1 00:00:08,160 --> 00:00:11,400 S1: If you are traveling from east to west in ancient Israel, 2 00:00:11,560 --> 00:00:15,560 S1: you almost certainly pass through Jericho where taxes were collected, 3 00:00:15,880 --> 00:00:18,639 S1: making sure that you paid your fair share. And then 4 00:00:18,640 --> 00:00:22,040 S1: some was a tax collector named Zacchaeus. But not just 5 00:00:22,040 --> 00:00:26,040 S1: any tax collector. He was a chief tax collector. So 6 00:00:26,040 --> 00:00:28,360 S1: what did we actually know about this guy? What can 7 00:00:28,360 --> 00:00:31,440 S1: we take away from his story for our own journey? Well, 8 00:00:31,440 --> 00:00:34,560 S1: that's where we're headed next. Hey, welcome to the land 9 00:00:34,560 --> 00:00:37,320 S1: and the book. Our guide is a lifelong student of 10 00:00:37,320 --> 00:00:41,000 S1: the scriptures and the Middle East, Doctor Charlie Dyer. I'm 11 00:00:41,000 --> 00:00:43,520 S1: John Gager. Good to connect again, Charlie, as always. 12 00:00:43,720 --> 00:00:46,360 S2: Uh, John, it's always great talking to you. And thanks. 13 00:00:46,560 --> 00:00:48,520 S1: Oh, it's going to be a great conversation with Rob 14 00:00:48,520 --> 00:00:50,479 S1: West in just a few minutes. But right now, I'm 15 00:00:50,479 --> 00:00:53,280 S1: thinking about the fact that that most Jewish people have 16 00:00:53,280 --> 00:00:56,279 S1: never heard the gospel. And, Charlie, each week you and 17 00:00:56,280 --> 00:00:58,600 S1: I talk about Israel and the Jewish people, and it's 18 00:00:58,600 --> 00:01:01,950 S1: important to remember that they, like everyone else, need to 19 00:01:01,950 --> 00:01:03,190 S1: hear the good news, right? 20 00:01:03,230 --> 00:01:06,230 S2: That's absolutely right. And that's why life in Messiah, a 21 00:01:06,230 --> 00:01:10,110 S2: ministry that's been in existence for over 135 years, is 22 00:01:10,110 --> 00:01:13,470 S2: devoted to sharing the gospel with Jewish people around the world. 23 00:01:13,830 --> 00:01:16,429 S2: And now they're offering a gift to moody listeners. It's 24 00:01:16,430 --> 00:01:20,310 S2: a free e-book, reaching Jewish People for Messiah. It highlights 25 00:01:20,310 --> 00:01:23,110 S2: the need for the gospel among the Jewish people, and 26 00:01:23,110 --> 00:01:25,590 S2: it will equip you with practical ways to share the 27 00:01:25,590 --> 00:01:28,670 S2: good news with them. Now, to receive this free e-book, 28 00:01:28,670 --> 00:01:32,550 S2: visit Lifeline Messiah org and click on the Moody Radio logo. 29 00:01:32,750 --> 00:01:36,910 S2: Sign up today and get your copy. That's life in Messiah. 30 00:01:38,350 --> 00:01:40,429 S1: And now a look at current events, all based in 31 00:01:40,430 --> 00:01:43,990 S1: the Middle East. All happening this week. Efforts continue to 32 00:01:44,030 --> 00:01:48,190 S1: build a stabilization force to control Gaza. What progress is 33 00:01:48,190 --> 00:01:50,590 S1: being made? How does this impact Israel? 34 00:01:50,950 --> 00:01:54,990 S2: Well, the process is moving forward, though not without some problems. 35 00:01:55,190 --> 00:01:57,670 S2: The preliminary plan was for Egypt to lead a force 36 00:01:57,670 --> 00:02:02,340 S2: of about 4000 troops in Gaza drawn from several Muslim countries. 37 00:02:02,500 --> 00:02:07,860 S2: The initial list of countries included Egypt, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Indonesia. However, 38 00:02:07,860 --> 00:02:11,660 S2: Israel objected to having Turkish troops and the US agreed. 39 00:02:11,700 --> 00:02:15,340 S2: The force is described as attending to help Palestinians manage 40 00:02:15,340 --> 00:02:18,260 S2: their own affairs, but there are at least two major 41 00:02:18,260 --> 00:02:21,739 S2: problems looming on the horizon. The first is what will 42 00:02:21,740 --> 00:02:25,060 S2: happen if Hamas refuses to disarm, which is what they've 43 00:02:25,060 --> 00:02:29,260 S2: already said. Will Muslim forces confront Hamas and disarm them? 44 00:02:29,580 --> 00:02:33,140 S2: The specter of Muslims fighting Muslims might not go over 45 00:02:33,139 --> 00:02:37,020 S2: well in the Muslim nations. For example, Jordan's King Abdullah 46 00:02:37,020 --> 00:02:40,220 S2: has already said Jordanian forces won't run around Gaza on 47 00:02:40,220 --> 00:02:44,179 S2: patrol with weapons. The second problem is the fear that 48 00:02:44,180 --> 00:02:47,579 S2: this force could itself become a threat to Israel. Israel 49 00:02:47,580 --> 00:02:50,820 S2: was already expressing concern over an Egyptian buildup of forces 50 00:02:50,820 --> 00:02:55,299 S2: near Gaza, in violation of the Egyptian-israeli peace treaty, and 51 00:02:55,300 --> 00:02:59,370 S2: the ambitions of Turkish President Erdogan are also well known. 52 00:02:59,570 --> 00:03:02,770 S2: Speaking at a mosque at the close of Ramadan, Erdogan 53 00:03:02,770 --> 00:03:05,970 S2: prayed publicly May Allah, for the sake of his name, 54 00:03:05,970 --> 00:03:10,530 S2: destroy and devastate Zionist Israel. He's also made statements claiming 55 00:03:10,530 --> 00:03:14,850 S2: historic ties to Jerusalem, tracing back to the Ottoman Empire 56 00:03:14,850 --> 00:03:18,970 S2: and calling Jerusalem, quote, our city. Because of this, Israel 57 00:03:18,970 --> 00:03:21,490 S2: has objected to Turkish troops in Gaza, and that's why 58 00:03:21,490 --> 00:03:24,489 S2: they're not going to be there now. Azerbaijan and Indonesian 59 00:03:24,490 --> 00:03:28,490 S2: troops are more acceptable. Israel is also hoping relations with 60 00:03:28,490 --> 00:03:32,410 S2: Egypt might improve as peace takes hold in Gaza. Can 61 00:03:32,450 --> 00:03:36,089 S2: Hamas be disarmed, be kept from a future role in Gaza, 62 00:03:36,090 --> 00:03:39,290 S2: and can a military force necessary to accomplish all this 63 00:03:39,290 --> 00:03:41,970 S2: be kept from turning into a threat to Israel's long 64 00:03:42,010 --> 00:03:45,570 S2: term security? Those are the questions that will only be 65 00:03:45,570 --> 00:03:48,730 S2: answered over time. And the flare up this week, following 66 00:03:48,810 --> 00:03:52,370 S2: the killing of an Israeli reservist by a Gaza sniper, 67 00:03:52,530 --> 00:03:55,770 S2: suggests the way forward is going to be difficult. 68 00:03:56,200 --> 00:03:59,040 S1: And of course you hear reports as well of Israeli 69 00:03:59,040 --> 00:04:01,200 S1: attacks isolated here and there. And of course, the news 70 00:04:01,200 --> 00:04:03,720 S1: media never giving a fair shake to Israel on those. 