Podcasts about Golden calf

Why do Chazal connect the Parah Adumah, which purifies from tumas meis, to the sin of the Golden Calf?In this shiur, delivered in "Steve's", Rav Burg explore the Cheit HaEigel not simply as primitive idolatry, but as a deep human collapse in the face of absence, uncertainty, and death. When Moshe Rabbeinu disappeared, Klal Yisrael cried, “We do not know what happened to him.” Chazal tell us that the Satan showed them an image of Moshe's death. The Eigel was born from that terror: the desperate need to replace invisible relationship with something visible, tangible, controllable — and even valuable.Death confronts us with the same truth. The body remains, but the life is gone. The visible is still here, but the invisible presence has withdrawn. Tumas meis forces us to face the frightening reality that the deepest things in life cannot be held in our hands.That is where the Parah Adumah comes in. The “mother cow” cleans the mess of the calf by teaching us how to live with mystery without collapsing. As the ultimate chok, the Parah Adumah brings us back to the very place the Eigel tried to escape: humble surrender before the unknowable will of Hashem.Real taharah begins where human certainty ends.

Show Notes Amity: (standard disclaimer) The views and opinions expressed by the prophet Moses and his interpretation of the Lord of Hosts, is his own and do not reflect the policy, position, or opinions of Without Works. Lemuel: I am Lemuel Gonzalez, repentant sinner, and along with Amity Armstrong, your heavenly host, I invite you to find a place in the pew for today's painless Sunday School lesson. Without Works. Amity: Fifteen feet tall, twenty-two if you include the plinth, bronze and covered in gold leaf referred to as Don Colossus - a statute of Donald Trump, raising a defiant fist to the heavens, commemorating the moment after a failed assasination attempt during the 2024 Presidential campaign has been erected at the Trump National Doral golf club in Florida  Mark Burns, “pastor,”  of Harvest Praise and Worship Center in South Carolina, was in attendance at its unveiling. He insisted that the installation of the statue was, “a celebration of life and a powerful symbol of resilience, freedom, patriotism, courage, and the will to keep fighting for America.”  Pastor Burns felt it was necessary, unprovoked, to inform his followers on X “Let me say this plainly: This statue is not a golden calf. We worship Jesus Christ and him alone. This statue is not about worship. It is about honor.” So let's discuss the Golden Calf - what it is and what it isn't Lemuel: The story of the Exodus from Egypt is central to world religion and culture. The Hebrew people, led by Moses, are liberated after four hundred years of captivity in Egypt. They follow Moses through the desert, through the sea, and through the desert again.  Moses is directed to return to Mount Sinai, where he had his original communication with God. He is to go alone to the mountain top, and receive directions for the future and the law to govern the hebrew people.  For forty days and forty nights, no one was allowed to go near the mountain. The people were told to wash their clothes and abstain from sexual relations on pain of death. God descends onto the mountain in a terrifying display of thunder and fire, and Moses goes up  to meet him.  The hebrew people, huddled in camp, wait for Moses' return. Days pass. Weeks pass. Some of the people gather together and demand that Aaron, Moses' older brother and spokesman, make them a God they can see and worship. They believe that Moses, already elderly, may be dead. They want to appease this terrifying God who they believe has struck down their leader. Aaron asks for the gold earrings and jewelry they brought from Egypt. He melts these down and makes a golden calf.  The worship of this calf quickly turns from genuine adoration to revelry and this infuriates God. God commands Moses to return to his people, and in his wrath threatens to wipe them off the face of the earth, making Moses alone the father of the new Hebrew nation, the nation he had promised the patriarch Abraham. Moses is able to talk God out of this plan, and makes his way down the mountain. Moses, seeing the wild orgies carried on, becomes so furious that he shatters the stone tablets on which God had carved the ten commandments. Moses , anticipating God's further anger, takes a terrible action. He separates the faithful from the idolaters, arms them, and insists:  **Amity: ** “ ... “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Each man strap a sword to his side. Go back and forth through the camp from one end to the other , each killing his brother, friend, and neighbor.' The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand people died.” **Lemuel: ** The calf is melted, ground into powder, and the survivors are compelled to drink it. Even those survivors  are punished: God sends a plague.  Amity: Welcome to the Old Testament.  The first and second of the Ten Commandments are: ‘Thou shalt have no other gods before me,” and, “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.” This might seem strange when the high church, Catholic and Orthodox, use statues and icons as part of their worship.  Lemuel: Those images are used to focus worship. They are meant to anchor wandering minds during prayer. The use of the images as sacred beings  is what God objects too. Ascribing God's plans and actions to an idol is also something God objects too. Representative sculpture is not.  God instructed Moses, for instance, to have two angels carved into the lid of the Ark of the Covenant.  Amity: The image of God has changed since Moses' time. He is no longer seen as an impetuous mirror of our desires. At least he shouldn't be. The God who would insist on the slaughter of his own people in an effort to winnow the survivors to create a complaint remnant is no longer the God that true Christians worship. In that extremely black and white world, the worship of a God other than the one we are pledged to is infidelity. Oath breaking.**

Our Modern-Day Golden CalfJonah Series Introduction | June 14, 2026This week, Pastor Mark opened our new Jonah series by addressing a question that sits at the center of every believer's life: Who has authority over us?It's a question that affects far more than our church attendance or our Sunday morning worship. It impacts our spiritual growth, our relationship with God, our daily decisions, and ultimately our eternity.Pastor Mark pointed out that many Christians would enthusiastically respond "Amen!" when asked if they want to walk in God's power, experience healing, live in obedience, or hear God's voice more clearly. Yet there is often a disconnect between what we affirm in church and how we live throughout the week. The issue may not be that we don't know the truth. The issue may be whether we truly submit to it.Throughout Scripture, authority has always been a central issue. From the Garden of Eden to Jonah's rebellion, humanity has wrestled with the same question: Will we trust God's authority, or will we choose our own way?Jonah's story begins with a direct word from God. The problem wasn't that Jonah didn't hear God. The problem was that he didn't like what God said. Instead of submitting, he ran. Pastor Mark challenged us to recognize that we often face the same temptation. God has already spoken through His Word, yet many times we resist because His instructions conflict with our preferences, emotions, or plans.The sermon invited us to honestly evaluate whether we truly view God's Word as the final authority in our lives. If we did, our actions would reveal it. We would read Scripture to know it, study it to understand it, memorize it to share it, meditate on it to obey it, defend it rather than reshape it, and live it out without shame. Submission to God's Word would become more than intellectual agreement. It would become a lifestyle.Likewise, living under God's authority means yielding our will to His. It means following His plans instead of insisting on our own, responding to the Spirit rather than our flesh, listening to His voice above competing voices, and allowing Scripture to shape our moral compass instead of personal preference. It means viewing correction as spiritual guidance rather than a personal attack.Pastor Mark contrasted God's offer of truth with the world's offer of sin. God freely gives truth that leads to life, while the world continually markets alternatives that appeal to our desires but ultimately lead us away from Him.One of the most challenging portions of the message focused on why many people reject God's authority in the first place. The answer may be found in the nature of God's Word itself.Hebrews 4:12 describes God's Word as living, active, and sharper than a two-edged sword. It cuts. It exposes. It reveals motives and desires that we would often rather keep hidden. While we naturally seek comfort, control, safety, and independence, God's Word confronts those things. It shines light into places we would rather leave untouched.This is why many people resist inner healing. Instead of allowing God to expose wounds, struggles, and areas of brokenness, we convince ourselves that we're fine. We compare ourselves to others, dismiss our struggles as unimportant, or tell ourselves we've learned to live with them. Yet Scripture reminds us that nothing is hidden from God. Everything is already exposed before Him.The goal of exposure is not shame. The goal is healing.Pastor Mark challenged the common belief that we can hide parts of ourselves from God or manage our brokenness on our own. The hidden areas of our lives are often the very places where God desires to bring freedom and restoration. Refusing to acknowledge them only prolongs the struggle.This led into the central theme of the sermon: the modern-day golden calf.When we hear about idols in Scripture, it's easy to imagine carved statues or ancient acts of worship that seem distant from our lives. But Pastor Mark suggested that today's golden calf often looks much different.What if the idol isn't made of gold?What if the idol is ourselves?He challenged the congregation with the possibility that God's greatest rival in our lives may be our own desires, opinions, feelings, and self-will. While we may worship God with our lips on Sunday, we can spend the rest of the week crafting a version of life centered around ourselves.The comparison to King Nebuchadnezzar was powerful. We often marvel at the arrogance of a king who built a giant image of himself and demanded worship, yet we can do something remarkably similar when we elevate our own wisdom above God's and insist on living life according to our own terms.This deception is often difficult to recognize because deception, by definition, remains hidden until it is exposed.Pastor Mark encouraged everyone to ask a difficult question: Does what I praise God for on Sunday align with the way I live throughout the week?If we truly believe God is our provider, why do we so often place our trust in people before Him? If we truly believe His Word is true, why do we knowingly continue in patterns of sin? If we genuinely trust God, why do we so easily believe the lies of the enemy over the promises of Scripture?Many believers walk defeated not because God has abandoned them, but because they have chosen to trust voices other than His.Drawing from Hebrews 12, Pastor Mark warned against refusing to listen when God speaks. The people of Israel suffered consequences when they rejected God's message through earthly messengers. How much more serious is it to reject the One who speaks from heaven?The sermon then addressed one of the defining challenges of our culture: the elevation of feelings and emotions above truth. When individuals or entire societies become driven primarily by emotions, God can no longer function as an authority in their lives because truth becomes subject to personal preference.Looking at the life of Jesus, Pastor Mark pointed out that Christ never altered truth to accommodate feelings. He used Peter as a powerful example. Peter frequently approached Jesus with strong emotions, opinions, and reactions. Yet Jesus consistently responded with truth rather than emotional validation. Whether Peter was resisting Jesus washing his feet, objecting to Jesus' mission, or wrestling with failure after denying Christ, Jesus continually called him back to obedience, purpose, and truth.As the introduction to the Jonah series concluded, Pastor Mark brought everything back to the central issue that runs throughout Jonah's story and throughout human history.The issue is authority.The same question that surfaced in Eden remains before us today. Who gets the final say? God or us?When humanity rejects God's authority, we begin redefining the things He has already established. We place ourselves in the position of determining right and wrong, truth and error, purpose and identity. The farther we move from God's authority, the more confusion and brokenness we experience.Pastor Mark also referenced a recent survey indicating that a significant percentage of churchgoers trust artificial intelligence more than biblical preaching rooted in God's Word. While the statistic was startling, it underscored the larger point: every person is living under some form of authority. The question is whether that authority is God, culture, feelings, popular opinion, personal preference, technology, or self.The message ended with a challenge that every believer should carry into the coming weeks as we journey through Jonah together:What authority do you live under?Who are you submitted to?And perhaps most importantly:"God, what is on Your heart?"

