1 00:00:08,240 --> 00:00:11,479 S1: Christians claim that Jesus is the Messiah, but as the 2 00:00:11,480 --> 00:00:14,880 S1: Old Testament confirm this. If so, where? Well, in a 3 00:00:14,880 --> 00:00:18,920 S1: few minutes, we'll dive into 12 Old Testament prophecies that 4 00:00:18,920 --> 00:00:22,400 S1: point to God's promise of the Messiah Jesus. But first, 5 00:00:22,440 --> 00:00:25,240 S1: a complete update on major news stories from the Middle East. 6 00:00:25,480 --> 00:00:27,880 S1: So join us now for the land and the book, 7 00:00:27,920 --> 00:00:30,680 S1: your weekly one hour flyover of the Middle East. Our 8 00:00:30,680 --> 00:00:34,120 S1: host is Doctor Charlie Dyer, and I'm John Geiger. You're 9 00:00:34,120 --> 00:00:35,199 S1: doing well today, Charlie. 10 00:00:35,560 --> 00:00:36,760 S2: John, I'm doing great. 11 00:00:36,960 --> 00:00:38,640 S1: All right. And I got a question for you. What 12 00:00:38,640 --> 00:00:42,720 S1: does Passover mean for us as believers in Jesus? I mean, some, 13 00:00:42,760 --> 00:00:45,160 S1: of course, will remember the story from the book of Exodus, 14 00:00:45,159 --> 00:00:47,880 S1: but seems to me there's so much more to it. 15 00:00:47,960 --> 00:00:50,080 S1: Did you know that the Last Supper was actually a 16 00:00:50,080 --> 00:00:54,320 S1: Passover meal? Not only did Jesus and his disciples celebrate Passover, 17 00:00:54,320 --> 00:00:58,360 S1: it also foreshadowed his death on the cross for our redemption. 18 00:00:58,360 --> 00:01:00,150 S2: Jewish people have been keeping the keeping the feast of 19 00:01:00,150 --> 00:01:04,470 S2: Passover for thousands of years. Understanding the history and importance 20 00:01:04,470 --> 00:01:07,069 S2: of this holiday will help you better connect with your 21 00:01:07,069 --> 00:01:10,150 S2: Jewish friends and neighbors. And what better way is there 22 00:01:10,150 --> 00:01:14,470 S2: to learn about Passover than to experience a Passover Seder yourself? 23 00:01:14,870 --> 00:01:17,990 S2: If you've never celebrated Passover, our friends at Life in 24 00:01:17,990 --> 00:01:20,990 S2: Messiah would love to partner with you in hosting a 25 00:01:20,990 --> 00:01:25,190 S2: Seder experience. Every year, their staff engage churches and small 26 00:01:25,190 --> 00:01:29,709 S2: groups in an interactive Messiah in the Passover Seder, allowing 27 00:01:29,709 --> 00:01:33,670 S2: participants to taste and see the redemption story. If you're 28 00:01:33,670 --> 00:01:36,390 S2: interested in having someone come and lead a Seder in 29 00:01:36,390 --> 00:01:40,590 S2: your area, visit Life in Messiah and click on the 30 00:01:40,870 --> 00:01:45,750 S2: radio button there to learn more. That's life in messiah.org. 31 00:01:45,830 --> 00:01:46,230 S2: I find it. 32 00:01:46,230 --> 00:01:49,110 S1: Interesting that even as our national stage is consumed with 33 00:01:49,150 --> 00:01:52,870 S1: the presidential transition and so on, our headlines are still 34 00:01:52,870 --> 00:01:55,550 S1: focused on the Middle East. And so with that in mind, 35 00:01:55,710 --> 00:01:57,670 S1: let's take a look at what's going on there, particularly 36 00:01:57,670 --> 00:02:00,460 S1: this past week. Right now, Iran seems to be the 37 00:02:00,460 --> 00:02:03,540 S1: main obstacle to peace in the Middle East, from their 38 00:02:03,540 --> 00:02:06,340 S1: support of Hezbollah and the Houthis to their work on 39 00:02:06,340 --> 00:02:10,500 S1: developing nuclear weapons to their growing military cooperation with Moscow. 40 00:02:11,100 --> 00:02:14,579 S1: Iran shows no sign of backing off at all. So, Charlie, 41 00:02:14,580 --> 00:02:17,460 S1: as President Trump prepares to assume office in just over 42 00:02:17,460 --> 00:02:20,940 S1: a week, what can be done to push back against Iran? 43 00:02:21,300 --> 00:02:24,860 S2: Well, there isn't any one easy solution, but that doesn't 44 00:02:24,860 --> 00:02:28,260 S2: mean nothing can be done in spite of Iran's threats 45 00:02:28,260 --> 00:02:32,340 S2: and bluster. The country is struggling economically. Their currency has 46 00:02:32,340 --> 00:02:36,380 S2: dropped even more since the US election, and though energy rich, 47 00:02:36,540 --> 00:02:40,419 S2: they continue to experience rolling blackouts from a creaky electrical grid. 48 00:02:40,740 --> 00:02:43,300 S2: They're afraid of an attack by Israel or the US 49 00:02:43,300 --> 00:02:46,980 S2: on their nuclear facilities, or the refineries, or their electrical 50 00:02:46,980 --> 00:02:50,860 S2: generating facilities. The Iranian foreign minister issued a warning that 51 00:02:50,860 --> 00:02:54,220 S2: such an attack would cause an all out war. But 52 00:02:54,220 --> 00:02:58,130 S2: it's uncertain what Iran could actually do since its main clients, 53 00:02:58,130 --> 00:03:01,450 S2: Hezbollah and Syria, have all but collapsed. Iran is trying 54 00:03:01,450 --> 00:03:05,410 S2: to build alliances with Russia, China and North Korea, but 55 00:03:05,410 --> 00:03:07,290 S2: it's unsure if any of them would be willing to 56 00:03:07,330 --> 00:03:10,250 S2: step in and defend Iran from attack. Russia is the 57 00:03:10,250 --> 00:03:13,690 S2: closest of these allies geographically, but they're already tied up 58 00:03:13,690 --> 00:03:16,290 S2: with the war in Ukraine. They weren't able to come 59 00:03:16,290 --> 00:03:18,930 S2: to Syria's aid, and it seems unlikely they would do 60 00:03:18,930 --> 00:03:22,609 S2: much to help Iran, with the possible exception of supplying 61 00:03:22,650 --> 00:03:26,290 S2: advanced fighter jets. The main concern is that a desperate 62 00:03:26,290 --> 00:03:30,250 S2: Iran might try something drastic to protect itself, like rushing 63 00:03:30,250 --> 00:03:33,810 S2: to prepare nuclear weapons to threaten anyone seeking to attack. 64 00:03:34,330 --> 00:03:38,450 S2: White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan presented President Biden 65 00:03:38,450 --> 00:03:42,290 S2: with options. Should Iran push to develop nuclear weapons in 66 00:03:42,290 --> 00:03:46,690 S2: the next few weeks? Apparently, nothing was decided, leaving Iran 67 00:03:46,690 --> 00:03:49,010 S2: to wonder if their best option might be to dash 68 00:03:49,010 --> 00:03:53,010 S2: forward before Biden leaves office. Iran might also try to 69 00:03:53,050 --> 00:03:56,120 S2: smuggle more arms to Hezbollah or to the Houthis to 70 00:03:56,160 --> 00:03:59,440 S2: create enough of a distraction to keep Israel from launching 71 00:03:59,440 --> 00:04:02,560 S2: an attack. The next few weeks could prove critical in 72 00:04:02,560 --> 00:04:05,680 S2: determining how Iran will try to move forward, and how 73 00:04:05,680 --> 00:04:07,880 S2: Israel and the US might respond. 74 00:04:08,080 --> 00:04:09,920 S1: Charlie, it seems to me the Houthis present a much 75 00:04:09,920 --> 00:04:13,800 S1: more accessible target. And if that's accurate, why are the 76 00:04:13,800 --> 00:04:17,120 S1: United States forces or Israeli forces not more aggressive in 77 00:04:17,120 --> 00:04:18,599 S1: dismantling their operation? 78 00:04:18,960 --> 00:04:21,600 S2: Actually, they're not that visible of a target. I say 79 00:04:21,600 --> 00:04:25,080 S2: that for this reason, there's less information on the Houthis 80 00:04:25,080 --> 00:04:27,279 S2: in Yemen than there is on Iran. We know where 81 00:04:27,279 --> 00:04:30,840 S2: Iran's facilities are. We know where their anti-aircraft systems are, 82 00:04:30,839 --> 00:04:33,080 S2: the Houthis. We just didn't spend as much time looking 83 00:04:33,080 --> 00:04:36,360 S2: at them until recently. Also, the way to stop the 84 00:04:36,400 --> 00:04:39,520 S2: Houthis is to stop the importing of goods from Iran. 85 00:04:39,520 --> 00:04:42,800 S2: But that means attacking the harbors and attacking the shipping 86 00:04:42,800 --> 00:04:45,400 S2: and and some of the infrastructure in the country, which 87 00:04:45,400 --> 00:04:47,960 S2: is also where the aid comes in. And the US 88 00:04:48,000 --> 00:04:50,040 S2: has been very reluctant to do that because there was 89 00:04:50,040 --> 00:04:53,320 S2: such a humanitarian crisis there. Israel has been far more 90 00:04:53,320 --> 00:04:56,700 S2: aggressive in going after the harbors and the ships, the 91 00:04:56,700 --> 00:04:59,420 S2: ways that this aid gets in. But unless the US 92 00:04:59,420 --> 00:05:02,780 S2: becomes more aggressive as well, it's just more difficult to 93 00:05:02,820 --> 00:05:05,340 S2: reach the Houthis in a way that's meaningful. 94 00:05:05,660 --> 00:05:07,580 S1: One other follow up, and it has to do with 95 00:05:07,580 --> 00:05:10,299 S1: President Trump's comments that have been quite dramatic with regard 96 00:05:10,300 --> 00:05:12,580 S1: to what's going to happen if the hostages are not 97 00:05:12,620 --> 00:05:16,900 S1: released in Gaza. Can he reasonably impact that situation as 98 00:05:16,900 --> 00:05:18,700 S1: much as he is suggesting? 99 00:05:19,500 --> 00:05:22,140 S2: My gut feeling is no. The most he can do, 100 00:05:22,140 --> 00:05:24,900 S2: I think, is release Israel and give Israel the weapons 101 00:05:24,900 --> 00:05:27,300 S2: that they need, the bombs that they need, and the 102 00:05:27,300 --> 00:05:30,260 S2: okay to become more aggressive in attack. But frankly, there's 103 00:05:30,260 --> 00:05:33,020 S2: not a lot that the U.S. can do apart from 104 00:05:33,300 --> 00:05:36,060 S2: becoming actively involved in the war ourselves. And I don't 105 00:05:36,060 --> 00:05:39,620 S2: think he'll do that. And going after the the enemy, 106 00:05:39,980 --> 00:05:42,900 S2: it risks killing the hostages, which are embedded hidden in 107 00:05:42,900 --> 00:05:45,820 S2: those same tunnels. So I think he's saying a lot 108 00:05:45,980 --> 00:05:47,980 S2: and hoping that that will do enough. But when it 109 00:05:47,980 --> 00:05:49,980 S2: comes down to it, the most he can do is 110 00:05:49,980 --> 00:05:52,260 S2: free up Israel to become more aggressive. 