The Context and Color of the Bible

Veronica
  • 5.0 (31)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

Veronica and Erika are sisters who love to teach the Bible and share what they are learning. They’ve discovered that by putting Scripture back into its culture and context, it adds color to the black and white pages of the text. They want to help you dig deeper into the Word. 

  1. 4d ago

    #313 - Touring Psalms 3–13: But God...

    Send us Fan Mail We're heading back to Book One of the Psalms! Earlier in this series, we studied Psalms 1 and 2 in depth, but we hadn't yet started our "tour guide" approach. So in this episode, we're going back to tour Psalms 3–13 and notice the landmarks, repeated themes, and pictures of God we might otherwise miss. One thing becomes obvious very quickly: there's a lot of trouble in these psalms. Enemies surround David. Wickedness seems to flourish. The psalmists wrestle with fear, anger, discipline, injustice, and the difficult question of why God doesn't seem to be acting. But again and again, we encounter an important turn: But God... David can sleep peacefully while surrounded by enemies because God is with him. God is his shield. God hears his cries. God sees both the righteous and the wicked. God is Judge. God remains on His throne. And even when circumstances haven't changed, the psalmist can remember God's chesed—His steadfast covenant love expressed through His faithful acts of kindness. Throughout this episode, we encourage you to use the Psalms to build a picture of who God is. Pay attention to the tangible images they give us, like God as a shield, and ask a simple question as you read: What does this psalm teach me about God? These chapters also give families plenty of opportunities to practice Scripture together. Psalm 3:5 can encourage a child who is afraid at night. Psalm 8 is a wonderful psalm to memorize for praise. Other psalms can help children learn what righteous and wicked behavior actually looks like, while giving them words for fear, anger, sadness, repentance, and hope. The Psalms don't teach us to pretend everything is okay. They teach us how to bring what's wrong to God—and then remember what is true about Him. Trouble may be real. Evil may be present. We may not understand why God hasn't acted yet. But God is still there. But God sees. But God hears. But God is on His throne. If you want the FREE hand outs that go along with this series, sign up for our newsletter at our website.  Our website is The Context and Color of the Bible We are on Facebook - The Context and Color of the Bible | Facebook We are on Instagram - @contextandcolorofthebible We are on YouTube - The Context and Color of the Bible - YouTube Music: Tabuk by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4453-tabukLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

  2. Sep 7

    #312 - Touring Psalms 135–150: Let Everything That Has Breath Praise the Lord.

    Send us Fan Mail We finish our journey through the Psalms by touring Psalms 135–150 and discovering how beautifully the final songs bring the entire book to a close. Psalms 135–136 look back once again at the Exodus and God's Torah, reminding Israel of God's faithfulness throughout their history. Psalm 136 even gives families a pattern they can practice themselves: What if you looked back at your family's story and remembered God's track record together? Then Psalm 137 takes us into one of Israel's darkest moments—the exile in Babylon. Yet the Psalms don't leave us there. Psalm 138 responds with praise for God's chesed and emunah—His steadfast love and faithfulness—and Psalm 139 reminds us just how intimately involved God is in the lives of His people. As we move through Psalms 140–144, we find prayers we can borrow for our own lives. We can ask God for protection from evil, pray for Him to guard our words and hearts, pour out our complaints when we feel completely alone, and ask for His mercy and guidance. David even describes God in six different ways in Psalm 144, reminding us that our relationship with God is rich and multifaceted. Then we reach Psalms 145–150—the grand finale of the Psalter. Again and again we hear the command: Praise the Lord! God cares for the poor and needy. He actively works in His creation. He remains faithful to His covenant. His kingdom reigns, and all creation is invited to praise Him. Finally, Psalm 150 brings our entire journey to a fitting end. After all the fear, suffering, questions, waiting, rescue, joy, and hope we've encountered throughout the Psalms, the final word is praise—and it is anything but quiet. Instruments sound, voices rise, and everything that has breath is called to praise the Lord. As we finish the series, we step back and see something important: the Psalms have a flow. They weren't meant to be experienced only as isolated verses or individual songs. Read together and in order, they continually remind God's people of His character, His faithfulness, His kingdom, and His covenant love—and teach us how to respond to Him through every season of life. And that's something we can practice ourselves. Try reading one psalm a day as part of your prayers. You might even color-code each psalm according to its overall theme—lament, trouble, waiting, trust, thanksgiving, praise—and begin building your own visual prayer guide. When you don't know what to pray, let the Psalms give you the words. If you want the FREE hand outs that go along with this series, sign up for our newsletter at our website.  Our website is The Context and Color of the Bible We are on Facebook - The Context and Color of the Bible | Facebook We are on Instagram - @contextandcolorofthebible We are on YouTube - The Context and Color of the Bible - YouTube Music: Tabuk by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4453-tabukLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

  3. Aug 31

    #311 - Touring Psalms 118–134: The Journey into God's Presence.