Welcome to the Daily Bitachon: Erev Shabbat Edition The Shulchan Aruch tells us in Siman Reish-Samech (260) that one should cut their nails on Friday afternoon. Simply speaking, cutting one's nails on Friday afternoon is Kevod Shabbat —it is showing respect for Shabbat. The Be'er Heitev , one of the commentaries on the side of the Shulchan Aruch , invokes the Gemara ( Niddah 17a) which tells us that one should not leave fingernails on the floor when they are cut. One should either burn them or bury them, but definitely not leave them out. What is the reason behind this? Why are fingernails dangerous? He tells us that before the sin of Adam HaRishon (the first man), man was cloaked in a clothing similar to a fingernail. That means his body and soul shone through this thin, translucent fingernail material. After man sinned, he was coated with the physical flesh that we have today. The Ben Ish Chai ( Parashat Bereshit ) says that originally it was Kotnot Or ( כותנות אור ) with an Alef —clothing of light—and it switched to Kotnot Or ( כותנות עור ) with an Ayin —clothing of skin and flesh. When Shabbat comes, we will see that Shabbat is all about going back to the state of man before the sin; the job of Shabbat is to lift us up above the sin. So, on Friday afternoon, we cut our nails to beautify them. We are going into Shabbat when our clothing is meant to be the cloth of nails—that is what it was supposed to be. The Transcendence of Shabbat and the Reality of Motzei Shabbat Then, on Motzei Shabbat , we look at our candle and we look at our fingernails. Why do we have a candle on Motzei Shabbat ? It is because God created fire on Motzei Shabbat . Why did God create fire on Motzei Shabbat ? What about Friday night? The answer is that when Adam sinned, there was a change in the light that God had created. Originally, God created a light which we call Or HaGanuz —the hidden light. It was a light through which you could see from one end of the world to the other. Because Adam sinned, God said that light was too dangerous to use because people could misuse it, so He hid that light away for the future. Today, we no longer have that light. When did that light disappear? On Motzei Shabbat . Out of respect for Shabbat, that original light stayed from Friday afternoon at twelve o'clock (when Adam was created) until Motzei Shabbat . So, it was lit for thirty-six hours. Motzei Shabbat is all about the consequences of the sin of Adam taking hold. We have that candle to remind us that we would not have needed artificial fire if not for the sin of Adam. We look at our fingernails to remind us that we should have been totally coated in that translucent material. Similarly, a woman is traditionally not supposed to drink from the Havdalah cup. Why not? Because there is an opinion that the Etz HaDa'at (the Tree of Knowledge) was a grapevine. Therefore, when Havdalah arrives, we do not want to remind anyone that Chavah (Eve) took from the grape when she was not supposed to, which could arouse a prosecution—a Kitrug . The Be'er Heitev explains that the Gemara says if a pregnant lady steps on discarded fingernails, it is dangerous for her pregnancy. Why? The answer he gives is that discarded nails remind us of the sin of Adam and Chavah. Originally, there was no such thing as a fingernail that you cut and discarded; your whole body was coated in it. These clippings remind us of the original sin, and the punishment of Chavah was difficulty in childbirth. We do not want an arousal of that sin, and therefore, a pregnant lady touching discarded fingernails becomes dangerous. The Power of Friday Afternoon Preparations Coming back to our main story, which is the positivity of Shabbat: Shabbat is all about bringing us back to Adam before the sin. The Sefer Chemdat Yamim tells us that the Erev Shabbat Friday afternoon preparation has the ability to atone for the sin that happened on that day. We also see this in a pasuk in Shemot 16:5: וְהָיָה בַּיּוֹם הַשִּׁשִּׁי וְהֵכִינוּ אֵת אֲשֶׁר־יָבִיאוּ וְהָיָה מִשְׁנֶה עַל אֲשֶׁר־יִלְקְטוּ יוֹם יוֹם "And it shall come to pass on the sixth day that they shall prepare what they bring in, and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily." This refers to the Manna. They prepared on Friday, and they received a double portion. He tells us that the word Mishneh ( מִשְׁנֶה )—which means double, like shani —has the exact same letters as Neshamah ( נְשָׁמָה ). This hints to us that the preparation of Erev Shabbat causes us to be cleansed from the sin of Adam HaRishon , which brings down upon us the Neshamah Yeteirah (the extra soul) that we lost. The Neshamah Yeteirah symbolizes the level of man before his sin. Similarly, we say in the Shabbat prayers: Yismach Moshe be-matnat chelko ( יִשְׂמַח מֹשֶׁה בְּמַתְּנַת חֶלְקוֹ )—Moshe is happy with his portion. What does that mean? This might be a little complicated, and you might have to listen to this class twice! The commentators say that when we stood at Har Sinai, the negativity of the original sin disappeared. Adam HaRishon's sin was corrected, everything went back to the way it was meant to be, and we received two crowns on our heads. Those two crowns represent the same spiritual power as our extra Neshamah —the correction of Adam's sin. However, when we sinned with the Golden Calf, we lost those crowns. Who received them instead? Moshe Rabbeinu. And that is why his face shone. Every Shabbat, Moshe is kind enough— Yismach Moshe is very happy with his given portion—to give us back those crowns. Because on Shabbat, in a spiritual way, we return to the state of Adam before the sin, so we get our crowns back. Right after the end of Parashat Ki Tissa (which talks about Moshe Rabbeinu's face shining), the next Parashat , Vayakhel , starts immediately with Shabbat. The Ba'al HaTurim notes this connection because the Gemara says that a person's face looks different on Shabbat than it does during the week. We have a shining face on Shabbat because we are returning to that original Kotnot Or —the clothing of light. The Hidden Light and "Extra Credit" For some real extra credit: that light, as we said, is the light of the Or HaGanuz (the hidden light). That hidden light is symbolized by the Torah she-Ba'al Peh (the Oral Torah) that we toil over. Where did God hide the light? He hid the light in Torah she-Ba'al Peh —in the Mishnayot and the Gemara . That is why the word Neshamah ( נְשָׁמָה ) shares the exact same letters as Mishnah ( מִשְׁנָה ). The Mishnayot bring back that Neshamah Yeteirah ; they bring back that lost light. Again, that's extra credit—we're going a little into information overload here! The Bottom Line What is the practical takeaway from all of this? Through man's sin, he lost what he lost. But on Erev Shabbat, through our physical and spiritual preparations for Shabbat, we receive it all back once again. Then on Motzei Shabbat , we are reminded of what we lose until next week. Our nails—both cutting them on Friday and looking at them on Saturday night—are strongly connected to this profound message. But the main message is that Shabbat, which is what we are constantly working toward, lifts us up far above the sin of Adam HaRishon . The Chemdat Yamim further says that when man was originally placed in Gan Eden , he was given a positive commandment: l'ovdah ( לְעָבְדָהּ )—to serve it, and a negative commandment: u'lshomrah ( וּלְשָׁמְרָהּ )—to guard it. That is exactly why on Shabbat we have the positive commandment of Zachor (Remember) and the negative commandment of Shamor (Guard). He further notes that the beautiful clothing we wear on Shabbat is to remind us of those original spiritual garments. We see from so many different areas that Shabbat is designed to fix the sin of Adam HaRishon . I apologize if there was a bit too much Kabbalah and a lot of information at once, but I came across this recently and I just needed to share it with someone!

The main story in parashat Sh'lach [Numbers 13:1-15:41] is the tragedy of the spies. In some ways, this sin, the failure of the Israelites to recognize that their destiny is to conquer the land no matter what the odds, is their greatest sin. For the rabbis, there seems to be little question, for they associate the sin of the spies with Tisha B'Av, the worst day on the Jewish calendar, whereas the sin of the Golden Calf is associated with the 17th of Tammuz, a prelude to Tisha B'Av. The verb la-tur, “to seek out, spy out, explore”, which is repeated many times througout the narrative of the spies, is picked up in the final section of the parashah, which we know as the third paragraph of the Sh'ma. There, the tzitzit, the ritual fringes, are intended to prevent Israelites from being led astray by their hearts and eyes. In a sense, this paragraph comes to remind us that the very act of la-tur, seeking out, is fraught with danger. Whether the initial command comes from God or Mose, or even the people themselvies is, perhaps immaterial. It is the command to la-tur, to scout out, without the requisite controls suggested by the tzitzit, which dooms the spies. We are often led astray. God provides the means to withstand the temptation. Now that war seems to have resumed, our thoughts and prayers are with those defending the United States as part of the United States Armed Forces and those defending Israel as members of the Israel Defense Forces. May peace soon descend on the region and all other troubled areas on earth. Shabbat Shalom.

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Throughout history, mountains have held deep spiritual significance—serving as meeting places between heaven and earth, battlegrounds of supernatural warfare, and stages for divine encounters. From the Garden of Eden to Mount Sinai, from the transfiguration of Christ to the crucifixion, the Bible is filled with moments where mountains play a pivotal role in God's plan for humanity. But why? What is the deeper connection between these sacred heights and the cosmic battle between good and evil? In this episode of the Revelations Podcast, host Reagan Kramer welcomes pastor, author, and theologian Doug Van Dorn for an eye-opening discussion on biblical mountains, the divine council, and the supernatural forces that have shaped human history. Together, they explore how God uses mountains as places of revelation, how fallen entities have sought to corrupt them, and how Jesus' ministry strategically reversed the destruction caused by the enemy. Whether you're a seasoned Bible scholar or just beginning to explore the deeper spiritual dimensions of scripture, this episode will leave you with a greater understanding of God's plan and the victory we have in Christ. Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode: Gain a deeper understanding of the biblical significance of mountains and their connection to the supernatural realm. Learn about the concept of the divine council and how it relates to mythological entities like Zeus and Baal, and their connection to Satan. Reflect on the practical implications of understanding the supernatural worldview, particularly in terms of overcoming worry and trusting in God's control. Become Part of Our Mission! Support The Revelations Podcast: Your support fuels our mission to share transformative messages of hope and faith. Click here to learn how you can contribute and be part of this growing community! Resources More from the Revelations Podcast hosted by Reagan Kramer: Website | Instagram | Apple Podcast | Youtube "Rings of Revelation" by Doug Van Dorn "Giant Sons of God" by Doug Van Dorn "The Unseen Real" — by Dr. Michael Heiser Doug Van Dorn: Website | Instagram | https://www.facebook.com/dvd.vandorn.3 Giant Steps Podcast - Apple Podcast | Spotify Podcast Bible Verses Psalm 82:1 Isaiah 14:12-14 Ezekiel 28 Genesis 3:1 Ezekiel 31 Psalm 91 Psalm 24 Psalm 68 Daniel 4 2 Peter 2:4 Jude 1:6 This Episode is brought to you by  Advanced Medicine Alternatives Get back to the active life you love through natural & regenerative musculoskeletal healing: https://www.georgekramermd.com/ Episode Highlights [3:20] Significance of Mountains in the Bible Biblical events unfold on mountains, from Noah's Ark resting on Mount Ararat to the giving of the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. [4:46] Doug: “"Mountains are all over the place. And the question becomes, why would that be? And that's where you need to understand first of all, that God is meeting with people on all of these mountains.” The "axis mundi," a concept describing mountains as divine meeting points, reveals their role as a bridge between heaven and earth. Mountains hold significance not only in the Bible but also in global mythologies, including Mount Olympus and sacred Native American sites. Isaiah 14 introduces the “mount of assembly,” linking biblical mountains to divine councils where heavenly beings gather. [5:10] Divine Council and Mythological Connections Mountains serve as the setting for the divine council, where God meets with angels and heavenly beings to rule over creation. Ancient mythologies mirror biblical narratives, with figures like Zeus and Baal representing the same rebellious entity—Satan. Mount Zaphon, recognized as Baal's sacred mountain, connects directly to the divine council and the spiritual battle against false gods. The fall of Lucifer in Isaiah 14 echoes the rebellion of spiritual beings, linking the serpent in Eden to later deceptions throughout history. [17:42] Eden and the Divine Council The Garden of Eden is depicted as a mountain, a place where heaven and earth intersect. Adam and Eve's use of fig leaves for covering may symbolize an early attempt to seek refuge in fallen supernatural beings. Satan's jealousy over humanity's God-given authority fueled his deception in Eden, setting the stage for spiritual warfare. The Edenic narrative connects to a larger biblical pattern of rebellion, redemption, and the ongoing struggle between good and evil. [24:01] The Post-Flood Rebellion and the Return of the Nephilim Following the flood, fallen angels were imprisoned in "gloomy chains of darkness," as described in 2 Peter 2:4 and Jude 6. Despite this judgment, the Nephilim reappear after the flood, indicating a renewed rebellion by supernatural forces. Ancient texts, including the Book of Enoch, describe how 200 fallen angels conspired to corrupt humanity. The struggle between God's people and these rebellious beings continues throughout Scripture, reinforcing the need for spiritual vigilance.. [40:16] The Golden Calf and Idolatry The Israelites, fearing God's presence, attempted to worship Him through an idol, reshaping Him into something they could control. [41:02] Doug: “Idolatry is we're going to make that God that's up there come and be in this calf, so that we can somehow manipulate him because that's too terrifying for us.” The golden calf represented a common struggle—seeking to domesticate God rather than submitting to His true nature. Idolatry in all forms distorts faith, leading people to trust in tangible symbols rather than divine truth. Understanding this historical moment sheds light on the continuous human tendency to replace God with lesser things. [43:58] Jesus' Ministry and Supernatural Battles Each phase of Jesus' ministry strategically dismantles Satan's authority over the world. [48:27] Doug: “Jesus's ministry is a multiple phased attack on Satan, and you have to understand some cosmic geography, and some of the motifs we've been talking about here are also very helpful.” The region of Bashan, known as "the land of the serpent," becomes the battleground where Christ begins His campaign against darkness. Key moments—including His temptation in the wilderness, His healing miracles, and His transfiguration—symbolize a reclaiming of territory from the enemy. Through these events, Jesus openly declares war on the forces of darkness, establishing His dominion over both heaven and earth. [52:48] Jesus' Death, Resurrection, and Ascension Calvary stands as the cosmic mountain where Jesus' sacrifice defeats sin and death. Descending into Hades, Christ proclaims victory and liberates those who awaited redemption. His resurrection seals His triumph, securing authority over all spiritual forces. By ascending to the right hand of God, Jesus asserts His role as the ultimate conqueror over evil. [57:10] Practical Implications of a Supernatural Worldview    