71 00:04:04,000 --> 00:04:07,280 S2: That's exactly right. And in reality is there are hotheads 72 00:04:07,280 --> 00:04:10,240 S2: on both sides. The goal is to try and tamp 73 00:04:10,240 --> 00:04:13,280 S2: that down while getting peace, to have a chance to 74 00:04:13,320 --> 00:04:16,240 S2: take hold. And that's easier said than done. And of course, 75 00:04:16,240 --> 00:04:18,280 S2: Netanyahu is in the middle of it all. He can't 76 00:04:18,279 --> 00:04:21,520 S2: appear to be weak against the terrorists, but neither can 77 00:04:21,560 --> 00:04:24,440 S2: he appear to be too strong, or President Trump might 78 00:04:24,440 --> 00:04:25,440 S2: come down on him. 79 00:04:25,920 --> 00:04:30,080 S1: Story number two Israel's judicial reform battles are surfacing again, 80 00:04:30,360 --> 00:04:33,320 S1: as the justice minister seeks to fast track a bill 81 00:04:33,320 --> 00:04:37,560 S1: splitting the attorney general's role into three positions. What's the 82 00:04:37,560 --> 00:04:40,720 S1: rationale behind that proposal, and what possibility does it have 83 00:04:40,760 --> 00:04:42,599 S1: of being enacted into law? 84 00:04:43,360 --> 00:04:46,240 S2: This is one of those crazy ones. The official rationale 85 00:04:46,279 --> 00:04:49,160 S2: behind the bill is that there's an inherent conflict of 86 00:04:49,160 --> 00:04:52,840 S2: interest in the current job description for the attorney general. 87 00:04:53,080 --> 00:04:56,620 S2: The attorney general would remain the government's legal adviser to 88 00:04:56,660 --> 00:04:59,460 S2: interpret the law. One of the new positions would then 89 00:04:59,460 --> 00:05:03,020 S2: represent the state in legal proceedings against it, and the 90 00:05:03,020 --> 00:05:06,260 S2: other new position would be state prosecutor, who would be 91 00:05:06,260 --> 00:05:11,020 S2: responsible for handling the filing of charges and prosecution of cases. Now, 92 00:05:11,020 --> 00:05:14,140 S2: in one way, the division makes sense, because right now, 93 00:05:14,180 --> 00:05:17,500 S2: the attorney general is tasked with advising the government and 94 00:05:17,500 --> 00:05:20,820 S2: defending the government, while also being able to legally oppose 95 00:05:20,820 --> 00:05:24,820 S2: and prosecute the government. But what makes the plan controversial, though, 96 00:05:24,860 --> 00:05:29,860 S2: is the government's already adversarial relationship with the current attorney general. 97 00:05:30,260 --> 00:05:33,099 S2: Those opposed to the current government see this as another 98 00:05:33,100 --> 00:05:37,260 S2: attempt by them to control the judiciary. A major concern 99 00:05:37,260 --> 00:05:41,500 S2: within the ruling coalition were the ultra-Orthodox parties in the government. 100 00:05:41,540 --> 00:05:44,180 S2: You know, they oppose the attorney general and her push 101 00:05:44,180 --> 00:05:48,900 S2: to have the government draft ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students. But they've 102 00:05:48,900 --> 00:05:51,660 S2: also vowed to vote against any bills presented to the 103 00:05:51,820 --> 00:05:55,570 S2: Knesset until a bill providing military exemption for those yeshiva 104 00:05:55,610 --> 00:06:00,090 S2: students is passed, a creative solution was reached, at least apparently, 105 00:06:00,089 --> 00:06:03,690 S2: when the ultra-Orthodox agreed to support this one bill in 106 00:06:03,690 --> 00:06:07,890 S2: exchange for passage of a different bill that impacts rabbinical courts. 107 00:06:08,250 --> 00:06:10,930 S2: The judicial reform bill still needs to go to committee 108 00:06:10,930 --> 00:06:13,130 S2: before coming back to the Knesset, so it could take 109 00:06:13,130 --> 00:06:16,210 S2: a bit of time before it ever reaches a final vote. 110 00:06:16,210 --> 00:06:17,850 S2: And of course, then I'm sure it's going to go 111 00:06:17,850 --> 00:06:21,210 S2: into the court system itself for a challenge. But it's 112 00:06:21,210 --> 00:06:24,450 S2: all a good reminder that the conflict over judicial reform, 113 00:06:24,650 --> 00:06:28,570 S2: which took a back seat following Hamas's attack on October 7th, 114 00:06:28,930 --> 00:06:31,250 S2: all appears to be resurfacing again. 115 00:06:31,610 --> 00:06:33,890 S1: This is the land and the book from Moody Radio 116 00:06:33,930 --> 00:06:36,930 S1: Hour host Charlie Dyer. I'm John Yeager. A look now 117 00:06:36,930 --> 00:06:41,050 S1: at current events. You mentioned the conflict over drafting ultra-Orthodox 118 00:06:41,050 --> 00:06:44,410 S1: students into the Israeli army, and it does sound as 119 00:06:44,410 --> 00:06:47,409 S1: if this is continuing to escalate. So what's the latest 120 00:06:47,410 --> 00:06:50,890 S1: battle in the war over drafting yeshiva students? 121 00:06:51,170 --> 00:06:54,000 S2: Well, the state has informed the Supreme Court that the 122 00:06:54,000 --> 00:06:58,159 S2: cancellation of national health insurance payment discounts for yeshiva students 123 00:06:58,160 --> 00:07:00,799 S2: who refused to serve in the Army will take effect 124 00:07:00,800 --> 00:07:03,280 S2: January 1st. That's going to be a major hit to 125 00:07:03,320 --> 00:07:07,400 S2: the pocketbook of any ultra-Orthodox students who refuse to serve. 126 00:07:07,800 --> 00:07:10,720 S2: The government's decision is in direct response to a Supreme 127 00:07:10,760 --> 00:07:14,600 S2: Court ruling in September that ordered an end to those discounts. 128 00:07:14,960 --> 00:07:19,120 S2: As you might expect, the ultra-Orthodox community condemned the decision, 129 00:07:19,440 --> 00:07:22,640 S2: seeing it as state persecution of those studying the Torah 130 00:07:22,640 --> 00:07:25,640 S2: and trying to turn a Torah lifestyle into an option 131 00:07:25,640 --> 00:07:30,280 S2: that's economically unsustainable. Other proposed changes to the draft law 132 00:07:30,280 --> 00:07:33,240 S2: are still in process. A copy of the current version 133 00:07:33,240 --> 00:07:37,320 S2: under discussion would ease penalties for draft dodgers. But some 134 00:07:37,320 --> 00:07:42,000 S2: ultra-Orthodox still rejected it, calling it nonsense. Hundreds of thousands 135 00:07:42,000 --> 00:07:46,200 S2: of ultra-Orthodox held a massive anti-draft rally at the entrance 136 00:07:46,200 --> 00:07:50,240 S2: to Jerusalem. Meanwhile, the High Court heard petitions demanding the 137 00:07:50,390 --> 00:07:55,910 S2: government be forced to draft still more ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students, including, 138 00:07:55,990 --> 00:07:59,230 S2: as I said, tens of thousands. Yair Lapid, the leader 139 00:07:59,230 --> 00:08:01,990 S2: of the opposition in the Knesset, vowed to press for 140 00:08:01,990 --> 00:08:06,510 S2: a law revoking the voting rights of ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers. 141 00:08:06,630 --> 00:08:10,750 S2: So the escalating rhetoric and anger on both sides suggests 142 00:08:10,750 --> 00:08:13,830 S2: there really isn't much room for compromise on this hot 143 00:08:13,870 --> 00:08:14,870 S2: button issue. 144 00:08:14,910 --> 00:08:16,990 S1: Wow. Not going away anytime soon. 145 00:08:17,030 --> 00:08:19,429 S2: It is not going away any time soon. 146 00:08:19,470 --> 00:08:22,870 S1: Yeah, well, this weekend brings the official opening of the 147 00:08:22,870 --> 00:08:28,510 S1: Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo, with all 100,000 artifacts expected 148 00:08:28,510 --> 00:08:30,670 S1: to be on display. What do we know about this 149 00:08:30,670 --> 00:08:31,750 S1: new museum, Charlie? 150 00:08:32,150 --> 00:08:34,270 S2: Well, from everything I've seen, I know I would love 151 00:08:34,270 --> 00:08:37,229 S2: to be there when it opens up. It just sounds spectacular. 