The Bible by David Alley

In this video listen to Job 16 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Job 16 we have the ninth speech in the book, Job’s reply to Eliphaz’ second speech. He accuses his friends of abandoning him. We compare that with Christ who also had his friends abandon him, but did not complain in hindsight, but did ask in advance “could you not pray with me for an hour?” In verse 19 we reach one of the high points in the book of Job, where he states “my witness is in heaven” and speaks of the one who will vouch for him. We explore this statement, Jobs' accusation of his friends lack of sympathy, and the place of trust each believer must come to when going through pain.

In this video listen to Job 15 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Job 15 we are into the second round of speeches by Job’s “friends.” Here we have the eight speech in the book, out of nineteen. Eliphaz the Temanite doesn’t mince words this time around, and his speech can be summarised by four points: 1 - Job has sinned 2 - Job is proud and ignorant 3 - The wicked get what they deserve 4 - Punishment also awaits Job. With friends like Eliphaz’ who needs enemies? Listen as we discuss the speech of Eliphaz.

In this video listen to Job 14 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Job 14 his reply to Zophar is still continuing.Job talks about the brevity/shortness of life and gets philosophical. He then moves on as he does so often into spontaneous prayer, talking to God for help. In this video find out what a 97 year old man in Australia also said about the shortness of life, and what he did on his second last day in life.

In this video listen to Job 13 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Job 13 he continues to reply to Zophar and pulls apart his speech by giving examples that are contrary to the main point made. Job gives examples of the wicked prospering, and of the righteous struggling… which he states is also happening to him. While this chapter is not the end of his speech, he asks the same question of the Lord that David asks in Psalm 139, that God would search him and reveal what is wrong. That would seem to be a risky question to ask, but in Jobs case he had nothing to lose.

In this video listen to Job 12 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Job 12 he replies to Zophar - the third reply to his friends, and his fourth speech. This is a long reply lasting three chapters, but not the longest speech which is the last one by God.In contemplating this speech, and the others prior to this, the one element that seems to be completely missing is the context of eternity. This is something that seems lacking in many modern discussions about life and meaning too.

In this video listen to Job 11 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Job 11 is the sixth speech of nineteen, the third speech from the friends, and the first speech by Zophar. Zophar is the voice of religion, representing things from the “spiritual” point of view. Zophar, like his friends begins with the assumption that Job is guilty, and questions his objectivity. So all three friends have that in common. Their arguments are all very similar even though they come from three perspectives of experience, tradition and religion. Listen to the video and comments as Zophar goes after Job’s throat.

In this video listen to Job 10 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Job 10 the fifth speech of the book continues… and Job finally asks the Lord for understanding, which he will not receive (and only in part) until the end of the book.But God has reasons beyond his understanding as we who have the narrator’s perspective can see. Here is a question though…. Why would God allow the evil one to succeed in his accusation? Why would God permit the pain?Consider this, what value and comfort has the story of Job provided to generations of people for thousands of years? Imagine if God had not allowed Job to suffer and the story to unfold? Think of the countless good that has come from this story and its inclusion in the canon? How could God have explained that to Job at the time? Yet, by participating in this, and being unwilling to blame God, and being willing to accept that he didn’t understand God's reasoning, we are given an example to follow. We see that our own experiences match his in some ways, and that God being sovereign allows things for the long-term greater good.

In this video listen to Job 9 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Job 9 we have Jobs reply to Bildad the Shuhite. This is the fifth speech of 19 in the book of Job, the first reply to Bildad and the second reply in total. Once again Job is completely in disagreement with what Bildad had to say.In this video we consider Job’s claim to be blameless, and compare it with the truly blameless Christ. We also compare their sufferings and their reponses to suffering.

In this video listen to Job 8 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Job 8 we meet Bildad the Shuhite. Bildad gives the fourth speech of the book, out of nineteen, and the first reply of his second friend, and the second of the replies from friends. Bildad is the voice of tradition, and he does not start with a skerrick of nicety as Eliphaz did. After reading through Job 8 we will consider what Bilada says, from his perspective of tradition.

In this video listen to Job 7 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Job 7 his reply to Eliphaz’ speech continues. In his reply to a speech he slips into talking to himself, and then somehow spontaneously converts into praying. When talking to himself in the first six verses, he gets quite philosophical pondering the shortness of life. Then when he prays, we find there are assumptions in his prayer. Watch this video and hear comments on what it all means.