111 00:05:52,380 --> 00:05:54,250 S1: This is the land and the book with our host, 112 00:05:54,250 --> 00:05:58,130 S1: Doctor Charlie Dyer, noted Middle East scholar. Syria also remains 113 00:05:58,130 --> 00:06:00,330 S1: in a state of flux, the new leader calling on 114 00:06:00,330 --> 00:06:02,570 S1: the West for support and vowing not to be a 115 00:06:02,570 --> 00:06:05,930 S1: threat to Israel. But can the new leadership in Syria 116 00:06:05,930 --> 00:06:07,929 S1: be trusted? Help us sort this through? 117 00:06:08,290 --> 00:06:10,250 S2: Well, the new leader of Syria is working hard to 118 00:06:10,250 --> 00:06:13,130 S2: convince the West that he's leaving behind his al Qaeda 119 00:06:13,130 --> 00:06:16,170 S2: roots and pushing for democracy, saying he wants to improve 120 00:06:16,170 --> 00:06:18,930 S2: relations with the West. Over the past two weeks, he's 121 00:06:18,930 --> 00:06:21,970 S2: hosted delegates from the US and Turkey and Qatar, as 122 00:06:21,970 --> 00:06:25,370 S2: well as the foreign ministers of France and Germany. Russia 123 00:06:25,370 --> 00:06:28,170 S2: is even trying to woo the new leadership. However, amid 124 00:06:28,170 --> 00:06:31,089 S2: all this breathless praise for a new era of democracy 125 00:06:31,089 --> 00:06:33,090 S2: in Syria, I think we need to take a hard 126 00:06:33,089 --> 00:06:36,490 S2: look at history and current events. Right now, it's impossible 127 00:06:36,490 --> 00:06:39,170 S2: to know for certain where this new leadership in Syria 128 00:06:39,170 --> 00:06:41,650 S2: will head, but some of the actual decisions are already 129 00:06:41,650 --> 00:06:44,849 S2: being made are disturbing. The head of the Shura Council 130 00:06:44,850 --> 00:06:47,970 S2: for the rebels came out and said, The Zionists are 131 00:06:47,970 --> 00:06:51,010 S2: the enemy. The new government announced changes to the school 132 00:06:51,010 --> 00:06:55,240 S2: curriculum with a greater Islamic emphasis. Instead of referring to 133 00:06:55,360 --> 00:06:58,359 S2: those who are damned and gone astray, the new curriculum 134 00:06:58,360 --> 00:07:01,360 S2: refers to Jews and Christians as the ones damned for 135 00:07:01,360 --> 00:07:04,480 S2: having gone astray. And Syria's new leader has said the 136 00:07:04,480 --> 00:07:07,880 S2: regime will operate according to Sharia law. Israel is taking 137 00:07:07,880 --> 00:07:10,840 S2: a very cautious view. They've occupied a region next to 138 00:07:10,840 --> 00:07:14,440 S2: the demarcation line between the two countries. They've also identified 139 00:07:14,440 --> 00:07:18,160 S2: and eliminated stockpiles of weapons from the former regime to 140 00:07:18,200 --> 00:07:20,480 S2: keep them out of the hands of the rebels. It's 141 00:07:20,480 --> 00:07:23,600 S2: still unclear what outside countries might be able to do 142 00:07:23,600 --> 00:07:27,080 S2: to influence the new government. Egypt is very cautious seeing 143 00:07:27,080 --> 00:07:30,400 S2: links between the new leaders and the Muslim Brotherhood. The 144 00:07:30,400 --> 00:07:32,600 S2: new government itself is trying to work its way through 145 00:07:32,600 --> 00:07:36,400 S2: the different regional powers. They're opposed to Iran because of 146 00:07:36,400 --> 00:07:39,760 S2: religious differences and because of Iran's past support for Assad. 147 00:07:40,000 --> 00:07:42,720 S2: They're also leery of Russia because of its past support 148 00:07:42,720 --> 00:07:45,760 S2: for Assad. Turkey is the one country that would seem 149 00:07:45,760 --> 00:07:48,600 S2: to have the most influence, and might very well benefit 150 00:07:48,600 --> 00:07:52,110 S2: the most from this new regime in Syria. But the 151 00:07:52,110 --> 00:07:54,750 S2: major concern for most groups in the region is the 152 00:07:54,750 --> 00:07:58,310 S2: past connections between these rebel groups and al Qaeda, and 153 00:07:58,310 --> 00:08:01,510 S2: that should give everyone pause, especially the smaller ethnic and 154 00:08:01,510 --> 00:08:05,150 S2: religious groups within Syria like the Druze, the Alawites, the 155 00:08:05,150 --> 00:08:06,830 S2: Kurds and the Christians. 156 00:08:07,350 --> 00:08:08,950 S1: Well, the start of a new year is a time 157 00:08:08,950 --> 00:08:13,470 S1: when governments and organizations issue updated population statistics. What are 158 00:08:13,470 --> 00:08:16,230 S1: some of the surprises from the most recent numbers coming 159 00:08:16,230 --> 00:08:17,950 S1: out of Israel and the Middle East? 160 00:08:18,270 --> 00:08:21,150 S2: Two reports caught my attention. The first was out of Israel, 161 00:08:21,150 --> 00:08:25,030 S2: and it reported that Israel's population has now reached 10 million. 162 00:08:25,070 --> 00:08:29,390 S2: Of that number, 7.7 million are Jewish, 2.1 million are Arab. 163 00:08:29,750 --> 00:08:33,350 S2: The remaining 210,000 or so are classified as other, which 164 00:08:33,470 --> 00:08:37,710 S2: would include non-Arab Christians and other minorities. The population grew 165 00:08:37,710 --> 00:08:41,910 S2: by 1.1%, which is slightly less than last year. And 166 00:08:41,910 --> 00:08:45,070 S2: one reason is the emigration out of Israel of nearly 167 00:08:45,110 --> 00:08:49,980 S2: 83,000 Israelis. That's about 25,000 more than in past years, 168 00:08:50,179 --> 00:08:53,220 S2: and it's likely due to Israel's ongoing war and to 169 00:08:53,260 --> 00:08:56,580 S2: internal political upheaval. Now, at the same time, though, Israel 170 00:08:56,580 --> 00:09:00,780 S2: welcomed in 35,000 Jewish immigrants from other countries. They've also 171 00:09:00,780 --> 00:09:05,059 S2: seen an increase in immigration from countries like France, the UK, 172 00:09:05,179 --> 00:09:10,939 S2: Canada and the United States because of rising anti-Semitism. Right now, 50% 173 00:09:10,940 --> 00:09:14,780 S2: of all Jews worldwide live in Israel. At the other 174 00:09:14,780 --> 00:09:17,540 S2: end of the spectrum was a report from the Jerusalem 175 00:09:17,540 --> 00:09:21,060 S2: Center for Security and Foreign Affairs that the Christian population 176 00:09:21,059 --> 00:09:24,380 S2: in the West Bank and Gaza has declined between 80 177 00:09:24,380 --> 00:09:28,660 S2: and 90% under Palestinian Authority and Hamas rule. The Christian 178 00:09:28,660 --> 00:09:32,460 S2: population in Gaza was about 5000 before Hamas took over 179 00:09:32,460 --> 00:09:37,660 S2: in 2007. It's now down to 1000. Christians made up 86% 180 00:09:37,660 --> 00:09:41,059 S2: of the population of Bethlehem and its surrounding villages before 181 00:09:41,059 --> 00:09:45,500 S2: the Palestinian Authority took control back in 1994. That number 182 00:09:45,500 --> 00:09:49,410 S2: shrank to just 10% by 2017 and has continued to 183 00:09:49,450 --> 00:09:53,089 S2: decline since. The main reason cited for the decline are 184 00:09:53,090 --> 00:09:58,210 S2: religious and legal discrimination. Desecration of holy sites. Social exclusion, 185 00:09:58,210 --> 00:10:02,929 S2: violence and coercion by the Palestinian Authority and by Hamas. 186 00:10:03,010 --> 00:10:05,610 S2: The one exception to this decline in the Christian Arabs 187 00:10:05,610 --> 00:10:09,210 S2: is the growth of the Christian Arab population in Israel, 188 00:10:09,210 --> 00:10:12,970 S2: which increased by 1.3%. So that's one bit of good 189 00:10:12,970 --> 00:10:16,530 S2: news in an otherwise rather sobering report on what's happening 190 00:10:16,530 --> 00:10:18,209 S2: to the Christians in the Middle East. 191 00:10:18,250 --> 00:10:19,810 S1: Well, Charlie, we look at these numbers, we look at 192 00:10:19,809 --> 00:10:22,770 S1: these news stories, and we have to ask ourselves, what 193 00:10:22,770 --> 00:10:25,410 S1: is the most appropriate way to pray for Israel as 194 00:10:25,410 --> 00:10:27,890 S1: we launch into this new year? Your thoughts? Well, I. 195 00:10:27,890 --> 00:10:29,610 S2: Think we need to be praying for the leadership there. 196 00:10:29,610 --> 00:10:32,330 S2: They need wisdom. We need to pray for a sense 197 00:10:32,330 --> 00:10:34,490 S2: of unity in that country, because they are being torn 198 00:10:34,490 --> 00:10:38,530 S2: apart by a very liberal, secular element and a very 199 00:10:38,570 --> 00:10:42,530 S2: ultra-Orthodox religious element. Uh, pray for the believers in between 200 00:10:42,530 --> 00:10:44,570 S2: and pray for the Arab and Jewish believers in both, 201 00:10:44,570 --> 00:10:46,290 S2: that they can be salt and light. 202 00:10:46,330 --> 00:10:49,000 S1: Thank you. Charlie. Good perspectives there for all of us. 203 00:10:49,240 --> 00:10:52,640 S1: Up next, a conversation about Does the Jewish Bible really 204 00:10:52,640 --> 00:10:55,400 S1: point to Jesus? Very fascinating. I think you'll love it. 205 00:10:55,400 --> 00:10:58,280 S1: Stick around for more here on the land and the book. 206 00:11:12,720 --> 00:11:15,840 S1: Christians claim that Jesus is the Messiah, but does the 207 00:11:15,840 --> 00:11:20,400 S1: Old Testament really confirm that? And if so, where exactly 208 00:11:20,400 --> 00:11:24,000 S1: how does the Jewish Bible point to Jesus? We're about 209 00:11:24,000 --> 00:11:26,840 S1: to take a deep dive into some remarkable Old Testament 210 00:11:26,840 --> 00:11:30,640 S1: prophecies that point to God's promise of the Messiah, Jesus. 