152 00:08:37,309 --> 00:08:40,550 S2: It's been a long time coming. The new museum was 153 00:08:40,550 --> 00:08:45,950 S2: announced back in 1992. Construction didn't begin until 2005. The 154 00:08:45,950 --> 00:08:49,660 S2: political instability and a decline in tourism caused by the 155 00:08:49,660 --> 00:08:55,260 S2: Arab Spring in 2011 significantly delayed construction. A new opening 156 00:08:55,260 --> 00:08:58,819 S2: date was scheduled for 2020, only to be postponed again 157 00:08:58,820 --> 00:09:02,620 S2: with the outbreak of Covid. Limited public access actually began 158 00:09:02,620 --> 00:09:06,860 S2: in 2023, but only now is the entire museum open. 159 00:09:07,179 --> 00:09:09,780 S2: And from the details on the museum's new web page, 160 00:09:09,780 --> 00:09:13,540 S2: the site does look magnificent. Moving the museum outside the 161 00:09:13,540 --> 00:09:16,780 S2: heart of Cairo makes it more accessible for the busloads 162 00:09:16,780 --> 00:09:20,380 S2: of visitors. I remember just sitting in traffic waiting to 163 00:09:20,420 --> 00:09:23,219 S2: get to the old museum and it was a mess. 164 00:09:23,660 --> 00:09:26,660 S2: They've also upgraded security at this site to protect both 165 00:09:26,660 --> 00:09:30,140 S2: the visitors and objects on display, and that can't come 166 00:09:30,179 --> 00:09:35,059 S2: soon enough. Recently, a priceless 3000 year old bracelet was 167 00:09:35,059 --> 00:09:38,180 S2: stolen from the restoration lab at the old museum and 168 00:09:38,179 --> 00:09:41,780 S2: sold to a gold worker for $4,000. The old lab 169 00:09:41,780 --> 00:09:45,260 S2: had no security cameras. The thieves were caught, but only 170 00:09:45,260 --> 00:09:49,250 S2: after the bracelet had been melted down. Now Hopefully the 171 00:09:49,250 --> 00:09:51,970 S2: added security at the new site will help preserve all 172 00:09:51,970 --> 00:09:56,330 S2: those incredible artifacts for future generations of Egyptians. And for 173 00:09:56,330 --> 00:09:58,890 S2: those traveling to Egypt to view them. I mean, there's 174 00:09:58,890 --> 00:10:02,250 S2: nothing like seeing the death mask there of King Tutankhamun 175 00:10:02,490 --> 00:10:07,170 S2: and realizing what amazing pieces these are on display for tourists. 176 00:10:07,210 --> 00:10:09,650 S1: Wow. And that's a look at current events, Charlie, for 177 00:10:09,650 --> 00:10:12,730 S1: somebody who has your enthusiasm and interest in the Middle East. 178 00:10:12,970 --> 00:10:15,730 S1: Identify a couple of resources that you use as you 179 00:10:15,730 --> 00:10:18,610 S1: put together every week's current events. Focus. 180 00:10:18,850 --> 00:10:21,290 S2: Well, you know, I love the fact that the news 181 00:10:21,290 --> 00:10:26,730 S2: is available online. The Jerusalem Post Jpost.com the Times of Israel. 182 00:10:26,730 --> 00:10:28,929 S2: Those are two great sources that are pretty middle of 183 00:10:28,929 --> 00:10:31,490 S2: the road. I also look at Arutz Sheva, which is 184 00:10:31,490 --> 00:10:34,370 S2: from a religious point of view, Haaretz, which is definitely 185 00:10:34,370 --> 00:10:37,010 S2: from the liberal side in Israel. But then there are 186 00:10:37,010 --> 00:10:38,810 S2: newspapers in English, and all you have to do is 187 00:10:38,809 --> 00:10:41,969 S2: Google Egyptian news in English and you'll get two sources. 188 00:10:42,410 --> 00:10:45,730 S2: Jordanian news in English has several sources, and even in 189 00:10:45,730 --> 00:10:47,800 S2: Turkey there are some sources. Those are the great places 190 00:10:47,800 --> 00:10:49,040 S2: to go to find what you want. 191 00:10:49,080 --> 00:10:52,320 S1: Great tips. Thank you Charlie, appreciate that. Coming up on 192 00:10:52,320 --> 00:10:55,320 S1: the land in the book, a conversation with Zacchaeus sort 193 00:10:55,360 --> 00:11:12,360 S1: of stick around for that. If you were traveling from 194 00:11:12,360 --> 00:11:16,079 S1: east to west in ancient Israel, you almost certainly pass 195 00:11:16,080 --> 00:11:20,559 S1: through Jericho, modernized by Herod the Great. Its aqueducts and 196 00:11:20,559 --> 00:11:24,679 S1: fortress may have been impressive, but its taxes were often 197 00:11:24,679 --> 00:11:28,520 S1: oppressive and making sure that you paid your fair share. 198 00:11:28,520 --> 00:11:32,360 S1: And then some was a tax collector named Zacchaeus. But 199 00:11:32,360 --> 00:11:36,280 S1: not just any tax collector. He was a chief tax collector. 200 00:11:36,520 --> 00:11:38,839 S1: What do we actually know about this guy? What can 201 00:11:38,840 --> 00:11:41,880 S1: we take away from his story for our own journey? Well, 202 00:11:41,880 --> 00:11:44,720 S1: that's where we're headed next. Welcome to the second segment 203 00:11:44,720 --> 00:11:47,540 S1: of The Land and the book I'm John Gager. What 204 00:11:47,540 --> 00:11:49,300 S1: do you say we pause right now up front for 205 00:11:49,300 --> 00:11:52,020 S1: another fresh idea on reaching out with the love of 206 00:11:52,020 --> 00:11:56,620 S1: Christ toward our Jewish friends, coworkers, and neighbors. Some of 207 00:11:56,620 --> 00:11:58,780 S1: us are under the impression that the best person to 208 00:11:58,780 --> 00:12:01,980 S1: witness to a Jewish person is another Jewish person who's 209 00:12:01,980 --> 00:12:05,540 S1: come to know Yeshua. So can Gentiles really be effective 210 00:12:05,540 --> 00:12:08,580 S1: in sharing Christ? What do you think? Greg Savitt is 211 00:12:08,620 --> 00:12:11,260 S1: with the Rock of Israel Ministries? What do you say, Greg? 212 00:12:11,300 --> 00:12:16,220 S3: I want to answer that with yes, yes and yes. 75% 213 00:12:16,220 --> 00:12:19,219 S3: of Jewish people that come to faith in Messiah are 214 00:12:19,220 --> 00:12:22,180 S3: from the witness of a Gentile. You do not need 215 00:12:22,179 --> 00:12:24,660 S3: to have the gift of evangelism, but you need to 216 00:12:24,700 --> 00:12:27,459 S3: know that Jesus said to go out and make disciples. 217 00:12:27,620 --> 00:12:30,220 S3: You can ask your Jewish friend to take them to 218 00:12:30,260 --> 00:12:33,060 S3: synagogue on a Friday night, and when you go to them, 219 00:12:33,059 --> 00:12:35,500 S3: make sure you go out for coffee afterwards and ask 220 00:12:35,500 --> 00:12:38,860 S3: lots of questions. Invite your Jewish friend to church. Make 221 00:12:38,900 --> 00:12:40,700 S3: sure that you talk to your pastor and it's not 222 00:12:40,700 --> 00:12:44,770 S3: a tithing message. Find something on the Old Testament and 223 00:12:44,770 --> 00:12:47,490 S3: then go out and ask questions. I mean, if you're 224 00:12:47,490 --> 00:12:50,330 S3: interested in their faith and you have questions, I guarantee 225 00:12:50,370 --> 00:12:52,890 S3: you they'll be interested in your faith. And that's a 226 00:12:52,890 --> 00:12:54,850 S3: great way to share the gospel with them. 227 00:12:54,890 --> 00:12:57,450 S1: That's Greg Savitt, who serves with Rock of Israel, sharing 228 00:12:57,450 --> 00:12:59,090 S1: ideas on how you and I can reach out to 229 00:12:59,130 --> 00:13:02,809 S1: our non-believing Jewish friends here on the land and the book. 230 00:13:04,330 --> 00:13:07,050 S1: Rob West is the host of Faith and Finance Live, 231 00:13:07,090 --> 00:13:10,810 S1: heard on more than 900 radio outlets every single day, 232 00:13:10,970 --> 00:13:14,490 S1: including the