We dive into the story of the Golden Calf incident in Exodus 32. We explore the Israelites' impatience during Moses' 40-day absence, their idolatrous worship of the Golden Calf, and the resulting judgment. Despite the people's disobedience, Moses intercedes for them, displaying a selfless love that foreshadows Christ's sacrifice. Yet, God's justice is also seen as He sends a plague upon the people, fulfilling His promise of punishment for violating His law. Amidst this, we're reminded of God's mercy and His unchanging commitment to His promises.Support the showRead along with us in the Bible Brief App! Try the Bible Brief book for an offline experience!Get your free Bible Timeline with the 10 Steps: Timeline LinkSupport the show: Tap here to become a monthly supporter!Review the show: Tap here!Want to go deeper?...Download the Bible Brief App!iPhone: App Store LinkAndroid: Play Store LinkWant a physical book? Check out "Bible Brief" by our founder!Amazon: Amazon LinkWebsite: biblebrief.orgInstagram: @realbiblebriefX: @biblebriefFacebook: @realbiblebriefEmail the Show: biblebrief@biblelit.orgWant to learn the Bible languages (Greek & Hebrew)? Check out our partner Biblingo (and use our link/code for a discount!): https://biblin...

In this Parsha Review of Parshas Beha'aloscha, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe explores the profound lessons hidden within the mitzvah of lighting the Menorah. The episode begins with Aaron HaKohen's disappointment at being excluded from the tribal inauguration offerings of the Mishkan. While the leaders of the twelve tribes participated in the dedication ceremony, Aaron and the tribe of Levi did not. Aaron feared this exclusion reflected lingering Divine displeasure from the episode of the Golden Calf. Hashem reassured him, however, that his role would be even greater: he would be entrusted with the eternal mitzvah of the Menorah, a privilege uniquely reserved for him and his descendants. Rabbi Wolbe explains that the Menorah symbolizes the Jewish people themselves. All branches stand at the same height, teaching that no Jew stands above another, while the central branch points toward our shared connection with Hashem. The purpose of the Menorah was never merely illumination; rather, it was elevation. The Torah uses the word Beha'aloscha ("when you elevate") instead of simply "when you light" because the true objective is spiritual growth, dedication, and drawing closer to God. The discussion then turns to education, parenting, leadership, and personal influence. Just as the flame was held near the wick until it ignited on its own, parents and teachers must inspire rather than force growth. Rabbi Wolbe highlights Aaron's unique gift as a pursuer of peace who brought harmony to families, friendships, and communities. The Menorah's message is timeless: every person possesses a unique light, talent, and purpose. Our responsibility is not merely to grow ourselves, but to elevate others and illuminate the world with the gifts Hashem has entrusted to us._____________This episode of the Parsha Review Podcast is dedicated in honor of Lenny & Teresa FriedmanDownload & Print the Parsha Review Notes:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ncaRyoH5iJmGGoMZs9y82Hz2ofViVouv?usp=sharingRecorded at TORCH Meyerland in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on June 2, 2026, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on June 3, 2026_____________Subscribe: Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/parsha-review-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1651930083)Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/22lv1kXJob5ZNLaAl6CHTQ) to stay inspired! Share your questions at awolbe@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.  _____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!_____________Subscribe and Listen to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodesPrayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#Torah, #Parsha, #Numbers, #Bamidbar, #Behaaloscha, #Menorah, #ShineYourLight, #AaronHaKohen, #Leadership, #Parenting, #Chinuch,#JewishEducation, #BringPeace, #GrowthMindset, #ElevateOthers, #ShareYourLight ★ Support this podcast ★

In this Parsha Review of Parshas Beha'aloscha, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe explores the profound lessons hidden within the mitzvah of lighting the Menorah. The episode begins with Aaron HaKohen's disappointment at being excluded from the tribal inauguration offerings of the Mishkan. While the leaders of the twelve tribes participated in the dedication ceremony, Aaron and the tribe of Levi did not. Aaron feared this exclusion reflected lingering Divine displeasure from the episode of the Golden Calf. Hashem reassured him, however, that his role would be even greater: he would be entrusted with the eternal mitzvah of the Menorah, a privilege uniquely reserved for him and his descendants. Rabbi Wolbe explains that the Menorah symbolizes the Jewish people themselves. All branches stand at the same height, teaching that no Jew stands above another, while the central branch points toward our shared connection with Hashem. The purpose of the Menorah was never merely illumination; rather, it was elevation. The Torah uses the word Beha'aloscha ("when you elevate") instead of simply "when you light" because the true objective is spiritual growth, dedication, and drawing closer to God. The discussion then turns to education, parenting, leadership, and personal influence. Just as the flame was held near the wick until it ignited on its own, parents and teachers must inspire rather than force growth. Rabbi Wolbe highlights Aaron's unique gift as a pursuer of peace who brought harmony to families, friendships, and communities. The Menorah's message is timeless: every person possesses a unique light, talent, and purpose. Our responsibility is not merely to grow ourselves, but to elevate others and illuminate the world with the gifts Hashem has entrusted to us._____________This episode of the Parsha Review Podcast is dedicated in honor of Lenny & Teresa FriedmanDownload & Print the Parsha Review Notes:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ncaRyoH5iJmGGoMZs9y82Hz2ofViVouv?usp=sharingRecorded at TORCH Meyerland in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on June 2, 2026, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on June 3, 2026_____________Subscribe: Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/parsha-review-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1651930083)Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/22lv1kXJob5ZNLaAl6CHTQ) to stay inspired! Share your questions at awolbe@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.  _____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!_____________Subscribe and Listen to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodesPrayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#Torah, #Parsha, #Numbers, #Bamidbar, #Behaaloscha, #Menorah, #ShineYourLight, #AaronHaKohen, #Leadership, #Parenting, #Chinuch, #JewishEducation, #BringPeace, #GrowthMindset, #ElevateOthers, #ShareYourLight ★ Support this podcast ★

This class explores Moshe's prayers after the sins of the Meraglim and the Golden Calf, highlighting his different approaches. It discusses how faith, positive thinking, and concern for chilul Hashem shape outcomes, emphasizing that belief is key to experiencing G-d's blessings. https://www.torahrecordings.com/classes/by_parsha/004_bamidbar/004_shelach/016

Exodus 32:1-35

This week we continue with our summer series “Disputing with God,” picking up where we left off last time with the story of the repair of the relationship between God and Israel after the incident of the Golden Calf, as told in Exodus 33:1–23 and 34:1–9. God is at first so angry about the Golden Calf that God seems to be finished with Israel, sending the messenger with them to the Promised Land but the divine presence remaining on Sinai lest God's anger consume them. By the end, though, through the mediation Moses, God and Israel seem to accept one another as they are. The people confess they are stiff-necked, but God commits to being with them in spite of their shortcomings. Likewise, God reveals a divine Self that is anger as well as compassion, but nonetheless the people would rather stay in the wilderness with God than to enter the Promised Land alone. This relationship is messier than we might like, but God and the people remain together in the messiness, committed to a future together.

365日のみことばシリーズパート8、「金の子牛」5月31日｜365 series - , part 8 "The Golden Calf", May 31st

What if the wilderness wasn't merely a place, but a stage of life that every person must eventually pass through? In this episode of From Binah to Daas, I explore the Torah's concept of the Midbar as the space between who we were and who we are becoming. Drawing on the journeys of Adam HaRishon, the Jewish people, and our own life experiences, we examine how Torah presents recurring patterns that operate on the level of the individual, the nation, and humanity itself. Along the way, we uncover why transformation requires uncertainty, why the Midbar lasted forty years, what the Golden Calf, the spies, and Korach teach us about navigating major life transitions, and how periods that feel like detours may actually be Hashem's preparation for our next mission. If you've ever felt caught between an ending and a beginning, this episode offers a Torah framework for understanding why.Join the Conversation! Be part of our growing community—join the Shema Podcast for the Perplexed WhatsApp group to share feedback, discuss episodes, and suggest future topics. Click here to sign up.Explore The Art of PrayerDownload a collection of beautifully designed blessings (brachos) including Modeh Ani, Asher Yatzar, Netilas Yadayim and more.  Free to download and perfect for your home by clicking here.  

After the golden calf, Israel hits rock bottom--but God didn't leave them there. Join Paul Cook as he discusses Exodus 35 and what repentance looks like when you've failed. Devotionables is a ministry of The Ninth & O Baptist Church in Louisville, KY.  naobc.org

In this first episode of our summer series on Disputing with God, we are reading the story of the Golden Calf, Exodus 32:1-20 and 30-35. We've read it together before, but the regular lectionary stops us pretty early in its unfolding ... and we found that moving farther into the story directed our eyes not to the Israelites or to God, but to the space between them–their relationship, still fairly new and fragile. And you know what else is right between them–our man Moses, holding the tablets, trying to reach in both directions at once. What's left after this kind of rupture? What's possible?

