Covenants and Kingdoms

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/