Observations from the Word by The Barking Fox

Letter to Dad

Why is life so hard? Our own poor choices have something to do with that, but the difficulties of life aren't always our fault. Sometimes it's God who allows us to endure hardship just to see what we will do about it. 
Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25; Isaiah 49:14-51:3; Matthew 4:1-10; Philippians 3:7-16
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: Letter to Dad
Image generated by Grok, created by xAI.
Music: "Future King of Heaven,” Zachariah Hickman, YouTube Audio Library, April 21, 2021. Listen to the complete audio on YouTube at https://youtu.be/bteCg7aqqX0?si=0ToVaXQxcRHbMV1N.

A Wise and Understanding People

When Christians say the Shema, are they fulfilling prophecy? That might be one way to think about the impact of the Torah on the nations. 
Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11; Isaiah 40:1-26; Zechariah 1:12-17; Mark 12:28-34; John 4:22; Romans 3:1-4, 9:1-5, 11:17-23
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: A Wise and Understanding People
Image: Long before Paul spoke to audiences in Greece, nations were eager to hear the wisdom God had imparted to Israel. (Image generated by Grok, created by xAI.)
Music: "Future King of Heaven,” Zachariah Hickman, YouTube Audio Library, April 21, 2021. Listen to the complete audio on YouTube at https://youtu.be/bteCg7aqqX0?si=0ToVaXQxcRHbMV1N.

The Courage of Vision

It's hard to stay on course if you don't know where you're going, and it's hard to know where you're going if you don't know who you are. That's why God shares His vision for this world with us. Then He leaves us the choice to live out His vision, or continue wandering aimlessly through this world filled with hazards. 
Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22; Isaiah 1:1-27, 5:13; Hosea 4:6; John 10:22-30; Hebrews 3:7-11
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: The Courage of Vision
Image: Vision gave Joshua and Caleb the courage to stand on God's promises even when the majority came to a different conclusion. Image generated by Grok, created by xAI.
Music: "Future King of Heaven,” Zachariah Hickman, YouTube Audio Library, April 21, 2021. Listen to the complete audio on YouTube at https://youtu.be/bteCg7aqqX0?si=0ToVaXQxcRHbMV1N.

Submit and Decide

When God redeems us, does He expect us to obey Him without question, or does He give us liberty to create our own reality? Maybe the answer is somewhere between those extremes.  
Numbers 30:2-36:13; Jeremiah 2:4-28, 3:1-16, 29:5-14; Matthew 22:34-40, 25:14-30
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: Submit and Decide
Image: Muslims say, “Submit.” Christians say, “Decide.” What does God say? (Image generated by Grok, created by xAI.)
Music: "Future King of Heaven,” Zachariah Hickman, YouTube Audio Library, April 21, 2021. Listen to the complete audio on YouTube at https://youtu.be/bteCg7aqqX0?si=0ToVaXQxcRHbMV1N.

Wise Donkeys and Foolish Disciples

Sometimes beasts can seem wiser than humans - especially if the humans are acting selfishly.  
Numbers 22:2-25:9; Micah 5:7-6:8; 2 Kings 5; Jeremiah 23; Matthew 23; Luke 17:5-10, 18:1-8; Acts 5:1-11; 1 Timothy 3
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: Wise Donkeys and Foolish Disciples
Image generated by Grok, created by xAI.
Music: "Future King of Heaven,” Zachariah Hickman, YouTube Audio Library, April 21, 2021. Listen to the complete audio on YouTube at https://youtu.be/bteCg7aqqX0?si=0ToVaXQxcRHbMV1N.

Formulas and Fake Snakes

Is it possible for finite, mortal humans to know everything about the immortal, infinite Creator? No, it isn't. So why do we keep trying to do that? 
Numbers 19:1-22:1; Judges 11:1-33; 2 Kings 18:1-4; Daniel 2:19-23; John 3:14-15; 2 Timothy 3:1-17
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: Formulas and Fake Snakes
Image: When we try to reduce God's ways to a formula, we could end up making an idol. (Image generated by Grok, created by xAI.)
Music: "Future King of Heaven,” Zachariah Hickman, YouTube Audio Library, April 21, 2021. Listen to the complete audio on YouTube at https://youtu.be/bteCg7aqqX0?si=0ToVaXQxcRHbMV1N.

Don't Sink the Boat

Why do we have contentious people among us? We can't get away from disagreeable people, but we can make it a point not to be disagreeable to others. 
Numbers 16:1-18:32; 1 Samuel 11:14-12:22; Genesis 37:16-26; Proverbs 27:20; Mark 12:28-34, 10:42-45; Luke 17:1-2; 1 Corinthians 11:18-19; Ephesians 5:21
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: Don't Sink the Boat
Image: Some people aren't content just to rock the boat, but want to sink it. (Image generated by Grok, created by xAI.)
Music: "Future King of Heaven,” Zachariah Hickman, YouTube Audio Library, April 21, 2021. Listen to the complete audio on YouTube at https://youtu.be/bteCg7aqqX0?si=0ToVaXQxcRHbMV1N.

A Different Identity

How do heroes get to be heroes? It may not be as difficult as we think. Then again, it may be even more difficult, especially for those heroes who have attached themselves to the Creator of the Universe. 
Numbers 13:1-15:41; Joshua 2:1-24; Exodus 33:11; Isaiah 55:6-9; Romans 12:1-2; Hebrews 11:6
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: A Different Identity
Image: Sgt. Alvin C. York, October 18, 1918. Painting by Frank Schoonover, 1919. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Inset: Photo of Sgt. Alvin C. York, Bain News Service, ca. 1920 (Library of Congress #2014709286).
Music: "Future King of Heaven,” Zachariah Hickman, YouTube Audio Library, April 21, 2021. Listen to the complete audio on YouTube at https://youtu.be/bteCg7aqqX0?si=0ToVaXQxcRHbMV1N.