Thrive: Deeper
198 episodes - English - Latest episode: 1 day ago - ★★★★ - 1 ratingAn ongoing conversation with Dr Matthew Jacoby, author of the Thrive Bible reading guides, Senior Pastor, and leader of the Psalmist band Sons of Korah.
Join us as we go deeper into the Bible, discussing the passages as we read them together with Thrive. www.thrivetoday.tv
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Episodes
195 Thrive Deeper: Joel & Malachi
April 18, 2024 13:00 - 55 minutes - 76.4 MBThe Book of Joel begins with a vivid description of a devastating locust plague that has ravaged the land of Judah. Joel interprets this natural disaster as a sign of God's judgment and a call for the people to repent of their sins. He urges the priests to mourn and to summon the nation to repentance and fasting. Joel's message goes beyond the immediate crisis, as he prophesies about the "Day of the Lord," a time of divine judgment and restoration. Joel offers hope for those who repent, prom...
194 Thrive Deeper: Nehemiah 8-13
April 04, 2024 11:26 - 36 minutes - 51.1 MBNehemiah chapters 8-13 depict the events following the completion of the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. Chapter 8: Ezra, the scribe, reads the Book of the Law to the people gathered in Jerusalem. The people respond with humility, weeping, and repentance as they realize how far they have strayed from God's commands. Chapter 9: The Israelites gather for a day of fasting, confession, and worship. They recount God's faithfulness throughout their history, from the time of Abraham to their pr...
193 Thrive Deeper: Nehemiah 1-7
March 21, 2024 10:08 - 43 minutes - 60.1 MBIn the book of Nehemiah, we encounter a man named Nehemiah, who serves as the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes in the citadel of Susa – capital of the reigning Persian empire. Nehemiah receives distressing news about the state of Jerusalem: its walls lie in ruins, and its gates have been burned down. Deeply moved, Nehemiah prays to the God of heaven, confessing the sins of the Israelites and seeking divine intervention. The king grants Nehemiah permission to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the c...
192 Thrive Deeper: Esther
March 07, 2024 10:58 - 53 minutes - 74 MBThroughout the book of Esther we see God's faithfulness through acts of providence. Despite God's name never being mentioned, His hand is evident throughout the narrative. Esther's rise to power as queen, Mordecai's discovery of a plot against the king, and Esther's courage to intervene on behalf of her people all demonstrate divine guidance. Even seemingly insignificant details, like King Xerxes' insomnia leading him to read the chronicles where Mordecai's loyalty is recorded, play a crucia...
191 Thrive Deeper: Zechariah
February 22, 2024 10:42 - 44 minutes - 60.8 MBThe Book of Zechariah, nestled within the Old Testament, offers a vivid tapestry of prophetic visions, divine messages, and historical context. Composed during the period of Israel's return from Babylonian exile, Zechariah's narrative is one of hope and restoration. Opening with a call to repentance, Zechariah's prophecies swiftly transition to visions rich in symbolism and allegory. He envisions a man on a red horse among myrtle trees, symbolising God's watchful presence and the eventual p...
190 Thrive Deeper: Ezra & Haggai
February 08, 2024 11:09 - 44 minutes - 62 MBThe Book of Ezra narrates the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem under the decree of Persian King Cyrus. Ezra, a scribe and priest, leads the effort to rebuild the temple, emphasising the importance of spiritual renewal and adherence to the Mosaic Law. The book highlights challenges faced by the returning exiles, including opposition from neighbouring peoples and internal conflicts. Ezra also focuses on the restoration of religious practices and the purification of the Jew...
189 Thrive Deeper: 2 Timothy, Titus and Philemon
January 25, 2024 11:39 - 52 minutes - 72.6 MBSecond Timothy is a letter from the apostle Paul to his protégé Timothy. Penned from a Roman prison, the letter is a heartfelt plea for steadfastness in faith and ministry. Paul implores Timothy to stand firm in the face of challenges, reminding him of the spiritual heritage passed down through their family. The letter emphasizes the importance of sound doctrine, urging Timothy to guard the Gospel and avoid false teachings. Paul encourages him to be courageous and not succumb to fear, for Go...
