Send us a text

Advent isn’t a glossy postcard here; it’s a story told under the stare of a fortress and the echo of marching boots. We open the Nativity in the time of Herod and Rome, where fear, taxes, and crushed revolts shape daily life—and where lament becomes a holy practice of agreeing with God that the world is not as it should be. From Zechariah’s once‑in‑a‑lifetime temple moment to Mary’s dangerous “yes” in Galilee, we follow the threads of personal shame, public pressure, and prophetic hope that converge on a peasant birth with cosmic consequences.

Zechariah hears that John will prepare a people, turning hearts when loyalty is fractured. Mary sings the Magnificat, announcing a great reversal that lifts the humble and disorients the proud. Joseph learns that salvation addresses corporate sin and covenant faithfulness, not just private faults. Shepherds receive a proclamation guarded by a heavenly host—an army announcing peace not enforced by empire, but born in God’s favor. In the temple, Simeon and Anna name the child as light for the Gentiles and glory for Israel, while warning that the path of redemption will pass through suffering.

When Magi honor the newborn king, Herod’s rage explodes, and the family flees as refugees to Egypt. The trauma doesn’t stop after the manger; it molds Jesus’ childhood in Nazareth, surrounded by unrest and stories of revolt. And yet, when he speaks as a man, he refuses the lever of power. Presence, not power, defines his kingdom. Bread for the hungry, healing for the sick, dignity for the lowly—this is how God answers lament. Christmas, then, is God with us in the thick of it, holding our hands through grief while moving history toward renewal.

If this season feels heavy, you’re not outside the story—you’re inside its very heart. Listen, share with someone who needs steady hope, and leave a review to help others find this conversation.

For more nativity episodes, be sure to catch:

• 013 Historical Context of the Nativity: Part 1
• 014 Historical Context of the Nativity: Part 2
• 020 Boy Jesus in Trauma's Shadow (Interview with Joan Taylor)

Support the show

...................
Follow We Who Thirst on Instagram, Threads, or YouTube!

To join Jessica LM Jenkins' mailing list, or access the full research bibliography for this episode visit www.wewhothirst.com/links .

Thank you for supporting the Women of the Bible in Context podcast, your contributions make this ministry possible!

Send us a text

Bathsheba’s story has been trimmed into a tidy cautionary tale for far too long. We open the text back up with hospital chaplain and theologian Liz Day to confront the real dynamics at work: power, consent, silence, and the cost borne by survivors when churches protect kings and blame women. Starting with how Bathsheba is framed from pulpits and commentaries, we unpack the myths—like “lust made him do it”—and trace how Scripture itself reads the moment through Torah ethics and Nathan’s parable, where the stolen lamb mirrors the life-altering harm Bathsheba endures.

Together, we ask better hermeneutical questions: Where is God in this text? What is God like? We notice God’s refusal to endorse abuse, God’s prophet confronting a king, and Scripture’s pattern of letting survivors like Tamar speak. We challenge the popular use of Psalm 51 as a shortcut back to platform, naming why confession without justice, repair, and power relinquished is not repentance. From there, we move into practice: how to become trauma-informed communities that believe disclosures, make space for lament, and choose presence over platitudes. We talk about sharing power, setting real limits on leadership, empowering survivors, and reshaping discipleship at the grassroots so children learn a truer story—one where righteousness and justice belong together.

If you’ve wrestled with David and Bathsheba, sensed a disconnect in how the story is preached, or wondered how churches can genuinely be safe for the wounded, this conversation offers language, tools, and hope. Listen, share with a friend who needs it, and then tell us: what one change would make your community safer for survivors? Subscribe, leave a review, and keep the conversation going.

Get the PDF download: “Evidence That Bathsheba’s Story Is Rape, Not Adultery.” Link in the episode description and on our website

Support the show

...................
Follow We Who Thirst on Instagram, Threads, or YouTube!

To join Jessica LM Jenkins' mailing list, or access the full research bibliography for this episode visit www.wewhothirst.com/links .

Thank you for supporting the Women of the Bible in Context podcast, your contributions make this ministry possible!

