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/

Our last episode showed Jacob and his tendency to deceive. He deceived Esau to get the birthright, then deceived his father to get Esau's blessing. In this episode Nathan and Brad show how the tables have turned, and Jacob is the one being deceived! Jacob labors for over half a decade to marry the woman of his dreams, just to be tricked into marrying the wrong sister, and having to work another 7 years for the bride he was promised in the beginning. There isn't room in the description for all the conspiring and fighting between his wives, you'll have to watch the episode for that!----------------------------------------------------------------------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/

Sibling rivalry takes center stage in this episode as Nathan kicks things off with the wild Roman myth of Romulus and Remus, brothers raised by wolves, founding Rome amid betrayal and murder, drawing parallels to Cain and Abel, and setting up the epic clash between Esau and Jacob.We dive into Genesis 25-28, unpacking the twins' birth, Esau selling his birthright for a bowl of stew, Jacob's sneaky scheme with Rebecca to steal Isaac's blessing, and Jacob's mind-blowing dream of a heavenly ladder with angels ascending and descending. Along the way, Brad and Nathan explore family dysfunction, how God uses flawed people despite their deceit, cosmic geography with spiritual portals, and how it all foreshadows Jesus as the ultimate connection between heaven and earth.Whether you're catching up on the patriarchs or loving these ancient twists, this episode ties history, theology, and drama together. Join us and drop a comment if you've got questions!----------------------------------------------------------------------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/

The first 20 episodes of Covenants & Kingdoms were almost completely about Abraham, over 15 hours of discussion all about one man and his journey. Today, Nathan and Brad are summarizing all their previous conversations to give a simplified version of everything from God calling Abraham, to Abraham fighting clans of giants, to the promise of a son, to Sodom and Gomorrah, and much more. If you missed a few episodes, or are just now finding us, this is a great place to start! 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/covenantsandkingdomshttps://linktr.ee/covenantsandkingdomshttps://www.covenantsandkingdoms.com/

Baba Noel is back for another episode to answer the question burning in Brad's mind, is Christmas Pagan?Nathan dips into history not just to see the origins of celebrating Christ's birth, but he delves into every one of our Christmas traditions and their origins. He covers everything from modern ideas from Wes Huff, to Martin Luther and Christmas Trees, to second century discussions about wreaths and laurels. Over on our Patreon Baba Noel continues the discussion to solve Christmas myths, and next will explain Christmas traditions around the world!---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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/

This week we have a very special guest from a... Far off land? "Baba Noel" joins us for a special Christmas episode to answer the age old question: What is Jesus' real birthday?Nathan goes back to early Christian cultures, ancient astronomy, and of course scripture to see if he can find the real answer. Join us to see what the final answer is, or if there is one!----------------------------------------------------------------------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/

In part two of our series on righteousness and justice, Nathan and Brad explore the rich Hebrew vocabulary that paints a vivid picture of God's unchanging character. From steadfast love (chesed) to faithfulness (emet), they unpack why these words cluster around righteousness (tsedeq) and justice (mishpat), revealing how God isn't just righteous, He is our righteousness. With southern humor and scholarly insight, they dive into Psalms, Isaiah's shocking wordplay, and the grace-wrath dynamic. Why do these ancient terms matter for your faith today? Join us for a thought-provoking discussion that bridges Old Testament poetry to New Testament hope!----------------------------------------------------------------------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/

Brad and Nathan kick things off with a shocking quote from the Melian Dialogue (Thucydides, Peloponnesian War):“The strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must.”That’s the world’s idea of justice.But God gave Abraham a higher standard, before Moses, before Sinai, before any written code.Genesis 26:5 says “Because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.”How? The law was written on his heart (Rom 2:15) and revealed in creation (Rom 1:20). No one is without excuse.This episode launches a 3-part series on righteousness (tsedeq) and justice (mishpat), the twin pillars of God’s covenant plan.We explore:- Abraham’s faith counted as righteousness (Gen 15:6)- God’s purpose: “that he may command his children… to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice” (Gen 18:19)- Ancient parallels: - Phoenician gods Sydyk & Misor - Babylonian Kittu & Misharu (justice of the sun god Shamash) - Egyptian goddess Ma’at (cosmic balance via the heart) - Greek Dikē (order → punishment) vs. biblical covenant faithfulnessThe Bible’s answer? Righteousness is God’s standard. Justice is living it out.And only faith in Christ makes it possible.----------------------------------------------------------------------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/