True Crimes—Bible Edition 2: Samson and Delilah

At various times and places in the Bible, the devil shows up to wage war against God's people. God's people can find themselves in a War Zone doing battle with the devil. Thankfully, we wear the full armor of God.

In this episode, Dr. Bruce Becker explores the origin of the devil which was good, but what followed was bad. The devil is an example of a good supernatural entity gone bad. Although there are many questions the Bible doesn't answer for us, there are clues as to what happened with the devil and why God kicked him out of heaven.
 
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Reference to the Gallup poll (https://thehill.com/changing-america/respect/diversity-inclusion/4107968-belief-in-god-the-devil-falls-to-new-low-gallup/) Reference to the NORC poll (https://apnorc.org/projects/belief-in-angels-and-heaven-is-more-common-than-belief-in-the-devil-or-hell/).

What was the most tragic crime ever committed and by whom?

In this episode, Dr. Bruce Becker investigates the murder of our first parents, Adam and Eve by the Devil himself. The Devil lied to the first couple about what God had said. They believed the lie and disobeyed God. Their disobedience destroyed the perfect life and relationship God had intended for them when he created them in his own image. But that's not the end of the story. God decided to restore that life and relationship through the life, death, and resurrection of God's own Son.
 
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Reference to the "Epicurean Paradox" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epicurus)

Check out all our resources to help you on your walk of faith! Videos, devotions, books, podcasts, and our blog are available at timeofgrace.org. 

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—Time of Grace With Pastor Mike Novotny
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—Evening Encouragements, with Pastor Jeremy
—The Non-Microwaved Truth, with C.L. Whiteside 
—The Basics With Pastor Mike Novotny: God. You. Jesus. Faith.

Who was responsible for Jesus' murder?

In this episode, Dr. Bruce Becker investigates the murder of Jesus by identifying all the perpetrators—Judas Iscariot, the Jewish religious leaders, Governor Pontius Pilate, the Roman soldiers, and two others. Jesus' murder was predicted by the prophet Isaiah seven hundred years before Jesus lived. Isaiah described both Jesus' death and those responsible for it. 
 
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Enjoy our other Time of Grace podcasts. Search for these on your favorite podcast app:

—Time of Grace With Pastor Mike Novotny
—Grace Talks Daily Devotionals
—Little Things, with Amber Albee Swenson
—Bible Breath, with Pastor Jeremy
—Evening Encouragements, with Pastor Jeremy
—The Non-Microwaved Truth, with C.L. Whiteside 
—The Basics With Pastor Mike Novotny: God. You. Jesus. Faith.

Jesus and Barabbas—the innocent for the guilty.

In this episode, Dr. Bruce Becker investigates the circumstances involving Jesus and Barabbas. Barabbas was a bandit, a murderer, and an insurrectionist who tried to overthrow the Roman government in Judea. He was sentenced to death by crucifixion. Yet he was set free. In contrast, the innocent Jesus was sentenced to death and not set free—the innocent for the guilty. But that wasn't anything new in God's economy of justice.
 
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Check out all our resources to help you on your walk of faith! Videos, devotions, books, podcasts, and our blog are available at timeofgrace.org. 

Enjoy our other Time of Grace podcasts. Search for these on your favorite podcast app:

—Time of Grace With Pastor Mike Novotny
—Grace Talks Daily Devotionals
—Little Things, with Amber Albee Swenson
—Bible Breath, with Pastor Jeremy
—Evening Encouragements, with Pastor Jeremy
—The Non-Microwaved Truth, with C.L. Whiteside 
—The Basics With Pastor Mike Novotny: God. You. Jesus. Faith.

There are three Bible threads that link Judas Iscariot back to the Old Testament: two in the book of Psalms and one from the prophet Zechariah. 

In this episode, Dr. Bruce Becker investigates the multiple crimes committed by Judas, a man from Kerioth. Judas Iscariot spent three years with Jesus, hearing his teaching, seeing his miracles, and learning about God's grace and mercy and forgiveness. Despite all this, Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. All the crimes would have been forgiven if only Judas had believed what Jesus taught.
 
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Check out all our resources to help you on your walk of faith! Videos, devotions, books, podcasts, and our blog are available at timeofgrace.org. 

Enjoy our other Time of Grace podcasts. Search for these on your favorite podcast app:

—Time of Grace With Pastor Mike Novotny
—Grace Talks Daily Devotionals
—Little Things, with Amber Albee Swenson
—Bible Breath, with Pastor Jeremy
—Evening Encouragements, with Pastor Jeremy
—The Non-Microwaved Truth, with C.L. Whiteside 
—The Basics With Pastor Mike Novotny: God. You. Jesus. Faith.

