Covenants and Kingdoms

Nathan Parvin and Brad Haynes
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Religion
  • Updated Biweekly

Covenants & Kingdoms takes you on a journey through the historical and cultural world of the Bible. Hosted by Dr. Nathan Parvin and Brad Haynes, this podcast uncovers the historical context behind biblical events—where they happened, what was going on in the region, and how it all connects to the grand narrative of Scripture. From ancient covenants to the rise and fall of kingdoms, each episode dives into the people, places, and events that shaped biblical history. Subscribe now and journey through the lands, cultures, and stories that shaped the world’s most influential book.

  1. May 28

    S1 E31: Judah and Tamar: Goat, Rings, and Righteousness

    In this powerful episode, Nathan and Brad tackle one of the most surprising and often misunderstood chapters in Genesis: the story of Judah and Tamar. Right in the middle of the Joseph narrative, we get this raw account of family betrayal, covenant failure, and an outsider woman who refuses to let the messianic line die. The hosts unpack Judah’s moral descent after selling Joseph, his broken promises to Tamar, and her bold, risky action to preserve the seed of promise. Through deception, a goat, and Judah’s own signet ring and staff, we see divine providence working through human sin and failure. Brad and Nathan explore the deep theological layers—covenantal righteousness (tsedeq), the preservation of the royal line through Perez, and how this “scandalous” chapter foreshadows Jesus in the genealogy of Matthew 1. This is Genesis 38 at its fullest: not just an awkward family story, but a profound testimony that God advances His covenant through flawed people and unexpected instruments. If you’ve ever wondered how God can use our mess, this episode is for you. Join us as we continue studying Biblical covenants and ancient kingdoms!----------------------------------------------------------------------We are sponsored by Baba Java Coffee, a specialty coffee roaster and cafe based in Birmingham, AL. Visit babajavacoffee.com and use code "covenants" for 10% off your order! Support us on Patreon for early, ad-free episodes and exclusive "Deeper Waters" content! patreon.com/covenantsandkingdoms https://linktr.ee/covenantsandkingdoms https://www.covenantsandkingdoms.com/ Scripture reading provided by Laurie Mullinax at https://www.mullinaxvo.com/

    1h 11m

  2. May 14

    S1 E30: Joseph and the Pit

    Sibling rivalry hits a new level in this episode as Nathan and Brad dive into Genesis 37 and the beginning of the Joseph narrative. From Jacob’s favoritism and Joseph’s colorful coat to the brothers’ jealous plot to kill him and sell him into slavery, we see family dysfunction at its worst, yet God is quietly at work behind the scenes. The hosts explore themes of betrayal, divine providence through human sin, cosmic geography, and how Joseph’s story becomes a powerful type pointing to Jesus: the beloved son, rejected, “buried” in a pit, and later exalted to save his people. They also connect it to the larger covenant story and the coming Exodus. If you’ve ever wondered how God uses even the messiest family drama for His purposes, this episode is for you. Jump in and study Biblical covenants and ancient kingdoms with us! ----------------------------------------------------------------------We are sponsored by Baba Java Coffee, a specialty coffee roaster and cafe based in Birmingham, AL. Visit babajavacoffee.com and use code "covenants" for 10% off your order! Support us on Patreon for early, ad-free episodes and exclusive "Deeper Waters" content! patreon.com/covenantsandkingdoms https://linktr.ee/covenantsandkingdoms https://www.covenantsandkingdoms.com/

    1h 8m

  3. Apr 30

    S1 E29: Jacob Becomes Israel

    After the massacre at Shechem, Jacob's family sits in a foreign land, surrounded by hostile nations, their tents full of plundered goods and foreign idols. The covenant promises of land, seed, and blessing feel like a distant memory. Something has to give. In Episode 29, Nathan and Brad walk through Genesis 35:1-15 and Jacob's long-overdue return to Bethel. It's a moment of reckoning: put away the foreign gods, purify yourselves, change your garments. But before Jacob does any of it, God calls first. This chapter is one of the most theologically loaded in Genesis, a covenant renewal ceremony hiding in plain sight, a fulfillment of a 20-year-old vow, and a preview of the pattern that will define Israel's entire relationship with Yahweh for centuries to come. From Hosea to Isaiah to Paul, the echoes of Bethel never quite go away. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- We are sponsored by Baba Java Coffee, a specialty coffee roaster and cafe based in Birmingham, AL. Visit babajavacoffee.com and use code "covenants" for 10% off your order! Support us on Patreon for early, ad-free episodes and exclusive "Deeper Waters" content! patreon.com/covenantsandkingdoms https://linktr.ee/covenantsandkingdoms https://www.covenantsandkingdoms.com/ Scripture reading provided by Laurie Mullinax at https://www.mullinaxvo.com/

    1h 8m

  4. Apr 16

    S1 E28: The Avenging of Dinah

    In our 28th episode, Nathan and Brad cover a very sensitive topic from Genesis 34. There are many passages in scripture that you may not want your children to read yet. This episode covers one of those passages, so this is one for them to skip, even though we know they are very big fans of ancient near-eastern studies. While Jacob's daughter Dinah was out in the land, the prince of the land assaulted and defiled her. This was a grotesque crime that warranted a violent response from her father, but Jacob seemingly does nothing. His sons were outraged, and decided to continue their family's legacy of deceit and destroy and plunder the entire city. Was Jacob justified in having no response? Were his sons justified in mass murder and kidnapping? There is so much more to this story than what is on the surface. Join us as we dig in and uncover what we can.----------------------------------------------------------------------We are sponsored by Baba Java Coffee, a specialty coffee roaster and cafe based in Birmingham, AL. Visit babajavacoffee.com and use code "covenants" for 10% off your order! Support us on Patreon for early, ad-free episodes and exclusive "Deeper Waters" content! patreon.com/covenantsandkingdoms https://linktr.ee/covenantsandkingdoms https://www.covenantsandkingdoms.com/ Scripture reading provided by Laurie Mullinax at https://www.mullinaxvo.com/

