S1: You've seen the dramatic footage, you've read the headlines America
S1: and Israel's Attempts to destroy Iran's Nuclear weapons. If you've
S1: noticed an increasing number of stories, though, present conflicting viewpoints,
S1: how do we sift through all the spin to find
S1: the truth? Well, that's our conversation next. Welcome to the
S1: land and the book with Middle East scholar Doctor Charlie Dyer.
S1: I'm John Geiger, and we're about to take a look
S1: at the major stories coming out of the Middle East,
S1: including an in-depth look at the situation in Iran. First, though,
S1: Romans 116 says the gospel is to the Jew first
S1: and also to the Gentile. But how do you share
S1: the good news with a Jewish person because of cultural, historical,
S1: and religious differences? It's sometimes challenging to navigate a gospel
S1: conversation with somebody from a Jewish background. You ever wondered
S1: how the professionals do it?
S2: Well, to answer that question, our friends at Life in
S2: Messiah want to mail you samples of the tracks their
S2: staff use as they share the gospel. This will serve
S2: a dual purpose of equipping you with methods of presenting
S2: the gospel, while also supplying you with tracks you can
S2: share with your Jewish friends and neighbors. Life in Messiah's
S2: Prayer is that these tracks will help further the spread
S2: of the gospel among the Jewish people. To receive this
S2: helpful assortment of tracks, all you need to do is
S2: visit Life in Messiah org and click on the radio
S2: button there for more information. That's life in Messiah. Don't
S2: miss out on this great opportunity.
S1: And now let's swing our focus toward current events in
S1: the Middle East. America's strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities last
S1: weekend took the war between Israel and Iran in a
S1: dramatically different direction. What impact would those strikes have, though
S1: long term, on the current conflict?
S2: Well, the strikes demonstrated the willingness of President Trump to
S2: actively intervene to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. When
S2: Iran rejected giving up nuclear enrichment. President Trump followed through
S2: on his threat. Now that message was heard by Iran
S2: and by everyone else in the Middle East. Two days later,
S2: the president was able to announce a cease fire, ending
S2: the 12 day war with Israel as the clear winner.
S2: In spite of what Iran is saying, Iran's nuclear program
S2: was hit hard. Its stockpiles of missiles and launchers have
S2: been degraded and much of the leadership has been eliminated. Now,
S2: this doesn't mean the Islamic Republic of Iran will be overthrown,
S2: or that they'll now give up their nuclear ambitions. Ayatollah
S2: Khamenei is 86 years old and has health issues, so
S2: he might not be around too much longer. But another
S2: ayatollah will likely be chosen to replace him. Iran could
S2: experience a time of internal unrest, but the Islamic Revolutionary
S2: Guard Corps and the army, at least right now, continue
S2: to support the ayatollahs. If the Islamic Republic stays in power,
S2: it will continue trying to develop nuclear weapons. Theologically, the
S2: ayatollahs are committed to the destruction of Israel to help
S2: bring in the Mahdi, their Islamic messiah. Now, all that
S2: to say, Iran's long term goals haven't changed, but their
S2: ability to rebuild their nuclear facilities and to fund and
S2: support terror groups has been greatly diminished. One key question
S2: still to be answered is what has become of that
S2: £900 of enriched uranium? That's enough to ultimately build ten
S2: nuclear bombs. And right now, there is no clear answer.
S2: Iran's retaliatory attack in response to the U.S. destruction of
S2: its nuclear sites was minimal. It had telegraphed it in advance,
S2: and it was ineffective. It was designed to give Iran
S2: a face saving way to bring the conflict to an end,
S2: without provoking further U.S. action. And the missiles they launched
S2: against Israel after the start of the cease fire were
S2: also intended as a face saving measure. Israel responded with
S2: a token attack just to let them know it can
S2: and will still hold them accountable. Now we need to
S2: watch and see if a cease fire can be brokered
S2: between Israel and Hamas as a result of the end
S2: of this conflict, and hopefully free the remaining hostages and
S2: bring that conflict to an end. But it does look
S2: like things might finally start to calm down in the region,
S2: at least temporarily. And that would be welcome news for many.
S1: That's doctor Charlie Dyer. I'm John Yeager. This is the
S1: land and the book. A look at current events from
S1: the Middle East. As always at the top of our
S1: weekly get together. Well, the focus for weeks has been
S1: on Israel and Iran, of course, but what's been happening
S1: in some of the other countries in the region. Can
S1: you give us a brief flyover?
S2: Well, Turkey's economy continues to struggle. Their treasury and finance
S2: minister went on social media to try to address concerns
S2: over the impact of the war between Israel and Iran
S2: on Turkey's economy. He offered lots of assurances, but really
S2: few specifics. Meanwhile, five district mayors were suspended from office
S2: and arrested in President Erdogan's continuing crackdown on political opponents.
S2: These actions just continue to cause unrest throughout Turkey. Syria
S2: is struggling with the resurgence of ISIS and other Islamic
S2: terrorist groups. Last Sunday, a suicide bomber killed 25 people
S2: and injured dozens of others inside a church on the
S2: outskirts of Damascus. And speaking of terrorism, it could also
S2: be on the rise in Iraq. Iraq addressed its growing
S2: prison overcrowding by granting amnesty to 19,000 prisoners, including members
S2: of ISIS, who had been convicted on terrorism related charges.
S2: Iraqi forces intercepted messengers from Syria with instructions for ISIS
S2: members in Iraq to launch attacks. And authorities in Iraq
S2: tracked down and killed a suicide bomber just before he
S2: was able to detonate his explosive belt in a crowded restaurant,
S2: finally moving to Libya, a truce put in place in
S2: Tripoli to stop the fighting between the different armed groups.