211 00:11:30,760 --> 00:11:33,319 S1: Welcome to the land and the book. Before we get 212 00:11:33,320 --> 00:11:34,880 S1: to all of that, let's take a moment and think 213 00:11:34,880 --> 00:11:37,120 S1: about how you and I can reach out more effectively 214 00:11:37,120 --> 00:11:40,120 S1: to our Jewish friends. The key to reaching out more 215 00:11:40,120 --> 00:11:43,600 S1: effectively and sharing Yeshua with your Jewish friends. It's one 216 00:11:43,600 --> 00:11:47,540 S1: word relationship. Josh and Rochelle Norman are with Chosen People 217 00:11:47,540 --> 00:11:49,420 S1: Ministries and here to expand that thought. Josh. 218 00:11:49,620 --> 00:11:54,340 S3: I think in any general sense, evangelism isn't just proclamation alone. 219 00:11:54,460 --> 00:11:59,780 S3: It's in relationships. It's establishing a deep, honest relationship with somebody. 220 00:12:00,300 --> 00:12:04,740 S3: Very rarely does somebody hear about Messiah and come to faith. Instead, 221 00:12:04,740 --> 00:12:09,140 S3: it's through years of relationship being patient with them. You know, 222 00:12:09,300 --> 00:12:11,820 S3: a few stories I've heard how people have seen the 223 00:12:11,820 --> 00:12:14,020 S3: love in a believer and that will bring them to 224 00:12:14,059 --> 00:12:17,220 S3: the Messiah. Especially with the Jewish person who might have 225 00:12:17,220 --> 00:12:20,500 S3: some huge objections to why they don't believe in Jesus 226 00:12:20,500 --> 00:12:24,740 S3: in Yeshua. Over time, a relationship, a loving relationship will 227 00:12:24,740 --> 00:12:25,260 S3: show them. 228 00:12:25,260 --> 00:12:28,179 S4: Especially with Jewish people. They're looking for that. There are 229 00:12:28,179 --> 00:12:30,420 S4: so many obstacles that I think a lot of Christians 230 00:12:30,420 --> 00:12:33,500 S4: get intimidated that maybe a Jewish person knows the Torah, 231 00:12:33,500 --> 00:12:36,660 S4: the law, so perfectly. Don't think that way. Jewish people 232 00:12:36,660 --> 00:12:38,140 S4: are looking just like everyone else. 233 00:12:38,220 --> 00:12:41,140 S1: In a previous conversation, Rochelle, you more than hinted at 234 00:12:41,140 --> 00:12:43,700 S1: the fact that there is a great number of Jewish 235 00:12:43,700 --> 00:12:46,690 S1: people who have no notion or concept or interest in 236 00:12:46,690 --> 00:12:47,490 S1: Messiah at all. 237 00:12:47,610 --> 00:12:50,130 S4: That's right. They're actually told growing up it's fine to 238 00:12:50,130 --> 00:12:52,090 S4: be a Buddhist or to be atheist. Just don't believe 239 00:12:52,090 --> 00:12:54,650 S4: in Yeshua Jesus. This this is too far for us 240 00:12:54,650 --> 00:12:59,530 S4: Jews historically, and various other theological implications is that it's 241 00:12:59,530 --> 00:13:01,290 S4: either you're a Jew or a Christian. There is no 242 00:13:01,290 --> 00:13:02,250 S4: in between, but. 243 00:13:02,250 --> 00:13:04,890 S1: In the end, it's a relationship that makes the big difference. 244 00:13:04,890 --> 00:13:06,730 S1: That's what cuts through that layer. That's what you're saying. 245 00:13:06,970 --> 00:13:10,089 S3: Yes. And you're able to overcome many barriers time after 246 00:13:10,090 --> 00:13:11,810 S3: time with a true relationship. 247 00:13:11,850 --> 00:13:14,730 S1: Overcoming barriers. Great tips from Josh and Rachelle Norman, who 248 00:13:14,730 --> 00:13:17,210 S1: are with Chosen People Ministries here on the land and 249 00:13:17,210 --> 00:13:21,930 S1: the book. David Brickner is executive chairman of the board 250 00:13:21,929 --> 00:13:25,650 S1: of Jews for Jesus. A graduate of Moody Bible Institute, 251 00:13:25,690 --> 00:13:28,250 S1: he has written a number of books, including Does The 252 00:13:28,250 --> 00:13:32,329 S1: Jewish Bible Point to Jesus? From Moody Publishers, he speaks 253 00:13:32,330 --> 00:13:34,290 S1: around the world, and so it's an honor to welcome 254 00:13:34,290 --> 00:13:36,610 S1: him back to the land and the book. Good to 255 00:13:36,610 --> 00:13:38,090 S1: connect with you today, David. 256 00:13:38,090 --> 00:13:40,650 S5: Thank you. John. Shalom, it's great to be with you all. 257 00:13:41,250 --> 00:13:44,920 S1: Your book claims without the Jewish scriptures, we have no 258 00:13:44,920 --> 00:13:48,920 S1: basis for understanding why God promised a messiah, let alone 259 00:13:48,920 --> 00:13:51,240 S1: what the Messiah was to accomplish. Now, to me, that 260 00:13:51,240 --> 00:13:55,559 S1: speaks volumes to non-Jewish believers who increasingly prefer to set 261 00:13:55,559 --> 00:13:57,439 S1: the Old Testament kind of, you know, in the back 262 00:13:57,480 --> 00:13:59,480 S1: seat aside in a closet. What do you think? 263 00:14:00,320 --> 00:14:02,560 S5: I think it's a shame, because it was, in fact, 264 00:14:02,600 --> 00:14:07,240 S5: our Lord Jesus. Bible. In Luke 24, verse 44, Jesus 265 00:14:07,240 --> 00:14:10,400 S5: said to his disciples, these are the words which I 266 00:14:10,440 --> 00:14:13,000 S5: spoke to you while I was still with you, that 267 00:14:13,000 --> 00:14:16,800 S5: all things must be fulfilled, which was written in the 268 00:14:16,800 --> 00:14:21,880 S5: law of Moses and the prophets, and the Psalms concerning me. 269 00:14:22,200 --> 00:14:27,080 S5: And he opened their understanding that they might comprehend the scriptures. 270 00:14:27,480 --> 00:14:31,920 S5: So those first disciples needed Jesus to open their understanding 271 00:14:32,400 --> 00:14:36,440 S5: concerning what was written in the Jewish Bible. And Jesus 272 00:14:36,440 --> 00:14:39,840 S5: outlines the Jewish Bible very wonderfully when he talks about 273 00:14:39,840 --> 00:14:44,510 S5: the law of Moses. That's Torah, the prophets. The Hebrew 274 00:14:44,550 --> 00:14:48,310 S5: word is nevi'im, and the Psalms or the writings, which 275 00:14:48,310 --> 00:14:52,510 S5: is ketuvim. So Jewish people call the Bible Tanakh, and 276 00:14:52,510 --> 00:14:57,630 S5: it's an acrostic of Torah Nevi'im and Ketuvim. And Jesus 277 00:14:57,630 --> 00:15:01,750 S5: from the very beginning said, these are the things that 278 00:15:01,750 --> 00:15:03,990 S5: spoke of me that must be fulfilled. 279 00:15:04,590 --> 00:15:07,470 S1: Well, the very first prediction of Messiah's coming is found 280 00:15:07,470 --> 00:15:11,030 S1: in Genesis three, chapter 15. Take us there and explain 281 00:15:11,030 --> 00:15:13,230 S1: this to us in plain English, because to some of 282 00:15:13,230 --> 00:15:15,230 S1: us we've heard it before, and it still feels kind 283 00:15:15,230 --> 00:15:16,150 S1: of nebulous. 284 00:15:17,030 --> 00:15:20,150 S5: Well, one of the wonderful things about God's promises concerning 285 00:15:20,150 --> 00:15:23,630 S5: the Messiah is that they come at a dark time 286 00:15:23,630 --> 00:15:27,710 S5: in human history, and Genesis three is often called the 287 00:15:27,710 --> 00:15:32,590 S5: proto Evangelion, which in Greek means the first announcement of 288 00:15:32,590 --> 00:15:36,989 S5: good news. And it was that first dark moment in 289 00:15:36,990 --> 00:15:41,020 S5: human history when Adam and Eve had disobeyed God, and 290 00:15:41,220 --> 00:15:44,980 S5: the pronouncement was made that sin had entered into the 291 00:15:44,980 --> 00:15:48,780 S5: human world as a result of their disobedience, brokenness, and 292 00:15:48,780 --> 00:15:51,460 S5: all the terrible things that we see writ large in 293 00:15:51,460 --> 00:15:55,380 S5: our headlines today. And yet, even at that dark moment, 294 00:15:55,380 --> 00:15:59,700 S5: God gives this first promise of hope, explaining to us 295 00:15:59,700 --> 00:16:03,660 S5: why the Messiah was to be born. And that was 296 00:16:03,660 --> 00:16:06,700 S5: because of the brokenness to deal with the problem of 297 00:16:06,700 --> 00:16:10,460 S5: the brokenness. And he gives us this word of hope 298 00:16:10,460 --> 00:16:14,780 S5: in speaking directly to Satan in the form of a serpent. 299 00:16:14,780 --> 00:16:19,500 S5: And he says in Genesis chapter three and verse 15 300 00:16:19,500 --> 00:16:25,740 S5: that this promise, this amazing promise, would in fact cause 301 00:16:25,900 --> 00:16:31,460 S5: the defeat of Satan and the re-establishment of the Messiah 302 00:16:31,460 --> 00:16:35,460 S5: and of the people of Messiah. God says, I will 303 00:16:35,460 --> 00:16:40,130 S5: put enmity between you and the woman, and between your 304 00:16:40,290 --> 00:16:45,130 S5: seed and her seed, he shall bruise your head, and 305 00:16:45,130 --> 00:16:49,250 S5: you shall bruise his heel. Now, John, you notice that 306 00:16:49,250 --> 00:16:52,810 S5: there's no mention of the word Messiah in there, right? 307 00:16:52,850 --> 00:16:57,010 S5: But this is all about the Messiah, because God promises, 308 00:16:57,210 --> 00:16:59,930 S5: as a result of Satan's deception, that there would be 309 00:16:59,930 --> 00:17:06,770 S5: this eternal conflict between Satan and the woman and between. 