    1h 18m

  5. Apr 2

    S1 E27: Jacob Meets Esau

    When Jacob last saw Esau, there was deception, theft, and death threats. Jacob spent decades building a life, family, and flocks, but had the strife with his brother hanging over him the entire time. Now Jacob is returning, but how will Esau greet him? We find out in Genesis 33 that Esau comes with an army of men, but is it for battle, protection, or celebration? ----------------------------------------------------------------------We are sponsored by Baba Java Coffee, a specialty coffee roaster and cafe based in Birmingham, AL. Visit babajavacoffee.com and use code "covenants" for 10% off your order! Support us on Patreon for early, ad-free episodes and exclusive "Deeper Waters" content! patreon.com/covenantsandkingdoms https://linktr.ee/covenantsandkingdoms https://www.covenantsandkingdoms.com/ Scripture reading provided by Laurie Mullinax at https://www.mullinaxvo.com/

    42 min

  6. Mar 19

    S1 E26: Wrasslin on the SECOND Exodus

    Jacob and Laban have settled their differences, Laban has gone home, and all Jacob's problems are gone! Well, other than Esau, who Jacob stole everything from, and the whole reason Jacob fled his homeland in the first place. In this episode Nathan and Brad cover Genesis 32, where Jacob gets word that Esau is coming toward him with 400 men (either an army or a big party, we haven't found out yet!), Jacob sends a giant farm's worth of animals to him as a gift, then a strange man out of nowhere wrestles Jacob all night and gives him a limp.Who is this mysterious man? Why does he want to wrestle Jacob? How many goats would make a good peace offering for a sibling? Tune in and find out!----------------------------------------------------------------------We are sponsored by Baba Java Coffee, a specialty coffee roaster and cafe based in Birmingham, AL. Visit babajavacoffee.com and use code "covenants" for 10% off your order!Support us on Patreon for early, ad-free episodes and exclusive "Deeper Waters" content! patreon.com/covenantsandkingdomshttps://linktr.ee/covenantsandkingdomshttps://www.covenantsandkingdoms.com/Scripture reading provided by Laurie Mullinax at https://www.mullinaxvo.com/

    1h 3m

  7. Mar 5

    S1 E25: Teraphim, Patroni, and Deification

    We've already covered Laban deceiving Jacob with his daughters, then Jacob turning goats colors to take Laban's livestock, and now Laban is hunting Jacob down to take it all back! Does Laban defeat Jacob in an epic battle? Does Jacob escape with magic tricks and secret tunnels? Tune in as we work through Genesis 31, orders from God, stolen household gods, camel saddles, heaps of stones, but unfortunately no mirth.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------We are sponsored by Baba Java Coffee, a specialty coffee roaster and cafe based in Birmingham, AL. Visit babajavacoffee.com and use code "covenants" for 10% off your order!Support us on Patreon for early, ad-free episodes and exclusive "Deeper Waters" content! patreon.com/covenantsandkingdomshttps://linktr.ee/covenantsandkingdomshttps://www.covenantsandkingdoms.com/

    1h 22m

  8. Feb 19

    S1 E24: Divine Goats?!?

    Our last two episodes covered how Jacob had been a trickster since birth, then was tricked himself by Laban. Today we cover Genesis 30 where Jacob asks to leave Laban, and comes out with a whole new set of tricks to make sure he gets the best of Laban's flocks. The passage has all kinds of back and forth with stripes, spots, sticks, and water, but what does it all mean? Is it some divine miracle, a convenient coincidence, or basic medicine and genetics? Nathan and Brad read through and comment on a blog post that can help shed some light on the subject.The blog post we are reading through:https://answersingenesis.org/genetics/animal-genetics/jacobs-odd-breeding-program-genesis-30/?srsltid=AfmBOorpQpn7c5rCVtKHs8HM6Pv0BcobUHTfQYrf1YET1bwKwe9zlGBZ----------------------------------------------------------------------We are sponsored by Baba Java Coffee, a specialty coffee roaster and cafe based in Birmingham, AL. Visit babajavacoffee.com and use code "covenants" for 10% off your order!Support us on Patreon for early, ad-free episodes and exclusive "Deeper Waters" content! patreon.com/covenantsandkingdomshttps://linktr.ee/covenantsandkingdomshttps://www.covenantsandkingdoms.com/

    1h 7m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Covenants & Kingdoms takes you on a journey through the historical and cultural world of the Bible. Hosted by Dr. Nathan Parvin and Brad Haynes, this podcast uncovers the historical context behind biblical events—where they happened, what was going on in the region, and how it all connects to the grand narrative of Scripture. From ancient covenants to the rise and fall of kingdoms, each episode dives into the people, places, and events that shaped biblical history. Subscribe now and journey through the lands, cultures, and stories that shaped the world’s most influential book.

Information

  • Creator
    Nathan Parvin and Brad Haynes
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Nathan Parvin and Brad Haynes
  • Show Website
    Covenants and Kingdoms