family we call Moody Radio. Rob also serves 233 00:13:14,490 --> 00:13:18,250 S1: as the President of Kingdom Advisors, an international community of 234 00:13:18,250 --> 00:13:23,730 S1: financial professionals who are specialists in delivering biblically wise financial advice, 235 00:13:23,730 --> 00:13:26,370 S1: and we love them for it. Rob and his wife, Julie, 236 00:13:26,370 --> 00:13:29,410 S1: live in Marietta, Georgia with their four children. I love 237 00:13:29,410 --> 00:13:33,050 S1: his smile, his energy, and his commitment to Christ. You're 238 00:13:33,050 --> 00:13:36,410 S1: in for a treat today, I promise. And Rob, welcome 239 00:13:36,410 --> 00:13:39,250 S1: back to the land and the book. John, it is 240 00:13:39,250 --> 00:13:42,090 S1: so great to be here. I've been looking forward to this. Well, 241 00:13:42,130 --> 00:13:44,200 S1: you know, if you grew up in church as you're 242 00:13:44,200 --> 00:13:46,400 S1: listening to us now, you grew up with the story 243 00:13:46,400 --> 00:13:50,160 S1: of Zacchaeus. But for somebody who's new to this colorful figure, Rob, 244 00:13:50,160 --> 00:13:51,400 S1: give us a quick overview. 245 00:13:51,640 --> 00:13:55,040 S4: I'd be delighted to. Zacchaeus is, of course, one of 246 00:13:55,040 --> 00:13:58,800 S4: the most memorable characters in the gospel, not because of 247 00:13:58,800 --> 00:14:03,120 S4: his stature, but because of his dramatic encounter with Jesus. Now, 248 00:14:03,120 --> 00:14:06,760 S4: as you said, he was a chief tax collector in Jericho, 249 00:14:06,800 --> 00:14:10,600 S4: a role that was despised by his fellow Jews. Since 250 00:14:10,600 --> 00:14:13,839 S4: tax collectors were often corrupt and worked for Rome, they 251 00:14:13,840 --> 00:14:17,560 S4: didn't just collect the required tax, they routinely overcharged their 252 00:14:17,559 --> 00:14:21,960 S4: neighbors and pocketed the excess, becoming therefore wealthy at the 253 00:14:21,960 --> 00:14:25,120 S4: expense of their own people. Now Luke tells us that 254 00:14:25,120 --> 00:14:29,480 S4: Zacchaeus was short in stature, so when Jesus came to town, 255 00:14:29,480 --> 00:14:32,800 S4: he climbs the famous sycamore tree just to catch a 256 00:14:32,800 --> 00:14:38,080 S4: glimpse into everyone's surprise, Jesus stops. He calls Zacchaeus by 257 00:14:38,080 --> 00:14:41,480 S4: name and announces that he would stay at his house. Now, 258 00:14:41,590 --> 00:14:46,190 S4: this single moment of grace transforms Zacchaeus. He repents on 259 00:14:46,190 --> 00:14:48,950 S4: the spot. John, as you well know. And then he vows, 260 00:14:48,990 --> 00:14:51,670 S4: and this is amazing, to give half his wealth to 261 00:14:51,710 --> 00:14:55,790 S4: the poor and repay anyone he had cheated fourfold. And 262 00:14:55,790 --> 00:14:58,510 S4: I think his story really reminds us that no one 263 00:14:58,510 --> 00:15:02,310 S4: is beyond the reach of Christ's mercy. That true encounters 264 00:15:02,310 --> 00:15:07,190 S4: with Jesus lead to Zacchaeus case, radical generosity and evidence 265 00:15:07,190 --> 00:15:08,070 S4: of a changed life. 266 00:15:08,110 --> 00:15:11,070 S1: I love that nobody is beyond the reach of Jesus. Well, 267 00:15:11,070 --> 00:15:13,430 S1: when you look at the way Zacchaeus life is typically 268 00:15:13,430 --> 00:15:16,910 S1: spoken about in pulpits and maybe Sunday school curriculum, do 269 00:15:16,910 --> 00:15:21,310 S1: you feel, Rob, maybe we've overlooked or understated something about 270 00:15:21,310 --> 00:15:22,070 S1: his life? 271 00:15:22,350 --> 00:15:24,790 S4: I do. John. You know, I think we often reduce 272 00:15:24,790 --> 00:15:27,750 S4: his story to a children's tale about a wee little man. 273 00:15:28,030 --> 00:15:32,310 S4: And in doing so, we risk missing the deeper transformation 274 00:15:32,310 --> 00:15:34,390 S4: at the heart of the encounter with Jesus. You know, 275 00:15:34,430 --> 00:15:37,590 S4: the focus isn't his height at all. It's his repentance 276 00:15:37,590 --> 00:15:41,060 S4: and the radical shift in how he viewed money. Now 277 00:15:41,060 --> 00:15:44,580 S4: the crowd itself didn't make it easy. Even some scholars 278 00:15:44,580 --> 00:15:47,980 S4: suggest that the crowd's behavior of blocking him reflects the 279 00:15:47,980 --> 00:15:51,940 S4: community's collective judgment and exclusion of the man they branded 280 00:15:51,940 --> 00:15:54,260 S4: a sinner. You know how it works when a parade 281 00:15:54,260 --> 00:15:56,820 S4: is coming by, right? Small people in the front and 282 00:15:56,820 --> 00:15:58,940 S4: the kids and everybody else in the back. Well, that 283 00:15:58,940 --> 00:16:01,260 S4: wasn't the way it was with Zacchaeus. Perhaps they were 284 00:16:01,300 --> 00:16:04,580 S4: kind of edging him out, and that's why he ends 285 00:16:04,580 --> 00:16:09,060 S4: up climbing this tree. Well, even after Jesus invited himself 286 00:16:09,060 --> 00:16:12,940 S4: to Zacchaeus home, the people are grumbling in disapproval. They're 287 00:16:12,940 --> 00:16:16,700 S4: shocked that he would share fellowship with someone so despised. 288 00:16:16,700 --> 00:16:19,860 S4: And I think their reaction really highlights the deep social 289 00:16:19,860 --> 00:16:24,500 S4: content that Zacchaeus faced for his corrupt nature in being 290 00:16:24,500 --> 00:16:28,060 S4: a tax collector here. And so I think that detail 291 00:16:28,060 --> 00:16:31,260 S4: challenges us today. You know, sometimes we can act like 292 00:16:31,260 --> 00:16:35,340 S4: the crowd deciding who we think deserves access to Jesus. 293 00:16:35,340 --> 00:16:39,330 S4: But Zacchaeus story makes it clear no one earns grace, 294 00:16:39,330 --> 00:16:43,250 S4: and Jesus deliberately sought him out to demonstrate that his 295 00:16:43,250 --> 00:16:46,170 S4: mercy extends to the most unlikely people. And our role 296 00:16:46,170 --> 00:16:49,450 S4: isn't to be barriers of judgement, but let's say bridges 297 00:16:49,450 --> 00:16:53,210 S4: of welcome pointing others to the transforming grace of Christ. 298 00:16:53,250 --> 00:16:56,570 S1: Never thought about that, Rob. Uh, that detail you brought up, 299 00:16:56,570 --> 00:16:59,570 S1: it could well have been that the people deliberately blocked 300 00:16:59,570 --> 00:17:02,690 S1: him out. Wow. And do we not do the same? Yeah. 301 00:17:03,210 --> 00:17:05,490 S1: Thanks for connecting with us today on the land and 302 00:17:05,490 --> 00:17:08,449 S1: the book. I'm John Geiger, our guest, Rob West, helping 303 00:17:08,450 --> 00:17:11,530 S1: us see important details in the life of Zacchaeus that 304 00:17:11,530 --> 00:17:14,250 S1: we might just have overlooked. Rob, take us through a 305 00:17:14,250 --> 00:17:17,130 S1: couple of the key steps that Zacchaeus took in his 306 00:17:17,130 --> 00:17:20,730 S1: journey toward reconciliation with Christ and his fellow man. You 307 00:17:20,730 --> 00:17:22,929 S1: touched on some of these earlier, but expand just a bit. 308 00:17:23,090 --> 00:17:25,609 S4: Yeah, well, when we look at Zacchaeus story, there's a 309 00:17:25,609 --> 00:17:27,970 S4: few key steps, I think, John, that mark his journey 310 00:17:28,010 --> 00:17:33,129 S4: toward reconciliation. First, his