This is another awesome example of scripture that testifies of Yeshua HaMashiach, Jesus the Messiah, Jesus the Christ.  We will study the event of the Golden Calf and God will teach us in His TORAH, His instructions, that He had a plan for Israel.  He had an awesome purpose for His treasured possession (Exod. 19:5)  It all relates to John 3:16 and the love the Lord has for all, the whole world.  But, the Hebrews failed and chose another god, a god of gold, a bull calf.  They didn't give up on the one true God, they just disobeyed Him in making an animal to represent the one God, the only God, יהוה Yahvay (I pronounce His name Yahvay and not Yahway since  Hebrew has no W sound so it is an error to say Yahway for His name).  Yahvay put this in His Ten Statements, His Ten Commandments, that we are not to make an image to represent the Lord.  The Hebrews  did.  And they did not follow His commands and went their own way. Once again, I brought up the likelihood that the Hebrews had assimilated into the Egyptian culture.  The Hebrews cried out in Exod. 2:23.  But, it is more than cried out.  The Hebrew word is za'aka זעק H2199 which is shriek or scream in deep anguish or terror.  On top of that the Hebrews cried out to no one!  In Exod. 2:23 they cried out - to who?  God heard them but they did not cry out, shriek in deep pain, to the Lord.  Later, at the sea before they crossed over, one they were reintroduced to the God of Abraham, we read in Exod. 14:10 that Israel cried out TO THE LORD.  We miss that.  We think they cried out to the Lord in Exod. 2:23.  That is putting words in the Bible that aren't there.  They didn't know the God of their fathers anymore.  What happened?  What's going on?  The answer - they had assimilated into the Egyptian culture.  The Bible proves it yet we missed it.  All they knew were the gods of Egypt.  It is easy to get Israel out of Egypt but it is nigh impossible to get Egypt out of Israel.   The Hebrews after hundreds of years were deeply imbedded into the Egyptian culture and ways.  Here's the link to study that the Hebrews assimilated into Egypt – https://halakhaoftheday.org/2023/03/29/from-propsperty-to-assimilationn/ Here' a link to lesson 4 part 2 in this series where we study this idea.  It is seemingly proven from the very word of God.  Here's the link - https://youtu.be/9tY5N0mAJ2I?si=BQ2ID2W8eVXZT1xb I did an “AI” search (artificial intelligence) of the Apis Bull in ancient Egypt.  I came up with the following.  I know a lot about the Apis Bull from my days traveling and doing research in Egypt plus my own personal study.  The “AI” material is right on.  So here it is in its entirety.  I do this just in case you want to expand your study to learn more about the Apis Bull and ancient Egypt. AI SEARCH ON THE APIS BULL – MAY 2026 The Apis bull was a sacred animal in ancient Egypt, serving as a living manifestation of the god Ptah and, during its life, a powerful symbol of the pharaoh's vitality, strength, and divine right to rule. As a direct connection between the gods and the kingdom, the Apis bull reinforced the legitimacy of the monarch and was frequently referred to as the "strong bull" in royal inscriptions. [1, 2, 3, 4] Connection to the Pharaoh Symbol of Power: The Apis bull directly symbolized the fertility, power, and vitality of the pharaoh. "Strong Bull" Titles: Pharaohs often used titles such as "Strong Bull of His Mother" to equate themselves with the sacred animal. Ritual Union: During the Sed festival (rejuvenation ceremony), the pharaoh participated in rituals with the bull to absorb its divine power, often described as running or walking with the Apis. Divine Manifestation: The bull was considered an earthly avatar of Ptah (creator god) and, upon death, united with Osiris to become Osiris-Apis. [1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7] Worship and Life Selection: Priests selected the bull based on strict, specific markings, including a black coat, a white triangle on the forehead, an eagle-shaped mark on the back, and a beetle-shaped mark under the tongue. Royal Treatment: Once selected, the Apis lived in a specialized "House of Apis" in Memphis, treating the bull with the same reverence and luxury as a pharaoh. Afterlife: When the Apis died, it was mummified and buried with immense fanfare in a dedicated cemetery known as the Serapeum at Saqqara. [2, 8, 9, 10] [1] https://www.ancientegyptblog.com/?p=3313 [2] https://www.facebook.com/Egypt.Culture/posts/the-sacred-bull-apis-was-one-of-the-greatest-religious-symbols-in-ancient-egypt-/930050865826543/ [3] https://www.magellantv.com/articles/by-the-horns-of-apis-ancient-egypts-noble-bullgod [4] https://egyptatours.com/what-is-apis-bull/ [5] https://australian.museum/learn/cultures/international-collection/ancient-egyptian/bull-apis-e39829/ [6] https://templeofathena.blog/2016/08/18/god-of-the-month-club-apis-the-living-bull-god-of-egypt/ [7] https://www.livius.org/articles/religion/apis/ [8] https://www.facebook.com/Tresuresofancientegypt/posts/a-sacred-bull-apis-egypt-with-ahmed-graeco-roman-museum-of-alexandria/833234285657958/ [9] https://egypt-museum.com/cows-bulls-in-ancient-egypt/ [10] https://x.com/archeohistories/status/1939677557500293212 In this lesson the Bible supports the idea that Aaron was complicit in the event of the Golden Bull Calf.  Orthodix Jewish Rabbis, however, stick up for Aaron and try to argue he is totally innocent with regards to the Golden Bull Calf incident.  Their views are merely opinion not based upon God's word and in fact are dismissive of the word when it says that Aaron is guilty and the Lord will destroy him along with all Israel.  Their views are totally unacceptable and in great error. Aaron may not have participated in the worship of the Golden Bull Calf, but he made the molten image and thus got all Israel to sin grievously against the Lord.  That Aaron was found guilty is clear in the very words of God Himself and God wanted to destroy all Israel and AARON!!  "The LORD spoke further to me, saying, 'I have seen this people, and indeed, it is a stubborn people. 'Let Me alone, that I may destroy them and blot out their name from under heaven; and I will make of you a nation mightier and greater than they.' "(Deu 9:13-14) "The LORD was angry enough with Aaron to destroy him; so I also prayed for Aaron at the same time."  (Deu 9:20) Here's some links that will add to your study with regards to Aaron's guilt in this terrible event of the Golden Bull Calf. ARTICLE ON AARON'S GUILT FROM CHABAD – AN ORTHODIX JEWISH SITE - https://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/860977/jewish/Why-Did-Aaron-Make-the-Golden-Calf.htm ARTICLE ON AARON'S GUILT FROM www.GotQuestions.org - https://www.gotquestions.org/Aaron-golden-calf.html In this lesson we hear God say, "They have quickly turned aside from the way which I commanded them ..." (Exo 32:8) What is God's WAY that He wanted the Hebrews to follow?  The Hebrew word for the word WAY is derekh (דֶּרֶךְ).  It is the word used in Genesis 3 when the Lord shows the WAY back to the Garden was closed and guarded by two mighty Khrooveem (not cherubs).  The WAY to the Father was blocked.  Now in Exodus 32 God talks about His WAY, His derekh (דֶּרֶךְ) He wants the Hebrews to follow.  Later, the Lord comes to us and He says in John 14 that, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." (Joh 14:6)  So, what might he Lord be getting at?  What is the lesson?   I suggest it seems to be summed up in the first verses of Psalm 119. How blessed are those whose way is blameless, Who walk in the law of the LORD. How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, Who seek Him with all their heart. They also do no unrighteousness; They walk in His ways. You have ordained Your precepts, That we should keep them diligently. Oh that my ways may be established To keep Your statutes!   (Psa 119:1-6) In TORAH the Lord gives us His intruction to live as His people, His chosen ones.  We are to liv in such a way that our lives show we are lovng the Lord God and serving Him by living as per His word, the Written Word.  But then He came to us.  Yeshua.  He is the Living Word.  In John 14 we read that Yeshua says if we are His true disciples He is in us and we in Him.  We abide together.  And as true branches of the "true vine" that is Yeshua we are to be fruitful so that our work in Yeshua keeps until the final harvest of the Vinedresser, the Father, and show ourselves to be His disciples.  We live to be His People of THE WAY,  derekh (דֶּרֶךְ). Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  (Ferret - somewhere on the Jordan River in northern Galilee) What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0  

Golden Calf

Read It! The Invasion of False Gods and the Sleeping WatchmenWelcome to Word Time. In this session, Coach Shelby delivers an urgent, uncompromising wake-up call to the modern church. The title says it all: Read It.Many believers are completely blind to the times we are living in simply because they do not know what the Word of God actually says. If we aren't reading the Bible from cover to cover, how can we expect the Holy Spirit to remind us of His truth?We pull back the curtain on the three ancient demonic influences currently running rampant across America:Baal: The god of prosperity, materialism, and perverting scripture for self-gratification—symbolized right in the heart of our economy by the golden bull of Wall Street.Ishtar: The goddess of sexuality and war, driving deep identity confusion, hyper-sexualization, and an aggressive demand for cultural endorsement.Molech: The god of child sacrifice, manifesting today not just in the destruction of innocent life, but in the total spiritual neglect of the next generation.This isn't a message of defeat; it's a strategic call to action for dads, moms, coaches, and leaders. It's time for the slumbering watchmen to wake up, pick up the Word, and reclaim authority over their homes, classrooms, and communities. Before you criticize the message, do one thing: Read it.Key Highlights:The Hat Mic Revolution: Starting a new fashion trend in Coach Shelby's classroom.The Fall Requirement: Why reading the Bible cover to cover is non-negotiable for spiritual common ground.The New York Calf: The striking connection between Israel's wilderness rebellion and modern American materialism.Ishtar's Two Faces: Understanding why the spirit of sexual immorality always turns into a spirit of war and control.A Prayer of Deliverance: Coach Shelby takes authority in the name of Jesus over identity confusion and binding spirits.The Sleeping Watchmen: Why conservative men are seeing the destruction but remaining completely powerless.Gideon's 300: Why a tiny, faithful remnant standing on the Word is more powerful than a compromised multitude.Key Scriptures:Romans 8 – Those who are sons of God are led by the Spirit of God.Proverbs 12:1 – "Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid."Romans 1 – The reality of a nation being "given up" to the lusts of the flesh.Matthew 16:19 – Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven.#ReadYourBible #SpiritualWarfare #WordTime #CoachShelby #ExposingIdols #BoldPreaching #FaithfulRemnant #BiblicalTruthChapters0:00 - Intro: The Hat Mic and a New Classroom Fashion0:33 - The Fall Requirement: Reading the Bible Cover to Cover1:13 - The Holy Spirit is a Gentleman: He Convicts, He Doesn't Force2:06 - The Ancient Threat: Introducing Baal, Ishtar, and Molech3:07 - Proverbs 12:1: Stop Criticizing the Word Before You Read It3:38 - Baal & The Prosperity Gospel: Materialism in the Modern Church4:31 - The Golden Calf of Wall Street: Our National Idolatry5:53 - The Trump Deal vs. National Repentance: Standing Before a Holy God6:52 - Ishtar Exposed: The Sexualization of Culture and Media8:26 - The Quenchless Fire: How False Gods Always Leave a Void9:02 - Ishtar as the Goddess of War: The Enforcement of Culture10:02 - Target the Children: Why the Devil Wants the Next Generation Young11:12 - A Powerful Prayer: Breaking the Bonds of Sexual Deception11:50 - Dads, Check the Social Media: Sowing Seeds and Telling the Truth12:20 - Molech & Child Sacrifice: Human Life and the Hatred of God13:15 - Pharisee Eyesight: Learning How to Function in Pitch Darkness14:24 - The Spirit of Slumber: Why Men are Powerless to Change the Culture15:25 - Do the Homework: Look Up the Scriptures Yourself16:08 - Gideon's 300: The Power of a Faithful Remnant17:40 - Reclaiming Your Garden: Taking Authority Over Your Home and Classroom18:50 - What is Wisdom? The Proper Application of Knowledge

As we near the end of our journey through Exodus, we arrive at a heartbreaking chapter: the Golden Calf. In Exodus 32, we see the Israelites—freshly rescued from 400 years of slavery—abandoning their vows to God. They break the covenant mere days after making it. But before we judge them too harshly, we must recognize that we, too, are prone to wander. As John Calvin noted, the human heart is a "perpetual factory of idols." This sermon explores why we create idols, what they cost us, and how we can find freedom through the Greater Moses, Jesus Christ.Key Points1. The Context of the Crime The sin of the Golden Calf wasn't just about breaking a rule; it was spiritual adultery. The Israelites had just entered into a marriage covenant with Yahweh (Exodus 20), promising to have no other gods. Yet, while on their "honeymoon," they turn to an Egyptian idol. Taking something created and placing it in the position of the Creator always leads to destruction.2. Why Do We Make Idols?We want something NOW: Moses was delayed on the mountain, and the people grew impatient. Delay either deepens our faith or detours it. Often, when we feel God isn't moving fast enough, we turn to idols for immediate relief.We want something we can HOLD: Yahweh is invisible; the gods of Egypt were tangible. We crave physical things to put our trust in.We want a Genie, not a God: An idol like a golden calf cannot speak, correct, or demand holiness. The Israelites wanted a god they could control so they could indulge in whatever behavior they pleased without conviction.3. The Cost of Idolatry Idols demand sacrifice. They over-promise and under-deliver. While following Jesus requires sacrifice, He promises life and rest. Idols only demand more of you. Furthermore, you become like what you behold. Just as the golden calf was rigid and stiff-necked, God calls the Israelites stiff-necked. Whatever you worship will shape your character.4. The Greater Moses When God threatens to destroy the Israelites, Moses steps in as a mediator. He even asks God to blot his name out of the book to save the people. God says no to Moses, but centuries later, He says yes to Jesus. Jesus is the Greater Moses who took our sins upon Himself, granting us positional holiness before God so we can pursue progressive holiness in our lives.ConclusionEvery person is wired for worship; the question is not if you will worship, but what. Idols are sneaky, often masquerading as good things (family, politics, comfort) that we have made ultimate things. When we bring our idols into the presence of God, they will eventually shatter. God is a gracious Father who welcomes us back every time we choose to cast our idols down.Calls to ActionRecognize Your Idols: Look closely at what you crave (comfort, control, power, approval) and identify what has taken the center seat in your life.Repent and Confess: Do not justify or minimize your idolatry. Call it sin, confess it aloud, and ask Jesus to cover it.Renounce and Replace: You cannot just remove an idol; you must replace it with the true God. Bow your knee and consciously return the throne of your life to Jesus. Support the show*Summaries and transcripts are generated using AI. Please notify us if you find any errors.