S2: There remains rather shaky. The problem is that security in
S2: Libya's capital has been effectively outsourced to different armed groups
S2: with official sounding names, but actually little loyalty to the state.
S2: These countries, all of them, seem to vacillate between internal
S2: chaos and corruption, or strict control under a dominant central leader. Unfortunately,
S2: neither option bodes well for their long term stability.
S1: Here's an interesting story. Archaeologists announced the discovery of a
S1: 1700 year old sarcophagus in Caesarea. What do we know
S1: about this rather unusual discovery?
S2: Well, the sarcophagus dates back to the Roman era and
S2: apparently belonged to someone of great wealth. It's carved out
S2: of white marble, which isn't native to Israel. It was
S2: likely quarried and carved in northwestern Turkey and then shipped
S2: to Caesarea by boat. The other thing that makes the
S2: sarcophagus so unique is the carving on the outside, which
S2: depicts a scene from Greek mythology showing a drinking contest
S2: between Heracles or we might call him Hercules and Dionysus,
S2: the god of wine. The sarcophagus was uncovered outside the
S2: walled area of Caesarea. A mausoleum had been built in
S2: connection with the sarcophagus, with mosaic floors and other decorations.
S2: Apparently some inscriptions were also uncovered during the excavations, but
S2: those details have not yet been made public. Right now,
S2: we don't know the nature of the person who had
S2: the sarcophagus carved and brought to Caesarea. Apart from the
S2: fact that he was probably a wealthy pagan who perhaps
S2: loved to drink. But there is one other detail. A
S2: few hundred years after the sarcophagus and mausoleum were built,
S2: the site where they were located fell into disrepair and
S2: became part of the city dump. It's a good reminder,
S2: I guess, that our best efforts for lasting fame here
S2: in this life are only an illusion. It reminds me
S2: of the words of that great missionary CT Studd. Only
S2: one life. Twill soon be past. Only what's done for
S2: Christ will last. Mm.
S1: Great perspective. How about perpetual power for robots? Well, that's
S1: the vision propelling Israeli startup Kapow and its plan to
S1: develop a flexible power transfer system for any robotic fleet.
S1: Tell us more about this rather unusual innovation from amazing Israel.
S2: You know, John, this is a system that when you
S2: see it in action, you slap the side of your
S2: head and say, now, why didn't I think of that?
S2: Robotics are becoming part of everyday life in more industries.
S2: From Amazon's order fulfillment centers to the robotic delivery of
S2: parts inside auto assembly plants. But the downside to having
S2: so many robots is that you have to plan on
S2: downtime for each one to allow for recharging, along with
S2: allocating space for those robots to sit idle while being charged.
S2: On average, each robot needs to charge for an hour.
S2: After working for three. So if you need to have
S2: 100 robots working at any one time, you need to
S2: invest in a fleet of 130 robots to allow for
S2: those offline. That's what led a professor at Ben-Gurion University
S2: to develop Kapow! A cartoon sounding word that stands for
S2: capacitive power. A he and his team developed a wireless
S2: power in motion platform that allows a robotic fleet to
S2: receive a sip of energy while passing over the strategically
S2: placed charging pads. And they developed a floor planner app
S2: to help companies place these charging pads at strategic locations,
S2: so robots are charged while going about their regular routine.
S2: The system can be installed on concrete, metal, wood or
S2: on shelving. And it's been demonstrated to work with more
S2: than 20 types of robotic families, reduce the initial investment
S2: in a company's fleet of robots, and reclaim floor space
S2: lost to charging zones, all by installing a headache free
S2: plug and play seamless energy solution that charges the robots
S2: as they drive up and down warehouse aisles. This is
S2: another great innovation from Amazing Israel and if you're interested,
S2: Google Kapow! Kapow! To watch videos of the system in action.
S1: Hey, who wrote the Bible? Scholars say a new algorithm
S1: may shatter scholarly certainty on the subject. What's the truth
S1: behind these claims, Charlie?
S2: Well, let's just say I'm underwhelmed. And this so-called announcement,
S2: it really tries to use computer algorithms and use fancy
S2: words like that to help people think that there's somehow
S2: difference in the Bible, but in reality, it's just an
S2: old system dressed up. Uh, how did they do it?
S2: They took specific words like the word no and said,
S2: that has to be connected with Deuteronomy. Uh, well, commands
S2: in Deuteronomy all start with no, uh, it uses the
S2: word gold and said, that must be a priestly thing.
S2: But when you talk about the ark or the temple,
S2: you end up with gold. So, uh, if you hear
S2: about this system, don't believe it. It's really not that important,
S2: but it made the headlines.
S1: Coming up on the land and the book, A conversation
S1: with Rob West about tearing down the idols of money.
S1: The Bible contains more than 2300 references to money and possessions,
S1: which means what you think about stuff. What you do
S1: with your stuff is big stuff to him. So how
S1: can we really know we're on a biblical track with
S1: our finances? This is the land and the book. I'm
S1: John Gager coming up. We're going to get in your
S1: face about what's in your wallet first. Join me in
S1: thinking through how we can maybe better connect. In a
S1: gospel conversation with a Jewish friend. Eva Rydell is on
S1: staff with Chosen People Ministries and has joined us today
S1: in the studio here on the land of the book.
S1: And I got a question for you, Eva, with so
S1: much resistance on the part of Jewish people to the
S1: notion of Jesus as Messiah, what can we, as lovers
S1: of Jesus, do to make him more appealing?
