”Light in the Land”

"Light in the Land" - Exploring the Bible within the Physical Settings of Israel - Podcast #35 - Acts 3-4

In this episode, Dr. John takes us to Jerusalem and specifically to the Temple!  Within the courts of the Temple is the Beautiful Gate and Solomon's Portico. These temple locations are mentioned in the stories of Acts 3-4. These stories including the healing of a lame man and the bold proclamation of the kingdom message. 

Go he...

"Light in the Land" - Exploring the Bible within the Physical Settings of Israel - Podcast #34 - 1 Samuel 24

In this episode, Dr. John takes us to Ein Gedi. Located on the edge of the heart of the Judean Desert and on the western coastline of the Dead Sea, this "oasis" (because of the presence of springs) served as the backdrop for the 1 Samuel 24 story. This "cave encounter" between King Saul and young David happened somewhere her...

"Light in the Land" - Exploring the Bible within the Physical Settings of Israel - Podcast #32 - 2 Kings 6-7

In this episode, Dr. John takes us to the Hill Country of Ephraim and to the site of Samaria! Located on the northern end of this biblical region, Samaria served as the third and final capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. This story from 2 Kings 6-7 first takes us to Dothan but then to Samaria. The text offers us two s...

"Light in the Land" - Exploring the Bible within the Physical Settings of Israel - Podcast #31 - John 20

This is a special Easter episode! In this episode, Dr. John takes us to the story of the resurrection from John 20. There are two primary suggested locations for where the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus took place: the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Garden Tomb. While we talk about both locations and which ...

"Light in the Land" - Exploring the Bible within the Physical Settings of Israel - Podcast #30 - Luke 22

In this episode, Dr. John takes us to the Mt. of Olives to consider the Garden of Gethsemane narrative as recorded in Luke 22. The Mt. of Olives is located east of the Temple Mount. It was somewhere along the western slopes of the range where Jesus took His disciples following the Passover meal in the Upper City of Jerusalem. It...

"Light in the Land" - Exploring the Bible within the Physical Settings of Israel - Podcast #29 - 2 Kings 18

In this episode, Dr. John takes us Lachish, a city in the Shephelah of Judah. In the 14th year of his reign, Hekeziah faced the formidable Assyrian army led by King Sennacherib. While Hezekiah was positioned in Jerusalem, most of his Judean cities (46 of them according to Assyrian records) fell to Sennacherib. This included L...

"Light in the Land" - Exploring the Bible within the Physical Settings of Israel - Podcast #28 - Acts 2

In this episode, Dr. John takes us to the Southern Steps of the Temple in Jerusalem. Some of these steps were uncovered in the excavations in the 1970s. These steps would have been used by Peter and the other disciples on the Day of Pentecost (Shavuot) as they entered the Temple. The story of Acts 2 no doubt occurred somewhere in...

"Light in the Land" - Exploring the Bible within the Physical Settings of Israel - Podcast #27 - 2 Chronicles 32

In this episode, Dr. John takes us to on an adventure at the City of David - we walk through Hezekiah's Tunnel! Chiseled from bedrock and completed in 701 BC, this tunnel was an incredible engineering accomplishment! We go to 2 Chronicles 32 to read about the tunnel and Hezekiah's unwavering trust in God throughout this ...

"Light in the Land" - Exploring the Bible within the Physical Settings of Israel - Podcast #26 - John 11

In this episode, Dr. John takes us to Bethany. Located east of the Mt. of Olives on the edge of the Judean Desert, Bethany was the home town (perhaps an Essene town?) to Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. The story of John 11 is featured in this podcast, the raising of Lazarus from death. Go here (https://biblicalisraeltours.com/radiost...

"Light in the Land" - Exploring the Bible within the Physical Settings of Israel - Podcast #25 - 2 Kings 4

In this episode, we travel to the Jezreel Valley and specifically to Shunem. Located off the southern slopes of the Hill of Moreh, Shuman was the home of a woman whose son died of heat stroke. Elisha (found on the Carmel Range to the west), restores his life. Go here (https://biblicalisraeltours.com/radiostation-podcast/) to v...

"Light in the Land" - Exploring the Bible within the Physical Settings of Israel - Podcast #23 - John 2

In this episode, Dr. John takes us to the biblical Cana (Khirbet Cana). The site today is located on the north side of the Beit Netofa Valley in the Lower Galilee. John 2 records the miracle of the turning water into wine. Later, John 4 records Jesus being here again  where he restores someone in Capernaum 12-13 miles away. Go he...

"Light in the Land" - Exploring the Bible within the Physical Settings of Israel - Podcast #23 - Isaiah 40, Matthew 3

In this episode, Dr. John takes us the Judean Desert. The word for desert in Hebrew is "midbar." Somewhere in this desert (Wadi Qelt?) Isaiah shared "Prepare the way for the Lord..." (Is. 40). John the Baptizer would echo these same words perhaps in the same place (Matthew 3). Jesus was also tempted for 40 days in t...

"Light in the Land" - Exploring the Bible within the Physical Settings of Israel - Podcast #22 - John 9

In this episode, Dr. John takes us to the Pool of Siloam. In the longest miracle narrative in the Gospels (John 9), Jesus heals the man born blind at this pool. "New" archaeology may help us specifically locate this pool. The story is a powerful example of transformation. Go here (https://biblicalisraeltours.com/radiostation-podc...

"Light in the Land" - Exploring the Bible within the Physical Settings of Israel - Podcast #21 - Luke 2.

In this episode, Dr. John takes us to Bethlehem, the City of David. This is the classic birth narrative of Jesus. We talk about the role of the shepherds too. Jesus was born "just at the right time" (Galatians 4:4). Go here (https://biblicalisraeltours.com/radiostation-podcast/) to view/download the pictorial PDF file correspond...

"Light in the Land" - Exploring the Bible within the Physical Settings of Israel - Podcast #20 - Matthew 2:13-23.

In this episode, Dr. John takes not only builds upon the text about the wise men (2:1-12), but takes us to Egypt. According to 3:13-23, Joseph and Mary took infant Jesus to Egypt to escape the wrath of King Herod. In going to Egypt, Jesus would fulfill three prophetic teachings. Following this time in Egypt, they would ...

"Light in the Land" - Exploring the Bible within the Physical Settings of Israel - Podcast #19 - Matthew 2:1-12.

In this episode, Dr. John takes talks about the "Wise Men" narrative from Matthew 2:1-12. This Christmas-oriented episode helps us understand who they were and their discovery of Jesus. Go here (https://biblicalisraeltours.com/radiostation-podcast/) to view/download the pictorial PDF file corresponding to this episode.

"Light in the Land" - Exploring the Bible within the Physical Settings of Israel - Podcast #16 - Luke 19 and Mark 10

In this episode, Dr. John takes to "New Testament" Jericho (also called Hasmonian or Herodian Jericho). We unfold the transformational stories of Zachaeus (Luke 19) and Bartimaeus (Mark 10) here. Go here (https://biblicalisraeltours.com/radiostation-podcast/) to view/download the pictorial PDF file corresponding to t...