curiosity drew him to Jesus. Again, 311 00:17:33,130 --> 00:17:35,850 S4: we've said he was small in stature and despised as 312 00:17:35,850 --> 00:17:38,879 S4: a tax collector. He climbs the sycamore tree just to 313 00:17:38,920 --> 00:17:42,760 S4: catch a glimpse. And I think this simple act of curiosity, 314 00:17:42,800 --> 00:17:48,200 S4: perhaps often overlooked, positioned him for a life changing encounter. Second, 315 00:17:48,200 --> 00:17:51,720 S4: when Jesus stopped and called him by name, Zacchaeus responded 316 00:17:51,720 --> 00:17:55,800 S4: with humility, but also John with urgency. He came down 317 00:17:55,800 --> 00:18:00,200 S4: at once and welcomed Jesus joyfully. I think showing an 318 00:18:00,200 --> 00:18:04,760 S4: open heart, ready for transformation. But then his repentance takes 319 00:18:04,760 --> 00:18:07,760 S4: a concrete form. You see, he pledged to give half 320 00:18:07,760 --> 00:18:10,640 S4: his wealth to the poor and repay anyone he had 321 00:18:10,640 --> 00:18:15,120 S4: defrauded four times over. These weren't just empty words, I think, 322 00:18:15,119 --> 00:18:18,360 S4: but tangible proof of a changed life. So you put 323 00:18:18,359 --> 00:18:21,280 S4: all that together. And I think these steps show the 324 00:18:21,280 --> 00:18:25,919 S4: pattern of true reconciliation. Welcoming Christ by faith and allowing 325 00:18:25,920 --> 00:18:29,280 S4: his grace to overflow into how we treat others with 326 00:18:29,280 --> 00:18:31,200 S4: justice and even generosity. 327 00:18:31,240 --> 00:18:33,760 S1: Do you think, Rob, that the gathering of folks who 328 00:18:33,760 --> 00:18:37,869 S1: heard Zacchaeus believed that he would actually follow through? Or 329 00:18:38,230 --> 00:18:40,430 S1: did they think he was merely showboating for the sake 330 00:18:40,430 --> 00:18:42,270 S1: of looking good in the eyes of Jesus? 331 00:18:42,430 --> 00:18:44,830 S4: Yeah, it's a great question. It's hard to imagine the 332 00:18:44,830 --> 00:18:48,030 S4: crowd immediately believing Zacchaeus. I mean, for years he had 333 00:18:48,030 --> 00:18:51,629 S4: grown rich by exploiting his neighbors. So his sudden pledge 334 00:18:51,630 --> 00:18:55,310 S4: publicly may have sounded like empty words, or maybe a 335 00:18:55,310 --> 00:19:00,710 S4: desperate attempt to save face. Clearly, these tax collectors weren't trusted. Yet, 336 00:19:00,710 --> 00:19:03,870 S4: I think, John, what makes his announcement so powerful is 337 00:19:03,869 --> 00:19:07,790 S4: that it wasn't vague or symbolic. He gave exact numbers, 338 00:19:07,790 --> 00:19:10,869 S4: half his wealth to the poor, and a four fold 339 00:19:10,869 --> 00:19:15,669 S4: restitution to the defrauded. That kind of specificity went far 340 00:19:15,670 --> 00:19:18,630 S4: beyond what the law required, and I think it reveals 341 00:19:18,630 --> 00:19:22,870 S4: the sincerity rather than maybe the showboating. You know, whether 342 00:19:22,869 --> 00:19:26,070 S4: the crowd believed him or not, Jesus affirmed his repentance 343 00:19:26,070 --> 00:19:30,389 S4: by declaring, today salvation has come to this house. Ultimately, 344 00:19:30,390 --> 00:19:33,270 S4: Zacchaeus actions, I think, in the days that follow, would 345 00:19:33,310 --> 00:19:36,889 S4: of course confirm his words. but his story, John reminds 346 00:19:36,890 --> 00:19:40,369 S4: us that genuine transformation may be doubted at first, but 347 00:19:40,410 --> 00:19:44,930 S4: the fruit of repentance will always silence skepticism in time. 348 00:19:45,050 --> 00:19:46,890 S1: Rob West is the reason some of us are late 349 00:19:46,890 --> 00:19:49,050 S1: to our meetings at Moody Radio. We hear the program 350 00:19:49,050 --> 00:19:51,730 S1: Faith and finance out in the lobby, maybe by the elevator, 351 00:19:51,730 --> 00:19:54,010 S1: and we're reluctant to leave when we're in the middle 352 00:19:54,010 --> 00:19:56,889 S1: of a caller's story and waiting for your advice. Rob. 353 00:19:57,490 --> 00:20:00,450 S1: Rob is also president of Kingdom Advisors, helping us take 354 00:20:00,450 --> 00:20:02,850 S1: a close look at the life of Zacchaeus today on 355 00:20:02,850 --> 00:20:05,570 S1: the land and the book. Well, these days you don't 356 00:20:05,570 --> 00:20:10,090 S1: hear much about repentance. We almost never connect it with salvation. 357 00:20:10,490 --> 00:20:12,570 S1: But Jesus saw them as two sides of the same 358 00:20:12,570 --> 00:20:17,130 S1: coin repent and believe. He said in Mark 115 his 359 00:20:17,130 --> 00:20:20,369 S1: repentance was evidence of his true faith and belief. And 360 00:20:20,369 --> 00:20:22,570 S1: I don't think we give that enough focus. Your thoughts. 361 00:20:22,770 --> 00:20:26,810 S4: Yeah, you're exactly right. Repentance and faith are inseparable in Scripture. 362 00:20:26,890 --> 00:20:30,250 S4: When Jesus said repent and believe the gospel, he wasn't 363 00:20:30,290 --> 00:20:33,810 S4: offering two optional paths. He was describing one movement of 364 00:20:33,920 --> 00:20:37,760 S4: the heart. Repentance is turning away from sin while belief 365 00:20:37,760 --> 00:20:41,720 S4: is turning toward Christ. And I think Zacchaeus embodies this beautifully, 366 00:20:41,720 --> 00:20:45,360 S4: as faith in Jesus was proven by his radical repentance. 367 00:20:45,359 --> 00:20:49,200 S4: He doesn't just profess belief, he demonstrated it through restitution 368 00:20:49,200 --> 00:20:53,360 S4: and generosity. And I think today we can reduce salvation 369 00:20:53,359 --> 00:20:57,159 S4: to intellectual agreement or an emotional moment. But the Bible 370 00:20:57,160 --> 00:21:00,920 S4: presents it as a total reorientation of life. Now, it's 371 00:21:00,920 --> 00:21:04,280 S4: important to note repentance is not about earning God's favor. 372 00:21:04,280 --> 00:21:08,320 S4: It's the natural fruit of encountering his grace. And without it, 373 00:21:08,320 --> 00:21:11,840 S4: I think belief is hollow. With it, faith becomes visible, 374 00:21:11,880 --> 00:21:14,560 S4: and Zacchaeus is a great reminder of that. 375 00:21:14,600 --> 00:21:17,359 S1: Well, one definition of generosity says it's not how much 376 00:21:17,359 --> 00:21:21,400 S1: we give, but how much we have remaining after giving. 377 00:21:21,680 --> 00:21:25,280 S1: That said, what's your best guess on the lifestyle impact 378 00:21:25,280 --> 00:21:27,520 S1: that Zacchaeus public announcements made? 379 00:21:27,800 --> 00:21:32,200 S4: Yeah, it's a great question. And clearly this public pledge, John, 380 00:21:32,200 --> 00:21:34,909 S4: to give away half of his possessions and repay anyone 381 00:21:34,910 --> 00:21:38,949 S4: he had cheated fourfold would have dramatically altered his lifestyle. 