188 Thrive Deeper: 1 Timothy
January 11, 2024 11:22 - 1 hour - 83.4 MB1 Timothy is one of the pastoral letters in the New Testament, written by the Apostle Paul and addressed to Timothy, a young leader in the early Christian church in Ephesus. The primary focus of the book is on instructing Timothy about the proper organisation and conduct within the Christian community. Paul emphasises the importance of sound doctrine, warning against false teachings and the misuse of the law. He provides guidelines for leadership within the church, emphasising qualities suc...
187 Thrive Deeper: Colossians and Thessalonians
December 28, 2023 21:48 - 48 minutes - 33.7 MBColossians: Paul wrote the letter to the Colossians while he was in prison, addressing a community in Colossae facing various doctrinal challenges, including the influence of false teachings. Key Themes: Supremacy of Christ: Paul emphasises the pre-eminence of Jesus Christ in all things, both in the heavens and on earth. Freedom from Legalism: He warns against the dangers of legalistic practices and emphasises that believers are complete in Christ. Ethical Living: Paul provides practical ins...
186 Thrive Deeper: Philippians
December 14, 2023 10:51 - 41 minutes - 28.4 MBThe Book of Philippians, is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the Christian community in Philippi, a city in Macedonia. One of Paul's "prison letters” this letters predominant theme is of joy and gratitude. Despite Paul's imprisonment, he expresses profound joy and encourages the Philippians to find contentment in all circumstances through their faith in Christ. Paul again emphasises the importance of unity within the Christian community, urging believers to be of one mind and to cons...
185 Thrive Deeper: Ephesians 4-6
November 30, 2023 12:32 - 32 minutes - 22.6 MBThese chapters of Ephesians provide a comprehensive guide for Christian living, emphasising unity, ethical conduct, and the spiritual warfare that we are engaged in as folowers of Christ. Pauls practical advice is rooted in the theological understanding of the believer's identity in Christ and their position within the body of believers.
184 Thrive Deeper: Ephesians 1-3
November 16, 2023 11:39 - 44 minutes - 30.6 MBEphesians 1-3 encourages us as Christians to anchor our identity in Christ, embrace the gift of grace, live in unity with fellow believers, and actively share the transformative message of the gospel with others. It calls for a life characterised by gratitude, humility, and a deep understanding of God's love and purpose.
183 Thrive Deeper: Daniel 7-12
November 02, 2023 11:59 - 48 minutes - 33.2 MBThe book of Daniel, chapters 7-12, provides a sweeping narrative of prophetic visions and revelations. In Chapter 7, Daniel dreams of four great beasts representing four empires, with the final one being a terrifying beast symbolizing a future oppressive kingdom. Then, in a divine vision, he witnesses the Ancient of Days and the Son of Man receiving dominion over all nations. Chapters 8 and 9 continue with more visions. In Chapter 8, Daniel sees a ram and a male goat, symbolizing the Medo-P...
182 Thrive Deeper: Daniel 1-6
October 19, 2023 11:54 - 42 minutes - 29.2 MBChapter 1 - Daniel's Faithfulness and Integrity: In this chapter, Daniel and his friends demonstrate unwavering faith and integrity by refusing to eat the king's food against their beliefs. Chapter 2 - Daniel's Interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's Dream: Daniel interprets King Nebuchadnezzar's dream, showcasing the importance of relying on God for wisdom and guidance. Chapter 3 - The Fiery Furnace: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse to worship the golden statue, even under the threat of...