What if the chains you've worked so hard to escape are still wrapped around your heart? The Israelites discovered their greatest enemy wasn't Pharaoh, but the idol-making factory within—turning God's gifts into false gods when fear struck. Pastor Jason reveals how we become like what we worship, sharing his own struggle with making work an idol that demanded sacrifice of family time. Discover how naming your hidden idols, asking forgiveness, and replacing them with devotion to Jesus leads to the true freedom your soul craves. 

 Brad and Dan dig into another whirlwind week in Trumpworld, beginning with the unveiling of a towering gold-leaf Donald Trump statue at his Doral golf resort and the increasingly explicit fusion of political power, religious symbolism, and personality cult. The hosts unpack Trump's comments that he does not think about Americans' financial struggles while simultaneously pushing a pro-natalist agenda alongside figures like RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz. From “under-babied” rhetoric to Heritage Foundation proposals incentivizing marriage and large families, the episode traces how Christian nationalism, wellness culture, patriarchal masculinity, and reactionary family politics are converging into a broader authoritarian vision for American life. Along the way, Brad and Dan connect these themes to neoliberal economics, the collapse of affordable childcare and healthcare, and the deep contradictions at the heart of conservative family policy. The second half of the episode turns to a lawsuit against Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins over religiously coercive emails sent to federal employees, offering a concrete example of how Christian nationalism operates through state power and workplace culture. Brad and Dan examine how the Trump administration simultaneously promotes an “anti-Christian bias” narrative while embedding conservative Christianity into federal governance. They also discuss a new study showing that corporations rolled back DEI initiatives largely due to direct pressure from Trump and his allies, highlighting the administration's broader effort to reshape public institutions around a narrow vision of American identity. The episode closes with reflections on resistance inside federal agencies, the Supreme Court's decision not to restrict access to abortion medication, and why ordinary people continuing to assert their rights still offers reason for hope. Subscribe for $3.65: ⁠https://axismundi.supercast.com/⁠ Subscribe to our free newsletter: ⁠https://swaj.substack.com/⁠ Order American Caesar by Brad Onishi: ⁠https://static.macmillan.com/static/essentials/american-caesar-9781250427922/⁠ Donate to SWAJ: https://axismundi.supercast.com/donations/new Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This time John's monologue is 2 fold. First he talks about the Trump Mobile "T1" gold smartphone which is still unreleased and has faced non-stop delays, missing its initial August 2025 launch date. Trump is still promising to ship units soon and the website continues to accept $100 deposits on the $499 device. Second, he discusses Miami residents filing a federal lawsuit over land gifted to Trump by the state of Florida for use as his Presidential Library and skyscraper hotel; and the very wrinkly 22 ft golden statue of Trump erected at his National Doral golf course in Miami which local pastors immediately claimed is NOT idolatry. Then, John jokes with actor and podcast star Bob Cesca. They chat about Trump's pregnancy push, his reflecting pool renovation, and the wonders of NY Mayor Zoran Mamdani. Next, Desimber Rose and Dillon Naber Cruz (AKA The God Squad) are back to talk about Trump's gold statue and Trump's big prayer festival this Sunday; according to organizers, it's intended to honor America's Christian roots and rededicate the nation for its 250th anniversary. Then winding it up, legal analyst Dr. Tracy Pearson is back to chat about Kash Patel's goofy testimony lying his pants off before the Senate appropriations subcommittee and Trump's visit to China.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A strange natural phenomenon sends Jase down a rabbit hole that leads him, Al, and Zach into a deep discussion about truth, love, obedience, and the meaning behind God's commands. Jase revisits an old Bible insight that reframes the Ten Commandments, and the guys connect the teachings of Jesus to creation, the golden calf, modern idols, and the struggle people have with uncomfortable truth, arguing that God's commands were never meant to be empty rules but a path to life. In this episode: 1 John 2, verses 3–6; 2 John 1, verses 4–6; 3 John 1, verses 1–8; Deuteronomy 4, verse 13; Deuteronomy 5, verses 6–10; Deuteronomy 30, verses 19–20; Exodus 20; Exodus 23, verses 20–22; 2 Corinthians 4, verses 1–6; Jude 1, verse 5 “Unashamed” Episode 1332 is sponsored by: https://chministries.org/unashamed — See why Christians are ditching health insurance for good. Get a simpler alternative at half the cost! https://myphdweightloss.com — Find out how Al lost 80+ pounds. Visit the website or call 864-644-1900 and mention "AL" to get 2 weeks free in the program! https://ruffgreens.com — Get a FREE Jumpstart Trial Bag for your dog today when you use promo code Unashamed! http://unashamedforhillsdale.com/ — Sign up now for free, and join the Unashamed hosts every Friday for Unashamed Academy Powered by Hillsdale College Check out At Home with Phil Robertson, nearly 800 episodes of Phil's unfiltered wisdom, humor, and biblical truth, available for free for the first time! Get it on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, and anywhere you listen to podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/at-home-with-phil-robertson/id1835224621 Listen to Not Yet Now with Zach Dasher on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, or anywhere you get podcasts. Chapters 00:00 Love Bugs, Mayflies & Opelousas Catfish 11:05 Truth Without Love or Love Without Truth? 18:40 A Rabbit Hole on the “Ten Commandments” 24:27 The First Commandment 30:25 When Truth & Reality Align 36:36 The Consequences of Idolatry 42:20 The Golden Calf & Distorted Thinking 47:44 Choosing Life Through God's Word — Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the first episode of True Thirty 30 | a new weekly conversation where Joey and his Producer Sean X break down the biggest stories, questions, and cultural moments shaping the week.In this episode, we discuss Iran, rising gas prices, tariffs, farming pressures, and the symbolism behind the “Golden Calf” controversy. We also talk about diesel prices, California regulations, global trade pressures, and the strange state of modern political culture.TIMESTAMPS0:00 Welcome to True Thirty 0:42 Iran War Questions 1:03 Gas Prices and Taxes 2:47 California Gas Island 3:41 Farmers Feeling the Squeeze 5:05 Tariffs Fertilizer and Margins 7:10 No End in Sight 8:01 Asymmetric War Explained 12:06 Hormuz and Global Ripple 13:29 Trump China and Ceasefire 14:57 Generational Farms at Risk 16:32 Golden Calf Statue Story 22:50 Wrap Up and SubscribeFULL TRANSCRIPTJoey Dumont: Hello, everyone. We are doing something called True Thirty 30, which is basically an idea of our members reaching out to us over the weekend with stories that they thought were either crazy, unfounded, or they wanna know more about. So that's what we're doing today. Some of the subjects, we're gonna cover the Iran war for all the obvious reasons.Joey Dumont: We're gonna talk a little bit about some of the deleterious effects of that war specific to farming. And we're gonna end the conversation with the golden calf discussion. In case you guys don't know what that is, you will soon find out. So I'm here with my producer, Sean X, and we are gonna go through these topics, um, as best as possible.Joey Dumont: Hey, buddy.Sean X: Hey. How you doing?Joey Dumont: I'm doing well. It's a happy Monday.Joey Dumont: So I don't know, why don't you share some of the comments we got specific to the... Well, they wanna know more about what's going on in Iran.Joey Dumont: For the most part, people have said, “Okay, what's the nuance with the war going in Iran?”Joey Dumont: Because we keep on hearing it's on again, it's off again. It's affecting prices. It's not affecting prices. Yeah.Joey Dumont: So The New York Times has Iran war long-term energy discussions specific to Iran defended its demands for a peace deal, and President Trump called them garbage.Joey Dumont: Mr. Trump said he wanted to suspend the federal gasoline tax. So obviously everyone knows that gas has been affected by the Straits of Hormuz being shut down because of this war. We're now seeing gas prices at what, six- Six, si- six.Sean X: It's $6.35Joey Dumont: For regular?Sean X: For regular in San Francisco. Yeah. It's $6.74 for premium, and it's-Joey Dumont: And diesel fuel is anywhere between 7 and 8Sean X: $7.80 for diesel.Joey Dumont: Um, a lot of it is from California policies, and some of it is from the pipelines or gas can't reach us. Yeah. We're a gas island. If a refinery goes down, we're screwed. So for the most part, we pay the worst gas prices, so we're feeling the biggest effect here.Joey Dumont: So we are up over a dollar compared to the rest of you folks out there in the United States of America.Joey Dumont: And Donald Trump wants to suspend the gasoline tax, which is how much? It's eight-Sean X: 18 cents.Joey Dumont: 18 cents.Joey Dumont: So- Do, do you know what 18 cents means for those of us in California?Joey Dumont: With the gas prices I just mentioned, it's 2 to 3%. Yeah, every little bit helps, but it's really our California regulations that are the things that are screwing us.Joey Dumont: I read a meme recently that said, uh, “Donald Trump is so awesome that my truck only used to hold $59 worth of gas and now it holds $130 worth of gas.”Joey Dumont: Which I thought was brilliant. Um, so whoever wrote that, good for you. Um, but yeah, the, the gas tax is not gonna help us and- for us, . No.Sean X: It's, it's not gonna help us.Joey Dumont: Like, what we need help with is all the regulations in our state- Yeah ... and let that make us... A lot of people don't understand.Sean X: We use different gasoline here.Joey Dumont: We do. We do. And it's actually called CARB, um, which stands for California Air Resources Board, in case you guys have never heard of it, ‘cause I sure haven't. And it basically means that our gas burns cleaner, reduces smog, lowers certain pollutants, and it's chemically different from gasoline used in the rest of the country.Joey Dumont: So when they say that we're a gas island or a, an actual island on its own, that's what they mean by our taxes. So yeah, I don't think the, uh, suspending the gasoline tax is gonna work. And by the way, he has to get congressional approval to do so. So there's another wrinkle.Joey Dumont: Dude- Uh, we'll see ... we need, we need, we need more help th- than from the federal government.Joey Dumont: So those are all problems, I can say that we have an issue with.Joey Dumont: But As we know, this is affecting everyone, not only the day-to-day people, but farmers specifically because a lot of farmers use diesel fuel as opposed to regular fuel. And, um, so let's talk a little bit about that, dude. I just moved back to Minnesota to be with my mommy, uh, for her 86th birthday, and, uh, it was cool.Joey Dumont: And I don't know, I think most of our listeners understand that I grew up there. I've been in California for now 44 years, and I have a lot of buddies both from high school here in California, as well as the people I grew up with in Minnesota who are in the farming business.Sean X: Yeah. They're also tend to be more conservative than out, uh, out in California.Joey Dumont: I mean, it's- All my friends from Minnesota are Red Hatters. Not all, but most. And then most of my relatives are Red Hatters as well. I've been talking to them for the four years that I've been reporting on politics. They come to me because they say I don't judge them, and that, you know, they know I love them.Joey Dumont: And so they're just like, “Joey, what's actually going on?” Yeah. And that's kind of why we wanted to start this program as well, is that it's, if I'm reaching out to my Republican friends all the time on a DL basis, which is kind of funny, um, they don't explain to everyone else, “Hey, I called Joey.Joey Dumont: I wanted to know what's going on.” That's really what I try to do with my friends and relatives the other side of the aisle, if you will.Joey Dumont: And what we tried to explain to them specific to gas is that I have a buddy of mine who's a soybean farmer, in the Midwest, and he called me previous to the election and said, you know, “What do I need to know?”Joey Dumont: And I tried to explain to him, I said, “Hey, buddy, look at where you're getting your potash,” because I knew he was actually getting potash. Potash, about 80% of our potash comes from Canada. In Project 2025, the Trump administration announced that they actually did want to tariff potash. And I told my buddy, I said, “Hey, just if you can, try to find another source.Joey Dumont: Look at supply chain issues. Figure out that specific to your EBITDA,” because farms, if you guys don't know out there, farmers run at a very small margin to begin with. And if there's increased prices specific to tariffs, which is on the potash, the Mexico-Canadian free trade agreement that Trump actually launched in 2017, which was a good free trade agreement, he blew it up, said it was the worst deal ever, and now we have supplies specific to John Deere, other maintenance issues that are going across the borders of Mexico and Canada, which is also putting up their prices.Joey Dumont: And some of the things that I talked about specific to the numerous farmers that I've talked to over the last month- Is that the Farmer Bureau is actually saying that, and I'll just repeat it here, “Fertilizer pre-booking rates up 19%. 70% of farmers being interviewed are unable to afford all the fertilizer they need,” so they're actually planting less, “And farm diesel prices have increased by 46% since the end of February.”Joey Dumont: So nearly six in 10 farmers report worsening finances, rising fertilizer, fuel cost during plant season, and the immediate economic assistance to keep these open is probably gonna help this year, but they're worried, they're very worried about next year. Yeah. So that's the big-Sean X: So, well, a lot of them, as you said, they pre-book.Joey Dumont: So they'll pre- Well, they're running out. That's the problem.Sean X: They'll order, and now it's running out. Yeah. So now the effects are hitting them. Yeah. So what, what were their main concern to you? What, what are they asking you?Joey Dumont: They're just asking me what I think based on my reporting, based on the homework we're doing here at True Thirty to figure out, you know, what do you guys see an end to this war?Joey Dumont: President Trump has said very publicly that there is so much disarray in Iran that there is actually no leadership to negotiate with. And if you read up on this, the Iranian leadership specifically are a Basarashi-Sean X: Well, that is a problem when you bomb their leadership.Joey Dumont: I- Well, he did mention that. He did mention that. He didn't kill the people they wanted to replace, Khomeini. But, uh, yeah, I, I, I don't see an end to the war. Obviously, there's a lot of people talking about that. We've had some war correspondents on the show to talk about the externalities of this war and the longevity and the possibly forever war specific to anything in the Middle East based on our history, based on us being the United States.Joey Dumont: I think what we're gonna try to explore here at True Thirty, some of the experts we're bringing on in the next couple months will be talking about what they have referred to as a asymmetric war, and the war is no longer about kinetic destruction.Sean X: Joey. What do you mean by,, asymmetric war?Joey Dumont: Great question. So asymmetric war in this sense is that historically kinetic war, we have big battleships, we have destroyers, we have the biggest military in the world.Joey Dumont: Iran's known this for as long as it's existed. So the way they fight us means the asymmetry to what we're doing. So if we're launching at $4 million-Sean X: It's not, it's not equal. Yeah. Like, it's like if we, we can't- It's not equal ... we can't launch $10 million missiles at $10,000 drones all day.Joey Dumont: There you go.Joey Dumont: That's it. Okay. That's a big piece of