S3: Ah, great question. I think, first of all, I think
S3: we should pray. You know, it says in Psalm 122 four,
S3: pray for the peace of Jerusalem. And I think that
S3: does mean literally for the city of Jerusalem, the land
S3: of Israel. But it also means for our individual Jewish friends,
S3: we should pray for them. And do you know the
S3: only verse in the whole Bible that talks about praying
S3: for the salvation of people? It's in Romans ten when
S3: it says, my heart's desire and prayer to God for
S3: Israel is that they might be saved. Yeah. The command
S3: in the Scripture is pray for the salvation of Jewish people.
S3: So I think that's the first thing. Pray by name.
S3: Pray believing. Ask for opportunities. Ask for clarity. Ask for boldness.
S3: Pray for their understanding of who Messiah is. They'll come
S3: to that faith point. And secondly is be bold. You know.
S3: Lovingly share your life and your love of Jesus with
S3: your Jewish friends. Again, start with felt need, not with
S3: messianic prophecy that comes later, but start with those areas
S3: of commonality, of where people are facing the pavement of
S3: life and say, you know, God works for me here,
S3: and he works for you too. And Jesus is God.
S1: Pray boldly and speak lovingly.
S3: Exactly. Perfectly put.
S1: Eva Rydell is with Chosen People Ministries. Rob West is
S1: the host of Faith and Finance Live, heard on more
S1: than 900 radio outlets every day, including Moody Radio. Rob
S1: also serves as the president of Kingdom Advisors, an international
S1: community of financial professionals who are specialists in delivering biblically
S1: wise financial advice. Rob serves as primary spokesman for the
S1: organization and he gives leadership to a strategy there. Rob
S1: and his wife, Julie, live in Marietta, Georgia with their
S1: four children. And I know I'm about to have a
S1: great day at Moody Radio whenever Rob West is in
S1: the studio. Thanks for connecting with us today, Rob.
S4: John, my friend, great to be with you.
S1: Well, Rob, our program, of course, is called The Land
S1: and the book. Issues related to money and possessions, though,
S1: are found in almost every chapter of the book. Genesis
S1: two describes the land of Havilah, which is filled with gold,
S1: and in chapter 23 of that first book, we see
S1: the first financial transaction involving a purchase of land. And
S1: of course, very few pages in the entire Bible are
S1: without some kind of reference to finances. So my question
S1: why does God care so much about what we do
S1: with our money and possessions?
S4: Oh, it's such a great question, John. And, you know,
S4: I have found and I've spent my entire professional career
S4: at the intersection of faith and finance, that our financial
S4: journey is one of the key ways that God shapes
S4: our spiritual journey. And I think the reason is that
S4: money issues are hard issues. You remember what Jesus said?
S4: He says, for where your treasure is, there your heart
S4: will be also. So our heart follows our money. And
S4: if you think about it, John, the way we allocate
S4: God's resources and it all belongs to him, That's the
S4: one big idea we need to begin with, and therefore
S4: we're stewards. Or if you translate that word in the
S4: New Testament, Oikonomos, where the household manager of the King
S4: of kings. We're then charged with being found faithful with
S4: God's resources. And our hearts are so interconnected to this
S4: issue that I think that's why it's front and center.
S4: That's why Jesus is not only using it as an illustration,
S4: there's also plenty of direct teaching about money, because when
S4: we take this good gift and allow it to occupy
S4: first position in our lives, well, it competes with God
S4: for lordship. We worship the creation over the creator, and
S4: that's when we have real problems.
S1: Well, if you visit the Kingdom Advisors website, which you
S1: definitely should, there's a big, bold question that you're immediately
S1: confronted with I love this. What if we live as
S1: if God owns it all? Now, Rob, I saw that
S1: and I began thinking, we can't even take a single
S1: breath without God's enabling. So how do we almost instinctively
S1: reach the outrageous conclusion that, quote, our money is ours?
S4: Yeah. Exactly right. And it comes down to pride. And
S4: I think so often we think about the things that
S4: we have, the resources that we have as if they
S4: are from our own doing. And, you know, I go
S4: to the the parable of the rich fool. I mean,
S4: listen to what he says here. He he says the
S4: land of a rich man produced plentifully. And he thought
S4: to himself, what shall I do? For I have nowhere
S4: to store my crops. And he says, I will do this.
S4: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones.
S4: And there I will store all my grain and my goods.
S4: I mean, he uses the word I or my nine
S4: times in two verses. Wow. And I think, you know,
S4: we can point fingers and say, oh, he's got it
S4: all wrong. But how often do we do that in
S4: our own lives where we take credit for something that
S4: is ultimately God's?
S1: Yeah, it's either me and mine or him and his.
S4: That's right.
S1: Rob West is the host of Faith and Finance Live.
S1: He's also president of Kingdom Advisors, and we're focused today
S1: on tearing down the idol of money. Rob, you've written
S1: that Jesus talked a lot about money because it's a
S1: chief competitor for our hearts. What is it about money
S1: that makes us want to idolize it, though?
S4: Well, if you think about it, we have this God
S4: sized hole in our hearts. We were created for abundance,
S4: and we try to stuff all kinds of things in
S4: that space, thinking it will provide lasting fulfillment and contentment
S4: and significance. And I think money is one of those
S4: primary competitors. The late Tim Keller said in his book
S4: Counterfeit Gods that money is the most common counterfeit God.
