Psalm 137 ends with one of the Bible's most scandalizing lines: a prayer that an enemy's infants would be dashed against rocks. It understandably troubles believers, and for skeptics, it's a classic case against the Bible's goodness.

Does this cry for violence—especially against innocent babies—belong in what is supposed to be a sacred hymn book? On this episode of What in the Word?, Kirk E. Miller brings in Dr. Bruce Waltke to reckon with this troubling passage.

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https://www.logos.com/grow/witw-psalm137-meaning?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw

Outline:

(01:27) Bruce Waltke Background

(04:41) Reading Psalm 137

(05:46) Why It Troubles Us

(08:53) Common Interpretations

(12:56) Imprecations and Justice

(17:32) Law Justice and Mercy

(25:13) Exile Context and Vengeance

(27:44) God’s Enemies, Not Personal

(31:01) Hyperbole or Literal

(35:34) Blessed or Rewarded

(38:11) Eschatology and Revelation

(42:41) Messianic Reading in Psalms

(44:21) Preaching and Application

Kirk E. Miller welcomes New Testament scholar Patrick Schreiner on to What in the Word? to tackle the question: Why was Jesus baptized? John’s baptism was for repentant sinners, yet Jesus was without sin.

They discuss the different interpretations of Matthew 3:13–17, focusing on what it means for Jesus to “fulfill all righteousness.” What is meant by “righteousness,” and how does Jesus’s baptism “fulfill” it? Finally, they consider the significance of the Spirit’s descent and the heavenly voice declaring Jesus “my Son.”

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Learn more about the episode:

https://www.logos.com/grow/witw-jesus-baptism-fulfill-righteousness?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw

Episode outline:

(00:00) Why Jesus Baptized

(01:06) Meet Patrick Schreiner

(01:55) Patrick's Book on Matthew

(03:44) Reading Matthew 3

(04:52) Matthew's Context and Israel

(09:59) Why Baptism Is Tricky

(12:49) Jesus Identifies With Israel

(17:05) Fulfill All Righteousness

(25:08) Matthew Versus Other Gospels

(30:01) Spirit Descent and Sonship

(37:57) Practical Takeaways

(42:49) Final Wrap Up

Jonathan Akin joins Kirk E. Miller on What in the Word? to discuss one of the Bible's most infamous passages, Elisha's curse that led to two she-bears mauling forty-two "youths" in 2 Kings 2:23-24.

Was Elisha simply an irritable old man who couldn’t take a joke? How old were these “youths”? And what exactly does their jeer, “Go up, baldhead!” mean? This episode examines these matters and more, exploring the passage's meaning and significance even for today.

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Learn more about the episode:

https://www.logos.com/grow/witw-elisha-and-the-bears?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw

Episode outline:

(00:00) Elisha and the Bears

(00:49) Meet the Guest

(04:05) Setting the Context

(07:07) Why This Text Shocks

(10:25) Who Were the Youths

(18:44) Bethel and Idolatry

(23:40) Sponsor Break

(28:59) Go Up Baldy Explained

(36:56) Covenant Curses and Bears

(43:58) Preaching Christ from Kings

(52:41) Wrap Up and Next Steps