'repose.'   Five of the Prophets (Nahum, Habbakuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, and Daniel) are commemorated in December. At one time a Feast of the Twelve Prophets was celebrated on December 4 at the Church of the Resurrection, but this feast is no longer on the calendar. The days leading up to Christ's Nativity contain many commemorations of the faithful remnant of Israel, all of whose hopes were fulfilled in the birth of the Messiah.

He was a Galilean of the tribe of Simeon. The Old Testament book that bears his name foretells the destruction of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, by the Medes, and the restoration of the Kingdom of Judah; all of this came to pass. Nahum is counted as the seventh of the Minor Prophets. He reposed in peace. His name means 'consolation' or 'repose.'   Five of the Prophets (Nahum, Habbakuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, and Daniel) are commemorated in December. At one time a Feast of the Twelve Prophets was celebrated on December 4 at the Church of the Resurrection, but this feast is no longer on the calendar. The days leading up to Christ's Nativity contain many commemorations of the faithful remnant of Israel, all of whose hopes were fulfilled in the birth of the Messiah.

Genesis 2: 5-16; 3: 8-15 ESV Genesis 2: 5-165 When no bush of the field was yet in the land and no small plant of the field had yet sprung up—for the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the land, and there was no man to work the ground, 6 and a mist was going up from the land and was watering the whole face of the ground— 7 then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. 8 And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. 9 And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.10 A river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and there it divided and became four rivers. 11 The name of the first is the Pishon. It is the one that flowed around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12 And the gold of that land is good; bdellium and onyx stone are there. 13 The name of the second river is the Gihon. It is the one that flowed around the whole land of Cush. 14 And the name of the third river is the Tigris, which flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden,Genesis 3: 8-158 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” 11 He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” 12 The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” 13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”14 The Lord God said to the serpent,“Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field;on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life.15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring;he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

We like to plan. But, oftentimes, our planning reflects a desire to be in control of our lives rather than giving control to God. This is the exact spot King Ahaz finds himself in Isaiah 7. Israel and Aram have come against him, and rather than asking the Lord for his help, he has already made plans to go to Assyria for help. It's in Ahaz's example and Isaiah's prophetic sign that we see our sinful rebellion requires Christ to be the present and sovereign king.

Brandon Fisher | Nov 30 2025 In a time when everything felt dark and uncertain—when war loomed, morality was crumbling, and hope seemed lost—God offered a promise that still speaks to us today. The people of Judah, led by King Ahaz, were placing their trust in the wrong things, hoping that Assyria could save them. But through Isaiah, God pointed them to the true source of hope: a coming Messiah. Jesus would be the light to break through the darkness, the joy that lifts sorrow, and the Savior who breaks the chains of bondage. He would come not just to rescue, but to reign—restoring us to God, making all things right, and establishing a kingdom of peace that will never end. In our own times of darkness or uncertainty, this same Jesus is our unshakable hope as we trust in him and wait for his return.

The story opens in the thick of fear: Judah is staring down Assyria, a king is hedging his bets, and the air feels heavy with failure. Then Isaiah drops a word that turns the whole room—nevertheless. From that hinge, we trace how a land soaked in gloom hears the unthinkable promise of a Child who will carry the government, right wrongs with justice and righteousness, and bring a peace that doesn't crack under pressure.We walk through Isaiah 9:1–7 with fresh eyes, connecting the prophecy to its fulfillment in the life of Jesus. Galilee's shame becomes the stage for glory. Bethlehem anchors the promise in David's line. The titles are not poetry for greeting cards; they are the concrete credentials of a Savior who is both transcendent and near: Wonderful Counselor for confused minds, Mighty God for real threats, Everlasting Father for restless hearts, Prince of Peace for fractured homes and nations. Along the way, we draw a line to John's language of light—bold, unquenchable, personal—and we talk about what it means for light to confront darkness in our habits, systems, and hopes.This Advent, we invite you to practice stubborn hope. Name the darkness honestly, then cling to the God who writes himself into the story and breaks the yoke we thought we had to carry. If you need wisdom, he counsels. If you face fear, he fights. If you long for belonging, he fathers. If your world feels divided, he makes peace. The zeal of the Lord will do this is not a wish; it's a guarantee signed by God. Join us, share this message with someone who needs light, and if it helps you, leave a rating and review so others can find the hope you found today.

Even the greatest heroes of faith are still subject to human weakness. In this episode, Dr. John Neufeld examines King Hezekiah—one of Judah's most godly kings—who after being miraculously healed and witnessing incredible deliverance from Assyria, stumbles into pride when Babylonian envoys visit Jerusalem. Dr. Neufeld reminds us that sin's consequences can't always be undone, and that even faithful leaders must guard against complacency until their mission is complete.The Grand Vision: God's Story Through Isaiah: Isaiah is the second-most quoted book in the New Testament, yet many Christians have never studied it deeply. In this 10-message series, Dr. John guides listeners through this essential prophetic book, exploring Isaiah's 50-year ministry during one of Israel's most turbulent periods. From temple visions to confrontations with kings, from oracles against nations to prophecies of the coming Messiah, Isaiah reveals God's sovereignty over all history and His plan for the world through Jesus Christ.

Israel territory filled with non-Jews. The reign of Hezekiah challenged by Assyria. His prayer, Isaiah's answer from God.