S4: He said, I've had every sin confessed in my office,
S4: save one, and it's the sin of greed. And I
S4: think it's because we try to redeem greed in the
S4: name of the American dream. And we've just got to
S4: be careful there, because really, it's about making God our
S4: ultimate treasure. When we treasure him above everything else and
S4: realize that he is our abundance, he is the thing
S4: that will provide fulfillment and significance. And then we put
S4: money in its proper place as a tool to accomplish
S4: God's purposes. Well, that changes everything. Yeah.
S1: I want to go back to that Luke 12 parable
S1: you mentioned of the the farmer with his bumper crop.
S1: He was going to build bigger barns. And, and you know,
S1: the God says of him, you fool, tonight your life
S1: will be required of you. I think of the chilling words, though,
S1: that are at the end of that parable. And Jesus
S1: condemns this man's outlook with these words. So it will
S1: be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself and
S1: is not rich in relation to God. Boy, that's a
S1: chilling thought to be to be rich in treasures for ourselves,
S1: but not in relation to God. That's that's a poverty
S1: that you don't really recover from.
S4: No, that's exactly right. And I think that's why this
S4: parable is so poignant. Listen to these words from author
S4: Paul David Tripp. He writes, what the Bible clearly teaches
S4: is that when functional, life shaping love for money and
S4: what it allows you to acquire and enjoy squeezes out
S4: of your heart the functional, life shaping love for God
S4: that was designed to be the organizing principle of your life.
S4: Then you're a person in deep spiritual trouble. He goes
S4: on to say, money is one of God's good creations,
S4: but this good thing becomes a bad thing for you
S4: when it becomes a ruling thing. He finishes by saying,
S4: you simply cannot serve the King of Kings, and have
S4: the acquisition of wealth as the organizing dream of your heart.
S4: You see, John, if God is our ultimate treasure, our
S4: life will reflect God's character to the world as image
S4: bearers of this relational and generous God. One beautiful and
S4: tangible way we exhibit our love for God is through
S4: our financial decisions, and it's ultimately about making God our
S4: ultimate treasure and again, putting money in its proper place.
S1: Boy, what a quote there. The organizing dream of your heart.
S1: That's great. Hey, thanks for connecting with us today on
S1: the land and the book. I'm John Yeager. Our guest.
S1: Rob West has a massive ax in his hands. That's
S1: because he's helping us chop down the idol of money.
S1: All right, Rob, for somebody who is serious about wanting
S1: to tear down the idol of money, what's step one?
S4: Well, we've got to change our perspective. It really does
S4: come down to this idea that we started with today, John,
S4: and that is that God is the owner of everything.
S4: I own nothing, but I have stewardship responsibilities. You and
S4: I are money managers for the King of Kings. That's
S4: a high calling. We have to start there. But I
S4: think if we're if we're going to break through the
S4: stronghold that money can have over us, remember, it's a
S4: good gift. But there is a seduction of wealth that
S4: the Bible talks about. And if we're going to break
S4: through that, I think generosity is one of the keys
S4: to that. Giving actually breaks the grip of money over
S4: our lives. When we hold it loosely, we're saying, God,
S4: I trust you. You are my provider and therefore I
S4: can give it away and be a part of your
S4: activity in the world, knowing that you will continue to
S4: provide and just watch as that stronghold of money begins
S4: to just fall away.
S1: You know, as I listen to this conversation with you, Rob,
S1: I'm struck by the fact that that it seems like maybe, maybe.
S1: And I'll let you be the judge here. You're the expert.
S1: Pride is the issue more than stuff. You see, the
S1: moment we believe that we have stuff, that we are
S1: the owners. Well, that gives us a significance. That gives
S1: us a place, it gives us position. But when we
S1: realize we have nothing, we own nothing. It's all God's.
S1: That puts us in a position of undeniable humility. So
S1: is it not maybe the ultimate sin being pride as
S1: opposed to possessions themselves?
S4: I think you're exactly right. I mean, if we go
S4: back to that rich man in Jesus parable, he's not
S4: being a faithful steward because a faithful steward understands that
S4: the Lord is the source of financial blessings. So instead
S4: of feeling proud about our Possessions. We use our resources
S4: to glorify God and serve others, and I think that's
S4: where we so often miss the mark by taking credit
S4: for our success and then using God's money to serve ourselves.
S4: That's both proud and greedy. We need to flip the
S4: script and be rich toward God.
S1: This is the land and the book. I'm John Gager.
S1: Glad to be hanging out with one of my very
S1: favorite people, Rob West. Rob serves as president of Kingdom Advisors.
S1: He's also the host of Faith and Finance Live. All right.
S1: A second step or third step for somebody serious about
S1: wanting to tear down the idol of money.
S4: So once we understand God owns it all and we're
S4: giving generously, then we need to recognize that God has
S4: given us instructions in His Word about how we're to
S4: handle money. And, you know, we have to live within
S4: God's provision. We live in a world that allows us
S4: to live beyond that through the use of debt. And
S4: so I think taking this next step of saying, I'm
S4: going to rightsize size my spending in a way that
S4: allows me to live within God's provision. But even more
S4: than that, John, the way we allocate our money tells
S4: a story about what's most important to us. And here's
S4: the question do you agree with the story? Your money
S4: is telling about what's truly most important to you, and
S4: if not, what changes do we need to make? So
S4: I think after we build in that rhythm of generosity,
S4: we've got to take a hard look at how we're
S4: actually allocating God's resources.
S1: It seems to me we can't or won't be successful
S1: at tearing down the idol of money. Apart from a
S1: switch in focus where heaven becomes the driving force. Your response?