181 Thrive Deeper: Ezekiel 40-48
October 05, 2023 11:22 - 49 minutes - 34.1 MBBiblical scholars acknowledge that the temple vision, which occupies the last nine chapters of Ezekiel, presents special challenges in its interpretation. Some have even described it as the most difficult passage in the Old Testament. At the time when Ezekiel received this vision, the Israelites were in exile in Babylon, and the Jerusalem temple had been destroyed. The vision offered hope and assurance of a future restoration for the people of Israel. Beyond the meaning in the moment for Eze...
180 Thrive Deeper: Ezekiel 33 -39
September 21, 2023 12:05 - 48 minutes - 33.7 MBEzekiel chapters 33-39 convey a message of divine judgment, redemption, and the ultimate triumph of God's plan. They remind us of the importance of repentance, the consequences of disobedience, and the assurance of restoration for those who turn back to God. These chapters highlight God's faithfulness to His covenant and His unwavering commitment to His people, ultimately pointing toward a future where His sovereignty is acknowledged and His people are reunited in righteousness.
179 Thrive Deeper: Ezekiel 21 -32
September 07, 2023 10:43 - 50 minutes - 35.1 MBEzekiel chapters 21-32 in the Bible are a collection of prophecies and messages delivered by the prophet Ezekiel. These chapters primarily focus on God's judgment against various nations, including Judah and its neighbors, for their idolatry, wickedness, and disobedience. Consequences of Sin: These chapters illustrate the sobering reality that sin has consequences. Just as Judah faced judgment for their disobedience, we should recognize that our actions have consequences in our lives as we...
178 Thrive Deeper: Ezekiel 12 -20
August 24, 2023 11:35 - 53 minutes - 36.9 MBEzekiel 12-20 Chapter 12: Ezekiel symbolizes the people's exile by moving his belongings at night. The exiles doubt the prophecies, but God confirms their fulfillment. Chapter 13: False prophets are rebuked for spreading deceitful messages. God will punish false prophets who give false hope. Chapter 14: Elders come to Ezekiel for guidance, but their hearts are still attached to idols. God's judgment will be severe, even sparing only a remnant. Chapter 15: Jerusalem is compared to a us...
177 Thrive Deeper: Ezekiel 1-11
August 10, 2023 12:22 - 50 minutes - 34.6 MBIn the midst of the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel, a prophet and captive in a foreign land, is chosen to bear witness to remarkable visions and profound messages. The initial vision paints a vivid tableau of a stormy whirlwind, from which emerges a wondrous entity comprising four living beings with human, lion, eagle, and ox-like features. This enigmatic being supports a platform bearing a throne upon which God's radiant presence materializes. In this breathtaking spectacle, Ezekiel witnesses Go...
176 Thrive Deeper: Jeremiah 41-52
July 27, 2023 12:16 - 38 minutes - 26.5 MBJeremiah chapter 41 to 52, covers the period following the fall of Jerusalem, with a focus on the events that occurred in the aftermath of the city's destruction. We see the chaotic situation in Judah, the assassination of Gedaliah, the fear of reprisals from the Babylonians, and the eventual escape of some Judeans to Egypt against Jeremiah's warnings. The section also includes prophecies and messages from the prophet Jeremiah to the exiled Judeans, encouraging them to accept their fate and ...
175 Thrive Deeper: Jeremiah 34-40 + Lamentations
July 13, 2023 12:22 - 47 minutes - 32.7 MBThe overall context of Jeremiah 33-40 is one of impending doom and captivity for the people of Judah, as well as the prophet Jeremiah's steadfast proclamation of God's judgment, restoration, and hope amidst challenging circumstances. In 605 BCE, the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II launched the first of several campaigns against Judah, leading to the subjugation of the kingdom. Over a span of approximately ten years, Nebuchadnezzar conducted multiple sieges and deportations, culminating in ...
174 Thrive Deeper: Jeremiah Chapters 23-33
June 29, 2023 11:22 - 37 minutes - 25.9 MBIn these chapters, Jeremiah confronts the false prophets who have been deceiving the people with their misleading words. He denounces their lies and condemns their actions, warning of the dire consequences that await them. Amidst this criticism, Jeremiah emphasises the sovereignty of God and the importance of true prophetic messages. He assures the people that God is aware of the deceptive practices and will bring judgment upon the false prophets. Jeremiah contrasts these false shepherds wit...
