Discovering How Bible Peoples Really Lived

Stories of Bible people are part of the heritage of most Americans. We have heard stories of Joseph and his “Technicolor Dreamcoat” and his rule over Egypt during a great famine. Of Moses who grew up in Pharaoh’s court and led his people out of Egypt in the great Exodus. Of David the shepherd boy who became a king and built an empire. Of Solomon and his glorious reign. Of Esther who...

Life in Abraham’s Hometown

Ur of Mesopotamia

(Genesis 11–12)

“The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran [while in Ur, Genesis 11:31], and said to him, ‘Get out of your country and from your relat...

The People of God Wandering in the Wilderness

(Exodus 13–40; Leviticus; Numbers; Deuteronomy)

It’s really incredible! A horde of Israelites just released from slavery in Egypt strike out across the Sinai wilderness toward Canaan. That’s probably close to three million men, women, and children crossing a genuine desert. Imagine wh...

Settling in the Promised Land

(Joshua; Judges; Ruth)

For forty years the Hebrews lived as nomads in tents in various areas of the Sinai. They defeated their attackers the few times they had been engaged in battle. Now they were regrouping for an assault on the fortresses and armed cities of a region vastly different from the days of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. One day Abraham roamed at will, seemingly, throughout Canaan, but now the r...

Life during the United Monarchy

(1-2 Samuel; 1 Kings 1–11; 1 Chronicles; 2 Chronicles 1–9)

A child learns to creep, then to walk, and finally to run—and falls often in the process. Just so the infant Hebrew state crept along during the latter days o...

The Divided Kingdom: Life in Judah

(1 Kings 12–22; 2 Kings; 2 Chronicles 10–36; the Prophets)

What was life like in the Kingdom of Judah after the Kingdom of Israel had been established in the north? Why were there more godly kings in the Kingdom of...

Palestine Under Roman Rule

(The Gospels and Acts)

“When the fullness of the time had come” (NKJV) or “When the right time finally came” (Today’s English Version), “God sent forth His Son, born of a woman.” (Galatians 4:4 NKJV)

If you think America has been sinking into the “dark ages” morally and religiously, con...