What would the world look like under perfect leadership? In this episode, Dr. John Neufeld examines Isaiah's vision of the coming Messiah's reign, contrasting foolish human leadership with the righteous rule of Christ. Through the final woes against Judah and Assyria, Isaiah reveals that the greatest crisis any nation faces is not military threats or economic troubles, but encountering their Creator in judgment. Yet beyond judgment lies hope—a future where the Messiah reigns from Jerusalem, bringing justice, peace, and restoration to a broken world.The Grand Vision: God's Story Through Isaiah: Isaiah is the second-most quoted book in the New Testament, yet many Christians have never studied it deeply. In this 10-message series, Dr. John guides listeners through this essential prophetic book, exploring Isaiah's 50-year ministry during one of Israel's most turbulent periods. From temple visions to confrontations with kings, from oracles against nations to prophecies of the coming Messiah, Isaiah reveals God's sovereignty over all history and His plan for the world through Jesus Christ.

Isaiah wasn't just concerned with Israel—God had something to say to all the nations. Dr. John walks through Isaiah 13-27, where the prophet delivers oracles against Babylon, Assyria, Moab, Egypt, and other surrounding nations, accurately predicting the rise and fall of empires centuries before they happened. These chapters culminate in God's message to the whole earth: the Lord will judge the world for its transgressions, but for those who trust in Him, there's hope beyond the darkness.The Grand Vision: God's Story Through Isaiah: Isaiah is the second-most quoted book in the New Testament, yet many Christians have never studied it deeply. In this 10-message series, Dr. John guides listeners through this essential prophetic book, exploring Isaiah's 50-year ministry during one of Israel's most turbulent periods. From temple visions to confrontations with kings, from oracles against nations to prophecies of the coming Messiah, Isaiah reveals God's sovereignty over all history and His plan for the world through Jesus Christ.

Listen all the way to the end for a special musical feature about Sargon II. This episode explores one of the most pivotal and least understood turning points in Neo-Assyrian history, examining the rise of a king whose origins, motives, and very name remain contested even after a century of scholarship. These are the Oldest Stories, available at OldestStories.net.In 722 BCE, Sargon II seized the Assyrian throne and entered an eighteen-year reign that forms the best-documented era of ancient Mesopotamian history. Yet for all his inscriptions and annals, Sargon himself remains an enigma. His parentage, early career, accession, and the meaning of his throne name are questions that continue to challenge scholars of the Neo-Assyrian Empire. This episode delves deeply into the theories surrounding his origins, including newly translated inscriptions from Assur, shifting interpretations of his name from Sharru-Kenu to Sharru-Ukin, and the implications of his apparent disinterest in his own ancestry. From the ideological weight of throne names to the complexities of logosyllabic Akkadian spelling, we explore how philology, archaeology, and political history intersect to shape our understanding of this king.We also follow Sargon into the disastrous opening months of his reign: the unclear succession, the purge of thousands of internal opponents, the immediate loss of Babylon to Marduk-Apla-Iddina, the Levantine revolts, and the devastating defeat near Der at the hands of the Elamites. These events set the stage for a king on the brink of failure, navigating accusations of ill-omen, political chaos, and the danger of being overthrown before his first year had even ended. Yet they also reveal the moment in which Sargon's extraordinary administrative and logistical genius emerges, allowing him to rescue his reign and initiate the Sargonid Golden Age.Along the way, the episode examines the broader historical context of Chaldean and Elamite politics, Babylonian ritual ideology, the transformation of Assyrian year-dating from limmu officials to palu counts, and the evolving religious presentation of Assur's kingship. It traces the subtle theological and political shifts that distinguish Sargon from his predecessors, as well as the early strategic failures and last-minute decisions that determine the fate of the empire. The result is a comprehensive look at one of the most complex figures of the ancient Near East and the precarious moment at which Assyria's future hung in the balance.If you enjoy the episode, consider supporting the show on Patreon, becoming a YouTube member, or donating directly at OldestStories.net. Your support truly helps this project grow. Stay tuned through the end for the Sargon II musical piece, and subscribe to follow Sargon's campaigns as the imperial war machine finally roars to life in the next installment.I am also doing daily history facts again, at least until I run out of time again. You can find Oldest Stories daily on Tiktok and Youtube Shorts.If you like the show, consider sharing with your friends, leaving a like, subscribing, or even supporting financially:Buy the Oldest Stories books: https://a.co/d/7Wn4jhSDonate here: https://oldeststories.net/or on patreon: https://patreon.com/JamesBleckleyor on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCG2tPxnHNNvMd0VrInekaA/joinYoutube and Patreon members get access to bonus content about Egyptian culture and myths.

Philemon IntroductionThanks to everyone who supports TMBH at patreon.com/thetmbhpodcastYou're the reason we can all do this together!Discuss the episode hereMusic by Jeff Foote

Sam Shamoun gives a powerful lesson on the Assyrian people through biblical history, explaining how God judges nations for sin yet preserves those who turn back to Him. He connects prophecy, Israel's exile, and Assyria's survival as proof of divine mercy, arguing their endurance is a sign that Christ never abandoned them.

In Isaiah 10, there's an axe of judgment wielded against a "godless nation." That axe is Assyria; the godless nation is Judah. Alex, Jim, and Sam discuss.