Send us a text

(TW: Rape, sexual assault, abuse of power, murder)

Start with the text, and the story starts to sound very different. We walk through 2 Samuel 11–12 line by line and confront the hard truth: Bathsheba was not a seductress or a co-conspirator; she was a woman overpowered by a king who chose to abuse his authority. From ancient bathing practices to royal protocol, we dismantle common myths and show how the power gap makes consent impossible. The Hebrew details matter, and so does the narrative’s moral center: what David did was evil in the eyes of the Lord.

We explore how Deuteronomy’s city-and-field framework helps modern readers understand rescue, consent, and why Bathsheba had no defender within the palace. Then we trace David’s escalating choices—coverup attempts, manipulation, and the engineered death of Uriah that cost other soldiers their lives. Nathan’s parable reframes everything: the rich man steals the poor man’s lamb, and God links this theft to a kind of murder. That biblical image is a trauma-informed insight long before we had the term, revealing how sexual assault destroys something vital in a person’s life.

Yet the chapter also carries a thread of hope. After judgment and grief, Bathsheba bears Solomon, and God names him Jedidiah—beloved of the Lord. In a world where a woman’s future rests in her children, that name becomes a promise to her that she is seen and her child is cherished. Our goal is to give listeners a clear, faithful reading that centers survivors, names abuse without euphemism, and honors God’s justice and mercy.

If this episode helped you see Bathsheba’s story with fresh clarity, share it with a friend, subscribe for the next part of our mini-series with Liz Day, and leave a review to help others find the show. Your reflections and questions shape where we go next.

Get the PDF download: “Evidence That Bathsheba’s Story Is Rape, Not Adultery.” Link in the episode description and on our website

Support the show

...................
Follow We Who Thirst on Instagram, Threads, or YouTube!

To join Jessica LM Jenkins' mailing list, or access the full research bibliography for this episode visit www.wewhothirst.com/links .

Thank you for supporting the Women of the Bible in Context podcast, your contributions make this ministry possible!

Send us a text

What if Ruth isn’t a romance but a masterclass in covenant, courage, and community? We step into the city gate of Bethlehem and watch Boaz work redemption in public view—gathering elders, citing law, and taking a costly stand for Naomi and Ruth. From Leviticus 25 to leverite marriage, we break down how land, lineage, and law intertwine to protect the vulnerable, restore a household, and honor a lost name. The details matter: the sandal ritual, the witnesses, and the blessings that invoke Rachel, Leah, and Perez all situate Ruth’s inclusion within Israel’s legal memory, offering a thoughtful answer to hard questions about identity and belonging.

Along the way, we highlight how providence meets participation. “Chance” moments—Ruth gleaning in the right field, the redeemer passing by—become turning points because people act with integrity. Boaz leverages power for others rather than himself; Naomi’s wisdom frames the story’s theology; and the women of the town interpret what God has done and even name the child Obed. Their voices reveal the book’s heartbeat: chesed is not sentiment but structure, not just kindness but covenant that binds the strong to the weak. The genealogy to David is brief, but the story has already trained us to see the women beneath the names—Ruth, Naomi, Tamar, perhaps Rahab—whose courage makes the line possible.

If you’re ready to rethink Ruth 4 as civic theology in action, this conversation is for you. We read key verses with Hebrew name-meanings, explain how earlier legal precedent shapes later practice, and show why the “nearer redeemer” declines while Boaz risks his inheritance for a larger good. By the end, Naomi’s arms hold fullness, Ruth belongs without remainder, and a community has witnessed justice done. Listen, share with a friend who loves biblical studies and practical theology, and leave a review to tell us what surprised you most.

Support the show

...................
Follow We Who Thirst on Instagram, Threads, or YouTube!

To join Jessica LM Jenkins' mailing list, or access the full research bibliography for this episode visit www.wewhothirst.com/links .

Thank you for supporting the Women of the Bible in Context podcast, your contributions make this ministry possible!

Send us a text

Sexual tension crackles through the midnight air as Ruth uncovers Boaz's feet at the threshing floor. This pivotal chapter marks the moment when human agency takes center stage in what has thus far been a story of divine providence working mysteriously behind the scenes.

After watching from the sidelines, Naomi awakens to her responsibility. The formerly bitter widow crafts a bold, risky plan that sends Ruth into a potentially compromising situation. The midnight encounter is deliberately cloaked in ambiguity, with Hebrew words laden with possible sexual connotations. Yet beneath this tension lies something profound – a testament to honor, covenant faithfulness, and moral integrity.

