Darash Chai Experiment
330 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 days ago - ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsIn the beginning there were two trees in the Garden of Eden. One, a tree that brought life. The other, a tree that brought death. The serpent showed up and placed the focus of mankind on the tree that brought death. Is it possible that we as a race have been focusing on the wrong tree. We talk about good and evil, right and wrong. We discuss what is moral and what is immoral. All of these questions, however, were on the tree that brought death. Perhaps it is time to shift our focus. To stop looking to the tree of death by asking the question of good and evil. Rather, let’s start asking the question of life and death. If we can shift our assumptions on this most basic of questions, we can change our entire paradigm. If we change our paradigm, we can change the world. What will be the result? I do not know, but you are invited to come along and join us as we Seek Life.
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Episodes
Ep059: Discerning Counsel – Exodus 18
April 09, 2020 07:45 - 5 MBAt the base of Mt. Sinai Moses receives a gift. His bride and children return to him from their place in Midian. Along with them comes his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian. But Moses is not able to enjoy time with his newly returned family because he is occupied with responsibility. And so counsel is given on how to address this situation. But, who is Jethro? What do we know about him? Where does his advice originate from? And the most important question, what is the point of this ...
Episode 58: Trials and Testimonies - Exodus 16:25 – 17:16
April 02, 2020 14:45 - 45.5 MBThroughout Scripture the events at Massah and Meribah are used as a byword to describe a faithless people. But as we examine this story in the context of those around it, we find that this story does not stand on its own. Faithless Israel is a repeated theme throughout the pages of the Bible. But these stories are told for a purpose. They are told to increase our own faith. These stories become pointers to something greater. Something that we can each discover in our own lives if we look hard...
Ep058: Trials and Testimonies – Exodus 16:25 – 17:16
April 02, 2020 07:45 - 5 MBThroughout Scripture the events at Massah and Meribah are used as a byword to describe a faithless people. But as we examine this story in the context of those around it, we find that this story does not stand on its own. Faithless Israel is a repeated theme throughout the pages of the Bible. But these stories are told for a purpose. They are told to increase our own faith. These stories become pointers to something greater. Something that we can each discover in our own lives if we look hard...
Episode 57: The Wilderness of Trust - Exodus 15:19-16:24
March 26, 2020 14:45 - 63 MBThere are times in our lives when God asks difficult things of us. When He asks us to trust Him implicitly. When the path forward doesn't make sense to our mortal minds. These occasions are especially hard when we find ourselves in one of life's wildernesses. The question comes at these times. Can you trust the Plan? Can you trust the path that God has you on? Can you trust God?
Ep057: The Wilderness of Trust – Exodus 15:19-16:24
March 26, 2020 07:45 - 5 MBThere are times in our lives when God asks difficult things of us. When He asks us to trust Him implicitly. When the path forward doesn't make sense to our mortal minds. These occasions are especially hard when we find ourselves in one of life's wildernesses. The question comes at these times. Can you trust the Plan? Can you trust the path that God has you on? Can you trust God?
Episode 56: The Sea of Creation - Exodus 13:21-15:18
March 19, 2020 14:45 - 63.9 MBThere is not another story in all of literature that is recounted more than the crossing of the Red Sea. It has been recounted for millennia, it has been the subject of countless movies and books. We are all familiar with the story. And that might be a problem. Are we so familiar with the story that we have lost sight of the text? Because there is something amazing that is occurring in the text of this story when we pay close attention to the text.
Ep056: The Sea of Creation – Exodus 13:21-15:18
March 19, 2020 07:45 - 5 MBThere is not another story in all of literature that is recounted more than the crossing of the Red Sea. It has been recounted for millennia, it has been the subject of countless movies and books. We are all familiar with the story. And that might be a problem. Are we so familiar with the story that we have lost sight of the text? Because there is something amazing that is occurring in the text of this story when we pay close attention to the text.
Episode 55: Setting a Baseline - Exodus 13:1-20
March 12, 2020 14:45 - 56.3 MBIn the midst of this epic story about the escape of Israel from the clutches of their Egyptian Overlords, comes a curious example of two instructions that break up the flow of the story. Why are these instructions, one or the festival of unleavened bread and the other for the sanctification of the firstborn, inserted here? What can we learn from these commands that means anything at all for us today?