382 00:21:38,990 --> 00:21:41,389 S4: I mean, as the chief tax collector, he was among 383 00:21:41,390 --> 00:21:45,310 S4: the wealthiest in Jericho. But this announcement clearly meant a 384 00:21:45,350 --> 00:21:49,390 S4: radical downsizing of both wealth and status. He likely moved 385 00:21:49,390 --> 00:21:52,310 S4: from living in abundance to a life marked by simplicity 386 00:21:52,310 --> 00:21:55,510 S4: and restraint. What's striking John is that he didn't seem 387 00:21:55,510 --> 00:21:58,390 S4: to view it as a loss. His joy in receiving 388 00:21:58,390 --> 00:22:03,149 S4: Jesus far outweighed any attachment to comfort or status. And 389 00:22:03,270 --> 00:22:05,430 S4: I think in that sense, you know, we might think 390 00:22:05,430 --> 00:22:08,750 S4: of this as the man in Matthew 13 who joyfully 391 00:22:08,750 --> 00:22:11,030 S4: sold all he had to buy the field with the 392 00:22:11,030 --> 00:22:15,150 S4: hidden treasure, because what he recognizes, that he gained so 393 00:22:15,150 --> 00:22:17,910 S4: much more in Christ than what he gave up. 394 00:22:18,430 --> 00:22:20,910 S1: Alright, I'm going to ask Rob West to be George 395 00:22:20,910 --> 00:22:25,149 S1: Barna for a moment. In your opinion, Rob, in Christian 396 00:22:25,150 --> 00:22:28,550 S1: circles today, are there few or many who need a 397 00:22:28,590 --> 00:22:30,030 S1: Zacchaeus transformation? 398 00:22:30,630 --> 00:22:33,859 S4: I'd say we probably all need a Zacchaeus like transformation 399 00:22:33,859 --> 00:22:35,740 S4: in one way or another. It's easy to read the 400 00:22:35,740 --> 00:22:38,340 S4: story and think of others who are greedy or corrupt. 401 00:22:38,340 --> 00:22:41,980 S4: But the truth is, Zacchaeus heart struggles closer to home. 402 00:22:42,460 --> 00:22:44,060 S4: You know, for all of us than we might want 403 00:22:44,100 --> 00:22:47,380 S4: to admit, we wrestle with pride and misplaced trust in 404 00:22:47,380 --> 00:22:50,580 S4: money or the temptation to hold too tightly to what 405 00:22:50,580 --> 00:22:53,580 S4: we have. So I think from a posture of humility, 406 00:22:53,580 --> 00:22:56,540 S4: Zacchaeus story should prompt each of us to look inward. 407 00:22:56,540 --> 00:23:00,020 S4: John and ask, Where is Jesus inviting me to repent 408 00:23:00,020 --> 00:23:05,740 S4: and realign my priorities? And Zacchaeus response shows that genuine 409 00:23:05,740 --> 00:23:10,100 S4: faith always produces visible change. He let go of what 410 00:23:10,100 --> 00:23:14,260 S4: once defined him and embraced generosity and restoration. And I 411 00:23:14,260 --> 00:23:17,100 S4: think we too are called to that kind of transformation, 412 00:23:17,100 --> 00:23:18,859 S4: not just once, but continually. 413 00:23:19,020 --> 00:23:21,260 S1: This is the land and the book. I'm John Yeager, 414 00:23:21,300 --> 00:23:23,540 S1: always glad to be hanging out with a really good friend, 415 00:23:23,540 --> 00:23:27,380 S1: Rob West. Rob serves as president of Kingdom Advisors. He's 416 00:23:27,380 --> 00:23:30,490 S1: also the host of Faith and Finance Live. He has 417 00:23:30,490 --> 00:23:33,090 S1: more financial wisdom in his pinky finger than most of 418 00:23:33,090 --> 00:23:36,170 S1: us have in our brains. Uh, Rob, to those who 419 00:23:36,210 --> 00:23:38,930 S1: do need a Zacchaeus transformation. And as you've said, it's 420 00:23:38,930 --> 00:23:41,850 S1: probably all of us. What's a good first step for us? 421 00:23:42,609 --> 00:23:46,169 S4: I think a good first step is simple, but it's profound, John, 422 00:23:46,170 --> 00:23:48,850 S4: and that is to seek Jesus with the same curiosity 423 00:23:48,850 --> 00:23:52,650 S4: and even urgency that Zacchaeus showed. He climbed a tree 424 00:23:52,650 --> 00:23:55,330 S4: just to get a glimpse, and that small act positioned 425 00:23:55,330 --> 00:23:58,449 S4: him for a life changing encounter. So start by opening 426 00:23:58,450 --> 00:24:01,290 S4: God's Word, draw near in prayer, and ask him to 427 00:24:01,330 --> 00:24:04,210 S4: reveal himself to you. And then second, I think we 428 00:24:04,210 --> 00:24:07,570 S4: need to respond, as Zacchaeus did with honesty. He didn't 429 00:24:07,570 --> 00:24:10,850 S4: hide behind excuses. He acknowledged where he had wronged others, 430 00:24:10,850 --> 00:24:13,770 S4: and he took actions to make it right. And for us, 431 00:24:13,770 --> 00:24:16,930 S4: that might mean confessing sin or releasing control of our 432 00:24:16,930 --> 00:24:21,489 S4: money or possessions, or even reconciling broken relationships. You know, 433 00:24:21,530 --> 00:24:25,410 S4: transformation doesn't begin with perfection. It begins with a willing 434 00:24:25,410 --> 00:24:27,969 S4: heart that says yes to Jesus. And the beauty of 435 00:24:27,970 --> 00:24:31,159 S4: the gospel is that when we take even the smallest 436 00:24:31,160 --> 00:24:34,040 S4: steps toward him, Jesus meets us where we are. In 437 00:24:34,040 --> 00:24:37,240 S4: his grace. He calls us by name, and he invites 438 00:24:37,240 --> 00:24:38,920 S4: us into this new way of living. 439 00:24:39,280 --> 00:24:40,960 S1: The flip side of all this is the moment when 440 00:24:40,960 --> 00:24:44,200 S1: we all stand before Christ. All the decisions about money 441 00:24:44,200 --> 00:24:47,360 S1: will have been made. No more opportunities to invest in 442 00:24:47,359 --> 00:24:50,639 S1: kingdom causes. The books will be opened. The balance sheets 443 00:24:50,640 --> 00:24:53,480 S1: made public. Seems to me that ought to sober us 444 00:24:53,480 --> 00:24:55,680 S1: in a major way. How do you respond? 445 00:24:55,840 --> 00:24:58,720 S4: Yeah, I think the story of Zacchaeus reminds us that 446 00:24:58,720 --> 00:25:02,400 S4: grace leads to tangible change here and now, but it 447 00:25:02,400 --> 00:25:05,520 S4: also points us to eternity when Christ will reveal what 448 00:25:05,560 --> 00:25:09,520 S4: truly lasted. And the thought that the books will be 449 00:25:09,520 --> 00:25:13,240 S4: opened ought to stir us toward eternal priorities, investing in 450 00:25:13,240 --> 00:25:17,640 S4: people and generosity and obedience to God's call. And even 451 00:25:17,640 --> 00:25:21,320 S4: in that sobering picture, John, there's hope for those in Christ. 452 00:25:21,359 --> 00:25:25,879 S4: Judgment isn't condemnation. It's the moment he says, well done, 453 00:25:25,880 --> 00:25:29,430 S4: good and faithful servant. That's the reward worth living for, 454 00:25:29,470 --> 00:25:32,670 S4: not the applause here on earth, but entering into that 455 00:25:32,670 --> 00:25:36,750 S4: deeper joy of our true master and treasure, God himself. 456 00:25:36,950 --> 00:25:38,470 S1: But we're going to link you as you listen to 457 00:25:38,510 --> 00:25:41,550 S1: this conversation, to Kingdom advisors and faith and finance at 458 00:25:41,550 --> 00:25:45,750 S1: our website, the land and the book. Org. Lots of really, 459 00:25:45,750 --> 00:25:48,550 S1: really cool tools there. Check it out. Rob, thank you 460 00:25:48,550 --> 00:25:50,630 S1: for the conversation. As always a delight. 461 00:25:50,830 --> 00:25:52,070 S4: Great to be with you, John. 462 00:25:52,109 --> 00:25:55,629 S1: Coming up, Gerald Peterman is back with your Bible questions. Next. 463 00:26:06,910 --> 00:26:11,429 S1: Bible study and fun. If you have somehow disassociated those 464 00:26:11,430 --> 00:26:14,750 S1: two concepts. Well, we're about to set the record straight. 