it. There's also something called mosquito boats. So there's these little tiny boats with engines and people and guns, and they go after the big boats, like our destroyers, and that's how they're actually taking Straits of Hormuz under siege, if you will.Joey Dumont: They only- So basically, they're not blowing up anything now, but they're, they're essentially taking it hostage because of these things.Joey Dumont: Through strategies that involve less dollars. Yeah. They have mines-Joey Dumont: A lot less dollars ...Joey Dumont: they plant a bunch of mines in the Straits of Hormuz because there's most of the narrow ways, some actual throughput is, like, two miles wide. It's very narrow, so they can actually take from the ground, from the coasts and defend it.Joey Dumont: They can defend it with the mosquito boats that I was talking about. They can defend it with drones. And then something that not a lot of people talk about is the topography o- of Iran to begin with. It's approximately four times the size of Iraq, and I mention that because when we had a surge in Iraq, um, I think we had 170,000 soldiers during the surge, 150,000 now.Joey Dumont: And one of the big things, and I think this, we learned this in our interview with Tom Shanker, uh, the New York Times war correspondent.Joey Dumont: Dude, that was a great interview, man.Sean X: Yeah, he's so smart.Joey Dumont: I think you were right about Bibi. I think, like, he convinced Trump- that's my guess. I have to, I, I think- Yeah.Joey Dumont: Like, I'm sorry, man. It's like, dude, someone said, somebody said “If we go into Iran, the people will rise up.” Yes. The problem is the people had just risen up, and they got slaughtered. Wow, that's- I mean, if you take out 10 to 20,000 protesters, guess what? All the people that are likely to lead the charge are gone.Joey Dumont: Wow. And yes, and, and people see people being slaughtered, that's not good for them either. So yeah, I mean, that's what I mean by asymmetric war, buddy.Joey Dumont: That's where we are today.Joey Dumont: Dude.Joey Dumont: So I think one of the things that we can admit across the board is that we, America, have proven to be unbelievably powerful in our military might.Joey Dumont: So what we did in Venezuela, where we swooped in and pulled out Nicolás Maduro in the middle of the night, put him in Rikers Prison, maybe one of the most efficient, wonderfully produced smashes-Sean X: Efficient leadership changes, yeah.Joey Dumont: Yeah, I mean, just... Well, I mean, it actually, the regime change didn't happenJoey Dumont: I think that was where Donald Trump got very excited about how he can go into other countries. And with Netanyahu coming in specifically to his war room and saying, “Hey, I think we can go-” Iran's weak. I think we can get them today.Joey Dumont: Let's go after them. Obviously, that's what took place on February 28th. Now we're seeing, you know what? Eight, seven, eight weeks later, , this very small military excursion, as he called it, has moved into a full-blown war.Joey Dumont: But back to my Republican friends and farmers, everything they mentioned to me in my one-on-ones with them, their fertilizer, their diesel fuel, their supplies, their maintenance, they're scared-Joey Dumont: they're going under. These are places that operate on, like, a 3 to 5% margin if they're lucky.Sean X: Yeah, now it's going up.Joey Dumont: And we're talking about 20... Yeah, and you're talking about, expenses that are just through the roof. Yeah. We talked about the farmers. There's also global aspects of this. Yeah.Joey Dumont: I mean, the Strait of Hormuz closing is most important to Japan, South Korea, China, and India. Yeah.Sean X: And you mentioned to me, one of, one of our members was literally asking about... Because they are international- Yeah ... they were asking about the international effect that this is having.Joey Dumont: Well, Prime Minister Modi actually asked all of his 1.4 billion citizens to cut back on gas and anything to do with,, fertilizer or anything to do with the things that we now have a shortage in.Joey Dumont: LNG, if, for those who don't know-Sean X: Liquid natural gas ...Joey Dumont: it's liquefied natural gas. Liquified natural gas is something that most people have never really talked about but please understand it's this: what we use LNG for is fertilizer, intensive food, electronics, textiles, plastics, household utility bills.Joey Dumont: Again, guys, what we're gonna try and do is bring some experts on the show to talk to these specifically. We're gonna bring some economists on, and we're gonna talk about the longevity of this war. Is it possible with the ceasefire? What does that mean?Joey Dumont: Well, uh, the, the nature of warfare has changed. I, it- People, and this is where I'll totally agree with Republicans, like people are growing frustrated with a war that is literally only 60 days old.Sean X: Yeah. It's just the fear of the effects long term.Joey Dumont: So Trump is going to China. What do you think he hopes to accomplish there?Joey Dumont: I think he hopes to accomplish some type of a trade deal. I don't know if he's gonna jump down on the, the tariffs or not, but I do know that this Iran war is not helping his negotiations with XiJoey Dumont: because obviously America is the biggest foe of China. I do know that there's rumor around the campfire that Donald Trump is trying to negotiate numerous deals specific to tariffs and opening up more markets here in America that he's shut down based on his, 100% or 145% tariff, I think, in the beginning of his first or second administration.Joey Dumont: The sad part about all this is that there's, there's no end in sight with anything to do with what's going on in Iran. Lebanon obviously is a big issue with that because Donald Trump wants to negotiate with Netanyahu to say, “Hey, we need you to stop bombing in Lebanon because that's part of our ceasefire agreement, and you're violating that.Joey Dumont: And if that's violation, if that continues to happen, then the ceasefire itself stops, and then we're right back to a kinetic war.” Bibi isn't listening. Let's just say that. Bibi's not listening. He's doing what he wants to do because he got us into this war, I think, and I don't think he wants us to leave anytime soon, and this is more of his issue specific to his place in the Middle East and the surrounding countries that have not been a big fan of him for many years now.Joey Dumont: So yeah. Yeah.Joey Dumont: I, I don- I wish I had better news for my friends, specifically in the farming business because it is... It's been really scary to talk to some of these people. And then, you know, the one-on-one conversations are different than the stuff we're reading from.Sean X: Yeah.Joey Dumont: Sitting down and talking with farmers who have, you know, third, fourth, fifth generation, farms that they're very proud of.Joey Dumont: And these are not big farms, by the way. These, you know, 1,000 acres, 2,000 acres. These are not huge farms. The farm my, my grandpa used to work when I was growing up I think was 400 acres. Um, and these are the typical farmers you read about growing up. You know, they jump on their tractors-Sean X: Yeah, these aren't, these aren't the big agribusinesses.Joey Dumont: No. These are your mom-and-pop farmers- These are mom-and-pop farmers ... just trying to, you know, waking up at 5:00 every morning- Yeah ... working 18-hour days.Joey Dumont: Yeah. Yeah. All day, every day till the sun drops, and then they go back and eat, and then they re- rinse and repeat. Yeah. And they're very s- they're very scared because, again, these are generational, and these farmers that I talk to specifically don't have any other skills.Joey Dumont: They've been doing this their whole life. They were born and raised on these farms. They watched their father go through exactly what they're now going through. There is some diversification in s- there's some big pig farmers that I talk to that are doing well on that, but the guys that are planting soybeans, corn, and wheat, and the typical commodities, they're very scared for all the aforementioned reasons, right?Joey Dumont: The fertilizer itself, the price of their supplies, their maintenance, the upkeep on their tractors, their combines, all that stuff, it's, it's pricey and it's, and it's scaring them.Joey Dumont: Okay. We'll get an update, on that issue. Yeah.Joey Dumont: One of the other big questions that I've got right in front of me from one of our members, and many people ask this, what is about this golden calf?Joey Dumont: It's probably good to end this on a little bit of a whimsical piece. So in case you guys don't know, Donald Trump had a golden statue erected in his honor at Doral, which is one of his golf courses here in the United States. It's 22 feet. It weighs seven tons. And if you guys aren't aware of the old story specific to the Bible-Sean X: With MosesJoey Dumont: Yeah. So- ... Exodus 32, I'm a recovering Catholic, so I know a little bit about this story. Um, it was when Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the Bibles, or excuse me, with, with- The Ten Commandments ... Ten Commandments Ten Commandments. And he saw this golden calf that Aaron had a- had built for the staff because they needed an, an idol to worship.Joey Dumont: Moses was pretty pissed, to paraphrase. And he shattered the tablets, and then he melted down the golden calf, and he made all of the Israelites drink it. So not happy about that. Fast-forward to 2026, Donald Trump has erected a calf. Now,Sean X: who g- who gave, who gave this to him?Joey Dumont: Uh, it was a gift, and the Pastor Mark Burns was the one orchestrating this piece at the Trump National Doral in Miami, and he said this, to quote, “Let me be clear. This is not a golden calf,” he said. “This statue is a celebration of life. It is a symbol of resilience, freedom, patriotism, strength, and the willpower to keep fighting for the future of America.” Now, this was the statue from Trump's attempted assassination in Butler, Pennsylvania, which was obviously awful.Joey Dumont: Where he said, “Fight, fight, fight.” And they wanted to capture that moment for the remainder of time to prove how brave he was in, in the circumstance. He was pretty brave or foolish, but he was.Joey Dumont: If the pastor has to say, “This is not a golden calf”- Yeah ... that's an issue. Yeah. Like, you know, it, it's r- it reminds me of when Trump did that post a couple weeks ago, and he took it down because there was controversy of it.Joey Dumont: The Jesus post?Joey Dumont: The Jesus post. Yeah, yeah. He's like, this... You know, and then he comes out and he says, “I'm not being Jesus here.” Right. It's like, you know, don't tell people to not believe their eyes. So when I look at this 22-foot golden monument to Trump, like, how is that not a golden calf?Joey Dumont: Well, it is... And I think that's the funny thing, too, is check this out.Sean X: So there was a show called The Boys, and- Oh, my God ... have you seen it?Joey Dumont: Oh, it's a great show. My mom watches it. Okay. So- She's 85, by the way- All right ... watching superhero stuff.Joey Dumont: So Eric Kripke is... I guess he put, “What the fuck? Seriously?” And this idea, this is what he wrote on Instagram- So who, who is he? ... over the weekend.Sean X: Who is... He's one of the actors.Joey Dumont: He's the showrunner.Sean X: He's the showrunner.Joey Dumont: Okay, got it. And he said, “Seriously, what the fuck?” over a split image of a golden statue of Homelander from episode six of The Boys and the golden statue of Donald Trump. So in the sixth episode of the show features a larger than life golden Homelander statue.Joey Dumont: The psychotic leader of The Seven proclaims that he is the new Messiah following a visitation by an angel. So the showrunner, this was July of 2025, and he's saying everything that we put in here as parody about a ridiculous man trying to be the Messiah has now come to fruition. Except-Sean X: I've seen that.Joey Dumont: The craziest thing about it is- Except it happened here ... if you look at that statue that they had in that episode, I mean, it's obviously not the same pose as Trump- No ... but- It's so close ... it is so clo- Dude, it is so close He's got his arm out like this. He's got...Joey Dumont: and maybe because that was the JC being on the cross, all that.Joey Dumont: So, so they're like- But it's the same fucking A ... this is not a golden calf. Trump is not Jesus in this post. No. The, the showrunner for The Boys has basically come out and say... Now, the character on the show, the character on the show is one of the worst characters, right?Joey Dumont: Well, he's the Antichrist in this story.Joey Dumont: He's the Antichrist.Joey Dumont: But this is, and this is Pastor Burns again, to continue this quote, “We worship the Lord Jesus Christ and Him alone,” he wrote on his social media. “Honor is not worship. Respect is not idolatry, and celebration is not bowing down to a false god.” So again- This is not a golden- It's right out of Central Casting.Joey Dumont: If you wanted to write a script- about what not, what isn't real while you're actually looking at what is real. This just took place in our life as citizens of the United States of America, and yeah, I don't think, I don't think there's enough, there's not enough jokes. I mean, the good news is there's plenty of jokes now.Joey Dumont: The memes are going everywhere with this. But the idea too, in case you haven't heard this, was that Donald Trump, who's never actually opened a Bible much less ridden it-Sean X: No, he opened a Bible. I saw him open a Bible.Joey Dumont: All right, true. But he's never read it.Joey Dumont: He opened the Bible that he held upside down- Down.Joey Dumont: True, true, true ... if you don't remember. He held it upside down when he was front of the church and he opened the Bible that he put, the Declaration of Independence in and the Bill of Rights, ‘cause he sold that once.Joey Dumont: Well, in his defense, in his defense he's probably never seen a picture of Jesus, so if he didn't think- ... he looked like Jesus, it, it actually might have been part of it. But I also heard this, and I have nothing to confirm this is true or not, but they said that either Caroline Leavitt or one of his comms people said, “Hey, Mr. President, say that the f- photo was doctored and that you had nothing to do with that.” I don't know if that's true, and then he came out and said, “Oh, I was supposed to be a doctor.” So I don't know if that's true or not, but it's one of those things where I just can't get over how silly this whole thing is and how...Joey Dumont: I thought it'd be good just to, uh, yeah- Yeah ... run this story through the ringer to- Yeah ... bring our- So- ... bring our members some fun-Sean X: That's the- ... on a Monday morning ...Sean X: true Thirty this week, and let's end it on this-Joey Dumont: Sounds like a good idea, buddy ...Sean X: pathetic note of the golden calf.Sean X: Thank- Thank you guys forJoey Dumont: listeningJoey Dumont: thank you. Thank you, Joey. Cheers. This is a public episode. 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In this edition of Boogie Nights Babies, Jack and Miles discuss their respective weekends, the south celebrating the death of the Voting Rights Act, Trump releasing the files… the UFO files, Trump's *not* golden calf statue, an update on Iran's latest peace proposal and much more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Does God ever change His mind? If God has eternally decreed all things, how do we explain passages where He seems to “repent,” regret, or relent — like the Flood in Genesis 6, Nineveh in Jonah, or Old Covenant Israel after the Golden Calf in Exodus 32?This sermon tackles one of the most difficult questions about God's character: Can the unchanging, sovereign God of the universe actually “repent” or alter His plans? Through Numbers 23:19 and several key stories, we explore the immutability of God, the nature of His eternal decree, and why passages that appear to show God changing His mind don't contradict His absolute sovereignty, but ultimately reveal the riches of God's grace in Jesus ChristThe good news of God's Eternal Decrees is that if God never changes His plan, then all of His promises, His love, and His plan of redemption are completely trustworthy in Christ.If you've ever wrestled with the Bible's apparent contradictions, questioned God's sovereignty, or simply want to know Him better, this sermon offers clarity and confidence in the unchanging character of God.

