I realized I was reading biblical place names the same way I'd read Tolkien or Lewis—familiar words with no real meaning. Bethel. Beersheba. Babylon. I couldn't point to any of them on a map.

The Bible isn't fiction. Old Testament history IS world history. Same places. Same terrain. Same story. And when we read it like fantasy, we miss so much.

In this episode, I start building the mental map we need—explaining why geography shapes everything in Scripture, why Israel's location made them both wealthy and vulnerable, and how the Fertile Crescent explains almost every story in the Old Testament.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS0:00 - I was reading the Bible like fantasy0:57 - The Middle Earth Problem1:32 - The Bible isn't fiction (same places, same terrain)1:56 - Abraham's journey (measured!)2:55 - Why geography shapes history3:40 - The Fertile Crescent explained5:03 - Israel: The Land Between6:52 - Building your mental map8:14 - The Bible happened in a real place9:15 - What's next

🔗 LINKSOT in Context App: https://otincontext.comFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/oldtestamentincontextYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@otincontext

🎬 PREVIOUS: Why Modern Readers Struggle with the Old Testament🎬 NEXT: The Fertile Crescent: Crossroads of Civilization

How much of your Bible do you actually use? If you're like most Christians, the answer is maybe a third of it. We know the Gospels, we've read Paul's letters, we might have a favorite Psalm—but the Old Testament remains a mystery wrapped in strange names and confusing timelines.

In this first episode, I share why I started this journey—from frustrated Sunday School teacher to building an app called OT in Context. We'll face an uncomfortable truth: the Pharisees knew the Old Testament better than we ever will, and they still missed Jesus. So what hope do we have?

More than you might think. This series will give you a framework for understanding the Old Testament—geography, history, archaeology, and theology—so you can finally find your bearings in the first two-thirds of your Bible.

🔗 Explore the app: https://otincontext.com

📖 Series: Foundations (Episode 1 of 5)

#OldTestament #BibleStudy #BiblicalGeography #OTinContext

Join us as we explore the names of God in the Old Testament, from El to Yahweh-Tsidkenu. Discover their cultural significance, how they reveal God's character, and their connection to His covenant with Israel. Read the article here: https://discovering-the-ot-as-they-knew-it.beehiiv.com/p/the-unfolding-names-of-god-in-the-old-testament

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