    Send us Fan Mail We continue our tour through Book Five of the Psalms by returning briefly to Psalm 118 and then exploring Psalm 119 and the Songs of Ascents in Psalms 120–134. Throughout these psalms, we find God's people learning to delight in His instruction, trust His faithfulness, and joyfully draw near to His presence. We begin with a few more connections in Psalm 118, including the repeated call to Israel, the house of Aaron, and all who fear the Lord. We also look at how the Hallel Psalms appear in the story of Jesus' final week. These weren't simply ancient songs—these were words Jesus and His disciples knew, sang, and used. Then we turn to Psalm 119 and the Torah. Rather than thinking of Torah simply as "law," we explore it as God's teaching and instruction for His people. The psalmist asks God to teach him, finds freedom in God's commands, looks to God's Word for counsel, and repeatedly describes the Torah as his delight. Psalm 119 challenges us to ask some difficult questions: Where do I look for counsel? Do I truly delight in God's instruction? Am I hungry to learn what He has taught us? And how often does knowing God lead me to praise Him? From there, we begin the Songs of Ascents, Psalms 120–134. Imagine families traveling together up to Jerusalem, singing these songs along the way as they anticipated worshiping at the Temple and drawing near to the presence of God. As the journey unfolds, the songs remind travelers that God watches over them, remains near, hears their prayers, and can be trusted because He has proven Himself faithful. But the journey isn't filled only with celebration. These songs make room for struggle, waiting, and longing too. God's people remember past hardships, pray for Jerusalem, ask God for grace, and wait for Him to act. Psalm 130 reminds us that with God there is forgiveness, chesed, and full redemption, while Psalm 131 gives us the beautiful picture of a contented child resting securely with its mother. Along the way, we're also reminded that children are a gift, obedience brings blessing, God is actively involved in the lives of His people, and His presence among them is worth celebrating. Finally, the travelers arrive. Psalm 134 ends the journey exactly where it was headed all along—in God's presence, with hands lifted in praise. As we move closer to the end of the Psalms, a familiar invitation becomes louder and louder: Praise the Lord. Through obedience and struggle, traveling and waiting, blessing and uncertainty, God's people can keep looking to Him. He is living, active, faithful, and worthy of our praise. If you want the FREE hand outs that go along with this series, sign up for our newsletter at our website.  Our website is The Context and Color of the Bible We are on Facebook - The Context and Color of the Bible | Facebook We are on Instagram - @contextandcolorofthebible We are on YouTube - The Context and Color of the Bible - YouTube Music: Tabuk by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4453-tabukLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

  4. Aug 24

    #310 - Touring Psalms 107–118: His Steadfast Love Endures Forever

    Send us Fan Mail We begin Book Five of the Psalms by touring Psalms 107–118 and discovering once again that God's chesed—His steadfast covenant love—runs throughout the story. Book Four ended with "Praise the Lord," and Book Five picks right up with a call to give thanks to the Lord because His steadfast love endures forever. Psalm 107 is filled with vivid pictures of people in desperate situations who cry out to God and are rescued. Their circumstances are different, but the pattern is the same: God's people turn to Him, He acts, and His chesed remains. The psalm ends by telling the wise to pay attention to these stories and consider the steadfast love of the Lord. As we move through Psalms 108–112, we encounter the living God who rules over the nations, hears the cries of His people, judges evil, remembers His covenant, and blesses those who delight in His commands. Psalm 109 even gives us words for those difficult moments when we have been deeply wronged and need to entrust justice to God rather than take it into our own hands. Then we arrive at Psalm 110, the most frequently quoted psalm in the New Testament. This Messianic psalm asks us to consider the identity of the coming King. He is greater than David, He will ultimately defeat His enemies, and He is connected to the mysterious biblical figure Melchizedek. Once again, the Psalms point us forward to the Messiah. Finally, we tour Psalms 113–118, traditionally known as the Hallel Psalms. These songs were connected to Passover and Israel's festivals, celebrating God's greatness, the Exodus, and His faithfulness to His people. They are filled with powerful images, repeated declarations of God's chesed and emunah, and reminders that Israel's God is completely different from the lifeless idols of the nations. These psalms become even more meaningful when we remember that Jesus would have known and sung them. As He celebrated His final Passover with His disciples and prepared to walk toward the Garden of Gethsemane, these were the words surrounding Him. That gives Psalm 118's declaration a powerful setting: "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His steadfast love endures forever." From God's rescue of His people to the promise of the Messiah, these psalms invite us to trust the living God, delight in His ways, leave justice in His hands, and remember that His steadfast love truly does endure forever. If you want the FREE hand outs that go along with this series, sign up for our newsletter at our website.  Our website is The Context and Color of the Bible We are on Facebook - The Context and Color of the Bible | Facebook We are on Instagram - @contextandcolorofthebible We are on YouTube - The Context and Color of the Bible - YouTube Music: Tabuk by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4453-tabukLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