310 00:17:06,770 --> 00:17:10,850 S5: And here's where the mystery really begins to unfold between 311 00:17:10,850 --> 00:17:15,129 S5: your seed. The word in Hebrew is zera, and it 312 00:17:15,130 --> 00:17:18,930 S5: means offspring and her seed, that is, the seed of 313 00:17:18,930 --> 00:17:23,490 S5: the woman, and he that is, that seed shall bruise 314 00:17:23,490 --> 00:17:26,690 S5: your head, that is Satan. He'll crush your head, and 315 00:17:26,690 --> 00:17:31,650 S5: you shall bruise or crush his heel. And so this 316 00:17:31,650 --> 00:17:35,770 S5: amazing and somewhat enigmatic promise tells us that the seed 317 00:17:35,770 --> 00:17:38,720 S5: of the woman and that phrase in and of itself 318 00:17:38,720 --> 00:17:44,119 S5: is very interesting, because usually that term secedes era refers 319 00:17:44,119 --> 00:17:49,880 S5: to the male contribution to the process of life giving. 320 00:17:50,640 --> 00:17:54,360 S5: Usually women don't provide the seed, but in this case, 321 00:17:54,359 --> 00:17:57,199 S5: there's a hint that there's going to be a miraculous birth, 322 00:17:57,200 --> 00:18:01,199 S5: that the the seed of the woman would ultimately be 323 00:18:01,200 --> 00:18:06,199 S5: the one who would destroy Satan. And that, of course, 324 00:18:06,240 --> 00:18:08,880 S5: is a theme that's picked up in the New Testament 325 00:18:08,920 --> 00:18:13,600 S5: how Jesus the Messiah will crush the head of Satan. 326 00:18:13,760 --> 00:18:19,720 S5: And so the amazing promise is that this Messiah, and 327 00:18:19,720 --> 00:18:22,480 S5: in fact, that's what the rabbis interpreted, that when the 328 00:18:22,480 --> 00:18:27,879 S5: passage says he in parentheses, the rabbis wrote the Messiah, he, 329 00:18:27,880 --> 00:18:30,560 S5: the Messiah, shall crush your head. Now, how do you 330 00:18:30,600 --> 00:18:33,240 S5: kill a snake? You don't grab it by the tail. You. 331 00:18:33,280 --> 00:18:36,440 S5: You crush its head. And that's what the Messiah was 332 00:18:36,590 --> 00:18:40,350 S5: going to do to the adversary hasatan Satan. He was 333 00:18:40,350 --> 00:18:42,550 S5: going to destroy the works of the devil. He was 334 00:18:42,550 --> 00:18:46,670 S5: going to deliver broken humanity from the results of the 335 00:18:46,670 --> 00:18:50,830 S5: fall from sin. And in the process, in the process, 336 00:18:50,950 --> 00:18:54,630 S5: the Messiah himself would have his own heel crushed. This 337 00:18:54,630 --> 00:18:58,550 S5: is a direct prediction concerning the suffering and death of 338 00:18:58,550 --> 00:19:02,909 S5: the Messiah. Through his death he would destroy the works 339 00:19:02,910 --> 00:19:05,790 S5: of death. He would destroy Satan. So this is the 340 00:19:05,830 --> 00:19:09,910 S5: first promise concerning the Messiah in that dark hour, a 341 00:19:09,950 --> 00:19:12,830 S5: ray of hope in the midst of the darkness. 342 00:19:12,830 --> 00:19:14,510 S1: And that takes us to first John, where it speaks 343 00:19:14,510 --> 00:19:17,710 S1: very specifically about the reason the Son of God appeared 344 00:19:17,830 --> 00:19:20,590 S1: was to destroy the devil's work. Interesting. 345 00:19:20,750 --> 00:19:21,510 S5: Absolutely. 346 00:19:21,710 --> 00:19:24,310 S1: Well, does the Jewish Bible point to Jesus? That's the 347 00:19:24,310 --> 00:19:26,510 S1: question we're exploring today on the land and the book 348 00:19:26,510 --> 00:19:29,750 S1: with our guest, David Brickner. Why do so many Jewish 349 00:19:29,750 --> 00:19:32,270 S1: people have such a problem with Isaiah 53, to the 350 00:19:32,270 --> 00:19:34,970 S1: point that some even refuse to read it. 351 00:19:35,810 --> 00:19:39,290 S5: Well, it is, uh, many call it the gospel according 352 00:19:39,369 --> 00:19:43,050 S5: to Isaiah, and it is one of the passages, uh, 353 00:19:43,050 --> 00:19:47,930 S5: that is explicitly excluded from the readings of the prophets 354 00:19:47,930 --> 00:19:51,450 S5: in the synagogue. So most Jewish people have never read 355 00:19:51,450 --> 00:19:54,370 S5: Isaiah 53. In fact, one of the things that we 356 00:19:54,369 --> 00:19:57,770 S5: love to do in our ministry in Jews for Jesus 357 00:19:57,770 --> 00:20:01,010 S5: is to go out and to invite Jewish people to read. 358 00:20:01,010 --> 00:20:03,250 S5: And we do this every day on the streets of 359 00:20:03,250 --> 00:20:07,210 S5: Israel with the Hebrew Bible, the Jewish Bible. And we say, 360 00:20:07,210 --> 00:20:10,090 S5: read this and and tell me if you think it's 361 00:20:10,090 --> 00:20:15,730 S5: from the Tanakh or the the New Testament. And it's 362 00:20:15,730 --> 00:20:18,290 S5: really fun. We have the, uh, YouTube channel that can 363 00:20:18,290 --> 00:20:21,650 S5: show you how this happens and what the Israelis respond. 364 00:20:21,650 --> 00:20:24,850 S5: And almost invariably they're going to say, well, this sounds 365 00:20:24,850 --> 00:20:28,050 S5: like the New Testament when we're reading Isaiah 53. Why? 366 00:20:28,210 --> 00:20:31,570 S5: Because it sounds like Jesus. And yet we point out 367 00:20:31,570 --> 00:20:35,520 S5: that it was actually written 700 years before Jesus was 368 00:20:35,520 --> 00:20:39,080 S5: ever born by Isaiah the prophet. Isaiah 53 is a 369 00:20:39,080 --> 00:20:44,680 S5: remarkable description of the death and resurrection of Jesus the Messiah. 370 00:20:45,160 --> 00:20:47,240 S1: Well, the question must be asked, David, if the connection 371 00:20:47,240 --> 00:20:51,200 S1: between Messiah and the Tanakh is so strong, so clear, 372 00:20:51,200 --> 00:20:52,760 S1: why do so many not see this? 373 00:20:53,800 --> 00:20:57,080 S5: Well, tragically, most of the people of the book do 374 00:20:57,080 --> 00:21:01,280 S5: not know their own book. They haven't read it. They 375 00:21:01,280 --> 00:21:06,200 S5: haven't understood it. And even religious Jews today will spend 376 00:21:06,200 --> 00:21:10,080 S5: much more time in what's known as the Talmud, which 377 00:21:10,080 --> 00:21:15,280 S5: is rabbinic writings that were compiled after the life on 378 00:21:15,280 --> 00:21:19,320 S5: earth of Jesus the Messiah. And so modern day Judaism 379 00:21:19,320 --> 00:21:22,360 S5: is shaped not so much by the Jewish Bible as 380 00:21:22,359 --> 00:21:25,080 S5: it is by the writings of the rabbis. And then 381 00:21:25,080 --> 00:21:28,400 S5: the majority of Jews in the world today are actually secular, 382 00:21:28,560 --> 00:21:32,160 S5: and they don't even open the Bible very often, except 383 00:21:32,350 --> 00:21:37,150 S5: for on religious holidays. And they certainly never, never have 384 00:21:37,150 --> 00:21:40,510 S5: been able to read and get an understanding of what 385 00:21:40,510 --> 00:21:41,910 S5: we're talking about today. 386 00:21:42,590 --> 00:21:44,590 S1: If you just joined us, this is the land and 387 00:21:44,590 --> 00:21:47,710 S1: the book. I'm John Gager. Our guest, David Brickner, has 388 00:21:47,710 --> 00:21:50,870 S1: written the Moody Publishers book. Does the Jewish Bible point 389 00:21:50,869 --> 00:21:53,950 S1: to Jesus? David, show us a picture of Messiah from 390 00:21:53,950 --> 00:21:57,070 S1: one of the what we refer to as messianic Psalms. 391 00:21:58,270 --> 00:22:02,950 S5: Yes, well, the most famous one, in my opinion, is 392 00:22:03,109 --> 00:22:08,149 S5: Psalm 22, which is actually the words that Jesus first 393 00:22:08,150 --> 00:22:12,230 S5: spoke when he hung on the cross. Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani. 394 00:22:12,270 --> 00:22:16,030 S5: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? And 395 00:22:16,030 --> 00:22:20,030 S5: these are the words of the psalmist, King David, written 396 00:22:20,030 --> 00:22:23,950 S5: in Psalm 22, verse one. Why did Jesus say those 397 00:22:23,950 --> 00:22:28,550 S5: words from the cross? Not because simply he felt forsaken 398 00:22:28,670 --> 00:22:31,859 S5: by His Father when he bore the sin of the world, 399 00:22:31,859 --> 00:22:35,900 S5: which of course he did. But because he was indicating 400 00:22:35,940 --> 00:22:38,620 S5: to all those who could hear, and all those who 401 00:22:38,619 --> 00:22:42,659 S5: would listen, that this was a direct fulfillment of the 402 00:22:42,660 --> 00:22:47,260 S5: prophecy of Psalm 22. And if you read the whole Psalm, 403 00:22:47,420 --> 00:22:52,060 S5: you'll see that it is a remarkable prediction of a 404 00:22:52,060 --> 00:22:56,740 S5: number of things that the Messiah would experience and written 405 00:22:56,740 --> 00:23:03,580 S5: well before crucifixion was ever invented. Uh, David, having never 406 00:23:03,619 --> 00:23:09,260 S5: himself experienced quite like these things, talks about. They pierced 407 00:23:09,260 --> 00:23:13,820 S5: my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones. Uh, 408 00:23:13,820 --> 00:23:18,140 S5: there's an amazing description in the whole psalm. Not only 409 00:23:18,140 --> 00:23:20,740 S5: of the suffering and of the death of the Messiah, 410 00:23:20,859 --> 00:23:24,460 S5: but his ultimate triumph, where he will live. And he 411 00:23:24,460 --> 00:23:28,300 S5: will declare to the generations yet to come that the 412 00:23:28,300 --> 00:23:32,930 S5: Lord is His God. And it's just a wonderful psalm. 413 00:23:32,930 --> 00:23:36,250 S5: And and by saying those words from the cross, Jesus, 414 00:23:36,250 --> 00:23:39,570 S5: it's like humming the first few bars of a of 415 00:23:39,570 --> 00:23:43,129 S5: a well-known song. Jesus was pointing all of our attention 416 00:23:43,130 --> 00:23:46,290 S5: to the fact that what was happening to him was 417 00:23:46,290 --> 00:23:51,010 S5: the fulfillment of ancient prophecy from King David. And we 418 00:23:51,010 --> 00:23:55,449 S5: are so glad to have such remarkable evidence, not just 419 00:23:55,450 --> 00:23:59,129 S5: in Psalm 22, but throughout the Psalms. They are a 420 00:23:59,130 --> 00:24:02,490 S5: direct prediction of all the things that Jesus did and 421 00:24:02,490 --> 00:24:04,050 S5: accomplished on our behalf. 