The Mountain E11 — We’ve learned that mountains in the Hebrew Bible often become a space where Heaven and Earth overlap and human beings must choose between self-preservation or surrender and trust in God. The story builds our hope and expectation for a faithful intercessor on the mountain who can mediate God’s blessings to the people below. As we turn to the New Testament, gospel writer Matthew is ready to spotlight who that faithful mountaintop intercessor is. In this episode, Jon and Tim walk through seven stories in the Gospel of Matthew where Jesus prays, teaches, does miracles, and more—all on mountains.

View more resources on our website →

Timestamps 

• Chapter 1: Theme Recap and Overview of Matthew’s Seven Mountains (0:00-17:42)
• Chapter 2: The Mountains of Testing and Teaching (17:42-29:44)
• Chapter 3: Two Mountains of Prayer and Feeding, Plus One of Transfiguration (29:44-42:15)
• Chapter 4: Mountains of Apocalypse and Commissioning (42:15-55:16)

Official Episode Transcript

View this episode’s official transcript.

Referenced Resources

• Jesus on the Mountain: A Study in Matthean Theology by Terence Donaldson
• Check out Tim’s library here.
• You can experience our entire library of resources in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.

Show Music

• “Dreams Come True” by Drips Zacheer
• “Moonlite” by Nokiaa & Deauxnuts
• “Go Slow” by little blue
• BibleProject theme song by TENTS

Show Credits

Production of today's episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey is our supervising engineer. Aaron Olsen edited today’s episode and also provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty does our show notes, and Hannah Woo provides the annotations for our app. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie.

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The Mountain E10 — The prophet Isaiah depicts Mount Zion as a cosmic mountain where Heaven and Earth overlap and God’s blessings flow down to all of creation. But Isaiah also lived in the real Jerusalem that had Mount Zion at its center, which was filled with corruption, injustice, and idolatry. So in his prophecies, he balances hope in this future new Eden with warnings of judgment on Jerusalem’s proud and corrupt elites. In this episode, Jon and Tim discuss the many iterations of the mountain theme in Isaiah 2-4, including how Jesus and his disciples embody the imagery of Isaiah’s anointed servant and the remnant community.

View more resources on our website →

Timestamps 

• Chapter 1: The Ideal and Corrupt Mount Zion, Leading to Judgment (0:00-22:55)
• Chapter 2: A Day of Yahweh Against the Rich, Powerful, and Proud (22:55-32:32)
• Chapter 3: A Holy Remnant on a Renewed Mount Zion (32:32-53:40)

Official Episode Transcript

View this episode’s official transcript.

Referenced Resources

• Check out Tim’s library here.
• You can experience our entire library of resources in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.

Show Music

• “Bimmer M6” by Kreatev
• “Sunlight (feat. Jintonic)” by Kendall Miles
• BibleProject theme song by TENTS

Show Credits

Production of today's episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey is our supervising engineer. Aaron Olsen edited today’s episode and also provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty does our show notes, and Hannah Woo provides the annotations for our app. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie.

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In our final episode of 2024, Tim, Jon, and BibleProject CEO, Steve Atkinson, reflect on ten years of the project, all the resources we got to make and share this year, and the patrons who made it possible. The guys then give a sneak peek of what’s coming up next for BibleProject in 2025.

Timestamps

1. Ten Year Anniversary and Our Patron Community (0:00-9:25)
2. Strategic Relationships (9:25-19:49)
3. 2024 Engagement With Our Resources (19:49-30:51)
4. Looking Back at a Year in the Sermon on the Mount (30:51-35:41)
5. 2025 Podcast Themes (35:41-37:43)
6. Reading the Bible in Community (37:43-41:54)
7. In Space With Astronaut Tracy Caldwell-Dyson (41:54-44:29)
8. Gratitude (44:29-47:39)

Official Episode Transcript

View this episode’s official transcript.

Referenced Resources

• Watch our 2024 end of year video, where Jon and Tim explore “purple dot moments”—experiences of God’s Kingdom here on Earth. Plus, catch a glimpse of what’s coming in 2025. 
• Check out Tim’s library here.
• You can experience our entire library of resources in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.