S4: Yeah, that's exactly right. I mean, ultimately, when we treasure
S4: God above everything else, our finances are one of the
S4: most tangible expressions of that. I love what Ron Blue,
S4: one of my mentors and the the author of more
S4: than 20 books on biblical finance. He says money is
S4: a tool to accomplish God's purposes. It's a test to
S4: see if we're going to allow it to to rival
S4: our hearts for devotion to God. But it's also a
S4: testimony to the world, because how we handle God's money
S4: is really a testimony as to our trust and our
S4: devotion to God. Are we going? Even in the midst
S4: of uncertainty, to continue to trust God and handle his
S4: money appropriately and even continue to give? What an opportunity.
S1: At your website you've got a really great resource called
S1: Wisdom Over Wealth 12 Lessons on Money from Ecclesiastes. Describe that.
S4: Yeah. So we took a deep dive into this incredible
S4: book where the preacher really talks about the brevity of
S4: life and celebrates the idea that we can use the
S4: brevity of life. This five minutes we have on the
S4: summit of life, to think about how much pain we're
S4: in from trekking up the mountain, or to really focus
S4: on how great and vast and amazing God is, and
S4: worship him and put everything in its proper perspective. It's
S4: ultimately about wisdom over wealth. And here's the secret, John.
S4: Wisdom is found in a person and his name is Jesus.
S1: All right. I'm going to invite you to point people
S1: to your website where you have not just this resource,
S1: but many more, including an app that people can download,
S1: talk just for a minute about what people can do
S1: if they want to make this personal, this idea of
S1: tearing down the idol of money. How can you resource
S1: our listeners? Rob.
S4: Well, if you head to Faith. Com that's faith. Philly.com.
S4: You'll find a lot of great resources there, including content
S4: that I think John leans into this idea of changing
S4: your perspective. Remember, we've got to get away from this
S4: idea that everything we have is ours and accept our
S4: role as a steward, and there are real implications to that.
S4: And I think a lot of the resources there will
S4: help you down that path. And then to your point,
S4: not only the studies and the devotionals, like our new one,
S4: Wisdom Over Wealth, but also the app that will allow
S4: you on a daily basis to put a plan together
S4: that truly reflects what's most important to you as a
S4: Christ follower, as you make daily financial decisions.
S1: All right, one more time. The website is.
S4: Faith. Com that's faith. Philly.com.
S1: All right. And that's Rob West, president of Kingdom Advisors.
S1: You can also hear him daily on the program Faith
S1: and Finance Live. Great to have you with us today, Rob.
S4: John, always a pleasure.
S1: Well, coming up, it's another set of Bible questions, always
S1: something that somebody thought about that maybe you have too,
S1: but never got an answer to. It's next on the
S1: land and the book. Welcome back to the land and
S1: the book segment three. I'm John Gager, honored to be
S1: sitting down with Doctor Gerald Peterman. How long have you
S1: been teaching at the Moody Bible Institute, sir?
S5: Oh, wow. I'm so thankful. 23 years. Wow.
S1: That's a lot of classes. A lot of students and
S1: a lot of questions that have been asked of you.
S5: And a lot of really good times. Yes, indeed.
S1: Well, questions and answers are what this segment is all about.
S1: We're looking forward to digging into a whole collection of
S1: questions that have come in via email. You know, Romans
S1: 116 says that the gospel is to the Jew first
S1: and also to the Gentile. So the question here is,
S1: how do you share the gospel with a Jewish person?
S1: Because of cultural, historical and religious differences, it sometimes rather
S1: challenging to navigate a gospel conversation with someone from a
S1: Jewish background. You ever wondered how the professionals do it?
S5: To answer this question, our friends at Life and Messiah
S5: want to mail you samples of the tracks their staff
S5: use as they share the gospel. This will serve a
S5: dual purpose of equipping you with methods of presenting the gospel,
S5: and also supplying you with tracks you can share with
S5: your Jewish friends and neighbors. Life in Messiah's Prayer is
S5: that these tracks will further the spread of the gospel
S5: among the Jewish people. To receive this helpful assortment of tracks,
S5: all you need to do is visit Life in Messiah
S5: Org and click on the Moody Radio button for more information.
S5: That's life in Messiah. Don't miss out on this great opportunity.
S1: Yeah, I think that's a neat idea. A helpful assortment
S1: of tracks there that you can use. Probably one very
S1: specifically tailored for your friend. All right. Our first question
S1: of the day is from Todd, who takes us to
S1: numbers chapter 20. There Balak warns Balaam, you got to
S1: say those right. Keep them straight, Balak and Balaam. He
S1: warns Balaam to go with him and to curse Israel.
S1: So why in numbers 2220 was Balaam told by God
S1: to go? And then under God's anger, because he went?
S5: It's a little bit of a puzzle, isn't it? It's
S5: hard to know with certainty, but we get a hint
S5: from second Peter 215, where the apostle says that Balaam
S5: loved the wages of unrighteousness. That is, he loves an
S5: evil way of making money. Balak promised to greatly honor Balaam.
S5: This is numbers 2217, and Jewish tradition believes that Balaam's
S5: fairly quick response to Balak indicates his eagerness to curse Israel,
S5: and that's what Balak wants. So it appears to me
S5: that Balaam wrongly assumed that God would allow him to
S5: curse Israel so he could get a bunch of financial reward.
S5: And the Lord was angry. And of course, Balaam learns
S5: otherwise as he continues to travel on his donkey.
S1: All right, Earls question. He says on a previous Q&A segment,
S1: the question was asked, why doesn't Satan repent knowing that
S1: he is lost? He says, I think the degree of
S1: his evil is beyond forgiveness, as you said on the radio.