422 00:24:04,650 --> 00:24:06,810 S1: I love how every chapter in the book ends with 423 00:24:06,810 --> 00:24:10,449 S1: a bold heading. And you. It's like you're gently forcing 424 00:24:10,450 --> 00:24:13,730 S1: the reader to accept or reject what they've just read 425 00:24:13,730 --> 00:24:14,609 S1: your thoughts here. 426 00:24:15,369 --> 00:24:19,690 S5: Well, you know, this book is written for seekers. It's 427 00:24:19,690 --> 00:24:23,490 S5: written for the people who are really wanting to understand. 428 00:24:23,490 --> 00:24:27,770 S5: And as Christians, we get to kind of overhear a 429 00:24:27,770 --> 00:24:33,480 S5: conversation between me and my fellow Jews about these important truths. 430 00:24:33,720 --> 00:24:37,160 S5: And so when I wrote this book, I wanted it 431 00:24:37,160 --> 00:24:41,720 S5: to be an opportunity for Jewish people to engage with 432 00:24:41,720 --> 00:24:46,040 S5: their book and understand their book and see Jesus in 433 00:24:46,040 --> 00:24:49,440 S5: their book, The Jewish Bible. And it's all there if 434 00:24:49,440 --> 00:24:52,160 S5: they're open to reading it. So I think that as 435 00:24:52,160 --> 00:24:55,680 S5: Christians read this book, they'll be encouraged and strengthened in 436 00:24:55,680 --> 00:24:59,119 S5: their own faith about the Old Testament, about the Jewish 437 00:24:59,119 --> 00:25:03,040 S5: Bible and the truth of it. And they'll also have 438 00:25:03,040 --> 00:25:06,600 S5: in their hands a wonderful tool to share with a 439 00:25:06,600 --> 00:25:10,240 S5: Jewish friend if they're open, if they're seeking, they're going 440 00:25:10,280 --> 00:25:16,240 S5: to find compelling evidence in these chapters concerning the Messiah 441 00:25:16,240 --> 00:25:18,800 S5: and all from a very Jewish perspective. 442 00:25:19,280 --> 00:25:19,840 S6: Yeah. 443 00:25:19,880 --> 00:25:21,800 S1: You know, this is a great tool. And week after week, 444 00:25:21,800 --> 00:25:24,920 S1: we encourage people to think about fresh new ideas about 445 00:25:24,920 --> 00:25:28,510 S1: sharing their faith. Wow. This resource Does the Jewish Bible 446 00:25:28,510 --> 00:25:31,550 S1: point to Jesus from David? Brickner is a great tool 447 00:25:31,590 --> 00:25:33,430 S1: to speed you along your way. We'll put a link 448 00:25:33,430 --> 00:25:37,990 S1: to that book at our website. The land and the book.org. 449 00:25:38,030 --> 00:25:41,310 S1: That's the land and the book.org. And again, the title 450 00:25:41,310 --> 00:25:44,950 S1: of David Richter's Moody Publishers book is Does the Jewish 451 00:25:44,950 --> 00:25:47,870 S1: Bible Point to Jesus? David, thanks for the visit today. 452 00:25:47,869 --> 00:25:49,190 S1: We really appreciate your time. 453 00:25:49,590 --> 00:25:50,750 S5: Thank you John. 454 00:25:50,750 --> 00:25:53,430 S1: And I'm looking forward to rejoining with more Bible questions 455 00:25:53,430 --> 00:26:07,830 S1: next on the land and the book. This segment is 456 00:26:07,830 --> 00:26:10,990 S1: for the curious. Welcome back to the land and the book. 457 00:26:10,990 --> 00:26:14,230 S1: Segment three. Curious about Scripture? We all are. You can't 458 00:26:14,230 --> 00:26:16,910 S1: help but open the Bible, read through a passage, and 459 00:26:16,910 --> 00:26:19,869 S1: truly ponder what you're reading and not bump into a 460 00:26:19,869 --> 00:26:23,550 S1: question or 2 or 3 real fast. And that's why 461 00:26:23,550 --> 00:26:26,620 S1: we're glad to be here. We is yours truly, John 462 00:26:26,619 --> 00:26:30,219 S1: Gager and Doctor Gerald Peterman of the Moody Bible Institute faculty. 463 00:26:30,420 --> 00:26:32,340 S1: Thanks for being willing to answer these questions. 464 00:26:32,420 --> 00:26:32,739 S7: Oh my. 465 00:26:32,740 --> 00:26:34,820 S1: Pleasure. It sounds like you really get a kick out 466 00:26:34,820 --> 00:26:37,620 S1: of of taking a look at what these, you know, 467 00:26:37,660 --> 00:26:38,899 S1: wonderments are all about. 468 00:26:39,020 --> 00:26:40,859 S7: I do, I do, yes. 469 00:26:40,900 --> 00:26:42,619 S1: Well, before we get to our first question of the day, 470 00:26:42,619 --> 00:26:45,660 S1: let me just toss out this question. What does Passover 471 00:26:45,660 --> 00:26:48,979 S1: mean for us as believers in Jesus? Some might remember 472 00:26:48,980 --> 00:26:51,060 S1: the story from the book of Exodus, but there's so 473 00:26:51,140 --> 00:26:53,419 S1: much more to it. Did you know that the Last 474 00:26:53,420 --> 00:26:56,660 S1: Supper was actually a Passover meal? Not only did Jesus 475 00:26:56,660 --> 00:27:00,300 S1: and his disciples celebrate Passover, it also foreshadowed his death 476 00:27:00,300 --> 00:27:03,260 S1: on the cross for our redemption. Now, Jewish people have 477 00:27:03,260 --> 00:27:06,220 S1: been keeping the feast of Passover for thousands of years, 478 00:27:06,260 --> 00:27:09,740 S1: and understanding the history and importance of this holiday, we think, 479 00:27:09,740 --> 00:27:12,379 S1: will help you better connect with your Jewish friends and neighbors. 480 00:27:12,780 --> 00:27:15,380 S1: And what better way is there to learn about Passover 481 00:27:15,500 --> 00:27:19,220 S1: than to experience a Passover Seder yourself? Now, if you've 482 00:27:19,220 --> 00:27:22,540 S1: never celebrated Passover well, our friends at Life in Messiah 483 00:27:22,540 --> 00:27:26,130 S1: would love to partner with you in hosting a Seder experience. 484 00:27:26,290 --> 00:27:30,490 S1: Every year, their staff engages churches and small groups in 485 00:27:30,490 --> 00:27:34,810 S1: an interactive Messiah in the Passover Seder, allowing participants to 486 00:27:34,850 --> 00:27:38,570 S1: taste and see the redemption story. And if you're interested 487 00:27:38,570 --> 00:27:41,090 S1: in having somebody come lead a Seder in your area, 488 00:27:41,330 --> 00:27:44,929 S1: we'll visit Life in Messiah and click on the radio 489 00:27:44,930 --> 00:27:50,169 S1: button there to learn more. That's life in messiah.org. All right, 490 00:27:50,170 --> 00:27:52,610 S1: let's dig into our first question of the day. This 491 00:27:52,609 --> 00:27:55,050 S1: one from George. You ready for this one, Jerry? 492 00:27:55,609 --> 00:27:56,290 S7: I hope so. 493 00:27:56,330 --> 00:27:58,490 S1: All right, well, we'll find out. He says, I would 494 00:27:58,490 --> 00:28:00,850 S1: like to know what you believe happened to the gifts 495 00:28:00,850 --> 00:28:04,130 S1: of gold, frankincense and myrrh that were brought to Jesus 496 00:28:04,130 --> 00:28:06,770 S1: by the Magi? Do you believe his family would have 497 00:28:06,770 --> 00:28:09,370 S1: used these gifts in some manner, or. Or just stored 498 00:28:09,369 --> 00:28:11,010 S1: them away in a special place? 499 00:28:11,210 --> 00:28:14,050 S7: Well, thanks so much for that, George. Uh, in the 500 00:28:14,050 --> 00:28:17,209 S7: New Testament, we do not find an explicit answer to 501 00:28:17,210 --> 00:28:20,050 S7: this question. What? We're done. I have a theory. My 502 00:28:20,050 --> 00:28:24,510 S7: theory is that Mary and Joseph used that as income 503 00:28:24,750 --> 00:28:27,510 S7: to help them when they made their trip to Egypt, 504 00:28:28,030 --> 00:28:31,109 S7: because otherwise they were very poor people. Why would I 505 00:28:31,109 --> 00:28:34,070 S7: say they were poor people? Well, when Mary comes in 506 00:28:34,070 --> 00:28:37,470 S7: Luke two to offer the sacrifice that the Old Testament 507 00:28:37,470 --> 00:28:41,470 S7: required for cleansing after pregnancy, she doesn't offer a lamb, 508 00:28:41,470 --> 00:28:46,070 S7: which is what Leviticus 12 talks about. She offers two birds. 509 00:28:46,270 --> 00:28:49,190 S7: This is what the law allows for those who are poorer. 510 00:28:49,510 --> 00:28:51,910 S7: So I take it that Joseph and Mary were amongst 511 00:28:51,910 --> 00:28:54,350 S7: poorer people. Now, how could they make a trip to 512 00:28:54,390 --> 00:28:56,790 S7: Egypt and stay there for a couple of years with Jesus, 513 00:28:56,790 --> 00:28:59,230 S7: while we wait for the death of Herod? I take 514 00:28:59,230 --> 00:29:03,190 S7: it that what the Magi brought gave them some income 515 00:29:03,190 --> 00:29:05,990 S7: so they could make this trip and live while they're there. 516 00:29:06,350 --> 00:29:09,470 S1: I hope that's helpful, George. Now let's go to Sadie. 517 00:29:09,510 --> 00:29:12,790 S1: She wants to know about Deuteronomy 23, verse 18, which 518 00:29:12,790 --> 00:29:15,430 S1: makes it sound as though using the hire of a 519 00:29:15,430 --> 00:29:18,670 S1: harlot or a dog was permissible if not used for 520 00:29:18,670 --> 00:29:22,110 S1: purposes of the temple. Were the ancient Israelites basically pimps 521 00:29:22,110 --> 00:29:24,660 S1: who had harlots to use and would be inclined to 522 00:29:24,700 --> 00:29:27,300 S1: use the profits of their harlots for purposes of the temple. 523 00:29:27,660 --> 00:29:29,380 S1: Is this saying that it's okay to use the money 524 00:29:29,380 --> 00:29:32,020 S1: gained from using one's harlot for things that are unrelated 525 00:29:32,020 --> 00:29:34,940 S1: to the temple? Also, the previous verse makes it appear 526 00:29:35,100 --> 00:29:37,260 S1: as though as long as she was a Gentile, it 527 00:29:37,260 --> 00:29:41,660 S1: was okay. And finally, why is the prostitute called in 528 00:29:41,660 --> 00:29:45,300 S1: Hebrew holy? I know that the pagans religion included Whoredom, 529 00:29:45,300 --> 00:29:48,140 S1: but why would Holy Scripture use such language? 