In this video listen to Job 6 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Job 6 he replies to his friend Eliphaz’ first speech. In doing so he starts by saying how miserable he is, how useless his friends are at sympathy, and finally demanding that they identify what he did wrong… which he implies is nothing.Job does complain, but never about God, and doesn’t blame him. What can we learn from that?

In this video listen to Job 5 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Job 5 the first of Job’s friends continues his unhelpful speech. He compares Job to a fool, and declares that trouble doesn’t come along on its own, there is a reason for it. He finishes his speech by telling Job to do what every preacher tells its audience… to hear and apply the lessons.

In this video listen to Job 4 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Job 4 we meet Eliphaz the Temanite who makes the first speech from one of Job’s friends, the first reply to Job and the second speech in the book.Eliphaz’ name means “my god is pure gold” which is either an adjective describing the Lord, or a hint at what he really served. Was his motivation wealth?In his initial speech he effectively quotes Proverbs 22:8 - which wasn’t written yet. This video will explain how he could quote wisdom literature, which of itself was true, and yet the essence of his message was inaccurate.

In this video listen to Job 3 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Job 3 we have the first of nineteen speeches in the book of Job. Job speaks first, third, fifth, seventh, ninth, eleventh, thirteenth, fifteenth and seventeenth. While Job has the first speech, he doesn’t have the last word, because the final and nineteenth, speech in the book is that of God’s.In this primary speech, Job curses the day he was born. His speech can be summarised by saying “I wish I was never born.” It reflects one of the saddest chapters in scripture. If one can lose such hope from temporal suffering, imagine eternal suffering.Alden observed that there was little expectation of eternity, and this is one of the key factors which we can apply in hindsight to Job to make sense and reconcile all the points made in the book and its speeches.

In this video listen to Job 2 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Job 2 we meet four more characters in the book of Job. We meet his wife, and his three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar, who turn out not to be very good friends.In chapter two Job is accused again and suffers again, with a terrible skin disease. Some experts think it was elephantiasis. Then he suffers spousal betrayal from his wife compounding his situation. IN the chapters ahead he will suffer the betrayal of support from his friends. He effectively loses everything, and even his disease gives his shortness of breath, so he is barely clinging to life.In chapter 2 we discuss the idea of our motivation for following God, and whether we are “fair-weather friends.”

In this video listen to Job 1 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Job 1 we meet Job in possibly the oldest book in the Bible. This first Job video covers many things such as:Who was Job?Where did Job live?Who write Job?When was Job written?Was Job a real man?Was this story a real story?Who is the Accuser?Did Satan really go to Heaven?How did the author know what Satan said?And more…This video also includes a primer on the scheme of accusation and how to deal with it in prayer.

In this video listen to Esther chapter 10, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Esther 10 we discuss the sixth shortest chapter in the Bible, and the third time that Jewish person has risen to the equivalent rank of Prime Minister. Mordecai becomes the second in charge of the entire Persian Empire because of the Lord’s providence.In this book Mordecai takes the symbolic type of the Holy Spirit, Esther takes the symbolic role of Christ and the King is God our Father.And, there are of course extra sections to the book of Esther included in the Apocryphal books - aka the Catholic Bible - which will be covered when we get there after we conclude our New Testament videos.Some think that Mordecai was not the author, because he would not have said this about himself. But Moses did say things about himself in Numbers 11 that seem hard to reconcile with his authorship. Sometimes the truth is stated even by one’s own self.

In this video listen to Esther chapter 9, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Esther 9 what was to be the day of Jewish disaster turns out to be a day of deliverance. The celebration of Purim is authorised, and continues to be celebrated today. This video covers the events of the first Purim, including the death and posthumous hanging of Haman’s ten sons. It will consider the idea of legacy and posterity, and what type of blessing or curse you leave for your children because of your choices. And this video will discuss whether Jesus himself celebrated Purim.

In this video listen to Esther chapter 8, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Esther 8 even though Haman is removed, the national emergency and threat of genocide remains. So Esther and Mordecai are able to petition the king and have a new decree written. Such is the way of believing Christians who also petition the king for the salvation of their people.Proverbs 11:6 says that “The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the treacherous are trapped by their own desires.” While proverbs are true in general, and not in every specific instance, they are true in this case, and true in the end.