S1: But I'd like to add a thought isn't Satan guilty
S1: of constant blasphemy ongoing? Or is it just pride?
S5: You know, I really appreciate this follow up. Listeners are
S5: listening and they're engaged. Isn't that wonderful? Yeah, I think
S5: the short answer to that question is yes, our enemy
S5: is a horrific blasphemer. If we go to revelation 13,
S5: we find that a beast will arise. He has been
S5: given great authority by the dragon. And then we read
S5: later in revelation 13 six that the beast opened its
S5: mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and
S5: his dwelling. Then revelation 20 identifies the dragon as that
S5: ancient serpent as the devil and Satan. So Earl is right.
S5: The beast blasphemes because the dragon Blasphemes.
S1: Yeonmi's question is based in John chapter six verse 21.
S1: She says, can you please explain this first? I'm confused.
S5: Well, let's read the verse. Yeah, that will help us.
S5: I think in John six, our Lord Jesus walks on
S5: water and then he steals a storm. Amazing stuff. And
S5: then 621 says, then they were glad to take him
S5: into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the
S5: land to which they were going. This looks like a
S5: further miracle. Yeah. First he walks on the water, then
S5: he stills the storm, and then the boat comes right
S5: away to where they were going. But you know what?
S5: I suspect that this verse, John 621, is an allusion
S5: to Psalm 107 and the great works of God amongst
S5: his people, especially Psalm 107, verse 30. It says. Then
S5: they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he
S5: brought them to their desired haven.
S1: You know, listening to you read that passage and sort
S1: of highlight that detail there makes me wonder how many
S1: other smaller miracles, quote unquote, things that were missing in
S1: our readings of Scripture.
S5: Oh, I wouldn't doubt it, because many times we read shallowly,
S5: even I sometimes just kind of read half awake. But
S5: I think if we pay close attention, God will bring
S5: things to mind. Yeah.
S1: And not only that, you know, we're told in Scripture
S1: many other things Jesus did that were if they were recorded,
S1: they wouldn't be room for them all.
S5: Oh, even the world couldn't hold all the books. Yeah, right.
S1: Amazing. All right. Eric wants to know, can you explain
S1: what the author of Hebrews is getting at in Hebrews 12,
S1: verses 25 through 29? What are the applications, if any,
S1: that we can draw from these verses?
S5: Oh, Hebrews is a wonderful book, and I really appreciate
S5: what Doctor Ron Sauer does on this portion in the
S5: Moody Bible Commentary when he explains it. The writer warns
S5: in verse 25 that we should not refuse the God
S5: who is speaking to them from the Old Testament in
S5: the gospel and in this letter. And he refers back
S5: to Israel at Mount Sinai, and how if they didn't
S5: listen to Moses, they were punished. And that means if
S5: we do not listen to God, the one who speaks
S5: from heaven will be punished. To our listeners are familiar
S5: with the book of Hebrews, and how many times it
S5: warns about falling away. And this particular passage is the
S5: last warning about falling away in Hebrews. So the writer
S5: of Hebrews actually draws the application for us in the
S5: last two verses of this passage. First, we should be
S5: thankful to God for rescuing us in Christ, and then
S5: we should offer him acceptable service with fear and reverence.
S5: That's our proper conclusion.
S1: So far, we've already talked about Balak and Balaam. We've
S1: been to Hebrews. We've been to John, the gospel of John,
S1: a question about Satan, just all kinds of great, great,
S1: great questions. And yours is welcome, by the way, at
S1: the land and the book at Moody's. That's a mouthful.
S1: Let me slow it down. The land and the book
S1: at Moody's. How long does it take to get an answer?
S5: Somewhere between two days and a week.
S1: Okay.
S5: It depends on, you know, what else is going on
S5: in my life. Okay. How many exams after grade?
S1: But you you will get an answer.
S5: You'll get an answer. Hang in there. Pray. Pray for me.
S5: All right.
S1: This question from Isagani, who says Ezekiel 45 through 48
S1: are confusing me. As we studied this book during our
S1: Bible study, it was said that the chapters pertained to
S1: the millennial reign. If that's true, why is there a
S1: need for sacrifices then?
S5: That's a really good question, and many wonder about this question.
S5: I do think that these chapters about a new temple
S5: are referring to the millennial reign. And then we have
S5: to ask ourselves the question, then why would there be?
S5: Why would there be sacrifices? Well, I take it that
S5: the sacrifices are going to look back to Christ and
S5: be illustrations of the work he has done. In other words,
S5: the sacrifices during the millennium are not atoning sacrifices. As
S5: a matter of fact, during the Old Testament period, when
S5: the sacrifices were being given, they weren't atoning either. The
S5: writer of Hebrews tells us that it's impossible for the
S5: blood of goats and bulls to take away sins. Only
S5: the death of Christ can do this. So during the millennium,
S5: you will find regular Jewish worship going on in memory
S5: of Messiah. We should also remember that the early church
S5: Acts two and following those Jewish believers, those Jewish believers
S5: in Messiah Jesus didn't abandon temple worship. As a matter
S5: of fact, they engaged in it regularly. Acts two, acts three,
S5: acts five. And furthermore, that is, they didn't see the
S5: ongoing sacrifices being given in and that is some reason
S5: to stay away.
S1: Dave takes us to Psalm 119, verse 102, where the
S1: psalmist declares, I have not departed from your laws, for
S1: you yourself have taught me. And here's the question in
S1: what sense does God teach individuals, when so many have
S1: created so many denominations over differing interpretations of God's Word?