530 00:29:48,660 --> 00:29:51,900 S7: Okay, I appreciate that, although I really see this passage very, 531 00:29:51,900 --> 00:29:56,900 S7: very differently. That is in Deuteronomy 23 verse 17, we 532 00:29:56,940 --> 00:30:00,100 S7: find no Israelite man or woman is to become a 533 00:30:00,100 --> 00:30:03,260 S7: shrine prostitute. That is that kind of thing which was 534 00:30:03,260 --> 00:30:06,940 S7: done by the Canaanites in that area was not allowed 535 00:30:06,940 --> 00:30:09,780 S7: for the Israelites. And then we move on to verse 18, 536 00:30:09,940 --> 00:30:14,380 S7: and it has this prohibition against using temple prostitution money 537 00:30:14,380 --> 00:30:17,980 S7: as some sort of offering you can bring. So, no, 538 00:30:18,020 --> 00:30:20,620 S7: God is not saying that you can use this money 539 00:30:20,620 --> 00:30:25,090 S7: in some inappropriate way. That is, both the prostitution and 540 00:30:25,090 --> 00:30:28,050 S7: the use of it is prohibited. No, this is not 541 00:30:28,050 --> 00:30:31,410 S7: about buying. Got off. We should also ask the question 542 00:30:31,410 --> 00:30:35,130 S7: as she asks now does this mean Gentiles can do this? No, no, no. 543 00:30:35,170 --> 00:30:37,730 S7: We should keep in mind that the Old Testament is 544 00:30:37,730 --> 00:30:41,210 S7: directed to Jews, God's people. The Old Testament is not 545 00:30:41,250 --> 00:30:44,130 S7: regulating the life of the Canaanites around. It's regulating the 546 00:30:44,130 --> 00:30:48,290 S7: life of the Israelites. And they can't imitate what other 547 00:30:48,290 --> 00:30:53,050 S7: pagan nations are doing. So the passage doesn't automatically suggest 548 00:30:53,050 --> 00:30:56,489 S7: that because it's wrong for Israelites, then it's right for 549 00:30:56,490 --> 00:30:59,650 S7: those pagan nations. The pagan nations are just not being 550 00:30:59,690 --> 00:31:02,410 S7: talked to. Now there's a last question. And then why 551 00:31:02,530 --> 00:31:07,370 S7: this term? Holy and use that about a cult prostitute. 552 00:31:07,890 --> 00:31:10,370 S7: That is, we can think from the perspective of the 553 00:31:10,370 --> 00:31:13,250 S7: false religion. Now, keep in mind now we're talking about 554 00:31:13,250 --> 00:31:16,490 S7: from the perspective of the false religion. The false religion 555 00:31:16,490 --> 00:31:22,000 S7: can call the temple prostitute set apart or sanctified or holy. 556 00:31:22,480 --> 00:31:24,760 S7: That's the language of the time. Now, we would say 557 00:31:24,760 --> 00:31:28,200 S7: that that designation is false, but under their own religion 558 00:31:28,200 --> 00:31:32,200 S7: the designation is true. So Moses is just using the 559 00:31:32,200 --> 00:31:37,000 S7: designation that the Canaanite people use. That is, this person 560 00:31:37,000 --> 00:31:41,480 S7: is holy. But we would put that in quotation marks, right? 561 00:31:41,520 --> 00:31:44,320 S7: You know, we would say in our day, someone who's 562 00:31:44,360 --> 00:31:47,840 S7: set apart for a religion that's destructive. We wouldn't call holy, 563 00:31:47,840 --> 00:31:52,719 S7: but perhaps the religion themselves would call it holy. So 564 00:31:52,720 --> 00:31:54,960 S7: I take it that Moses is taking into consideration what 565 00:31:54,960 --> 00:31:56,080 S7: the nations around do. 566 00:31:56,560 --> 00:32:01,320 S1: Doctor Gerald Peterman is professor of Bible at Moody Bible Institute, 567 00:32:01,440 --> 00:32:04,360 S1: director of the Biblical and Theological Studies program. We're glad 568 00:32:04,360 --> 00:32:07,080 S1: to have him here. He's answering your questions and you 569 00:32:07,080 --> 00:32:09,160 S1: can get yours to us at The Land and the 570 00:32:09,160 --> 00:32:13,000 S1: Book at Moody. Edu Dan admits he's got a crazy 571 00:32:13,000 --> 00:32:15,480 S1: question for you, Jerry. You ready for this? He says, 572 00:32:15,600 --> 00:32:17,760 S1: what are the chances that one of the hundreds of 573 00:32:17,760 --> 00:32:20,990 S1: missiles fired at Israel could eventually hit the dome of 574 00:32:20,990 --> 00:32:21,469 S1: the Rock. 575 00:32:21,990 --> 00:32:26,190 S7: Yeah. Uh, wow. I take it that the chances are 576 00:32:26,190 --> 00:32:29,830 S7: extremely remote. That is, most of the time, Hamas or 577 00:32:29,830 --> 00:32:33,190 S7: Hezbollah or Iran when they're shooting their missiles, which they 578 00:32:33,190 --> 00:32:35,230 S7: should never do. Of course, when they're shooting their missiles, 579 00:32:35,230 --> 00:32:39,070 S7: they're not targeting Jerusalem. They're targeting surrounding areas. But even 580 00:32:39,070 --> 00:32:40,870 S7: if they did that, it would hit the dome of 581 00:32:40,870 --> 00:32:44,870 S7: the Rock. Seems just extremely unlikely. We should keep this 582 00:32:44,870 --> 00:32:48,070 S7: in mind that the Israelite Parliament building and the dome 583 00:32:48,070 --> 00:32:49,790 S7: of the Rock are like a mile and a half apart. 584 00:32:49,990 --> 00:32:51,790 S7: So if you're trying to hit the Parliament building, you 585 00:32:51,790 --> 00:32:54,110 S7: might accidentally hit the dome of the Rock. I take 586 00:32:54,110 --> 00:32:57,990 S7: it that, uh, hitting the dome is extremely unlikely. 587 00:32:58,550 --> 00:33:01,310 S1: Let's go to a question about the unpardonable sin described 588 00:33:01,310 --> 00:33:05,910 S1: in Matthew 1231, Mark 329, and Luke 12, verse ten. 589 00:33:05,950 --> 00:33:08,270 S1: This listener says, I've heard it said and believed that 590 00:33:08,270 --> 00:33:11,190 S1: it was something that we cannot do today because we 591 00:33:11,190 --> 00:33:13,630 S1: were not alive during the time of Christ to blaspheme 592 00:33:13,630 --> 00:33:16,350 S1: against the Holy Spirit because of giving credit to Satan 593 00:33:16,350 --> 00:33:19,580 S1: for the Holy Spirit's work through Jesus. However, recently I 594 00:33:19,580 --> 00:33:21,660 S1: was having a discussion with somebody who claims to be 595 00:33:21,660 --> 00:33:24,100 S1: a Christian and told me that salvation has nothing to 596 00:33:24,100 --> 00:33:27,500 S1: do with the Holy Spirit. Their definition of salvation is 597 00:33:27,500 --> 00:33:30,900 S1: someone having enough faith in Jesus, who is God's Son, 598 00:33:30,900 --> 00:33:32,540 S1: and the only person who could pay the price for 599 00:33:32,540 --> 00:33:34,860 S1: your sins, and who then has to forgive you of 600 00:33:34,860 --> 00:33:38,060 S1: your sins and let you into heaven. All the credit 601 00:33:38,100 --> 00:33:40,460 S1: goes to the person for being smart enough to put 602 00:33:40,460 --> 00:33:43,500 S1: their faith in Jesus. There is no throne or surrendering 603 00:33:43,500 --> 00:33:46,540 S1: your life to God. They claim to be a Pelagianism, 604 00:33:46,700 --> 00:33:50,980 S1: not a semi-pelagianism, but a Pelagianism. Now my question when 605 00:33:50,980 --> 00:33:54,300 S1: I heard this, could this be blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? 606 00:33:54,460 --> 00:33:56,900 S1: Since it is taking credit for the work the Holy 607 00:33:56,900 --> 00:33:57,780 S1: Spirit does? 608 00:33:58,300 --> 00:34:01,660 S7: Wow, that's a complex question. I have to admit, I've 609 00:34:01,660 --> 00:34:04,340 S7: never heard this question before, so perhaps you should take 610 00:34:04,340 --> 00:34:08,580 S7: this with a bucket of salt. First, I don't believe 611 00:34:08,580 --> 00:34:12,140 S7: the unpardonable sin can happen in our age. What is 612 00:34:12,140 --> 00:34:15,620 S7: it at the time of Jesus? He is casting out 613 00:34:15,620 --> 00:34:20,250 S7: Casting out demons and the audience, even the non-believing audience 614 00:34:20,330 --> 00:34:24,290 S7: recognizes that he is doing a miracle, casting out demons, right? 615 00:34:24,330 --> 00:34:27,049 S7: And then they say, oh, the power for that miracle 616 00:34:27,050 --> 00:34:30,570 S7: comes from Satan, or comes from the chief of the demons, 617 00:34:30,570 --> 00:34:34,090 S7: and that's an insult to the spirit. When they see 618 00:34:34,090 --> 00:34:38,530 S7: there is a miracle. Yes. Now, what in the world 619 00:34:38,530 --> 00:34:42,250 S7: is that? The Pelagian is someone who thinks that he 620 00:34:42,250 --> 00:34:45,489 S7: has the power to trust God on his own. The 621 00:34:45,489 --> 00:34:47,569 S7: Pelagian is someone who thinks God does not need to 622 00:34:47,610 --> 00:34:49,730 S7: work in me so that I believe in him. I 623 00:34:49,730 --> 00:34:52,529 S7: can believe him on my own. Well, we know that 624 00:34:52,530 --> 00:34:55,810 S7: the Holy Spirit works in people so that we come 625 00:34:55,810 --> 00:34:59,050 S7: to trust him. Does this mean the pelagian is blasphemy 626 00:34:59,050 --> 00:35:02,170 S7: against the spirit? No, no. Why not? Well, because the 627 00:35:02,170 --> 00:35:05,770 S7: Palladian thinks if I come to Christ on my own, 628 00:35:05,770 --> 00:35:08,730 S7: it's not miraculous. So I think what we're not talking 629 00:35:08,730 --> 00:35:11,290 S7: about here is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. 