465 00:26:14,750 --> 00:26:17,389 S1: It's a lot of fun, and nobody makes it more 466 00:26:17,390 --> 00:26:20,550 S1: fun than Doctor Gerald Peterman of the Moody Bible Institute. Somehow, 467 00:26:20,710 --> 00:26:22,869 S1: when he sits down here in our studio with the 468 00:26:22,869 --> 00:26:25,270 S1: land and the book, we just plain have fun with 469 00:26:25,270 --> 00:26:26,340 S1: these questions, don't we? 470 00:26:27,420 --> 00:26:29,220 S5: We do. It's a gift of God. 471 00:26:29,260 --> 00:26:31,860 S1: Yeah. Amen. And and he gives us the joy and 472 00:26:31,859 --> 00:26:34,060 S1: gives you the insights. And we're glad for him both. 473 00:26:34,060 --> 00:26:36,460 S1: Before we get to our first question, though, this quick thought. 474 00:26:36,619 --> 00:26:39,100 S1: Did you know that most Jewish people have never heard 475 00:26:39,100 --> 00:26:41,980 S1: the gospel? Each week we talk about Israel and the 476 00:26:41,980 --> 00:26:44,980 S1: Jewish people, and it's so important to remember that they, 477 00:26:45,260 --> 00:26:48,260 S1: like everyone else, need to hear the good news. Well, 478 00:26:48,260 --> 00:26:51,139 S1: life in Messiah is a ministry that we love. They've 479 00:26:51,140 --> 00:26:54,900 S1: been in existence more than 135 years, and they are 480 00:26:54,900 --> 00:26:58,379 S1: devoted to sharing the gospel with Jewish people all around 481 00:26:58,380 --> 00:27:00,860 S1: the world. And now they're offering a pretty cool gift 482 00:27:00,859 --> 00:27:05,220 S1: to moody listeners. This free e-book, Reaching Jewish People for Messiah, 483 00:27:05,540 --> 00:27:08,420 S1: highlights the need for the gospel among the Jewish people 484 00:27:08,540 --> 00:27:10,859 S1: and will equip you with practical ways to share the 485 00:27:10,859 --> 00:27:13,940 S1: good News with them. To receive this free e-book on 486 00:27:13,940 --> 00:27:17,740 S1: your phone, your tablet, your desktop or laptop computer, visit 487 00:27:17,740 --> 00:27:21,540 S1: Life in Messiah. Org. Click on the Moody Radio logo 488 00:27:21,540 --> 00:27:26,450 S1: and sign up again. That's life in Messiah All. All right. 489 00:27:26,450 --> 00:27:28,810 S1: Question number one comes to us from Eric. Are you 490 00:27:28,810 --> 00:27:29,490 S1: ready for this? 491 00:27:29,770 --> 00:27:30,250 S5: I'm ready. 492 00:27:30,290 --> 00:27:32,570 S1: All right. I think he was born ready. I'm aware 493 00:27:32,570 --> 00:27:35,970 S1: that the Catholic Bible has extra books. He says. Recently, 494 00:27:35,970 --> 00:27:38,050 S1: I heard that these extra books were removed from the 495 00:27:38,050 --> 00:27:41,810 S1: Bible when the Protestant Reformation occurred. The Roman Catholic Church 496 00:27:41,810 --> 00:27:44,409 S1: seems to believe that these extra books are really part 497 00:27:44,410 --> 00:27:47,570 S1: of the whole Bible. The Protestants think the Protestant Bible 498 00:27:47,570 --> 00:27:50,410 S1: with fewer books is the complete Bible. What do you think? 499 00:27:50,410 --> 00:27:53,210 S1: Are these extra books useful to read? Are there any 500 00:27:53,210 --> 00:27:55,730 S1: good but short books that might address this topic? And 501 00:27:55,770 --> 00:27:58,810 S1: let me just say up front, we're delighted. Delighted are 502 00:27:58,810 --> 00:28:01,010 S1: we not? For our Catholic listeners who join us regularly? 503 00:28:01,010 --> 00:28:05,490 S5: Indeed, indeed, we definitely are. I'm sad to say this 504 00:28:05,490 --> 00:28:09,250 S5: is a painful and controversial question. Really. I don't think 505 00:28:09,250 --> 00:28:12,810 S5: it has to be, but it is painful. It's controversial 506 00:28:12,810 --> 00:28:15,290 S5: and there's been lots of vicious things said, I do 507 00:28:15,290 --> 00:28:16,330 S5: not want to go there. 508 00:28:16,369 --> 00:28:16,929 S1: Amen. 509 00:28:16,970 --> 00:28:20,689 S5: So I think that the real controversy here isn't the 510 00:28:20,690 --> 00:28:24,390 S5: New Testament. No. If we're talking about so-called other books 511 00:28:24,390 --> 00:28:27,590 S5: or extra books. It's really an Old Testament question. Okay, 512 00:28:27,630 --> 00:28:30,070 S5: so how many books are in the Old Testament? I 513 00:28:30,109 --> 00:28:33,070 S5: think the place we should go is to Josephus. Have 514 00:28:33,070 --> 00:28:36,109 S5: you folks heard of Josephus? Certainly. Okay. He's a first 515 00:28:36,109 --> 00:28:40,790 S5: century Jewish man. Almost certainly not a Christian man, but 516 00:28:40,830 --> 00:28:44,350 S5: he is an extensive writer. He's just very smart. He 517 00:28:44,350 --> 00:28:48,510 S5: writes quite a bit. And Josephus in his writing, is 518 00:28:48,550 --> 00:28:53,030 S5: kind of giving an apologetic for God's people, an apologetic 519 00:28:53,030 --> 00:28:57,750 S5: for Old Testament religion, for Judaism. Okay. So he takes 520 00:28:57,750 --> 00:29:00,470 S5: us to the canon and he talks about the canon 521 00:29:00,470 --> 00:29:04,310 S5: having 22 books. Now, you might say, I've looked at 522 00:29:04,310 --> 00:29:06,990 S5: my Old Testament. There's not 22. Oh, but wait, if 523 00:29:07,030 --> 00:29:12,350 S5: you know how Josephus counts them, his 22 books fit 524 00:29:12,350 --> 00:29:15,950 S5: perfectly with the Protestant canon. How does that work? Well, 525 00:29:15,990 --> 00:29:19,590 S5: because he counts first and second kings as one book, 526 00:29:19,750 --> 00:29:23,940 S5: first and second Chronicles as one book. Jeremiah and Lamentations 527 00:29:23,940 --> 00:29:27,500 S5: as one book. And sorry for all you little 12 guys, 528 00:29:27,500 --> 00:29:32,780 S5: minor prophets, you're all one book. Okay, so this is 529 00:29:32,780 --> 00:29:36,660 S5: why there's a differentiation. The Protestants are holding to this 530 00:29:36,660 --> 00:29:41,180 S5: Jewish tradition, and Roman Catholic brothers and sisters in Christ 531 00:29:41,180 --> 00:29:45,660 S5: are holding to a different tradition. Now he asks further, 532 00:29:46,020 --> 00:29:48,940 S5: can these books be helpful? Oh, yes, I've read them 533 00:29:48,940 --> 00:29:51,940 S5: many times, but we have to be careful. As with 534 00:29:51,940 --> 00:29:55,660 S5: anything we read, we should ask God, what do you 535 00:29:55,660 --> 00:29:58,460 S5: want me to get from this? So yes, these extra 536 00:29:58,500 --> 00:29:59,420 S5: books can be helpful. 537 00:29:59,620 --> 00:30:01,580 S1: But they are not a part of the canon that 538 00:30:01,860 --> 00:30:03,900 S1: Josephus recognized thousands of years ago. 539 00:30:03,940 --> 00:30:07,380 S5: Many thousands of years ago. So this means the 66 540 00:30:07,380 --> 00:30:10,620 S5: books of the Protestant canon or the 66 books. 541 00:30:10,620 --> 00:30:13,980 S1: I affirm to Jim's question if we are saved when 542 00:30:13,980 --> 00:30:17,260 S1: we accept Jesus, why does Jesus say in describing the 543 00:30:17,300 --> 00:30:21,450 S1: end times, those who persevere to the end will be saved. 544 00:30:21,490 --> 00:30:23,930 S5: Oh, this is a great question. I appreciate what Jim 545 00:30:23,930 --> 00:30:26,450 S5: is thinking about. This is kind of a scary question. 546 00:30:26,450 --> 00:30:31,290 S5: Let's go to Matthew 1022. This is where Jesus is talking. 