In this episode of The Bible Show, hosts Sam and Will take a detour from the main narrative of Genesis to explore the pivotal and scandalous story of Judah and Tamar. We unpack how this seemingly misplaced chapter is a powerful story of redemption, highlighting God’s grace and the messy lineage of the Messiah.

This episode covers:

• The complex reasons for Judah's separation from his family after selling Joseph.
• The ancient practice of levirate marriage and its purpose.
• The wickedness of Judah’s sons, Ur and Onan, and the divine consequences of their actions.
• Tamar's bold scheme to secure her future and Judah's moment of repentance.
• The controversial history of the church's views on birth control, or "Onanism," and its connection to this text.
• How the story of Judah and Tamar, with its themes of deceit and redemption, ultimately points to the gospel.

Welcome to The Bible Show! In this episode, hosts Sam and Will explore the biblical archaeology and cultural context of Genesis chapters 37. They dive into the dramatic story of Joseph and his brothers, examining the deep-seated family dysfunction, Joseph's prophetic dreams, and the surprising archaeological details that bring the narrative to life.

We'll discuss how biblical archaeology reveals:

• The significance of Jacob living as a "sojourner" and what that means for believers today.
• The true meaning behind Joseph's "robe of many colors" and its value in the ancient world.
• The historical context of dreams and their role in biblical prophecy.
• Why the brothers' hatred for Joseph escalated to murder.
• The ancient trade routes that influenced the story and the symbolism of Dothan and Egypt.
• The surprising details of Judah's involvement and its foreshadowing of Judas.

Welcome to The Bible Show! In this episode, hosts Sam and Will dive into the biblical archaeology of Genesis chapters 35 and 36, exploring the story of Jacob's journey back to Bethel and the surprising discoveries that shed new light on the text.

We'll discuss how biblical archaeology reveals:

• The meaning of Shechem and why Jacob's choice to go there was so significant.
• The surprising role of "foreign gods" and pagan practices within Jacob's own family.
• The hidden meaning behind the burial sites and how they point to God's plan.
• The significance of the Edomites and why their story is included in the Bible.