630 00:35:11,330 --> 00:35:14,710 S1: All right. Carol says, I do theological proofreading, and I 631 00:35:14,710 --> 00:35:17,630 S1: have a question about the form of verse references from 632 00:35:17,630 --> 00:35:20,910 S1: one chapter Bible books. Take Jude, for example, are the 633 00:35:20,910 --> 00:35:25,070 S1: last two verses. Jude one colon 24 to 25, or 634 00:35:25,070 --> 00:35:28,150 S1: Jude 24 to 25. I've heard that the latter form 635 00:35:28,150 --> 00:35:29,989 S1: is correct, and I tend to agree, but I can't 636 00:35:29,989 --> 00:35:33,629 S1: find any style, guide or other authoritative source to substantiate 637 00:35:33,630 --> 00:35:35,790 S1: my theory, which I could see something in writing. Can 638 00:35:35,790 --> 00:35:36,310 S1: you help? 639 00:35:36,989 --> 00:35:39,710 S7: Oh yes indeed, Carol. The sources are divided on this. 640 00:35:39,710 --> 00:35:43,310 S7: There does not appear to be an agreed answer. That is, 641 00:35:43,670 --> 00:35:46,509 S7: should we include a chapter number not include a chapter number? 642 00:35:47,390 --> 00:35:52,270 S7: I think better to not include a chapter number. So 643 00:35:52,270 --> 00:35:58,150 S7: just go with, say, Jude 20 as opposed to Jude 120. 644 00:35:58,230 --> 00:36:00,310 S7: You can check the style guides. I've been through the 645 00:36:00,310 --> 00:36:03,750 S7: style guides. They're divided on the subject, but probably better 646 00:36:04,110 --> 00:36:05,390 S7: go without the chapter number. 647 00:36:05,830 --> 00:36:08,870 S1: Sadie takes us to Exodus 20, verse 16, where it says, 648 00:36:08,989 --> 00:36:12,230 S1: thou shalt not bear false witness. Why does it add 649 00:36:12,430 --> 00:36:13,580 S1: against your neighbor. 650 00:36:13,780 --> 00:36:17,500 S7: Oh, thanks for that. That is, we sometimes think of 651 00:36:17,500 --> 00:36:20,219 S7: neighbors as people in our neighborhood. Right. They got the 652 00:36:20,219 --> 00:36:21,740 S7: house next door to us. They were in their apartment 653 00:36:21,739 --> 00:36:24,020 S7: right down the hall. Right. But when the Old Testament 654 00:36:24,020 --> 00:36:27,299 S7: is thinking about neighbor, it's thinking about anyone you come 655 00:36:27,300 --> 00:36:30,379 S7: into contact with. Whom do you encounter over the course 656 00:36:30,380 --> 00:36:33,140 S7: of the day? Yeah. So that means don't bear false 657 00:36:33,140 --> 00:36:36,820 S7: witness against anyone who happens to cross your path. 658 00:36:37,460 --> 00:36:40,700 S1: Well, Jerry, thanks for tackling those questions. And again, yours 659 00:36:40,739 --> 00:36:43,660 S1: is welcome when you email us at the Land and 660 00:36:43,660 --> 00:36:49,700 S1: the book@moody.edu. The land and the book at Moody. Edu. 661 00:36:49,739 --> 00:37:07,420 S1: Don't go away. Charlie's devotional. Next. Walls of separation. Never fun. 662 00:37:07,420 --> 00:37:10,740 S1: Always sobering. Hi. Welcome back to the land and the book. 663 00:37:10,739 --> 00:37:13,770 S1: I'm John Gager with our host, Charlie Dyer. I think 664 00:37:13,770 --> 00:37:15,770 S1: back in history, of all the walls that have been built, 665 00:37:15,770 --> 00:37:19,210 S1: the Great Wall of China, the wall in Berlin, and 666 00:37:19,210 --> 00:37:22,250 S1: we think, of course, of the West Bank separation barrier 667 00:37:22,410 --> 00:37:26,250 S1: right there in Bethlehem. But, Charlie, your devotional today has 668 00:37:26,250 --> 00:37:28,049 S1: something to do with walls. Is that correct? 669 00:37:28,170 --> 00:37:30,210 S2: That's exactly right, John. And we're going right to the 670 00:37:30,210 --> 00:37:31,690 S2: Temple Mount to see it. 671 00:37:31,810 --> 00:37:34,330 S1: All right. We'll look forward to that. After this testimony 672 00:37:34,330 --> 00:37:36,730 S1: from somebody who's traveled to the Holy Land and wants 673 00:37:36,730 --> 00:37:38,370 S1: to share this with you right now. 674 00:37:42,850 --> 00:37:47,089 S8: My name is Monica Cameron, and I'm coming to the 675 00:37:47,090 --> 00:37:50,370 S8: Holy Land has changed my outlook and reading the Bible. 676 00:37:50,810 --> 00:37:52,730 S8: It has brought to life a lot of the stories 677 00:37:52,730 --> 00:37:55,730 S8: that I've read. And now when I go back and 678 00:37:55,730 --> 00:37:59,410 S8: read those stories, it will be more meaningful to me. 679 00:38:00,290 --> 00:38:05,250 S9: Hi, I'm Sylvia Powell from Tennessee. And before I came, 680 00:38:05,370 --> 00:38:08,450 S9: I asked God to change me. It began the very 681 00:38:08,450 --> 00:38:11,680 S9: first night as I began to began to understand the 682 00:38:11,880 --> 00:38:16,080 S9: area and how the distance and where things happened in 683 00:38:16,080 --> 00:38:21,240 S9: the Bible. And now to understand the where I've always 684 00:38:21,239 --> 00:38:24,520 S9: been in tune with who and what. Now I know 685 00:38:24,520 --> 00:38:27,239 S9: the where, and that is changing the way I read 686 00:38:27,239 --> 00:38:27,840 S9: the Bible. 687 00:38:28,360 --> 00:38:30,800 S10: I'm Mike from Alabama. I want to thank you, Charlie, 688 00:38:30,800 --> 00:38:35,760 S10: for opening our eyes. As we've seen the land we 689 00:38:35,760 --> 00:38:38,759 S10: all have read, we read the book. But to see 690 00:38:38,760 --> 00:38:41,520 S10: the land and hear you talk about the book is amazing. 691 00:38:41,520 --> 00:38:44,680 S10: And I would encourage anybody to come. I'm coming back. 692 00:38:47,200 --> 00:38:49,200 S1: All right, Charlie, time for your devotional. And I believe 693 00:38:49,200 --> 00:38:52,239 S1: we're based in Ephesians two. Let's hear what you got. 694 00:38:52,360 --> 00:38:56,440 S2: Thanks, John. Greetings, fellow followers of Jesus. My name is 695 00:38:56,440 --> 00:39:00,120 S2: Trophimus and I reside in the great Asian city of Ephesus. 696 00:39:00,719 --> 00:39:03,520 S2: You might not recognize my name, though both Paul and 697 00:39:03,920 --> 00:39:06,560 S2: Luke mentioned me in their writings. So let me tell 698 00:39:06,560 --> 00:39:09,430 S2: you a little about myself. I grew up in Ephesus, 699 00:39:09,590 --> 00:39:12,030 S2: the home of the Temple of Artemis, whom the Romans 700 00:39:12,030 --> 00:39:15,670 S2: called Diana. My parents were followers of Diana, and so 701 00:39:15,710 --> 00:39:18,509 S2: was I, until I met the Apostle Paul. He's the 702 00:39:18,510 --> 00:39:21,230 S2: one who shared with me the truth about God's son, 703 00:39:21,230 --> 00:39:24,310 S2: Jesus of Nazareth. And it was during Paul's time in 704 00:39:24,310 --> 00:39:27,790 S2: Ephesus that I became a follower of Jesus. I was 705 00:39:27,790 --> 00:39:30,230 S2: in Ephesus when the riot that was started by the 706 00:39:30,230 --> 00:39:33,469 S2: silversmiths broke out. It was a frightening time for a 707 00:39:33,469 --> 00:39:37,149 S2: young believer like me. The silversmiths were angry that less 708 00:39:37,150 --> 00:39:41,390 S2: people were buying their overpriced silver statues of Diana, because 709 00:39:41,590 --> 00:39:44,830 S2: so many had become followers of Jesus. They gathered a 710 00:39:44,830 --> 00:39:49,070 S2: mob that filled the theater, and the theater holds 25,000. 711 00:39:49,430 --> 00:39:52,910 S2: The noise was incredible. For two solid hours, they chanted 712 00:39:52,910 --> 00:39:57,310 S2: in unison, Great is Artemis of the Ephesians! Paul actually 713 00:39:57,310 --> 00:40:00,270 S2: wanted to speak to the mob, but his friends, including me, 714 00:40:00,270 --> 00:40:03,590 S2: wouldn't let him. Now, before that riot even took place, 715 00:40:03,830 --> 00:40:07,270 S2: Paul had already decided to visit the churches in Macedonia 716 00:40:07,270 --> 00:40:10,020 S2: and Achaia and collect the funds that they had promised 717 00:40:10,060 --> 00:40:13,380 S2: to send to the struggling believers in Judea. I had 718 00:40:13,380 --> 00:40:15,380 S2: only been a believer for a few years, but the 719 00:40:15,420 --> 00:40:18,380 S2: church in Ephesus asked me to travel with Paul to 720 00:40:18,420 --> 00:40:21,460 S2: represent our people and to carry the funds we had 721 00:40:21,460 --> 00:40:25,620 S2: raised for this collection. What an amazing journey. I got 722 00:40:25,620 --> 00:40:30,140 S2: to meet believers from Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, and Corinth 723 00:40:30,500 --> 00:40:34,020 S2: during our long journey to Judea. I spent time with Paul, 724 00:40:34,020 --> 00:40:37,380 S2: Doctor Luke, and young Timothy, and with trusted leaders from 725 00:40:37,380 --> 00:40:40,860 S2: all the churches in Macedonia and Achaia. It was like 726 00:40:40,860 --> 00:40:45,260 S2: being on a traveling Bible study all the way to Jerusalem. 727 00:40:45,260 --> 00:40:48,700 S2: And then I got to Jerusalem itself. Standing in the 728 00:40:48,700 --> 00:40:51,700 S2: shadow of the temple for the first time was very moving, 729 00:40:51,940 --> 00:40:55,620 S2: because our Lord had walked in its courts as a non-Jew. 730 00:40:55,660 --> 00:40:58,140 S2: I was only allowed to go into the outer court 731 00:40:58,260 --> 00:41:01,780 S2: called the court of the Gentiles. The whole complex dwarfed 732 00:41:01,780 --> 00:41:04,540 S2: the temple of Diana and Ephesus. And yet I was 733 00:41:04,540 --> 00:41:08,210 S2: only permitted into this outer area. What struck me most 734 00:41:08,210 --> 00:41:10,930 S2: at the time was the barrier that blocked my way 735 00:41:11,010 --> 00:41:14,529 S2: into the inner court and the temple building itself. On 736 00:41:14,570 --> 00:41:17,890 S2: that barrier were notices written in Greek, my own language. 737 00:41:18,450 --> 00:41:21,890 S2: I'll never forget what they said. No foreigner may enter 738 00:41:21,890 --> 00:41:25,690 S2: within the barrier. An enclosure around the temple area. Anyone 739 00:41:25,690 --> 00:41:29,850 S2: caught doing so will be responsible for his own ensuing death. 