In this video listen to Esther chapter 7, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Esther 7 the king, the humiliated Haman and Esther have their second banquet, at which Haman’s life is doomed. Haman throws himself at Esther’s feet and in doing so ironically bows at the feet of Jewish woman. Just a day earlier he was angry that a Jewish man would not bow at his feet. Irony plays a big part in the incredible outcome of the story of Esther.In this video we contemplate how the Lord turns the most dire of circumstances, a national genocide, into a remarkable new different world.

In this video listen to Esther chapter 6, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Esther 6 we have the great turning point in the book of Esther. It’s hard to imagine a more contrasting moment in any story than chapter 6. It begins when the king cannot sleep. The Hebrew literally says that sleep “fled” from him.That night he has the archives of his kingdom read to him where he learns that Mordecai saved his life, but was not rewarded for his actions. The story hinges. While this seems a coincidence it is the providence of God. It follows on from three days of fasting and prayer by Esther, Mordecai and all the Jews of Susa. Does the Lord hear prayer?This video considers this turning point, but also the amazing providence of God in answering prayer, and setting things up for answered prayer, before a prayer is even prayed.

In this video listen to Esther chapter 5, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Esther 5 Esther makes her act of intercession, which is a picture of what all believers are called to do. We are to approach the king, with no regard for our lives, to make selfless requests on behalf of others.This chapter considers intercession, and also the gallows that Haman made, which in fact was made for the purpose of crucifixion.

In this video listen to Esther chapter 4, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Esther 4 we discuss the timing of the book of Esther…. Where the main story takes place five years after she becomes Queen. Why was that five years important?You can find Christ in every book of the Bible. But where in the book of Esther is Christ? Firstly, Esther is a picture of Christ - she risks her life, that is she is willing to give up her life, to save her people. Mordecai is a picture of the Holy Spirit who guides the believer to a life of service, and in this case was with Christ.Esther is also a picture of God’s bride, us, who is courageous, beautiful and willing to serve the King and her people. Vashti was courageous for her own dignity, but Esther was courageous for the dignity of others.

In this video listen to Esther chapter 3, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Esther 3 we meet Haman the Agagite, the antagonist in the story of Esther. As a descendant of Agag, he is an amalekite, the sworn enemy of Israel, which was first encountered after the Exodus in the book of Numbers. We also explore Saul’s failure to obey the Lord and the implication of this a thousand years later in the Esther story.Chapter 3 also unveils the plot of Haman, and the very coincidental timing of the casting of the purim, the dice. This video will cover these things, plus spiritual truth for you today.

In this video listen to Esther chapter 2, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Esther 2 we meet an orphaned girl who rises to become the Queen of the Persian Empire, and how that happens. This chapter follows a four year gap after chapter 1 when King Xerxes deposed his previous Queen.Esther and her uncle lived and served both God and king, during a very difficult historical time and situation.

In this video listen to Esther chapter 1, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Esther 1 we enter a kingdom ruled by Xerxes 1, most famous for his invasion of Greece. The book of Esther is located in between Ezra 6 and 7, and is famously the only Old Testament book not found among the dead sea scrolls.Come along with us as we learn more about the time, history and setting of Esther, and what the Lord has to say as we go through chapter by chapter.

In this video listen to Nehemiah chapter 13, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Nehemiah 13 after so much good having happened, the book finishes with the sad story of Tobiah the Ammonite.Who are ammonites, and why were they excluded from God’s assembly?And why was Tobiah allowed to have a room inside the temple?This video explores the final chapter of Nehemiah, what he did about it, and his spontaneous prayers, several of which occur in this last chapter.

In this video listen to Nehemiah chapter 12, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.'In Nehemiah 12 the wall that has been built is dedicated to the Lord. According to 2 Maccabees 1:18, the events here took place on the 25th of Kislev, about 3 months after the building of the wall was completed.Modern thinkers such as ourselves are conditioned with a separation of church/state mindset, so why dedicate a city wall? What does that have to do with the Lord? And yet for them all of life was spiritual.This video will consider the similarity between work and worship in the Jewish mind, and the sameness of the secular and sacred too.What does it all mean for you?