Ep055: Setting a Baseline – Exodus 13:1-20
March 12, 2020 07:45 - 5 MBIn the midst of this epic story about the escape of Israel from the clutches of their Egyptian Overlords, comes a curious example of two instructions that break up the flow of the story. Why are these instructions, one or the festival of unleavened bread and the other for the sanctification of the firstborn, inserted here? What can we learn from these commands that means anything at all for us today?
Episode 54: With Freedom for All - Exodus 12:29-51
March 05, 2020 15:45 - 58.2 MBAt the Passover, all of Israel was saved out of Egypt and led into the wilderness. But if we examine the text we discover that "All Israel" includes some who were not blood sons of Abraham. A "Mixed Multitude" left Egypt alongside those that the world considered Israel. But the division of who is part of Israel and who is not does not stop here. The text defines for us where that line lays for future generations.
Ep054: With Freedom for All – Exodus 12:29-51
March 05, 2020 07:45 - 5 MBAt the Passover, all of Israel was saved out of Egypt and led into the wilderness. But if we examine the text we discover that "All Israel" includes some who were not blood sons of Abraham. A "Mixed Multitude" left Egypt alongside those that the world considered Israel. But the division of who is part of Israel and who is not does not stop here. The text defines for us where that line lays for future generations.
Episode 53: The Cost of Redmption - Exodus 12:1-28
February 27, 2020 15:45 - 59.9 MBWe often hear about what it cost God to redeem mankind. The cost in blood and mortal existence. But there is another cost to redemption that we don't often acknowledge. The cost of personal sacrifice. But what all does that entail, this personal sacrifice?
Ep053: The Cost of Redemption – Exodus 12:1-28
February 27, 2020 07:45 - 5 MBWe often hear about what it cost God to redeem mankind. The cost in blood and mortal existence. But there is another cost to redemption that we don't often acknowledge. The cost of personal sacrifice. But what all does that entail, this personal sacrifice?
Episode 52: God of Distinction - Exodus 10:1-11:10
February 23, 2020 21:03 - 58.8 MBWe often hear that God loves everyone. That all mankind are His children and that He cares for us all as a loving father. But just how accurate is this idea Biblically? The idea that God loves ALL people? If there is one thing that the plagues of Egypt teach us, it is that there are those who will fall under God's judgment and those whom He will protect from Judgment. We already looked at the fact that God creates some for the purpose of demonstrating His justice. Let's take that idea one ste...
Ep052: God of Distinction – Exodus 10:1-11:10
February 20, 2020 07:45 - 5 MBWe often hear that God loves everyone. That all mankind are His children and that He cares for us all as a loving father. But just how accurate is this idea Biblically? The idea that God loves ALL people? If there is one thing that the plagues of Egypt teach us, it is that there are those who will fall under God's judgment and those whom He will protect from Judgment. We already looked at the fact that God creates some for the purpose of demonstrating His justice. Let's take that idea one ste...
Episode 51: The Trial of the Ages - Exodus 8:20-9:35
February 13, 2020 15:45 - 56.3 MBIf there is one thing that we can count on to be revealed in the plagues on Egypt it is that these acts of God are in judgment. But is it simply judgment of the people, or is there a greater judgment going on? And if this is judgment, then when was the trial? Perhaps, if we look at the plagues in a certain light, we can catch a glimpse of the trial occurring in the course of the plagues. So join us as we consider the trial of the ages. The people of Israel vs. the People of Egypt.
Ep051: The Trial of the Ages – Exodus 8:20-9:35
February 13, 2020 07:45 - 5 MBIf there is one thing that we can count on to be revealed in the plagues on Egypt it is that these acts of God are in judgment. But is it simply judgment of the people, or is there a greater judgment going on? And if this is judgment, then when was the trial? Perhaps, if we look at the plagues in a certain light, we can catch a glimpse of the trial occurring in the course of the plagues. So join us as we consider the trial of the ages. The people of Israel vs. the People of Egypt.
Episode 50: God of Creation - Exodus 7:17-8:19
February 06, 2020 15:45 - 48.2 MBThe plagues of Egypt is one of the most iconic sequences in all of scripture. This series of judgments on the actions of Pharaoh and the people of the Egypt. But the plagues teach us a lot more about God than simply being acts of judgment. This week we begin a three part series on what these plagues reveal about the God of Israel on various levels.