Pastor Christian brings the next message in our series, Holy Ground, where we have been reflecting on the life of Moses. Our scripture reference is Exodus 32:7-35.We hope you were blessed by this message! Visit our website for more information about Grove City Vineyard.

The Ten Commandments are often viewed as a restrictive, legalistic burden. However, Jesus presents them as a pathway to an abundant and better life. In the "Ten Words" (as they are known in Jewish tradition), we find a lifestyle defined by a relationship with the God who rescues. While modern culture prioritizes the latter six commandments concerning human interaction, the first four commandments—focused on our relationship with God—provide the essential foundation. Without putting God first, the rest of the law becomes unmanageable and nonsensical.Key Points1. Rescue Before Relationship (Exodus 20:1–2) The Law begins not with a demand, but with a statement of grace: "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt." God establishes His role as Deliverer before He issues a single "Thou shalt not." These are family rules for those already rescued, not a test to determine who gets into the family.2. Word One: Prioritize the King (Exodus 20:3) "No other gods before me" is an umbrella statement for all other commands. It requires seeking the Kingdom of God first. When God is prioritized over family, career, and self, obedience to the subsequent commands follows naturally.3. Word Two: Proper Worship (Exodus 20:4–6) While the first command identifies who we worship, the second addresses how. We are prohibited from reducing God to an image or a "Golden Calf" that we can control. This includes making God in our own image by picking and choosing which of His ethics to follow. Note the corporate nature of sin mentioned here: what we do not overcome, we often pass on to future generations.4. Word Three: Honoring the Name (Exodus 20:7) Misusing God's name involves more than profanity; it includes hypocrisy. Claiming the name of Christ while acting contrary to His character is the most serious violation of this word. We are called to "hallow" His name in both speech and conduct.5. Word Four: The Rhythm of Rest (Exodus 20:8–11) The Sabbath is a creation principle. While not strictly repeated as a legal requirement in the New Testament (Colossians 2:16), it remains a vital rhythm. Resting is a test of trust—an opportunity to believe that God's work is more important than our own productivity.ConclusionJesus summarized these four words with the greatest commandment: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength." We do not keep these rules to earn love, but because He first loved and rescued us through the work of Christ.Calls to ActionEvaluate Priorities: Identify "good things" that have taken God's place as the primary focus of your life.Examine Your Conduct: Are you "wearing the name" of Christ in a way that reflects His character, or is there hypocrisy to address?Embrace Rest: Commit to a rhythm of rest this week as an act of trust in God's provision. Support the show*Summaries and transcripts are generated using AI. Please notify us if you find any errors.

Exodus 32-33:6

In the story of Banū Isrāʾīl and the worship of the Golden Calf, the Qur'an exposes a deep psychological reality about the human soul. When Prophet Mūsā ʿalayhi al-salām went to meet his Lord and was honored with revelation, his people turned to a calf fashioned by the Sāmirī from gold. Allah reminds us that this calf could not speak, could not benefit or harm, and possessed no power. Yet it captivated them. Why? Because the calf represented something easy for the nafs to accept. It demanded nothing. It imposed no commands, no prohibitions, no sacrifice of ego. It did not confront their desires or hold them accountable. In reality, it was the embodiment of their own desires projected outward as a god. The Qur'anic story warns us that shirk is not primitive. Idolatry is psychological. It reappears whenever human beings shape religion according to their desires rather than submitting to revelation. When right and wrong become whatever we decide, the “calf” returns in new forms. The Qur'an reminds us that true freedom lies in servitude to Allah alone. Slavery to Allah liberates us from being enslaved by our desires.