173 Thrive Deeper: Jeremiah Chapters 16-22
June 15, 2023 12:24 - 45 minutes - 31.2 MBJudgment and Consequences: Jeremiah proclaims that God will bring upon them severe punishment, including famine, warfare, and exile, as a result of their persistent rebellion. False Religion and Idolatry: Jeremiah denounces the worship of false gods and the practices associated with idol worship, highlighting the people's unfaithfulness to the true God. The Role of the Prophet: Jeremiah's calling as a prophet and the challenges he faces are explored in these chapters. He encounters opposi...
172 Thrive Deeper: Jeremiah Chapters 6-15
June 01, 2023 11:21 - 50 minutes - 34.9 MBIn these chapters, Jeremiah speaks out against the wickedness and disobedience of the people of Judah. He warns them of the impending destruction and judgment that will befall them if they do not repent and turn back to God. Jeremiah uses vivid imagery and metaphors to depict the severity of their sins and the consequences that await them. The people of Judah are portrayed as stubborn and unrepentant, unwilling to listen to Jeremiah's message of truth. They continue to engage in idolatry, i...
171 Thrive Deeper: Habakkuk/Obadiah/Jeremiah 1-5
May 18, 2023 12:39 - 50 minutes - 34.7 MBThe Book of Habakkuk is unique in that it is a dialogue between the prophet and God, rather than a collection of prophetic oracles. It deals with timeless questions about the problem of evil, the nature of God's justice, and the role of suffering in the world. It teaches that even in the midst of uncertainty and chaos, God is still in control, and that faith and trust in Him is the only sure foundation for life. The Book of Obadiah serves as a warning against pride and a reminder of God's j...
170 Thrive Deeper: Nahum & Zephaniah
May 04, 2023 11:41 - 32 minutes - 22.5 MBThe Book of Nahum is one of the twelve minor prophets in the Hebrew Bible. It consists of three chapters and is primarily concerned with the destruction of Nineveh (located in modern day Iraq), the capital of the Assyrian Empire. The book is believed to have been written during the seventh century BCE, around the time when the Assyrians were at the height of their power. Key points: God is SOVEREIGN in the rise and fall of nations. The Book of Zephaniah is a prophetic book found in the Old ...
169 Thrive Deeper: John Chapters 16-21
April 19, 2023 12:54 - 51 minutes - 35.2 MBChapters 16-21 of the Gospel of John contain some of the most significant events in the life of Jesus Christ. In Chapter 16, Jesus predicts his impending death and the coming of the Holy Spirit to guide his disciples after his departure. In Chapter 17, Jesus prays for his disciples and for all believers, asking for their unity and protection. Chapter 18 describes Jesus' arrest and trial before Pilate, culminating in his crucifixion and death. Chapter 19 provides a detailed account of...
168 Thrive Deeper: John Chapters 11-15
April 06, 2023 11:25 - 45 minutes - 31.3 MBIn John Chapters 11-15, we see Jesus' power over death as he raises Lazarus from the dead. He then arrives in Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover, where he teaches his disciples about his impending death and the importance of serving others. Jesus washes the feet of his disciples, predicting his betrayal and denial. He reassures his disciples of his love and promises them the Holy Spirit. He emphasizes the importance of remaining in him and the need to bear fruit through obedience. These...
167 Thrive Deeper: John Chapters 8-10
March 23, 2023 11:09 - 44 minutes - 30.8 MBTIn John Chapters 8-10, Jesus confronts the Pharisees, who are trying to trap Him with questions. He tells them that He is the light of the world and the Son of God. He also forgives a woman caught in adultery and heals a man born blind, which causes controversy among the Pharisees. Jesus also teaches about being the good shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep. The Pharisees continue to plot against Jesus and eventually try to stone Him, but He escapes their grasp as He determines whe...