Ep050: God of Creation – Exodus 7:17-8:19
February 06, 2020 07:45 - 35 minutes - 48.2 MBThe plagues of Egypt is one of the most iconic sequences in all of scripture. This series of judgments on the actions of Pharaoh and the people of the Egypt. But the plagues teach us a lot more about God than simply being acts of judgment. This week we begin a three part series on what these plagues reveal about the God of Israel on various levels.
Episode 49: A Difficult Message - Exodus 6:2-7:18
January 30, 2020 15:45 - 62.8 MBWe all want to hear from God. We cry out, "God, where are you?" and when we hear nothing we can become despondent. But the fact is that when God does talk to His people, the message is rarely one that is easy to hear. Especially when the messenger looks nothing like you expect.
Ep049: A Difficult Message – Exodus 6:2-7:18
January 30, 2020 07:45 - 5 MBWe all want to hear from God. We cry out, "God, where are you?" and when we hear nothing we can become despondent. But the fact is that when God does talk to His people, the message is rarely one that is easy to hear. Especially when the messenger looks nothing like you expect.
Episode 48: The Chosen Vessel - Exodus 4:18-6:1
January 23, 2020 15:45 - 54.2 MBThroughout Scripture we read of men who were the chosen vessel to accomplish part of God's plan. Men like Moses, David, Jeremiah, Paul and more. These are men who were chosen to be vessels for honor. But when we consider this topic, we gloss over that there were more men chosen in Scripture than these. Men chosen as Vessels for destruction.
Ep048: The Chosen Vessel – Exodus 4:18-6:1
January 23, 2020 07:45 - 5 MBThroughout Scripture we read of men who were the chosen vessel to accomplish part of God's plan. Men like Moses, David, Jeremiah, Paul and more. These are men who were chosen to be vessels for honor. But when we consider this topic, we gloss over that there were more men chosen in Scripture than these. Men chosen as Vessels for destruction.
Episode 47: The Name of God - Exodus 3:1-4:17
January 16, 2020 15:45 - 69.9 MBIn the Bible we are told to speak the name of God. We are to call upon His name and to not take His name in vain. The Name of God is something that has a lot of importance connected to it throughout scripture. But what is that name? Is it something that can be pronounced, or is it something more than that?
Ep047: The Name of God – Exodus 3:1-4:17
January 16, 2020 07:45 - 5 MBIn the Bible we are told to speak the name of God. We are to call upon His name and to not take His name in vain. The Name of God is something that has a lot of importance connected to it throughout scripture. But what is that name? Is it something that can be pronounced, or is it something more than that?
Episode 46: What's in a Name - Exodus 1:1-2:25
January 09, 2020 15:45 - 62.7 MBWhen we come to the book of Exouds, we read the name "Exodus" and so that is what we expect to find in this book, and we are not disappointed. But when we examine the entirety of the book, the events of the Exodus end in chapter 20. And yet there are 20 more chapters after this point. The exodus is only half of this story. Is there something more? A greater topic in play in this book?
Ep046: What’s in a Name – Exodus 1:1-2:25
January 09, 2020 07:45 - 5 MBWhen we come to the book of Exouds, we read the name "Exodus" and so that is what we expect to find in this book, and we are not disappointed. But when we examine the entirety of the book, the events of the Exodus end in chapter 20. And yet there are 20 more chapters after this point. The exodus is only half of this story. Is there something more? A greater topic in play in this book?
Episode 45: Knowing Good AND Evil - Genesis 49:28-50:56
January 02, 2020 15:45 - 57.7 MBAs we close out the book of Genesis, one idea is readdressed. The concepts of Good and Evil. And if we look at scripture as a whole, we may discover that we have some ideas about God and about good that are not quite accurate. What does it mean to know good and evil and to live our lives according to these definitions?
Ep045: Knowing Good AND Evil – Genesis 49:28-50:56
January 02, 2020 07:45 - 5 MBAs we close out the book of Genesis, one idea is readdressed. The concepts of Good and Evil. And if we look at scripture as a whole, we may discover that we have some ideas about God and about good that are not quite accurate. What does it mean to know good and evil and to live our lives according to these definitions?
