21: With All Your Soul & “Very”

In this episode of The BEMA Podcast, Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and Reed Dent delve into the next two tests faced by God's people en route to Mount Sinai: the test of the nefesh (soul) and the test of the me'od (very or might). They analyze Exodus 17 and Psalm 78, discussing how the Israelites tested God by demanding proof of His provision and questioning His leadership. The hosts explore the concept of the soul in Hebraic thought, contrasting it with the spirit, and emphasize that the test of the soul involves trusting God even when He doesn't meet immediate demands. They also discuss the Amalekites' attack and the importance of protecting the vulnerable, connecting it to the concept of loving God with all one's strength and resources, and loving one's neighbor. The episode concludes with a discussion of the "Jesus Shema" and a call to support campus ministry.