166 Thrive Deeper: John Chapters 4-7
March 09, 2023 11:28 - 43 minutes - 30.2 MBJohn Chapters 4-7 focus on the interactions of Jesus with various people and groups, highlighting his teachings and miracles. In Chapter 4, Jesus speaks with a Samaritan woman at a well, breaking social and cultural norms, and revealing to her that he is the Messiah. This interaction leads to many Samaritans coming to believe in Jesus. In Chapter 5, Jesus heals a man who had been an invalid for 38 years, but the religious leaders criticize him for doing so on the Sabbath. Jesus defends hims...
165 Thrive Deeper: John 3
February 23, 2023 11:20 - 36 minutes - 25.1 MBOverall, John Chapter 3 teaches about the need for spiritual rebirth through belief in Jesus, the love and salvation that God offers through his Son, and the importance of testifying to Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus tells Nicodemus that to see the kingdom of God, one must be "born again". This represents a spiritual transformation that occurs when someone accepts Jesus as their savior. This transformation involves a new perspective on life, a changed heart, and the indwelling of the Holy Spir...
164 Thrive Deeper: John 1-2
February 09, 2023 12:21 - 50 minutes - 34.8 MBThe Gospel of John 1-2 is seen as a profound theological reflection on the nature of Jesus and his relationship to God. The central idea of these chapters is that Jesus is the Word (Logos) of God, a term that has rich philosophical and theological connotations in the ancient world. The Word is not only the source of all creation, but also the source of light and life, which are essential elements of the divine presence in the world. We hear about the relationship between John the Baptist and...
163 Thrive Deeper: Isaiah 40-66
January 26, 2023 06:41 - 53 minutes - 36.6 MB• We’ve seen Isaiah’s message of both Judgement and Hope for Jerusalem • Isaiah made it clear through his messages that the people of Israel and Jerusalem had rebelled against God, amongst other things they had continued with their worship of idols, and treating the poor and less fortunate with contempt. • As a result of this rebellion, Isaiah tells the rulers that God is going to use both the nations of Assyria and then later Babylon to bring Israel’s kingdom to nothing through this a...
162 Thrive Deeper: Isaiah 29-39
January 12, 2023 11:16 - 49 minutes - 33.7 MBThrough Isaiah, God warned that he would bring military crisis and judgement upon Jerusalem. People were characterised by spiritual insensitivity, religious hypocrisy and unwillingness to trust their destiny to God. The coming crisis would be severe , but God would suddenly and miraculously rescue the city from the armies outside the walls of Jerusalem. This prophecy anticipated God’s deliverance of Jerusalem in 701bc. Deliverance will only come through repentance and faith. If only they wou...
161 Thrive Deeper: Isaiah 13-28
December 29, 2022 11:09 - 49 minutes - 34 MBIsaiah Chapters 13-28 are focussed on Isaiah’s Judgment Speeches. These are not just judgements on Israel and Judah, but all the nations of the world and specifically those surrounding Israel and Judah at the time. God is sovereign over ALL nations. God’s people should not have feared the surrounding nations, but they also should not rely on them for aid! However, as we have already seen in Isaiah, this message of judgement is delivered with a message of hope – that in spite of this judgemen...
160 Thrive Deeper: Isaiah Chapters 1-12
December 14, 2022 10:23 - 45 minutes - 31.1 MBIsaiah 1-12 (740-700 BC) Isaiah the Prophet lived in Jerusalem in the last part of the 2 Kingdom period (Israel in the North and Judah in the South) and his prophetic word was directed to the leaders of Jerusalem and Judah. Isaiah had been warning Hezekiah (the king of Judah at the time) about the nations rebellion against God and under Hezekiah’s reign there was a ‘revival’ of sorts. In 701bc, the Assyrian ruler Sennacherib marched against Judah and besieged Jerusalem and Isaiah urged the...