Ep045: Knowing Good AND Evil – Genesis 49:29-50:26
January 02, 2020 07:45 - 42 minutes - 57.8 MBAs we close out the book of Genesis, one idea is readdressed. The concepts of Good and Evil. And if we look at scripture as a whole, we may discover that we have some ideas about God and about good that are not quite accurate. What does it mean to know good and evil and to live our lives according to these definitions?
Episode 44: Kingdom Heirs - Genesis 48:1-49:27
December 26, 2019 15:45 - 62.4 MBHere at the end of the story of Genesis Jacob is near death. His life has been blessed and he has lived 17 years in the land of plenty. But upon his deathbed he calls all of his sons before him and does something unexpected to everyone. First an adoption. Then a blessing. Many blessings in fact. What can we pull from this without getting distracted?
Ep044: Kingdom Heirs – Genesis 48:1-49:27
December 26, 2019 07:45 - 5 MBHere at the end of the story of Genesis Jacob is near death. His life has been blessed and he has lived 17 years in the land of plenty. But upon his deathbed he calls all of his sons before him and does something unexpected to everyone. First an adoption. Then a blessing. Many blessings in fact. What can we pull from this without getting distracted?
Special 04: Life and Death in Christmas
December 20, 2019 15:45 - 72.2 MBWhat do the stages of grief have to do with Christmas? How can going through a significant life change cause a person to jump to conclusions and hurt those closest to them? Is it possible that a lie has been perpetrated on the people of God, and that both sides of the Christmas debate suffer from this lie? To discover the truth, we must go to the sources.
Special 04: Life and Death in Christmas
December 20, 2019 07:45 - 5 MBWhat do the stages of grief have to do with Christmas? How can going through a significant life change cause a person to jump to conclusions and hurt those closest to them? Is it possible that a lie has been perpetrated on the people of God, and that both sides of the Christmas debate suffer from this lie? To discover the truth, we must go to the sources.
Episode 43: Shadow of Messiah - Genesis 46:28-47:31
December 19, 2019 15:45 - 57 MBUnity has been achieved. The family of Jacob is reunited once again and finally, Jacob has found peace. His lost son has been returned, he has been granted security, not just physically, but financially, and all is well! But the famine still rages around them. The rest of the world is not yet safe. There is a transaction that must take place. The cost? Your life.
Ep043: Shadow of Messiah – Genesis 46:28-47:31
December 19, 2019 07:45 - 5 MBUnity has been achieved. The family of Jacob is reunited once again and finally, Jacob has found peace. His lost son has been returned, he has been granted security, not just physically, but financially, and all is well! But the famine still rages around them. The rest of the world is not yet safe. There is a transaction that must take place. The cost? Your life.
Episode 42: An Impossible Resolution - Genesis 44:18-46:27
December 12, 2019 15:45 - 54.8 MBThe test has reached its climax, but what possible defense can Judah offer for the release of his brother Benjamin? The same solution that has been present in scripture since the beginning. Covenant. The keeping of covenant supersedes all other concerns. And it is this that finally convinces Joseph of the change that has occurred in his brother's lives.
Ep042: An Impossible Resolution – Genesis 44:18-46:27
December 12, 2019 07:45 - 5 MBThe test has reached its climax, but what possible defense can Judah offer for the release of his brother Benjamin? The same solution that has been present in scripture since the beginning. Covenant. The keeping of covenant supersedes all other concerns. And it is this that finally convinces Joseph of the change that has occurred in his brother's lives.
Episode 41: An Impossible Test - Genesis 43:24 – 44:17
December 06, 2019 22:32 - 35.7 MBThe first challenge that Joseph laid before his brothers has been completed. They have returned with Benjamin, and now begins a test. Can the brothers handle being shamed? Will they sit idly by while Benjamin is honored above them? What will they do when Benjamin is charged with a crime? Have they truly changed, or is there jealousy and division lurking just beneath the surface?