740 00:41:30,650 --> 00:41:33,330 S2: Little did I know that I was almost responsible for 741 00:41:33,330 --> 00:41:37,009 S2: the Apostle Paul's death because of that very sign. But 742 00:41:37,010 --> 00:41:40,010 S2: let me explain. Paul warned me about not going beyond 743 00:41:40,010 --> 00:41:42,610 S2: the sign, and I paid close attention to his words. 744 00:41:42,969 --> 00:41:45,410 S2: But then a few days later, Paul went back to 745 00:41:45,410 --> 00:41:49,450 S2: the temple with some Jewish believers from outside Judea. Paul 746 00:41:49,450 --> 00:41:52,009 S2: was well known, but when the people inside the temple 747 00:41:52,170 --> 00:41:55,610 S2: saw these strangers with Paul, they assumed he brought me 748 00:41:55,610 --> 00:41:57,969 S2: into the inner court of the temple. Since they had 749 00:41:57,969 --> 00:42:00,770 S2: seen me with Paul just a few days earlier. From 750 00:42:00,770 --> 00:42:05,009 S2: the report I heard it became absolute pandemonium. Men of 751 00:42:05,010 --> 00:42:07,399 S2: Israel come to our aid. This is the man who 752 00:42:07,400 --> 00:42:10,480 S2: preaches to all men everywhere against our people and the 753 00:42:10,480 --> 00:42:14,320 S2: law and this place. And besides, he's even brought Greeks 754 00:42:14,480 --> 00:42:18,439 S2: into the temple and has defiled this holy place. I 755 00:42:18,440 --> 00:42:20,959 S2: saw the riot in Ephesus, and now I could hear 756 00:42:20,960 --> 00:42:24,400 S2: in the distance a similar riot in Jerusalem. But at 757 00:42:24,400 --> 00:42:26,680 S2: the time, I didn't realize the mob had taken hold 758 00:42:26,680 --> 00:42:29,080 S2: of Paul and dragged him out of the inner court, 759 00:42:29,080 --> 00:42:31,200 S2: and were getting ready to take him outside the temple 760 00:42:31,200 --> 00:42:34,920 S2: to stone him to death. A quick thinking Roman sentry 761 00:42:35,040 --> 00:42:37,680 S2: alerted the commander of the fortress that looked down on 762 00:42:37,680 --> 00:42:41,600 S2: the temple. The commander rescued Paul and well, let's just 763 00:42:41,600 --> 00:42:44,759 S2: say that's how Paul ended up in Rome. During the 764 00:42:44,760 --> 00:42:47,680 S2: two years he was held captive in Caesarea before his 765 00:42:47,680 --> 00:42:50,879 S2: journey to Rome, I returned to Ephesus to share the 766 00:42:50,880 --> 00:42:55,480 S2: remarkable story with our church there. Now, where was I? Oh, yes. 767 00:42:55,480 --> 00:42:57,520 S2: I wanted to tell you about my time in Jerusalem 768 00:42:57,520 --> 00:43:00,479 S2: with Paul, because it actually allowed me to help our 769 00:43:00,480 --> 00:43:04,340 S2: church in Ephesus. How, you might ask? Well, it happened 770 00:43:04,340 --> 00:43:07,580 S2: just last week after a four year absence. We received 771 00:43:07,580 --> 00:43:10,899 S2: a personal letter to our church from Paul. It was 772 00:43:10,900 --> 00:43:15,060 S2: hand carried by Tychicus, my fellow traveler, during our remarkable 773 00:43:15,060 --> 00:43:18,420 S2: journey with Paul. He had returned to Ephesus with me, 774 00:43:18,420 --> 00:43:20,420 S2: but several months ago we sent him to Rome to 775 00:43:20,460 --> 00:43:23,020 S2: visit Paul and take some money to help Paul with 776 00:43:23,020 --> 00:43:27,180 S2: his living expenses while under house arrest. Tychicus brought back 777 00:43:27,219 --> 00:43:31,299 S2: a letter from Paul, a God inspired message to our church. 778 00:43:31,739 --> 00:43:34,739 S2: We listened eagerly as Tychicus read from the scroll. It 779 00:43:34,739 --> 00:43:37,739 S2: was an amazing letter of triumph and hope. That is, 780 00:43:37,739 --> 00:43:40,739 S2: until we got to a passage that seemed confusing to some. 781 00:43:40,780 --> 00:43:43,859 S2: Here's what Paul wrote. But now in Christ, you who 782 00:43:43,900 --> 00:43:46,339 S2: formerly were far off have been brought near by the 783 00:43:46,340 --> 00:43:49,420 S2: blood of Christ. For he Himself is our peace, who 784 00:43:49,460 --> 00:43:52,780 S2: made both groups into one and broke down the barrier 785 00:43:52,780 --> 00:43:56,660 S2: of the dividing wall. The overall message was clear. Jesus 786 00:43:56,660 --> 00:44:00,219 S2: had provided access into God's presence for Gentiles as well 787 00:44:00,219 --> 00:44:03,330 S2: as Jews. The mystery was that in this new age, 788 00:44:03,330 --> 00:44:06,930 S2: both groups were part of one body, the church. But 789 00:44:06,930 --> 00:44:09,370 S2: someone asked aloud, what did Paul mean when he said 790 00:44:09,370 --> 00:44:12,250 S2: Jesus had broken down the barrier of the dividing wall? 791 00:44:12,930 --> 00:44:16,489 S2: Tychicus smiled and then looked at me. I understood immediately 792 00:44:16,489 --> 00:44:19,690 S2: he wanted me to answer. Well, I can explain that. 793 00:44:19,770 --> 00:44:21,969 S2: When I was in Jerusalem, I saw the barrier that 794 00:44:21,969 --> 00:44:25,170 S2: divided Jews and Gentiles in the temple that stands there. 795 00:44:25,690 --> 00:44:28,730 S2: Gentiles were only permitted so far and then their access 796 00:44:28,730 --> 00:44:31,290 S2: to God was blocked. But as I learned while there, 797 00:44:31,370 --> 00:44:34,330 S2: the closer one got to God's presence, the more limited 798 00:44:34,330 --> 00:44:37,489 S2: the access. Jewish women were permitted to get closer to 799 00:44:37,530 --> 00:44:40,569 S2: God than us Gentiles, but then their way was blocked. 800 00:44:40,770 --> 00:44:43,410 S2: Jewish men could get still closer, but only as far 801 00:44:43,410 --> 00:44:46,290 S2: as the altar. Priests could move between the altar and 802 00:44:46,290 --> 00:44:49,490 S2: the temple building itself, but only certain priests were allowed 803 00:44:49,489 --> 00:44:52,729 S2: inside the temple building into the holy place, and only 804 00:44:52,730 --> 00:44:55,410 S2: the high priest was allowed behind the veil into the 805 00:44:55,410 --> 00:44:58,210 S2: actual place where the presence of God was said to dwell. 806 00:44:58,770 --> 00:45:01,490 S2: And he was only allowed access one time each year 807 00:45:01,600 --> 00:45:04,279 S2: on the Day of Atonement. I believe Paul's using the 808 00:45:04,280 --> 00:45:07,520 S2: temple as an illustration to explain what Jesus has done 809 00:45:07,520 --> 00:45:10,600 S2: for us. The barrier, the wall that divided us and 810 00:45:10,600 --> 00:45:14,280 S2: kept us from God has been broken down and all believers, 811 00:45:14,280 --> 00:45:18,359 S2: Jews and Gentiles alike now have access to God through Jesus. 812 00:45:19,080 --> 00:45:20,960 S2: I must say that I was explaining that truth for 813 00:45:20,960 --> 00:45:22,920 S2: my own benefit, as well as for the others who 814 00:45:22,920 --> 00:45:25,800 S2: were listening, and I share it for your benefit as well. 815 00:45:26,280 --> 00:45:28,680 S2: Have you put your trust in Jesus as your Savior 816 00:45:28,680 --> 00:45:31,080 S2: and Lord? Do you believe that when he died on 817 00:45:31,080 --> 00:45:33,400 S2: the cross he was paying the price for your sin? 818 00:45:33,880 --> 00:45:36,080 S2: If you have not done so, why not place your 819 00:45:36,080 --> 00:45:39,320 S2: trust in him today? And if you have, then realize 820 00:45:39,320 --> 00:45:42,680 S2: the great privilege you've been given. You have access into 821 00:45:42,680 --> 00:45:46,560 S2: the very presence of God, his real dwelling place in heaven. 822 00:45:46,719 --> 00:45:49,799 S2: It doesn't matter what your race or ethnicity or gender. 823 00:45:50,000 --> 00:45:52,799 S2: The barrier has been broken down and the way into 824 00:45:52,840 --> 00:45:56,680 S2: God's presence is now open to you. Well, my friend, 825 00:45:56,680 --> 00:45:58,960 S2: I've talked too long, but I long for the day 826 00:45:58,960 --> 00:46:02,589 S2: when our paths will cross again. Until then, never forget 827 00:46:02,590 --> 00:46:06,430 S2: the access to God that Jesus has made available to you. 828 00:46:06,830 --> 00:46:10,110 S1: And if you have never made Jesus the person that's 829 00:46:10,110 --> 00:46:12,830 S1: well in charge of you, the Bible word is Savior. 830 00:46:12,830 --> 00:46:15,270 S1: Now's a great time to do that. The Bible says, 831 00:46:15,270 --> 00:46:18,870 S1: believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. 832 00:46:19,310 --> 00:46:21,270 S1: Why not talk to a friend, a volunteer who will 833 00:46:21,270 --> 00:46:23,710 S1: pray with you to help you receive Christ as you 834 00:46:23,750 --> 00:46:27,710 S1: call eight, eight eight need him? That's eight. Need him. 835 00:46:27,750 --> 00:46:30,310 S1: There's no cost. There's nothing to buy. So there's nothing 836 00:46:30,310 --> 00:46:36,069 S1: to sell. Just call 888. Need him. Charlie, appreciate that devotional. 837 00:46:36,070 --> 00:46:37,989 S1: And we want to say thanks to this station for 838 00:46:37,989 --> 00:46:40,950 S1: providing air time to the land and the book. I'm 839 00:46:40,950 --> 00:46:43,550 S1: John Geiger on behalf of our host, Charlie Dyer, our producer, 840 00:46:43,550 --> 00:46:46,150 S1: Dan Anderson. Thank you for being with us. We look 841 00:46:46,150 --> 00:46:48,750 S1: forward to another broadcast with you next week here at 842 00:46:48,750 --> 00:46:51,350 S1: the same time at The Land and the book, a 843 00:46:51,350 --> 00:46:54,950 S1: production of Moody Radio, a ministry of Moody Bible Institute.