  5. Aug 17

    #309 - Touring Psalms 96–106: Rejoicing in the Righteous King

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we finish Book Four of the Psalms by touring Psalms 96–106. These psalms are filled with joy and praise, but they also teach us why God's people have reason to rejoice: God is King, and He rules with righteousness, justice, and faithfulness. Psalms 96–100 invite us to notice repeated words, powerful images, and descriptions of an active God who is very different from the lifeless gods worshiped by the surrounding nations. God saves, reigns, judges rightly, and makes His salvation known among the nations. Even God's judgment becomes a reason for creation to rejoice because His kingdom is founded on righteousness and justice. Along the way, we continue to encounter chesed and emunah—God's steadfast love and faithfulness. These psalms also give parents wonderful opportunities to teach their children what God is like. Psalm 99 shows us the holy and just King, while Psalm 100 pictures God's people as sheep belonging to their Shepherd. Psalm 101 then gets incredibly practical, giving families a chance to talk about the things we choose to put before our eyes and what it looks like to live faithfully in our homes. But the Psalms don't pretend that life is always joyful. Psalm 102 suddenly takes us into a dark and painful prayer: "Hear my cry" and "Do not hide your face from me." Life can change in a moment, and the Psalms give us words for those moments too. Even there, the psalmist holds onto the hope that God will show compassion. Then Psalm 103 bursts back into praise, reminding us of God's benefits and echoing God's description of Himself in Exodus 34: merciful, gracious, patient, and abounding in chesed. Psalms 104–106 continue that praise by showing us a God who is actively caring for His creation and faithfully providing for His people. Finally, Psalms 105 and 106 give us a history lesson from two perspectives. Psalm 105 emphasizes God's faithfulness throughout Israel's story, while Psalm 106 honestly remembers the people's repeated sin and rebellion. Put them together, and the contrast is striking: God's people fail again and again, yet God remains compassionate and faithful to His covenant. Book Four ends with God's people scattered among the nations, waiting to be gathered again. Their hope—and ours—is rooted not in human faithfulness but in the character of the King. God is righteous. God is just. God is compassionate. And God remains faithful to His everlasting covenant. If you want the FREE hand outs that go along with this series, sign up for our newsletter at our website.  Our website is The Context and Color of the Bible We are on Facebook - The Context and Color of the Bible | Facebook We are on Instagram - @contextandcolorofthebible We are on YouTube - The Context and Color of the Bible - YouTube Music: Tabuk by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4453-tabukLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

  6. Aug 10

    #308 - Touring Psalms 90–95: Trusting the Eternal King

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we begin Book Four of the Psalms by exploring Psalms 90–95. These songs remind us that the Psalms are more than ancient poetry—they are a prayer journal that gives voice to our deepest fears, joys, questions, and hopes. As you read them, let them shape your own conversations with God. We begin with Psalm 90, the only psalm attributed to Moses. In it, Moses reflects on the brevity of life and prays, "Teach us to number our days." What would change if we truly lived with that perspective? Even in the midst of life's hardships, this psalm points us toward God's faithfulness and includes a beautiful prayer we can pray over our families and friends. Psalm 91 answers the struggles of Psalm 90 by reminding us that our true shelter is the Most High God. No matter what we face, our security is found not in our circumstances but in God's presence and protection. As we continue through Psalms 92–94, we discover reasons to praise God for His steadfast love (chesed), His faithfulness (emunah), His wisdom, and His justice. These psalms remind us that the righteous flourish by remaining rooted in God, that His wisdom is beyond our understanding, and that He sees every act of evil. While human injustice may seem to prevail for a time, God will one day make every wrong right. He is the righteous King, and His people remain His treasured inheritance. Finally, Psalm 95 calls God's people to joyful worship by celebrating His greatness as Creator and King. Yet the psalm ends with a sober reminder from Israel's history: worship is more than singing. Hearts that truly know God respond with obedience. Looking back at Israel's failures encourages us to trust God's voice today. Throughout these psalms, we see a consistent invitation: remember who God is, trust Him through life's uncertainties, and live each day in light of His eternal kingdom. If you want the FREE hand outs that go along with this series, sign up for our newsletter at our website.  Our website is The Context and Color of the Bible We are on Facebook - The Context and Color of the Bible | Facebook We are on Instagram - @contextandcolorofthebible We are on YouTube - The Context and Color of the Bible - YouTube Music: Tabuk by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4453-tabukLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