Ep041: An Impossible Test – Genesis 43:24 – 44:17
December 06, 2019 07:45 - 5 MBThe first challenge that Joseph laid before his brothers has been completed. They have returned with Benjamin, and now begins a test. Can the brothers handle being shamed? Will they sit idly by while Benjamin is honored above them? What will they do when Benjamin is charged with a crime? Have they truly changed, or is there jealousy and division lurking just beneath the surface?
Episode 40: An Impossible Task - Genesis 42:18-43:23
November 28, 2019 15:45 - 37.2 MBNearly 20 years ago Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. Now he has been reunited with them. But Joseph does not trust his brothers, and this time, Joseph has all the power. Let the games begin. Have the brothers grown, or are they still the selfish violent brats of old?
Ep040: An Impossible Task – Genesis 42:18-43:23
November 28, 2019 07:45 - 5 MBNearly 20 years ago Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. Now he has been reunited with them. But Joseph does not trust his brothers, and this time, Joseph has all the power. Let the games begin. Have the brothers grown, or are they still the selfish violent brats of old?
Episode 39: Reversal of Fortune - Genesis 41:38-42:17
November 21, 2019 15:45 - 37 MBThere is a theme that we discover all throughout the Bible that can reveal our own role in light of our Messiah. This thematic element is not limited to the Bible, but is in fact one of the most popular tropes in any kind of literature. What is a reversal of fortune, and how do we see it applied in Scripture and in our own lives?
Ep039: Reversal of Fortune – Genesis 41:38-42:17
November 21, 2019 07:45 - 5 MBThere is a theme that we discover all throughout the Bible that can reveal our own role in light of our Messiah. This thematic element is not limited to the Bible, but is in fact one of the most popular tropes in any kind of literature. What is a reversal of fortune, and how do we see it applied in Scripture and in our own lives?
Episode 38: The Humble Right Hand - Genesis 41:1-37
November 14, 2019 15:45 - 38.8 MBTwo years in prison, and for what? Because of a forgetful servant? Because of a lesson in patience? Or could it be that there is more going on here? If there is one thing that Joseph had plenty of still it is perhaps pride, and there is something that is necessary to address this before Joseph can be elevated to the place that God has for him.
Ep038: The Humble Right Hand – Genesis 41:1-37
November 14, 2019 07:45 - 5 MBTwo years in prison, and for what? Because of a forgetful servant? Because of a lesson in patience? Or could it be that there is more going on here? If there is one thing that Joseph had plenty of still it is perhaps pride, and there is something that is necessary to address this before Joseph can be elevated to the place that God has for him.
Episode 37: The Bread and Cup - Genesis 40
November 07, 2019 15:45 - 56.1 MBJoseph has been on a downward spiral into the depths of shame for the past few chapters. Taken from honor to slavery to prison. Into this place of shame two new men are introduced. Two new dreams appear. Two new symbols that upon examination are not really new. The baker symbolizing bread. The cup bearer symbolizing wine. Symbols that take on a life of their own throughout scripture. What can we learn from these symbols, and what do they mean for Joseph in the depths of his shame?
Ep037: The Bread and Cup – Genesis 40
November 07, 2019 07:45 - 5 MBJoseph has been on a downward spiral into the depths of shame for the past few chapters. Taken from honor to slavery to prison. Into this place of shame two new men are introduced. Two new dreams appear. Two new symbols that upon examination are not really new. The baker symbolizing bread. The cup bearer symbolizing wine. Symbols that take on a life of their own throughout scripture. What can we learn from these symbols, and what do they mean for Joseph in the depths of his shame?
Special 03-Sukkot 2019 at Founded In Truth
November 05, 2019 07:45 - 5 MBI was invited to give a breakout session at Sukkot with Founded In Truth. It was a wonderful time with a great group of people. Here is the recording of that session. If you wanted an update on Darash Chai, this is it. I am nearly a year into making this experiment my focus. Let's see where we are. What is the "Nature of Life?"
Episode 36: The Accuser - Genesis 39
October 31, 2019 14:45 - 57.4 MBWe are all familiar with the story of Joseph in Potiphar's house in Egypt. Raised to a position of authority and then an accusation. If we are paying attention, we will recognize that the previous chapter contained a similar story of an accusation against an innocent. This parallel in these chapters opens up for us a topic of human justice. The process that the Bible gives from accusation to conviction. This is vitally important today. A day and age of weaponized accusations.