The Land and the Book

We’re in the middle of the seven-day Jewish festival of Sukkot, which many Christians know as the Feast of Tabernacles. But what exactly is Sukkot? What role did the festival play in Israel’s past … and does it foreshadow events that are still future? This week’s guest is Eva Rydelnik who will help us answer those questions!Then later in the program we’ll continue our devotional series on “Ten Inscriptions” by looking at the priestly benediction from Numbers 6…found in a tomb overlooking the Hinnom Valley!

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year for the Jewish people. It was the one day of the year when the priest was allowed inside the Holy of Holies to sprinkle the blood of the sacrifice on the mercy seat. This week’s guest, Dr. Michael Rydelnik, will help us understand the historical and prophetic significance of this special day.Then in our devotional time together we’ll be continuing our ten-part series on “Inscriptions to the Bible” by looking at Assyrian King Sennacherib’s own description of his attack on Jerusalem … and King Hezekiah.

Music is one of the most divisive elements in the church today. Is there a way to bridge the chasm in music styles? Ralph Carmichael is one of the few who seems to have found a way to do just that. Ralph’s style is incredibly diverse … from simple hymns to lush symphonic arrangements, from contemporary Christian to Big Band. He has demonstrated the ability to reach across generations with music that helps connect them to the eternal God of the universe. One constant through his musical odyssey has been his ability to look at biblical themes in a fresh, new way. And Ralph joins us to talk about music, Israel, and his current Legacy Tour.This week’s devotional takes us to the British Museum to view the inscription from Shebna’s tomb. Not familiar with it? Isaiah was…and we’ll look at his message to this man with a fancy tomb! 

Break out the noisemakers and streamers! It’s time to celebrate the start of a New Year! Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, begins this week, marking the start of year 5774 on the Jewish calendar. And joining us in the studio to help us understand the significance of Rosh Hashanah is Cathy Wilson with Chosen People Ministries.In our devotional time together we’ll be continuing our ten-part series on “Inscriptions to the Bible” by sloshing our way under the City of David to view the inscription in Hezekiah’s tunnel.

Jonny Diaz is an American contemporary Christian pop artist who hails from Lakeland, Florida. Though he’s toured with well-known groups like MercyMe and Matthew West, Jonny feels he finds the best opportunities to truly connect with people in smaller venues. He’s also traveled to the Holy Land and felt its impact not just on his soul … but on his singing. And we want to talk with him about those experiences.Then later we’ll be continuing our ten-part series on “Inscriptions to the Bible” by looking at the inscription from the tomb of King Uzziah.

Not everyone has the opportunity to visit Israel. But what if you could have Israel visit you … by opening your home to Israelis traveling through your hometown? This week’s guests, Deane and Margaret Woods, have been doing just that. Over the years they have opened their home to hundreds of Israeli backpackers. And they have had some amazing experiences!Then later in the program we’ll begin a new series I’m calling “Ten Inscriptions”— ten written archaeological finds that have provided amazing insight into the Bible.

Traveling to Israel can be a life-changing experience for anyone … including the president of Moody Bible Institute! This week we’ll sit down with Dr. Paul Nyquist to talk about traveling to Israel, and the impact those journeys there made on his own life.In our devotional time we’ll return to the Book of Psalms to search out the meaning of the expression “Like Father, Like Son.”

We’re not fiddling around this week! Our guest is Charlie Daniels! And the idea of having him on the program came when Charlie Dyer ran into him at the Mount of Beatitudes just above the Sea of Galilee. In addition to being a great musician, Charlie Daniels is a dedicated follower of Jesus … and someone who loves visiting the land of Israel. Join the two Charlie D’s, and Jon, for this rather unusual program!And speaking of the Mount of Beatitudes, we’ll be heading there in our devotional time to take a close look at one of Jesus’ more unusual statements from His message there — A mile…who’ll make it two?

Cue the music for Raiders of the Lost Ark because this week we’re talking with an archaeologist who has been excavating in Israel. But Dr. Bryant Wood isn’t some swashbuckling treasure hunter. He’s both a recognized professional in his field and a dedicated follower of Jesus. We’ll be talking with him about his search for the city of Ai, a city the Bible says was destroyed by Joshua.Then later in the program we’re hiking to the backside of the desert to watch Moses’s encounter with God at the burning bush.

Mark Hall, founder and lead singer of Casting Crowns, calls the group’s music a “ministry of discipleship.” The group has won both Grammy and Dove awards for their music, even though their ministry is done part-time…around their full-time work of mentoring teenagers at their home church. This week we’ll be talking with Mark Hall about his travels to Israel.Then, later, we’ll be hiking from the slopes of Mount Hermon to the banks of the Jordan River opposite Jericho to see what these two sites have in common with Moses, Elijah, and Jesus.

Not everyone has the opportunity to travel to Israel. But imagine how difficult it is financially for a husband and wife working their way through seminary to afford such a trip. Yet that’s just what this week’s guests, Nate and Trisha McMillan, did! We’ll talk with them about the impact their trip to Israel had on them as a family.Then, later in the program, we’ll journey from the heights of Mount Hermon into the Jordan Valley east of Jericho as we compare the lives and ministries of Moses, Elijah and Jesus.

In Acts 1:8, Jesus told His followers they would be His witnesses. The Greek word for “witness” is martus, from which we get the word martyr. In those early centuries to be a follower of Jesus often resulted in persecution and death. In fact, just over a century after Jesus, the early Church Father Tertullian wrote that “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” In many parts of the world it is still a crime to be a follower of Jesus. This week’s guest, Todd Nettleton, will help shine a spotlight on the persecuted church in the Middle East.On this week when we celebrate the Declaration of Independence, we will use our devotional time to explore Israel’s declaration of independence … and dependence.

Babylon. The very name is exotic and mysterious. For many, it brings to mind historical events like the tower of Babel, Nebuchadnezzar and stories from the life of Daniel and his friends. For others, Babylon conjures up images of spiritual harlotry and end-time prophecy. But what do we really know about Babylon historically… and prophetically? This week, our guest is Dr. Andy Woods, one of only a handful of people who truly understands the significance of this ancient city.And in our devotional time, we will be heading south from Jerusalem to learn about "the man from Keriot."

Imagine traveling to Israel by yourself... no friends, no set destination, and no itinerary. Crystal Anderson did just that. But then again, she's no ordinary young lady. In her short life she has been a nanny, explorer, author, and film producer, just to name a few of the different hats she's worn. We'll be talking with her about the kaleidoscope of cultures and conflicts she experienced during her time in the land.Then later in the program we're visiting Nob Hill. Not the one in San Francisco…the one overlooking the city of Jerusalem!

 The military refers to them as "after action reviews"- the process of comparing what had been originally planned with what actually took place. This week's program is an "after action review" of Charlie's and Jon's most recent working trip to Israel. Join them for an insider's perspective on the trip - a review of what they really saw and did!Then later in the program we'll travel to the Jezreel Valley to watch Jesus heal ten lepers … and learn the lesson of the thankful Samaritan.