Show Music

• BibleProject theme song by TENTS

Show Credits

Production of today’s episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey is our supervising engineer. Aaron Olsen edited today’s episode and also provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty does our show notes, and Hannah Woo provides the annotations for our app. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie. Special thanks to our guest, Steve Atkinson. 

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The Mountain E9 — The mountain theme shows up again and again in biblical narrative, but it’s also prominent in the Psalms. Particularly in Psalms 15-24, the biblical authors reflect on the traits of the one who can ascend and dwell on God’s holy mountain. At first, this question focuses on King David and his royal successors as they endure suffering, despair, and ultimately vindication, which leads to blessing for Israel and the nations. But eventually, it’s not just the Davidic king but a whole community of the faithful ascending the mountain! In this episode, Jon and Tim survey the mountain theme through the Psalms scroll and reflect on what it takes to be with God there.

View more resources on our website →

Timestamps 

• Chapter 1: Recap of Where We’ve Been (0:00-10:21)
• Chapter 2: Psalm 2: God’s Anointed One on a Mountain (10:21-19:34)
• Chapter 3: Psalms 15-24: The King and His Crew Ascend the Mountain (19:34-51:05)
• Chapter 4: A Hyperlink in Revelation 2 to Psalm 2 (51:05-1:02:39)

Official Episode Transcript

View this episode’s official transcript.

Referenced Resources

• The Arrival of the King: The Shape and Story of Psalms 15-24 by Carissa Quinn
• Check out Tim’s library here.
• You can experience our entire library of resources in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.

Show Music

• “Sum Sum” by Ben Bada Boom
• “Sunkissed Cycles” by lloom
• “Astér” by Kissamilé
• BibleProject theme song by TENTS

Show Credits

Production of today's episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey is our supervising engineer. Aaron Olsen edited today’s episode and also provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty does our show notes, and Hannah Woo provides the annotations for our app. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie.

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The Mountain E8 — On two different mountains, we witness mountain tests with two very different Elijahs. On Mount Carmel, he partners with God in challenging the false prophets of Baal, leading to the people’s repentance and renewal of trust in God. But then only a chapter later, Elijah is on Mount Sinai accusing the people and loathing his prophetic calling. Why the sudden shift? In this episode, Jon and Tim discuss the contrasting mountain test stories of 1 Kings 18-19, reflecting on the human tendency toward fear, condemnation, and false narratives—even after great success.

View more resources on our website →

Timestamps 

• Chapter 1: Recap of the Series So Far (0:00-9:53)
• Chapter 2: Elijah Tests the People on Mount Carmel (9:53-32:36)
• Chapter 3: Elijah Fails the Test on Mount Sinai (32:36-53:06)

Official Episode Transcript

View this episode’s official transcript.

Referenced Resources

• Check out Tim’s library here.
• You can experience our entire library of resources in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.

Show Music

• “Surrender (Instrumental)” by Beautiful Eulogy
• “Movement” (artist unknown)
• BibleProject theme song by TENTS

Show Credits

Production of today's episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey is our supervising engineer. Frank Garza and Aaron Olsen edited today’s episode, and Aaron Olsen also provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty does our show notes, and Hannah Woo provides the annotations for our app. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie.

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The Mountain E7 — After King David's failures, we hope that his son Solomon will fare better on the cosmic mountain of Mount Zion. And initially, he does! In a cosmic mountain moment when God offers to give him anything he wants, he humbly asks only for wisdom to discern good from bad. In response, God gives him wisdom plus material blessing, leading to an era of unparalleled abundance and peace in the cosmic mountain city of Jerusalem. During this time, the king builds a splendorous temple on Mount Zion. But with no limits on his power or resources, Solomon soon compromises. Slave labor, hundreds of wives, foreign gods—what happened here? In this episode, Jon and Tim discuss Solomon’s highs and lows, exploring how too much good can corrupt even the wisest of leaders.

View more resources on our website →

Timestamps

• Chapter 1: Wisdom and Great Abundance (0:00-20:56)
• Chapter 2: Prosperity and Compromise (20:56-39:42)
• Chapter 3: Further Compromise and Downfall (39:42-53:49)

Official Episode Transcript

View this episode’s official transcript.