Ruth's approach to Boaz brilliantly weaves together personal need with communal responsibility. Her request "spread your wing over me" simultaneously proposes marriage and invokes his duty as kinsman-redeemer. It echoes Boaz's earlier blessing that Ruth find refuge under God's wings, suggesting Boaz himself can become an instrument of divine protection. When she adds "for you are a kinsman-redeemer," Ruth ensures Naomi remains part of the equation, demonstrating her extraordinary loyalty.

Boaz's response reveals his exceptional character. Unlike his ancestors who fell to sexual temptation, he maintains absolute integrity. He acknowledges Ruth as "a woman of valor" – the same phrase used for the ideal woman in Proverbs 31 – and pledges to resolve her situation legally, respecting both her virtue and the rights of a nearer kinsman. Through these complex interactions, we discover God's providence often works not through miraculous intervention, but through righteous people acting justly within established systems to protect the vulnerable.

What might appear scandalous on the surface actually reveals profound theological truth: God doesn't want passive followers waiting for divine intervention – He wants people who actively reflect His character by caring for those in need. How are you using your position and resources to act as God's hands today?

Support the show

...................
Follow We Who Thirst on Instagram, Threads, or YouTube!

To join Jessica LM Jenkins' mailing list, or access the full research bibliography for this episode visit www.wewhothirst.com/links .

Thank you for supporting the Women of the Bible in Context podcast, your contributions make this ministry possible!

Send us a text

When life collapses around us, where is God? The Book of Ruth offers a profound answer where divine providence operates not through dramatic miracles but through ordinary people reflecting God's character.

Ruth's gleaning "coincidentally" brings her to Boaz's field – a moment that reveals how God orchestrates circumstances we might dismiss as chance. As Ruth demonstrates remarkable initiative in caring for her grieving mother-in-law Naomi, we witness the striking contrast between two valid responses to trauma: Naomi's withdrawal and Ruth's practical action. Neither approach is condemned; rather, we see how God works through both.

Boaz emerges as the embodiment of godly character – a man whose first words invoke God's blessing on his workers. His extraordinary treatment of Ruth teaches us what true compassion looks like: seeing the heart of the suffering, offering practical help beyond what's requested, and publicly restoring dignity to the marginalized. When Boaz invites the foreign Ruth to his table, he makes a powerful statement about her worth that transforms her community standing.

The cultural context of gleaning reveals God's design for social systems that protect the vulnerable. Yet what truly stirs hope is watching Naomi slowly awaken from her grief when Ruth returns with an abundance of grain. This powerful moment reminds us that sometimes our faith is carried by others when we cannot carry it ourselves – God didn't love Naomi less because she collapsed under grief, but provided through Ruth's faith and Boaz's obedience.

While the chapter concludes with temporary provision, permanent security remains unresolved. The two widows still face uncertain futures, yet hope glimmers as God's care begins to unfold through ordinary human kindness.

Have you experienced God's provision through unexpected people during your darkest moments? Does your approach to trauma resemble Ruth's action or Naomi's withdrawal? Join the conversation on social media or reach out via email – I'd love to hear how this ancient story resonates with your journey.

You may also enjoy:

Heterarchy & Patricentrism: https://youtu.be/OO-E36xt_2E?si=zBiFbkHO5cCG9igx

006 Proverbs 31: Woman of Valor (https://wewhothirst.buzzsprout.com/2384822/episodes/15707471-006-proverbs-31-woman-of-valor)

023 Tamar: Reclaiming Justice Against All Odds (https://wewhothirst.buzzsprout.com/2384822/episodes/17439747-023-tamar-reclaiming-justice-against-all-odds)

021 Jesus and the Syrophoenician woman who won a battle of wits (https://wewhothirst.buzzsprout.com/2384822/episodes/17122565-021-jesus-and-the-syrophoenician-woman-who-won-a-battle-of-wits-matthew-15-mark-7)

Support the show

...................
Follow We Who Thirst on Instagram, Threads, or YouTube!

To join Jessica LM Jenkins' mailing list, or access the full research bibliography for this episode visit www.wewhothirst.com/links .

Thank you for supporting the Women of the Bible in Context podcast, your contributions make this ministry possible!

