The Old Testament in Context

The ten lost tribes of Israel aren't actually a mystery. We know exactly what happened to them - and the real answer is more chilling than any theory about Ethiopia or the British Isles.In this episode we trace the rise of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, the most feared power in the ancient world, and the systematic policy they used to dismantle conquered peoples - not just militarily, but structurally. We cover the fall of the northern kingdom in 722 BC, Jerusalem's unlikely survival under Sennacherib in 701 BC, and what Isaiah, Jonah, and Nahum together say about a God who governs even the most brutal empires in history.Includes: Sennacherib's own annals, the Lachish reliefs, Sargon II's deportation records, and 2 Kings 17's explanation of why Israel really fell.

When archaeologists dig at a site like Hazor, they're not just moving dirt — they're reading history written in layers. Understanding stratigraphy is the key to understanding how we know what we know about the ancient world of the Old Testament.In this episode we cover what a tell actually is, how archaeologists assign meaning to destruction layers, how Hazor illustrates all of this with stunning clarity, and why pottery matters more than almost anything else for dating ancient sites.🗺️ Explore the OT in its original context: https://otincontext.com👥 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/oldtestamentincontext

Of all the places God could have planted His people — the fertile Nile, the rich plains of Mesopotamia — He chose a narrow, contested strip of land wedged between empires. Why?In this episode, we explore the geography of Canaan: a land so compact you could walk across it in a few days, yet packed with more geographic diversity than regions ten times its size. From the coastal plain to the central hills to the Dead Sea — the lowest land elevation on earth — this land was built for dependence, exposure, and encounter.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS0:00 - Why there?0:34 - What this series is about1:10 - The space between empires3:15 - A land of remarkable diversity6:10 - Why this place? Position, dependence, exposure9:24 - Many names, one land10:24 - What's next🔗 LINKSOT in Context App: https://otincontext.comFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/oldtestamentincontext🎬 PREVIOUS: Jericho: 11,000 Years of History🎬 NEXT: Coming soon#OldTestament #BibleStudy #BiblicalGeography #Christianity #BibleHistory #Archaeology

Think the oldest cities are in Europe? Think again. Jericho has been inhabited, conquered, and rebuilt for over 11,000 years—older than Stonehenge, older than the pyramids, older than widespread agriculture.Most people only know Joshua 6, but this city appears throughout the Old Testament at every major transition point: Balaam's blessing, the conquest, Ehud's assassination of Eglon, David's humiliated ambassadors, Hiel's curse, and Elijah's departure.Let's explore the city that won't stay dead.🔗 LINKSOT in Context App: https://otincontext.comFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/oldtestamentincontext🎬 PREVIOUS: Let Me Show You: Your First Exploration of the Ancient World🎬 NEXT: The Exodus Route Debate

I realized I was reading biblical place names the same way I'd read Tolkien or Lewis—familiar words with no real meaning. Bethel. Beersheba. Babylon. I couldn't point to any of them on a map.The Bible isn't fiction. Old Testament history IS world history. Same places. Same terrain. Same story. And when we read it like fantasy, we miss so much.In this episode, I start building the mental map we need—explaining why geography shapes everything in Scripture, why Israel's location made them both wealthy and vulnerable, and how the Fertile Crescent explains almost every story in the Old Testament.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS0:00 - I was reading the Bible like fantasy0:57 - The Middle Earth Problem1:32 - The Bible isn't fiction (same places, same terrain)1:56 - Abraham's journey (measured!)2:55 - Why geography shapes history3:40 - The Fertile Crescent explained5:03 - Israel: The Land Between6:52 - Building your mental map8:14 - The Bible happened in a real place9:15 - What's next🔗 LINKSOT in Context App: https://otincontext.comFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/oldtestamentincontextYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@otincontext🎬 PREVIOUS: Why Modern Readers Struggle with the Old Testament🎬 NEXT: The Fertile Crescent: Crossroads of Civilization

An ancient cave near Mount Ararat has revealed an astonishing secret that dates back over 6,000 years! Could this discovery connect us to the world of the Old Testament in ways we never expected? Read more here: https://discovering-the-ot-as-they-knew-it.beehiiv.com/p/ancient-wine-cave-near-ararat-could-this-be-the-world-s-oldest-winery And subscribe to our newsletter at https://discovering-the-ot-as-they-knew-it.beehiiv.com/

In this episode, we delve into the fascinating story of Joshua's standing stone at Shechem, a powerful symbol of Israel's covenant with God as recounted in Joshua 24. We explore the cultural and spiritual significance of standing stones in the ancient Near East and their role as enduring reminders of faith and commitment. Join us as we discuss the biblical account, the potential archaeological connections at Shechem, and what this story means for believers today. Tune in to uncover the rich history and timeless lessons behind this remarkable monument. Read more here: https://discovering-the-ot-as-they-knew-it.beehiiv.com/p/joshua-s-standing-stone-at-shechem-a-testament-to-israel-s-covenant And subscribe to our newsletter at https://discovering-the-ot-as-they-knew-it.beehiiv.com/