Referenced Resources

• Check out Tim’s library here.
• You can experience our entire library of resources in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.

Show Music

• “The Turnaround” by UpsiDown
• “Astér” by Kissamilé
• BibleProject theme song by TENTS

Show Credits

Production of today's episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey is our supervising engineer. Frank Garza and Aaron Olsen edited today’s episode. Aaron Olsen also provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty does our show notes, and Hannah Woo provides the annotations for our app. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie.

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The Mountain E6 — In 2 Samuel, David is crowned king of a unified Israel, and after choosing Jerusalem as his capital city, he brings the ark of the covenant to Mount Zion. It seems like things are going great—a priestly king has unified the tribes and all of Israel’s enemies are subdued! But it doesn’t last. After committing adultery and murder, David also foolishly calls for a census of his army (which according to the Law, no Israelite leader was supposed to do). And things just get worse. In this episode, Jon and Tim discuss the failures of David and how his story highlights the need for a faithful intercessor who will surrender his life on the mountain for the good of the people.

View more resources on our website →

Timestamps 

• Chapter 1: David Establishes His Capital on Mount Zion (0:00-18:31)
• Chapter 2: David Fails by Calling for a Census 18:31-35:13)
• Chapter 3: Intercession on the Future Temple Mount (35:13-51:20)

Referenced Resources

• 1 and 2 Chronicles, Volume 1: 1 Chronicles 1-2 and Chronicles 9: Israel's Place Among Nations by William Johnstone
• Check out Tim’s library here.
• You can experience our entire library of resources in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.

Show Music

• “Change of Pace” by UpsiDown
• “Piano Room” by Matthew Halbert-Howen
• BibleProject theme song by TENTS 

Show Credits

Production of today's episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey is our supervising engineer. Frank Garza and Aaron Olsen edited today’s episode and also provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty does our show notes, and Hannah Woo provides the annotations for our app. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie.

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The Mountain E5 — Moses has a complicated identity. He's an Israelite, but he was raised in the house of Pharaoh. He was born in Egypt, but he flees to live in the wilderness with the Midianites. And there in the wilderness, he meets God on two separate occasions on Mount Sinai. The first time, God commissions Moses to deliver the Israelites from slavery. And the second time, while Moses is up on the mountain with God, the recently freed people down below are already breaking the covenant by worshiping a gold calf. Will Moses stand in the gap for the people in this moment of crisis? In this episode, Jon and Tim discuss Moses as a successful mountaintop intercessor, showing what can happen when a human trusts God on the cosmic mountain.

View more resources on our website →

Timestamps 

• Chapter 1: Recap of the Mountain Theme So Far (0:00-13:37)
• Chapter 2: Moses’ Identity and Commissioning on Mount Sinai (13:37-35:34)
• Chapter 3: Moses Rescues Israel and Intercedes for them on Mount Sinai (35:34-1:02:08)

Official Episode Transcript

View this episode’s official transcript.

Referenced Resources

• Check out Tim’s library here.
• You can experience our entire library of resources in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.

Show Music

• “Sum Sum” by Ben Bada Boom
• “Garden Trees” by T.Check & Kofi Anonymous
• BibleProject theme song by TENTS 

Show Credits

Production of today's episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey is our supervising engineer. Aaron Olsen edited today’s episode and also provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty does our show notes, and Hannah Woo provides the annotations for our app. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie.

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The Mountain E4 — After the exile from the first cosmic mountain of Eden, humanity spirals into depravity and violence. God chooses to expedite their inevitable destruction through a catastrophic flood, but he preserves the family of Noah. Coming out of the ark on Mount Ararat, Noah offers the life of a precious animal—an act that deeply pleases God. And then Abraham, one of Noah’s descendants, offers an even more precious sacrifice on Mount Moriah. In this episode, Jon and Tim discuss Noah as the Bible’s first mountaintop intercessor and how his story sets a pattern that then plays out in the story of Abraham and Isaac on Mount Moriah.