S5: Well, I appreciate Dave's question. It is a little bit
S5: frustrating for us, but the Psalm itself actually doesn't give
S5: us an answer to this question. That is you, Lord,
S5: teach me. So let's think back through the Old Testament.
S5: How has God taught his people? He's taught his people
S5: through prophets. He's taught his people through the Word of God,
S5: through Scripture. He's taught his people through the Levitical priesthood.
S5: They were to learn Scripture and they were to teach
S5: it to others. So he's often taught his people through agents.
S5: He's often used agents to teach his people. As a
S5: matter of fact, I think that's the typical way. And
S5: so let me give you another example from Corinthians. That
S5: is certainly Paul taught the Corinthians. He he was with
S5: them at least twice. He wrote them at least four letters.
S5: Now how well did they catch on? Well, some of
S5: them caught on pretty well. Some of them didn't catch
S5: on pretty well. So being taught, even being taught by
S5: an apostle spirit inspired. Giving you the commandments of God
S5: doesn't guarantee that we pick up on it. So to
S5: get back to the concern of this questioner, why so
S5: many denominations? I think that's a tragic that's very sad
S5: for us. One of the reasons why we don't listen
S5: to what God has taught.
S1: Yeah. Well, I think you've touched on it. Well, there
S1: the fact of the matter is, even if it's Jesus
S1: himself in the room explaining a passage, some of us
S1: are going to walk away with things he never said. Yes, yes.
S1: And so that's part of the reason. It isn't that
S1: God has failed to speak or God has failed to teach.
S1: We have failed to learn.
S5: Oh, John, that's a that's a really good point that
S5: I should have brought in myself. Folks, you love the Gospels.
S5: Keep reading the Gospels. Jesus teaches. And then sometimes people ask, what?
S5: What did that mean? Yeah, tell us what that means,
S5: you know. So even being taught by God does not
S5: necessarily mean you always get it.
S1: Well, I hope you've enjoyed this conversation as much as
S1: I have. Maybe you'd like to hear it all again.
S1: It's available as part of our podcast at The Land
S1: and the books. Share that podcast with your friends too.
S1: And while you're doing that, let them know that they
S1: can ask their Bible question as well. With an email
S1: to the land and the book at Moody's. That's the
S1: land and the book at Moody's. Don't go away. Charlie
S1: Dyer's devotional is coming up right here on the land
S1: and the book. Presenting a quiz from your friends at
S1: the land and the book. Fasten your seat belts. Here
S1: we go. Can you identify the source of this quote? When?
S1: In the course of human events. I'll say it again. When?
S1: In the course of human events. What does that come from?
S1: If you guess the Declaration of Independence. You're right. And, Charlie,
S1: there is a different declaration of independence and dependence that
S1: we're headed to in today's devotional, I understand.
S2: You're exactly right, John. We're going to hear about a
S2: Declaration of Independence before ours.
S1: Okay. I'll look forward to that conversation after we listen
S1: to this testimony from an Israel traveler who shares this
S1: with you and me.
S6: I'm Candy lamb from Irving, Texas. I came here in
S6: the late 90s. There have been a lot of changes,
S6: a lot more people, a lot more conflict that's going on.
S6: But I still always felt safe. The thing about this
S6: trip is that we have uncovered Covered more and more
S6: about what the scriptures say about where the places are.
S6: It's just been phenomenal to really know the deep history
S6: and the perfect planning of God's people. We studied the
S6: Tabernacle last year and I saw what a detailed person
S6: our God is. And he certainly is, even today in Israel.
S7: I'm all good. Griffin from Vail, Colorado. And for me,
S7: this trip was about the moments and the people. Each
S7: spot had a special moment and an aha moment as
S7: well as each dinner, each breakfast, each bus ride had
S7: special people on it, and they taught me and shared
S7: their stories with me. And it was great.
S1: We're headed for Second Kings Chapter ten today on the
S1: land and the book. In this fourth and final segment, Charlie,
S1: take it away with your devotional.
S2: Okay, well, this coming week is the 4th of July.
S2: The fireworks displays are getting set up. The charcoal briquettes
S2: are ready to be lit. The hamburgers and hot dogs
S2: have all been purchased and are ready to be devoured.
S2: The parades are organized and the flags are starting to
S2: be unfurled. Yep. Independence day is just about here. This
S2: 249th celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence
S2: looks back at a key moment in our nation's history.
S2: But today, I want to look at a declaration of independence.
S2: Independence that took place 2859 years ago. So for those
S2: who remember The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show, as Mr. Peabody
S2: would say to his boy, Sherman set the Wayback Machine
S2: to the year 835 BC. As we travel to Jerusalem
S2: to watch the royal coronation of a seven year old boy.
S2: And just like that, we're standing in the temple courtyard.
S2: There before us is an elderly man wearing the robes,
S2: breastplate and turban of the high priest. He looks to
S2: be somewhere over 90 years old. Next to him is
S2: a very young boy, and by young I mean a
S2: child of seven. He definitely looks out of place in
S2: this gathering of adults and surrounding the pair are hundreds
S2: of armed guards, swords drawn and shields raised for protection.
S2: It's early Saturday morning. The Sabbath and the number of
S2: armed guards present is about three times the normal number
S2: on duty. There's a sense of excitement in the air.
S2: Something is about to happen. The past seven years were
S2: years of struggle and uncertainty. The last legitimate king of
S2: Judah had been killed near Megiddo. He was an evil king,
S2: but at least he was from the line of David.