Send us a text

Grief can blind us to hope, pushing us to stumble forward without clear direction. In Ruth chapter 1, we witness the raw aftermath of devastating loss as Naomi returns to Bethlehem from Moab with nothing but bitterness and her foreign daughter-in-law by her side.

This moving episode explores the heart-wrenching journey of two widows navigating an uncertain future together. Naomi, whose name means "Pleasant," insists on being called "Bitter" after losing her husband and both sons in a foreign land. When she decides to return to her homeland after hearing God has "visited his people to give them bread," she urges her daughters-in-law to stay behind where they might find new husbands and security.

The story pivots on Ruth's extraordinary declaration of loyalty—"Where you go, I will go"—a statement often romanticized in modern contexts but actually fraught with risk and sacrifice. Ruth wasn't just expressing affection; she was surrendering her entire identity, nationality, and religious affiliation to follow Naomi into what might have been mutual destitution or death. This wasn't a decision made in hope but in steadfast commitment regardless of outcome.

What makes this narrative so powerful is how it honors the reality of grief without rushing to resolution. Naomi doesn't pretend everything will be fine. She openly questions God's goodness while still acknowledging His sovereignty. The text doesn't criticize her bitterness or offer quick explanations for suffering, instead allowing us to sit in the discomfort of unanswered questions.

Yet beneath this darkness runs a subtle current of hope. They arrive "at the beginning of barley harvest"—a seemingly minor detail that signals God's provision is already underway though invisible to grief-stricken eyes. God works not through dramatic intervention but through ordinary means: a timely harvest, established systems of care for the vulnerable, and people willing to show compassion.

Whether you're wrestling with loss, questioning God's goodness, or standing with someone in their pain, Ruth's first chapter offers profound wisdom about faithfulness in life's darkest valleys. Join us as we explore how God meets us in our honest questions rather than our polished answers.

Support the show

...................
Follow We Who Thirst on Instagram, Threads, or YouTube!

To join Jessica LM Jenkins' mailing list, or access the full research bibliography for this episode visit www.wewhothirst.com/links .

Thank you for supporting the Women of the Bible in Context podcast, your contributions make this ministry possible!

Send us a text

What if everything you thought you knew about the book of Ruth was missing the heart of the story?

Forget the Hallmark-style romance narrative—Ruth's story plunges us into a world of devastating loss, social vulnerability, and unexpected redemption. The true power of this ancient text lies in how it showcases God's compassion for the marginalized through ordinary people acting justly within divinely established systems.

In this opening episode of our five-part Ruth series, we explore how this book fits within the broader biblical narrative using the Bible Story Path framework. We decode the rich meanings behind Hebrew names—Elimelech ("my God is king"), Naomi ("pleasant"), and her sons whose names eerily foreshadow their fate—to uncover layers of meaning invisible to modern readers.

The historical context proves crucial: Moab's origins from an incestuous relationship, its prohibition from Israel's assembly "to the tenth generation," and its history of enticing Israelites into idolatry all create a backdrop of danger when Naomi's family seeks refuge there during a famine. When her husband and both sons die in this foreign land, Naomi is left utterly destitute with two Moabite daughters-in-law and little hope of restoration.

Rather than rushing to neat theological answers, this exploration invites us to sit with Naomi in her profound loss. Where is God when everything falls apart? How does divine compassion manifest through human justice rather than miraculous intervention? These questions resonate deeply with anyone who has faced devastating circumstances and wondered if God sees their pain.

Connect with me @WeWhoThirst on social media to share how Naomi's story resonates with your own experiences of loss and vulnerability as we await the next chapter in this remarkable journey of redemption through righteousness.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wewhothirst/
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@wewhothirst
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wewhothirst
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wewhothirstpodcast

Bible Story Path: https://wewhothirst.com/product-category/bible-story-path/ or https://www.etsy.com/shop/wewhothirst/?etsrc=sdt§ion_id=33867342

Support the show

...................
Follow We Who Thirst on Instagram, Threads, or YouTube!

To join Jessica LM Jenkins' mailing list, or access the full research bibliography for this episode visit www.wewhothirst.com/links .

Thank you for supporting the Women of the Bible in Context podcast, your contributions make this ministry possible!