In this video listen to Nehemiah chapter 11, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Nehemiah 11 we enter the third section of the book. The book of Nehemiah is in three rough sectionsRebuilding the wallsRevivalOrganising the Temple/Community going forwards.Our lives also need to be brought back to being close to God, and then organised to stay there. Its not enough to rebuilt what was broken and restore a heart for the Lord, if true change is not put in place it will revert. In Nehemiah 11-13 they begin a process to put true change in place.

In this video listen to Nehemiah chapter 10, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Nehemiah 10 there is a revival at work, and the people’s hearts are moved towards the Lord and his Law. But they make a disastrous move… they make a covenant, which is something only God should make.Trying to keep the law with one’s own covenant or effort cannot succeed. Yes the heart must agree with what the Lord says, but Christ on this matter said, “let your yes be yes” and “no be no” because “anything else comes from the evil one.” (Matt 5:37)How can agreeing with good, be bad? This video explains.We also share the example of the revival at Northampton under the oversight of Rev Jonathan Edwards. What was started by the Spirit’s leading, cannot be sustained by human effort and will ultimately break down, as it did in both cases. IN the case of Northampton it broke down with a loss of enthusiasm, and in the case of Israel it turned into harsh legalism.

In this video listen to Nehemiah chapter 9, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Nehemiah 9 the people attend a solemn assembly, of the type the prophets Joel and Zephaniah called for. They come to listen to the word and end up spending a quarter of a day in public confession of their sins.In this video we cover the events surround this solemn assembly, but also consider why a God would forgive when he already knows in advance what sin yet remains to be committed. What a timeless, merciful and forgiving God we have.

In this video listen to Nehemiah chapter 8, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Nehemiah 8 we are now in the non-autobiographical part of Nehemiah. Considering that so much of the book of Nehemiah is written in the first person, this third person account in chapter 8 is part of a later inclusion… this video explains how that is ok, and this is still the word of God.Also, in this chapter they celebrate the feast of tabernacles (sukkoth) for the first time since Joshua son of Nun. That was a thousand years earlier… WOW!!

In this video listen to Nehemiah chapter 7, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Nehemiah 7, which is the longest chapter in this book, we explore what happens when the priests have lost their genealogical records.There was a system using the Urim and the Thummim, but what happens if these are also lost?Watch and find out.

In this video listen to Nehemiah chapter 6, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Nehemiah 6 there are several sneaky attempts on Nehemiah’s life. The first is more overt, calling him to a diplomatic event in the plains of Ono, but the second is far sneakier. Nehemiah somehow sees through both attempts on this life and is not sucked in.

In this video listen to Nehemiah chapter 4, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Nehemiah 4 his enemies attack with words, and Nehemiah prays an imprecatory prayer. Similar to the prayers we find in certain Psalms like Psalm 5, Nehemiah calls down judgement on his enemies.This video explore the place for imprecation, and how one should in fact pray for your enemies.

In this video listen to Nehemiah chapter 3, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Nehemiah 3 the building of the wall commences. The process and plan is outline in this chapter. It also mentions ten gates, some of which have symbolism for our life and ministry.Sheep gate - symbolic of worship - the gate the sheep came in for sacrificeFish gate - symbolic of harvest/evangelism - the gate produce entered for market.Old gate -Valley gateDung gate - symbolic of cleansing/holinessSpring gate - near the spring -Water gate -Horse gate -East gate -Gate of Hammiphkad -

In this video listen to Nehemiah chapter 2, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Nehemiah 2 he weeps and cries over the state of Jerusalem, something which we should emulate. Jerusalem is of course the Church, according to the New Testament.Because of his position as cupbearer serving the king, something we are all called to do, the Lord notices his weeping and hears his heart. He is commissioned to go. When we pray with such a heart we too are commissioned.This video outlines the events of Nehemiah’s, prayer, commissioning and his arrival and the enemies he encounters in Jerusalem.

In this video listen to Nehemiah chapter 1, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Nehemiah 1 we have a story that commences about 12 years after Ezra, and about 33 years after Esther. It is a story of the broken down wall of Jerusalem, which is a picture of the church.If there is ever a time that the Church needs its walls repaired it is now. So what are these broken down walls, and how does it apply to us? Watch this video an all those following to learn why repairing the walls is crucial for our protection and success.