Despite Samson's unfaithfulness in his life, the Lord God shows his faithfulness and grace to Samson.

In this episode, Dr. Bruce Becker investigates the crimes of both Samson, who was the most undisciplined and reckless of all the judges, and Delilah, who is the Bible's most famous "femme fatale."
 
If you enjoy this podcast and make it a regular part of your week, would you consider helping us with your support? Thank you!

Check out all our resources to help you on your walk of faith! Videos, devotions, books, podcasts, and our blog are available at timeofgrace.org. 

Enjoy our other Time of Grace podcasts. Search for these on your favorite podcast app:

—Time of Grace With Pastor Mike Novotny
—Grace Talks Daily Devotionals
—Little Things, with Amber Albee Swenson
—Bible Breath, with Pastor Jeremy
—Evening Encouragements, with Pastor Jeremy
—The Non-Microwaved Truth, with C.L. Whiteside 
—The Basics With Pastor Mike Novotny: God. You. Jesus. Faith.

The big takeaway for this episode is: "God’s wrath against us is satisfied because of God’s love for us."

In this episode, Dr. Bruce Becker investigates the crime committed by Achan at the battle for Jericho and the resulting justice of the Lord God.

Dr. Becker recommends a book authored by J.I. Packer, Knowing God.

If you enjoy this podcast and make it a regular part of your day, would you consider helping us with your support? Thank you!

Check out all our resources to help you on your walk of faith! Videos, devotions, books, podcasts, and our blog are available at timeofgrace.org. 

Enjoy our other Time of Grace podcasts. Search for these on your favorite podcast app:

—Time of Grace With Pastor Mike Novotny
—Grace Talks Daily Devotionals
—Little Things, with Amber Albee Swenson
—Bible Breath, with Pastor Jeremy
—Evening Encouragements, with Pastor Jeremy
—The Non-Microwaved Truth, with C.L. Whiteside 
—The Basics With Pastor Mike Novotny: God. You. Jesus. Faith.

Espionage, prostitution, lies, and deception are at the heart of this story. Yet it has a happy ending.

In this episode, Dr. Bruce Becker investigates the crimes committed by Rahab and some spies from Israel. The actions of the prostitute Rahab turned out to be amazing!

Dr. Becker mentions Josephus’ account of Rahab. That can be found at https://penelope.uchicago.edu/josephus/ant-5.html.

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Check out all our resources to help you on your walk of faith! Videos, devotions, books, podcasts, and our blog are available at timeofgrace.org. 

Enjoy our other Time of Grace podcasts. Search for these on your favorite podcast app:

—Time of Grace With Pastor Mike Novotny
—Grace Talks Daily Devotionals
—Little Things, with Amber Albee Swenson
—Bible Breath, with Pastor Jeremy
—Evening Encouragements, with Pastor Jeremy
—The Non-Microwaved Truth, with C.L. Whiteside 
—The Basics With Pastor Mike Novotny: God. You. Jesus. Faith.

In today’s episode, the story of Joseph is interrupted with a complicated and sordid tale of broken promises, deception, prostitution, and immorality.

Dr. Bruce Becker investigates the crimes committed by Jacob's son Judah and Judah's daughter-in-law, Tamar.

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Check out all our resources to help you on your walk of faith! Videos, devotions, books, podcasts, and our blog are available at timeofgrace.org. 

Enjoy our other Time of Grace podcasts. Search for these on your favorite podcast app:

—Time of Grace With Pastor Mike Novotny
—Grace Talks Daily Devotionals
—Little Things, with Amber Albee Swenson
—Bible Breath, with Pastor Jeremy
—Evening Encouragements, with Pastor Jeremy
—The Non-Microwaved Truth, with C.L. Whiteside 
—The Basics With Pastor Mike Novotny: God. You. Jesus. Faith.

Jealousy in the heart can lead to outward deadly actions - lying, human trafficking, and potentially murder. 

In this episode, Dr. Bruce Becker examines the crime committed by Jacob's ten oldest sons against their little brother, Joseph.

If you enjoy this podcast and make it a regular part of your day, would you consider helping us with your support? Thank you!

Check out all our resources to help you on your walk of faith! Videos, devotions, books, podcasts, and our blog are available at timeofgrace.org. 

Enjoy our other Time of Grace podcasts. Search for these on your favorite podcast app:

—Time of Grace With Pastor Mike Novotny
—Grace Talks Daily Devotionals
—Little Things, with Amber Albee Swenson
—Bible Breath, with Pastor Jeremy
—Evening Encouragements, with Pastor Jeremy
—The Non-Microwaved Truth, with C.L. Whiteside 
—The Basics With Pastor Mike Novotny: God. You. Jesus. Faith.