Pride is sold as courage, but what happens when pride gets attached to the very things that ruin us? We take Acharei Mot Kedoshim and use it as a lens to talk about real discipline: the kind that stays loyal to Torah even when the wider culture changes the rules every decade.We start with the parsha itself, from the Yom Kippur Avodah and its otherworldly intensity to the holiness code that reaches into everyday life, relationships, business ethics, and how we treat other people. Then we move to a sharp yesod: mitzvos are not trend-based. Whether it's kashrus, brit milah, or the Torah's boundaries around intimacy, the goal isn't to be “different” for its own sake. The goal is to live by the will of Hashem, with clarity and consistency.From there we confront a modern shift: not just sin, but celebrating sin. Using Ramban and Sforno, and a striking Gemara about the posture a person should have toward wrongdoing, we argue for a mindset of humility instead of self-congratulation. We also share a story about “kosher tech” that raises an uncomfortable question: do our workarounds sometimes turn struggle into approval? The closing takeaway is practical and hopeful: growth is incremental, built through more Torah, fewer triggers, honest self-knowledge, and refusing to dance around our own Golden Calf.Subscribe for more weekly Torah insights, share this with someone who thinks discipline is impossible, and leave a review to help more listeners find the show.Support the showJoin The Motivation Congregation WhatsApp community for daily motivational Torah content!------------------Check out our other Torah Podcasts and content!SUBSCRIBE to The Motivation Congregation Podcast for daily motivational Mussar!Listen on Spotify or 24six!Find all Torah talks and listen to featured episodes on our website, themotivationcongregation.orgQuestions or Comments? Please email me @ michaelbrooke97@gmail.com

I've never shared a disclaimer when introducing podcast episodes, but this episode is a very technical and tedious study through Scripture. It requires focus, patience, and a willingness to slow down because it is very detail-heavy. This is one that will challenge the way you think about the “Mosaic Covenant.” Also—I encourage you to listen to Episode 9 (the previous episode) before listening to this one. In this episode, we will tackle the chronology of the ordering of events and the giving of commandments in the books of Moses. The question we will be addressing is: Are the books of Moses written in strict chronological order...or is there something deeper going on?We will carefully walk through the timeline from Mount Sinai to the plains of Moab and uncover how the Torah is actually structured—showing that while the narrative often flows forward, the commandments and events are not always recorded in the order they happened. This distinction changes EVERYTHING.We will cover:--When Aaron and his sons were truly consecrated--When and why the Levites were set apart--How the Golden Calf incident became a turning point for priesthood and mediation--The difference between appointment vs. installation of the Levites--Why some passages in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy appear “out of order”--What it means that Israel went from a kingdom of priests to a kingdom with priestsBy comparing Scripture with Scripture, we begin to piece together a more accurate timeline—one that reveals how the Levitical priesthood was established after the Golden Calf incident, and how that shift impacts covenant understanding.This episode will also piece these findings together to form a bigger picture regarding the distinction between the covenants in Moses, the role of mediation, and how this ultimately points us to the greater High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.Throughout this episode, you may be provoked to think, what's the big deal, and why does this even matter? It matters because understanding the Melchizedek Priesthood matters. This episode may challenge you. But this is not a surface-level conversation—it's an invitation into deeper study. Click link for podcast transcriptContact me: stephanie@promise-perspective.comVisit my website: www.promise-perspective.com Support the show

Send us Fan MailDownload study notes for this chapter.Download study notes for this entire book.**********Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version ®, NIV ® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.The “NIV”, “New International Version”, “Biblica”, “International Bible Society” and the Biblica Logo are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.  Used with permission.BIBLICA, THE INTERNATIONAL BIBLE SOCIETY, provides God's Word to people through Bible translation & Bible publishing, and Bible engagement in Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America. Through its worldwide reach, Biblica engages people with God's Word so that their lives are transformed through a relationship with Jesus Christ.Support the show

God invited an entire nation to become a "kingdom of priests" and a "holy nation." But while Moses was on the mountaintop receiving the blueprints for heaven, Israel was in the valley building an idol out of the very gold God gave them for the Tabernacle. Are we doing the same thing today? Summary: In this massive study of Exodus 19–34, we witness the highs and lows of the Covenant. We explore the sacred invitation of Sinai, the specific boundaries of the Ten Commandments, and the tragic irony of the Golden Calf. The Invitation to Sinai: We analyze the "Degrees of Glory" on Mount Sinai and how the Tabernacle was designed to bring the mountain to the people. The Ten Commandments: We reframe the Decalogue not as a list of "thou shalt nots" that restrict us, but as "protective bars" that keep us out of life's snares. The Tabernacle Pattern: We dive into the symbolism of the ark, the veil, and the altars, seeing how every piece of furniture is designed to point us back to the presence of God. The Golden Calf Tragedy: We discuss the "Prophetic Absence" and why Israel fell so quickly. We learn the danger of "plundering the riches of Egypt" only to use our blessings to build our own idols. A God of Second Chances: We conclude with the "second set" of tablets. Though the first set was broken, God provided a way for Israel to try again, proving that His mercy is more enduring than our mistakes. Call-to-Action: Are you using the "gold" God has given you (your talents, time, and resources) to build a Tabernacle for Him, or a Golden Calf for yourself? Let's talk about the difference in the comments. To stay "Unshaken" as we build our own sanctuaries today, please like, subscribe, and share this video!

Title: How to Hold God to His CharacterScripture Reading: Exodus 32:7-14Series: Be Bold!What if the secret to being bold is not demanding what we want, but reminding God of who He has already promised to be? In this message, we examine the high-stakes negotiation between Moses and God following Israel's immediate fall into idolatry with the golden calf. Moses demonstrates how to live out the Greatest Commandment by interceding for a rebellious people, choosing to hold God to His History as the one who rescued them from Egypt. He further appeals to God's Honor, arguing that God's reputation among the nations is tied to the survival of His people. Finally, Moses holds God to His Heritage by pointing back to the unbreakable covenant made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We see that just as Moses advocated for Israel, we are called to a life where we are saved from sin and saved to a life of worship, ultimately finding our hope in Jesus, the ultimate intercessor who stood in our place. Approach God with boldness by anchoring your prayers in His unchanging character, His historical faithfulness, and His covenant promises.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Dt2NzCUXm/?mibextid=wwXIfrTo purchase my book, Choosing Glory, visit:https://lilianderson.com/product/choosing-glory/--also available on Kindle and as an audio book To support this podcast and access extra content, subscribe on Patreon where you can submit specific questions:https://www.patreon.com/choosingglory?fan_landing=true&view_as=public

Phil Schafer shares in our series, Exodus. Today's passage is Exodus 31:12-18 +32. We look at the story of the golden calf with a fresh perspective, and see that it is not simply a story showing us to avoid having idols in out lives.

If you want to give through Grace Church you can do so here: https://pushpay.com/g/grace-alone?src...Please join Pastor Rick as he takes us through this 5-week series, Five to Thrive, exploring God's five purposes for our lives. Together, we'll discover how worship, connection, growth, service, and mission help us move beyond surviving and step into a faith that truly thrives.Find out more about Grace Church here: https://gracechurchco.com/0:00 Introduction and Church Announcements0:39 Personnel Update: Praying over Tristan, Brooklyn, and Jacob5:25 Recap of the Men of Valor Conference6:05 Introduction to the Series: Identifying Idols in Modern Culture8:33 Biblical Context: The Israelites and the Golden Calf13:21 The Condition of the Human Heart and the Need for Jesus16:01 Discussing Modern Wickedness and Cultural Shifts20:52 Politics, Theology, and Protecting the Vulnerable25:15 Four Ways We Become Idol Makers (Part 1: Trading Trust for Control)31:56 Practical Application: Surrendering Control to God35:04 Four Ways We Become Idol Makers (Part 2: Elevating Others Above God)41:14 Identifying Personal Idols and the Need for Fasting44:53 Discussion on Identity and Spiritual Priorities54:00 The Gospel Message: Jesus as the Ultimate Deliverer1:00:24 Invitation for New Believers and Prayer1:03:08 Community Updates, Ministry Needs, and ClosingIn this message titled "Idol Makers," Rick Long explores the prevalence of modern-day idolatry within culture and the church, urging believers to identify and remove anything that takes the place of God in their lives.Key Highlights and Themes:Defining Idolatry: Long defines an idol as anything that becomes a "must-have" or replaces our trust in God (25:15-25:47). He emphasizes that the human heart was created to worship, and if God isn't filling that void, other things—like sports, technology, control, or societal validation—inevitably will (19:35-20:20).Biblical Context: The message references the Israelites and the Golden Calf (8:33-12:50). He explains that the Israelites turned to idols because they could not sustain faithfulness without visible leadership, a pattern that persists today as people trade God's truth for cultural comfort (10:57-12:47).Four Ways We Become Idol Makers: Long outlines four specific ways we displace God in our lives:Trading trust for control (25:15-31:56).Seeking certainty in an uncertain world (29:33-35:04).Elevating others (or things) above God (35:04-44:53).Attaching our identity to something other than God (44:53-51:41).Practical Application: The speaker shares his personal experience of identifying idols and the importance of prayer, fasting, and surrendering control to God to find true peace, satisfaction, and significance (41:14-44:53, 58:02-59:03).The Gospel Message: Long concludes by pointing to Jesus Christ as the ultimate deliverer from idolatry. He offers an invitation to those who have not yet put their trust in Jesus to receive the gift of salvation and begin a new life (54:00-1:02:26).Additionally, the video includes church updates, including a prayer of blessing over staff members Tristan, Brooklyn, and Jacob (0:39-4:38), and a recap of the Men of Valor Conference (5:25-6:05). Sexual Identity

What if everyone knew that religion was never about real people, but symbolized natural forces? The geopolitical ramifications of scriptural literalism have never been more evident, as our analysis of Aaron Exodus, and the Golden Calf demonstrates.VIDEO EPISODE: https://youtu.be/bLQCXOUMZRoIn this episode of Inner Whirled, we take another swing at exposing the symbolic framework behind mythology that masquerades as history. Drawing on the work of Rev. Robert Taylor and our own research, we demonstrate how figures like Moses and Jesus represent natural, celestial, and hydrological forces, especially the relationship between the sun and water.From the "blood of the river" to modern baptism, we show how greased up priests and their anointing oils have misconstrued metaphors for millennia, turning real world wisdom into superstitious belief systems.

Please support TORCH at GiveTORCH.net. Thank you for your partnership in expanding our Jewish programming!In this timely and heartfelt episode, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe pauses regular programming to address the escalating missile attacks on Israel (over 1,500 ballistic missiles from Iran in recent years, plus hundreds from Yemen/Houthis and Hezbollah), with interception rates consistently at 95–99%—events he describes as open, supernatural miracles from Hashem. He urges listeners to stop becoming numb or treating these as mere "inconveniences" (e.g., canceled flights, bomb shelters, disrupted life), but instead to actively declare Hashem's salvation daily, as commanded in Tehillim ("basru miyom el yom yeshu'ato" – announce His salvation day by day). Drawing from the Hagomel blessing (for deliverance from danger) and the 100 daily berachot, he stresses that forgetting to praise Hashem leads to spiritual numbness, just as forgetting a spouse's love erodes a relationship.Rabbi Wolbe contrasts the miracles of the splitting of the sea (witnessed yet followed by the Golden Calf) with today's events: we live in open nissim (e.g., missiles "flicked out of the air" with minimal damage), yet many move on without vocal thanks. He calls for pride in Jewish identity (no hiding yarmulkes or stars of David amid antisemitism), daily verbal declarations of gratitude ("Thank you Hashem for protecting us from those 13 missiles"), and awakening from comfort/complacency. The episode ends with a prayer for Aliyah to Yerushalayim, rebuilding the Temple, and seeing Hashem's return speedily—urging listeners to run toward Hashem, not away, and share these miracles openly._____________This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by Peter & Becky BotvinRecorded at TORCH Centre in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on March 15, 2026, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on March 20, 2026_____________Listen, Subscribe & Share: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jewish-inspiration-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1476610783Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4r0KfjMzmCNQbiNaZBCSU7) to stay inspired! Share your questions at aw@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.  _____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Our Mission is Connecting Jews & Judaism. Help us spread Judaism globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org.Your support makes a HUGE difference!_____________Listen MoreOther podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodesPrayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#JewishInspiration, #DailyMiracles, #IsraelUnderFire, #IranMissiles, #HezbollahRockets, #HouthiAttacks, #ThankYouHashem, #PrideInJudaism, #Miracles, ★ Support this podcast ★

In this Bible Story, Israel falls into the slavery of idols and sin. They erect a Golden Calf in place of the God that freed them from slavery. God’s anger boils, yet he was still filled with steadfast love and patience, and would not forsake them. This story is inspired by Exodus 32. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Exodus 32:4 from the King James Version.Episode 41: At the foot of the mountain, the people of Israel become frightened once again, and in their fear, they forgot the very God who just spoke to them. Demanding Aaron make them a God they can see, Aaron makes them a golden calf and the people rise up to worship it instead. This causes the wrath of God to rise again, but Moses, up on the mountain, makes intercession for them.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world’s greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's reading from Exodus 32, Fr. Mike shows us how when we become uncertain, we immediate try to take control of the situation, and build up idols in our hearts. We also read Leviticus 23 and Psalm 79. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.