In this video listen to Ezra chapter 10, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Ezra 10 the book of Ezra wraps up, and we consider revival, which is what happened in Israel under Ezra. The nation turns back to God with moved hearts.For us, how do we get these hearts that are moved. We turn to Charles’ Finney’s lecture on revival for some clues.

In this video listen to Ezra chapter 9, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Ezra 9 we encounter the issue of inter-racial marriage among God’s people. There are BIG differences between this in that time, and in today’s world, where such a thing is fine.This video considers inter-racial marriage, and why the Bible seemed so against it in this chapter.And we find there actually is an application for everyone, if you are already married.

In this video listen to Ezra chapter 8, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Ezra 8 they return with a great deal of treasure, but no formal protection. Ezra was not wanting to ask for a military escort after proclaiming the Lord's grace on them. So he prays, and obtains the grace. They travel for 120 days with great wealth and arrive safely.Ezra fasts and prays… not something you see all that often today.

In this video listen to Ezra chapter 7, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Ezra 7 we now consider Ezra’s journey to Jerusalem - the second of four returns covered in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Ezra takes 4 months to return at a slow pace of about 11-12 miles per day.We also consider the things Artaxerxes said concerning Ezra, adn what is means for us.

In this video listen to Ezra chapter 6, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Ezra 6 we compare the construction of Solomon’s temple with the construction of Ezra’s temple, which took half the time.And we also encounter the use of Aramaic in scripture instead of Hebrew. Aramaic is the third language of scripture, rarely used, but a by-product of the exile, and the language that Christ ultimately spoke. This video will go over the use of Aramaic and some of the associated facts that are less commonly known

In this video listen to Ezra chapter 5, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Ezra 5 we consider whey the building of the temple was delayed, and we tie in the prophecy of Haggai, a post-exilic prophet.We also contemplate why Darius had such a big heart towards the rebuilding, and why he was so magnanimous towards Ezra. Did Daniel have anything to do with it?

In this video listen to Ezra chapter 4, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Ezra 4 we discover that the people of the land want to sacrifice to Yahweh too, but theirs is a syncretistic worship which is rejected. In this video we learn about Samaritans, and the history behind them, and what brought about such a despised attitude by those of the south.And, we also learn that there were actually 3 major decrees by 3 kings concerning Jerusalem. Cyrus, Darius and Artaxerxes all were involved in commanding the reuilbind of the temple, the city, and the walls. One of these commands is reference in the prophet Daniel.

In this video listen to Ezra chapter 3, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In Ezra 3 the foundation of the temple (God’s house) is laid while they sing Psalm 136. For us, what is the foundation of the Lord’s house? According to the NT scriptures it is apostles and prophets, with Christ as the chief cornerstone. (Ephesians 2:20) What seems so real in the Old Testament is a symbol a much more real temple in the NT.So there are two ways to interpret this for us. Firstly we have the scriptures, being comprised of the OT prophets, the NT apostles and Christ - and this is the foundation of our faith. But secondly this is true in a relational way as well. As we walk with our leaders and with Christ, and our hearts are knit together, we become a temple of living stones as Peter said in his epistle.Our lives are to be joined together as a house for the Lord. This is the real temple. And in our world today, such a foundation is needed.

In this video listen to Ezra chapter 2, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Ezra 2 we learn of the first return to Jerusalem under the new appointed Governer Shezbazzare. There are actually 4 key returning moments described in the old testament. Two are here in Ezra, and a further two in Nehemiah. This first return is in around 536 BC, a full 70 years after Nebuchadnazzers first exile, and 50 years after his last. Two million Israelites went into the promised land under Moses, but just 49000 under Shashbazar.

In this video listen to Ezra chapter 1, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Ezra 1 we meet a most remarkable Bible teacher, and learn why so many books are called Ezra or Esdras I, 2, 3 an even 4 in various versions of the Bible. We also meet Cyrus and learn the remarkable background to this King, and the prophecy by name found in Isaiah the prophet which foretold his actions. Cyrus is called a shepherd and a messiah, the only Gentile to be given such a title. Learn the background to the book of Ezra in this video

In this video listen to 2 Chronicles Chapter 36, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.

In this video listen to 2 Chronicles Chapter 35, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.