  7. Aug 3

    #307 - Touring Psalms 81–89: The God Who Blesses and Stays Faithful

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we tour Psalms 81–89 and discover a powerful thread running through these songs: God desires to bless His people, draw near to them, and remain faithful even when they fail. Psalm 81 begins with joyful celebration of the Exodus, but God reminds Israel that blessing flows from listening to His voice. Rather than portraying God as harsh and eager to punish, these psalms repeatedly show Him ready to bless His people when they return to Him. We then explore Psalms 82–83, where God is presented as Judge over every nation and every lesser spiritual power. Israel’s God is not merely a local deity; He is the Most High who rules over all. Psalms 84–87 shift our attention to the beauty of God’s presence. The psalmists delight in the Tabernacle, celebrate Jerusalem, and use names such as Lord of Hosts and Most High to proclaim God’s greatness. Along the way, we see recurring themes of drawing near to God, righteousness, and God’s steadfast chesed love. Psalm 86 gives us a beautiful model for prayer: “Guard my life, bring me joy, teach me, and give me an undivided heart.” It also looks forward to the day when all nations will worship the Lord. Finally, we wrestle with Psalm 88, the darkest psalm in the Psalter and the only one that does not end with praise. Yet Psalm 89 immediately answers with worship and a reminder of God’s covenant with David. Even when God’s people wander, He promises that He will not remove His steadfast love. As Book Three of the Psalms closes with a doxology, these songs leave us with a lasting hope: God remains faithful to His covenant, His kingdom, and His people. If you want the FREE hand outs that go along with this series, sign up for our newsletter at our website.  Our website is The Context and Color of the Bible We are on Facebook - The Context and Color of the Bible | Facebook We are on Instagram - @contextandcolorofthebible We are on YouTube - The Context and Color of the Bible - YouTube Music: Tabuk by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4453-tabukLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

  8. Jul 27

    #306 - Touring Psalms 73–80: When the Wicked Prosper, God Still Reigns

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we continue our tour through Psalms 73–80, where the psalmists wrestle with one of life's hardest questions: Why do the wicked seem to prosper while God's people suffer? Again and again, these psalms remind us to shift our perspective and remember one unchanging truth—God is still King. We begin with Psalm 73, where the psalmist honestly struggles with envy and discouragement before declaring, "But God..." We explore how God's presence becomes our true strength and examine connections between this psalm and the New Testament, including Jesus' words about the "pure in heart" and Paul's language of those who were once "far off" but have been brought near. As we move through Psalms 74–76, we see God revealed as the righteous Judge of both Israel and the nations. Though evil may seem to triumph for a season, these psalms proclaim that God will judge wickedness, remain faithful to His covenant, and ultimately receive worship from all peoples. Along the way, we notice recurring images of shepherds and sheep, reminding us that God continually cares for and leads His people. Psalms 77–80 repeatedly look back to Israel's history, especially the Exodus, to remind God's people of His faithfulness in the past. Even in seasons of doubt, when it feels as though God has forgotten His chesed—His steadfast covenant love—the psalmists choose to remember His mighty acts. We also discover why knowing the stories of Genesis through Samuel enriches our understanding of these songs, as the psalmists continually draw from Israel's history to strengthen hope in the present. Finally, Psalm 78 challenges every generation to pass on the story of God's faithfulness. Parents are called to teach their children God's works and His instruction so that the next generation will place its hope in Him. The section concludes with Psalm 80, where Israel is pictured as God's carefully tended vine and the people cry out for a faithful leader—a hope that ultimately points us forward to the coming Son of Man. Throughout these psalms, we see a consistent message: when life is confusing and evil seems to prevail, God's people remember who He is, what He has done, and confidently place their hope in the God who remains in control. If you want the FREE hand outs that go along with this series, sign up for our newsletter at our website.  Our website is The Context and Color of the Bible We are on Facebook - The Context and Color of the Bible | Facebook We are on Instagram - @contextandcolorofthebible We are on YouTube - The Context and Color of the Bible - YouTube Music: Tabuk by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4453-tabukLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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About

Veronica and Erika are sisters who love to teach the Bible and share what they are learning. They’ve discovered that by putting Scripture back into its culture and context, it adds color to the black and white pages of the text. They want to help you dig deeper into the Word. 

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