View more resources on our website →

Timestamps 

• Chapter 1: Recap and Noah’s Precious Sacrifice on Mount Ararat (0:00-19:44)
• Chapter 2: Abraham’s Call and Later Folly (19:44-31:36)
• Chapter 3: Abraham Surrenders on the Mountain (31:36-55:21)

Official Episode Transcript

View this episode’s official transcript.

Referenced Resources

• Check out Tim’s library here.
• You can experience our entire library of resources in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.

Show Music

• “Castles” by SwuM & Chris Mazuera
• “Dreamscape Lagoon” by Enzalla
• BibleProject theme song by TENTS

Show Credits

Production of today's episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey is our supervising engineer. Aaron Olsen edited today’s episode and also provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty does our show notes, and Hannah Woo provides the annotations for our app. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie.

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Sermon on the Mount Q+R 5 (E39) – Should we judge abusive behavior in others? Do we need faith in Jesus and the Holy Spirit to be righteous? And how can we discern who is a true or false prophet? In this episode, Tim and Jon respond to your questions from episodes 30-38 in the Sermon on the Mount series, where we explored Matthew 7:1-27. Plus, we share more of the Lord’s Prayer song submissions. Thank you to our audience for your thoughtful contributions to this episode!

View more resources on our website →

Timestamps 

• Chapter 1: “Are the opening and closing of the sermon at odds with each other?” (00:00-12:50)
• Chapter 2: “What about judging abusive behavior?” (15:52-27:04)
• Chapter 3: “How can we be peacemakers but avoid throwing pearls before swine?” (29:43-33:55)
• Chapter 4: “Is there a pattern in the Bible of angels guarding significant doorways?” (33:55-40:37)
• Chapter 5: “How can we discern who is a true or false prophet?” (43:40-59:46)
• Chapter 6: “How do you think Jesus connects the Spirit’s power with living righteously?” (1:01:41-1:11:44)

Referenced Resources

• Check out Tim’s library here.
• You can experience our entire library of resources in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.

Show Music 

• “The Lord’s Prayer 3” by Poor Bishop Hooper
• “Thine Is the Kingdom” by Aryn Michelle
• “Creator of the Cosmos” by Andrew Eoff
• “The Lord’s Prayer” by Wes Crawford
• “Our Father (Lord’s Prayer)” by Middlebrook Music, Andrew Bingham
• Original Sermon on the Mount music by Richie Kohen
• BibleProject theme song by TENTS

Show Credits

Jon Collins is the creative producer for today’s show, and Tim Mackie is the lead scholar. Production of today’s episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer; Cooper Peltz, managing producer; Colin Wilson, producer. Aaron Olsen edited today's episode and also provided our sound design and mix. Tyler Bailey was supervising engineer. JB Witty does our show notes, and Hannah Woo provides the annotations for our app.

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The Mountain E3 — The biblical authors portray Eden as a cosmic mountain—an overlapping Heaven and Earth space in God’s presence. Humans are placed on the Eden mountain and given a choice: Will they trust God’s voice and wisdom, or will they seize the knowledge of good and bad on their own terms? In this episode, Jon and Tim discuss the drama that plays out on the first cosmic mountain and how it becomes the pattern for every future mountaintop story in the Bible.

View more resources on our website →

Timestamps 

• Chapter 1: Recap of What We’ve Learned So Far (0:00-12:33)
• Chapter 2: The Cosmic Eden Mountain (12:33-33:27)
• Chapter 3: The First Humans Fail the Mountain Test (33:27-58:50)

Referenced Resources

• The Tabernacle Pre-Figured: Cosmic Mountain Ideology in Genesis and Exodus by L.M. Morales (Link to PDF, since book is not available for sale)
• The Symbolism of the Biblical World: Ancient Near Eastern Iconography and the Book of Psalms by Othmar Keel
• Check out Tim’s library here.
• You can experience our entire library of resources in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.

Show Music

• “Dreamscape Lagoon” by Enzalla
• “Rain or Shine” by Birocratic & Middle School
• BibleProject theme song by TENTS 

Show Credits

Production of today's episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey is our supervising engineer. Aaron Olsen edited today’s episode and also provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty does our show notes, and Hannah Woo provides the annotations for our app. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie.

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