159 Thrive Deeper: Micah
December 08, 2022 07:43 - 41 minutes - 28.6 MBMicah was a contemporary of Isaiah and Hosea – He prophesied mostly in Judah (but speaking to all Israel (North and South), across the reigns of 3 kings of Judah: Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. This book, much like Hosea is also written in Hebrew Poetry. Micah announces God's judgment against Israel. Israel has exploited the poor and twisted the laws of the Torah, and God’s justice means that he will deal with them severely. But Micah’s prophecies are not without hope. The God of Israel is al...
158 Thrive Deeper: Hosea
November 24, 2022 12:49 - 36 minutes - 25.2 MBThe book of Hosea is mostly written in the form of Hebrew poetry. Hosea actually means ‘Salvation’ in Hebrew. Hosea was a contemporary of Isaiah and Micah – at the time of Israel (Northern Kingdom) ruler Jeroboam 2. 750-722 BC. Hosea is one of the most autobiographical of the prophetic Books in that the opening account of Hosea’s own marriage and family actually formed a vital part of his message. The people of Israel (Ephraim) placed false hope in their own remedies. Like farmers trying to ...
157 Thrive Deeper: Jonah and Amos
November 10, 2022 05:30 - 42 minutes - 28.9 MBIn this episode we cover the books of Jonah and Amos, both written about the same time period during the rule of Jeroboam 2 one of Israel’s worst Kings. The story of Jonah, is probably one of the most well known Bible stories. In many ways, it is holding up a mirror to our own disfunction when it comes to understanding God’s ways and in particular His unmerited grace. Are we OK with the fact that God loves our enemies? Do we let our pride get in the way of our joy as God redeems people to H...
156 Thrive Deeper: Galatians
October 27, 2022 11:27 - 39 minutes - 27 MBWritten to Christians in the Roman province of Galatia. (In the center of modern Turkey). Capital of Galatia at the time was Ancyra. Written about the same time as Corinthians or alternate view is that this was Pauls earliest letter. The Christians in this province came manly from a Gentile background. They were relatively new believers (most likely only a matter of 2 or 3 years). Paul wrote to respond to issues that had arisen after he left the Galatian church, where there were people sayi...
155 Thrive Deeper: 2 Corinthians 10-13
October 13, 2022 10:10 - 42 minutes - 29.5 MBThe Apostle Paul teaches about the spiritual war that the children of God are engaged in. He defends himself against those who oppose him. He recounted how he was caught up into the third heaven and described how his weaknesses proved to be a blessing. Before ending his epistle, Paul exhorted the Saints in Corinth to examine themselves and prove their faithfulness. In last part of 2 Corinthians we learn that Paul gloried in the Lord and taught that his own weaknesses should not be used to ju...
154 Thrive Deeper: 2 Corinthians 1-9
September 29, 2022 11:51 - 49 minutes - 34.2 MBThe church at Corinth had recently been struggling with divisions and quarrels which Paul had dealt with in his first letter. Now in this second letter, Paul felt the need to articulate a defense of his apostleship and his message. Some in the church had apparently taken his meekness among them to be a sign of moral weakness or lack of authority. Paul argued that he was of equal stature and importance as the other apostles, that he had deep knowledge of the Christian faith, that he had suffe...
153 Thrive Deeper: 1 Corinthians 13-16
September 15, 2022 11:06 - 51 minutes - 35.7 MBLove is the greatest gift of all. After Paul has said that the Corinthian church should eagerly desire the greater gifts, he then tells them what the greatest gift of all is. LOVE Paul says that Love should be the priority over ALL other aspects of life in the Spirit. BUT still the greatest of these is LOVE. So whilst the church had struggles around many issues internally – worship, prophecy, tongues, the highest priority for Paul was that they pursued LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER – above all these ...