S2: When he died, his mother Athaliah, who was none other
S2: than the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, gave orders to
S2: kill every male child from the line of David. Her
S2: plan was to seize control and rule the kingdom herself,
S2: and it required her to kill every remaining descendant of David.
S2: Every child who could legitimately claim the throne. In the
S2: bloodbath that ensued, she almost wiped out all of David's descendants,
S2: but one baby was snatched away in the confusion. That
S2: child was carried to the temple and hidden away with
S2: the priests. All God's promises to David were now resting
S2: on a single thread, one young baby, and for seven
S2: years the child was kept hidden from view, locked in
S2: a temple that was largely forsaken by a queen who
S2: was driven to install Baal as the new god of Judah.
S2: But the moment of independence had now arrived. The high
S2: priest Jehoiada rehearses his final instructions to the commanders of
S2: the guard surround the king, each with his weapon in
S2: his hand, and whoever comes within the ranks shall be
S2: put to death, and be with the king when he
S2: goes out. And when he comes in, just like the
S2: Secret Service today, the role of these royal guards was
S2: simple at all cost. Protect the life of the King. Remember,
S2: there was no vice king, no second in command who
S2: could take his place if this child were killed. David's
S2: royal line was finished. The coronation celebration went off without
S2: a hitch as Jehoiada placed the crown on the young
S2: boy's head. The crowd in the temple court shouted with
S2: joy and clapped their hands. Long live the king! Wicked
S2: queen Athaliah heard the commotion and rushed from her palace
S2: to the temple to see what all the shouting was about.
S2: When she saw the young boy with a crown on
S2: his head, she screamed treason, treason and tried to escape.
S2: But she was captured. Taken outside the temple and put
S2: to death, America struggled to break free from British control.
S2: Didn't end until seven years after the signing of the
S2: Declaration of Independence. In contrast, the people of Judah experienced
S2: their seven years of oppression and struggle before this declaration.
S2: While the final battle took just a few minutes, our
S2: founding fathers wrote out their declaration at the beginning of
S2: the rebellion. But Judah's declaration came at the end of
S2: the battle, and the declaration was a declaration of independence
S2: from Baal and a declaration of dependence on the God
S2: of Israel. As Jehoiada put the crown on the head
S2: of young King Josiah. He also placed a copy of
S2: the covenant in his hand, perhaps to help the young
S2: king fulfill Deuteronomy 17, where God commanded each king to
S2: write for himself a copy of this law on a scroll.
S2: And then, just after Queen Athaliah was put to death,
S2: Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord and the King
S2: and the people, that they should be the Lord's people.
S2: Israel was free from wicked Queen Athaliah and her Baal worship,
S2: but they were not free from following God or from
S2: submitting to his authority. This was a day of independence,
S2: but it was also a day they chose to follow
S2: God and to be dependent on him. The real hero
S2: of this story, this Independence Day drama, was the High
S2: priest Jehoiada. At an age when most would have been
S2: long retired. He continued to serve God with a passion
S2: and a devotion that left men half his age struggling
S2: to keep up. When he finally died at the amazing
S2: age of 130, he was honored in a way that
S2: no other person outside the line of David had ever
S2: been honored before. The compiler of Second Chronicles reported the
S2: honor this way. They buried him in the city of
S2: David among the kings, because he had done well in
S2: Israel and to God and his house. Jehoiada was buried
S2: in the royal tomb belonging to David and the kings
S2: of Israel, because in a very real sense, he ruled
S2: over Israel at a time when there was no adult
S2: from the line of David capable of providing strong leadership.
S2: What an epitaph. Well, on The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show, Mr.
S2: Peabody and Sherman would end their time travel with a
S2: terrible pun, but our journey back in time ends with
S2: a far more profound observation. We live in a day
S2: when it seems as if the very foundations of faith
S2: are collapsing around us, and it's very tempting for us
S2: to lower our spiritual profile, become less vocal about our faith,
S2: or even to just give in to what seems to
S2: be the new norm for society. But Jehoiada reminds us
S2: that God wants us to walk a different path. Jehoiada
S2: acted wisely and courageously as he took a stand for God.
S2: He showed wisdom by hiding this young descendant of David
S2: for seven years, until the child was old enough to
S2: be accepted as king. And he showed courage when he
S2: stood up to publicly proclaim this young boy as king.
S2: With our 2020 hindsight, we see God's hand of protection
S2: on him through this dark period. But he didn't know
S2: that he would succeed, and that's why he ordered the
S2: guards to protect the King with their lives. Failure meant death.
S2: But he was willing to take a stand for what
S2: was right, even if it cost him his life. And
S2: his wisdom and courage brought Judah a day of independence
S2: from Queen Athaliah and the worship of Baal, and a
S2: new era of dependence on the God of Israel. So
S2: how willing are you to take your stand for God,
S2: regardless of the cost? May God give us all the
S2: wisdom and courage to do what's right, so our spiritual
S2: epitaph can say, we did what was good in our
S2: land for God and for his work.
S1: Thank you Charlie. A fitting Independence Day devotional. Our website
S1: is The Land and the book. We welcome you to
S1: visit there information about all of our guests, past programs,
S1: future programs, and very importantly, our podcast. Is there something
S1: that you can enjoy yourself? And best of all, share
S1: with a friend. Not everybody can hear us on a
S1: on a radio station, so a podcast is a great
S1: option to share us with your friends. Thanks for passing
S1: the word along. About the land and the book. A
S1: production of Moody Radio, a ministry of Moody Bible Institute.
S1: See you next time.