152 Thrive Deeper: 1 Corinthians 8-12
August 31, 2022 11:41 - 51 minutes - 35.2 MB1 Corinthians 8-12 We cover an enormous amount of territory through these chapters as Paul unpacks so many of the issues facing the early Corinthian church, but with very relevant lessons for us today! • Eating food sacrificed for other gods. • Freedom and Rights - Christian freedom grows as Christian understanding grows • Old Testament Lessons – Idolatry • Honoring Others in Worship • The Lords Supper • Spiritual Gifts in Worship • Unity and Diversity We need to restrain our f...
151 Thrive Deeper: 1 Corinthians 1-7
August 18, 2022 06:30 - 46 minutes - 32.1 MB1 Corinthians 1 – 7 Corinth was a vey strategic city – center for trade as a port city. Paul spent 18 months living in Corinth as a missionary, getting to know people (networking), and so many people came to know Jesus and hear about Jesus. They formed a church community. You can read more about this initial ministry of Paul’s to Corinth in Acts 18. Paul moved on of course to start churches in other cities – he planted churches all over the Mediterranean world - and just a few years after mo...
150 Thrive Deeper: 2 Kings 23:31 – 2 Kings 25:30
August 04, 2022 13:22 - 31 minutes - 21.5 MBJudah has reached the end of the road. The final 4 kings turned away from the exclusive worship of God that Josiah had practiced. In a series of attacks, Jerusalem is captured and totally destroyed and the people taken into captivity in Babylon. God’s Prophets in the last days of the Southern Kingdom – Judah. Habakkuk – prophesied the Babylonian invasion soon after Josiah’s death as judgement from God on his sinful people. Daniel – Taken captive to Babylon during the reign of Jehoiakim. Li...
149 Thrive Deeper: 2 Kings 18-23:30
July 21, 2022 13:01 - 47 minutes - 32.4 MBHezekiah When there was finally a Godly King in Judah – Hezekiah – they find themselves facing the greatest threat the nation had ever known – the attack of Assyria. Without adequate resources to defend Jerusalem, Hezekiah casts himself in faith upon the Lord and receives not only the promise of victory through God’s prophet Isaiah, but also experiences God’s victory through the Lord’s intervention. Manasseh Worst King ever to rule in Judah. Longest reigning Judean King - 55 years. He adopt...
148 Thrive Deeper: 2 Kings 9 - 2 Kings 17
July 07, 2022 12:25 - 27 minutes - 19.1 MBJehu – Israel (Northern Kingdom) - Anointed as King by Elisha in secret and given the task to destroy the house of Ahab. Jehu is the only king of the Northern Kingdom (Israel) to have been anointed Carried out God’s requirement and prophesy to eliminate Ahab’s complete family line including Jezebel. Jehu eliminated Baal worship from Israel, but he continued to allow the worshipping of the Golden Calves. Athaliah Usurps the Throne (Judah – Southern Kingdom). She annihilated all the royal hei...
147 Thrive Deeper: 2 Kings 2 - 2 Kings 8
June 23, 2022 12:24 - 45 minutes - 31.1 MB2 Kings 2 - 2 Kings 8 As we head into 2 Kings, we see Jehoshaphat become King of Judah (the southern Kingdom) and the writer states he ‘did what was right in the eyes of the Lord’ We’ll here more about Jehoshaphat as we move forward, but we can find out some key aspects to Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 17-20. • Jehoshaphat was a King with a passionate personal commitment to God. • Jehoshaphat was committed to the centrality of the word of God in such a way that he ordered his reign as King...
146 Thrive Deeper: 1 Kings 17 - 2 Kings 2
June 09, 2022 11:49 - 45 minutes - 31.3 MB1 Kings 16 leading into 17 – we see the House of Omri take reign of Israel (the northern Kingdom) and his son Ahab. During Ahab’s 22 year reign he consolidated his fathers achievements and expanded Israel’s influence. Secular historians would tend to speak highly of the accomplishments of Ahab. But the Bible has a different perspective. It was the worst of times for the northern Kingdom – Israel. Ahab did more evil than any before him. Ahab was a polytheist – claiming to follow the Lord, bu...