547 00:30:31,650 --> 00:30:34,810 S5: And he says, and you will be hated by all 548 00:30:34,850 --> 00:30:38,250 S5: for my name's sake. But the one who perseveres to 549 00:30:38,330 --> 00:30:41,330 S5: the end will be saved. Now, I've got a couple 550 00:30:41,370 --> 00:30:43,490 S5: of things to mention about this. When we talk about 551 00:30:43,770 --> 00:30:46,850 S5: the New Testament and our salvation, the New Testament actually 552 00:30:46,850 --> 00:30:51,570 S5: gives us or talks about our salvation in three tenses. 553 00:30:51,570 --> 00:30:55,530 S5: So in Titus three it says, the Lord appeared and 554 00:30:55,570 --> 00:30:59,890 S5: saved us not by works we did. And then in 555 00:30:59,930 --> 00:31:03,090 S5: first Corinthians one, Paul says, the word of the cross 556 00:31:03,090 --> 00:31:06,210 S5: is folly to those who are perishing, but to us 557 00:31:06,210 --> 00:31:09,770 S5: who are being saved, it's the power of God. Note 558 00:31:09,770 --> 00:31:12,530 S5: the present tense. And then, of course, then there's the future. 559 00:31:12,530 --> 00:31:16,810 S5: Paul says. Romans five nine, having been justified by faith, 560 00:31:16,850 --> 00:31:20,720 S5: we shall be saved from the wrath of God through him. 561 00:31:21,000 --> 00:31:24,920 S5: So the New Testament pictures our salvation in three different tenses. 562 00:31:24,960 --> 00:31:28,520 S5: Let me get back to the question more directly. Jesus 563 00:31:28,560 --> 00:31:34,840 S5: is talking about persecution. Will our faith endure? Because I 564 00:31:34,840 --> 00:31:38,720 S5: take it that saving faith is enduring faith, and what 565 00:31:38,720 --> 00:31:43,400 S5: will test it and show ourselves and others that were genuine? 566 00:31:43,840 --> 00:31:46,680 S5: It's where we persevere through trials and persecution. 567 00:31:47,160 --> 00:31:49,120 S1: This is the land and the book from Moody Radio 568 00:31:49,120 --> 00:31:52,320 S1: Doctor Gerald Peterman, who is found every weekday in a 569 00:31:52,320 --> 00:31:56,240 S1: moody classroom somewhere teaching students, is now teaching us. And 570 00:31:56,240 --> 00:31:58,040 S1: you can get in on this with your email to 571 00:31:58,080 --> 00:32:03,080 S1: the land and the book at your question. His answer 572 00:32:03,080 --> 00:32:05,400 S1: when you email us at The Land and the book 573 00:32:05,440 --> 00:32:10,320 S1: at Moody. Rona takes us to Second Corinthians ten, verse 574 00:32:10,320 --> 00:32:13,280 S1: six and points out, it looks like it's connected to us, 575 00:32:13,280 --> 00:32:17,000 S1: taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Romans 576 00:32:17,000 --> 00:32:20,550 S1: 12 verse 19 tells us to not avenge ourselves. So 577 00:32:20,550 --> 00:32:23,150 S1: what does Second Corinthians ten six mean? 578 00:32:23,590 --> 00:32:27,150 S5: Well, let's just go there, shall we? Two Corinthians ten 579 00:32:27,190 --> 00:32:32,830 S5: six Paul says, we are ready to punish every disobedience 580 00:32:32,830 --> 00:32:38,110 S5: after your obedience has become complete. Now to whom is 581 00:32:38,110 --> 00:32:41,670 S5: he referring? That's the real question. When we come to 582 00:32:41,710 --> 00:32:44,870 S5: second Corinthians, by the time we're in the next chapter, 583 00:32:44,870 --> 00:32:49,190 S5: we see clearly Paul is combating false teachers. There have 584 00:32:49,190 --> 00:32:52,750 S5: been some false apostles who've come in among the Corinthians 585 00:32:52,750 --> 00:32:55,750 S5: making all sorts of trouble. I take it that here 586 00:32:55,750 --> 00:33:00,750 S5: in chapter ten he's referring to these false apostles, these troublemakers, 587 00:33:00,750 --> 00:33:04,030 S5: because they say about Paul, you are walking according to 588 00:33:04,030 --> 00:33:08,190 S5: the flesh. That's in chapter ten, verse two. So when 589 00:33:08,190 --> 00:33:12,750 S5: Paul says he's ready to punish every disobedience after your 590 00:33:12,750 --> 00:33:16,950 S5: obedience is complete, he wants the Corinthians first to come 591 00:33:16,950 --> 00:33:20,700 S5: to their senses. And then he will deal with these 592 00:33:20,700 --> 00:33:23,900 S5: interlopers and false teachers. So I hope that's helpful. 593 00:33:23,900 --> 00:33:26,780 S1: I hope it's helpful to, uh. John asks. I hope 594 00:33:26,780 --> 00:33:28,900 S1: you can help me better understand the narrative about the 595 00:33:28,900 --> 00:33:33,020 S1: resurrected Jesus encounter with Mary Magdalene at the tomb. John 596 00:33:33,020 --> 00:33:36,540 S1: 20 verse 17 finds Jesus saying, do not hold on 597 00:33:36,580 --> 00:33:39,260 S1: to me, for I have not yet returned to the father. 598 00:33:39,620 --> 00:33:42,380 S1: He later appeared to Thomas and had him to touch 599 00:33:42,380 --> 00:33:45,380 S1: his wounds before he had returned to the father. Why 600 00:33:45,500 --> 00:33:48,420 S1: the difference in these circumstances between the two? 601 00:33:48,460 --> 00:33:50,620 S5: Well, John should know that he's not the only one 602 00:33:50,660 --> 00:33:54,500 S5: thinking about this, and I appreciate the question. So when 603 00:33:54,500 --> 00:33:58,700 S5: we encounter Jesus and Mary, he says something like, let's 604 00:33:58,700 --> 00:34:01,940 S5: stop the hug for now, because you have a task, 605 00:34:02,140 --> 00:34:05,459 S5: because you have to go tell my brothers that I'm 606 00:34:05,460 --> 00:34:08,219 S5: raised from the dead and that you've seen me. So 607 00:34:08,500 --> 00:34:11,860 S5: he's cutting off the interactions. I take it just temporarily, 608 00:34:11,860 --> 00:34:15,580 S5: because she has an important task. But then we come 609 00:34:15,580 --> 00:34:19,770 S5: to Thomas. And Jesus offers his wounds to Thomas to 610 00:34:19,770 --> 00:34:22,130 S5: be inspected. Why does he do this? It seems so 611 00:34:22,130 --> 00:34:26,930 S5: very different because Jesus knows that this is the requirement 612 00:34:27,330 --> 00:34:29,810 S5: Thomas has put down. I will not believe unless I 613 00:34:29,810 --> 00:34:33,890 S5: put my finger there. And so our Lord is graciously 614 00:34:33,890 --> 00:34:37,009 S5: giving him what he needs. So the two encounters may 615 00:34:37,050 --> 00:34:38,930 S5: be on the surface seem very different, but in both 616 00:34:38,930 --> 00:34:41,450 S5: cases you have love and kindness. 617 00:34:41,690 --> 00:34:43,609 S1: It seems to me like Thomas had an assignment in 618 00:34:43,610 --> 00:34:45,890 S1: this case as well. He does touch and believe. 619 00:34:45,930 --> 00:34:48,930 S5: He does. And then? And then you know what happens 620 00:34:48,930 --> 00:34:51,690 S5: in the next couple of verses. He says, my Lord 621 00:34:51,690 --> 00:34:53,530 S5: and my God. Yes. 622 00:34:53,570 --> 00:34:58,370 S1: Awesome. Vernon has a question about Ezekiel, chapters 44 through 46, 623 00:34:58,370 --> 00:35:01,370 S1: where a prince is mentioned and some scholars say he 624 00:35:01,370 --> 00:35:04,089 S1: will be from the line of David. Some views go 625 00:35:04,130 --> 00:35:06,370 S1: as far as to say it's Jesus Christ, but this 626 00:35:06,370 --> 00:35:08,690 S1: does not add up. It seems to me, seeing that 627 00:35:08,690 --> 00:35:13,170 S1: in Ezekiel 4517, the prince is told to furnish the offerings. 628 00:35:13,489 --> 00:35:15,590 S1: Would you have any perspective as to who this prince 629 00:35:15,590 --> 00:35:17,990 S1: is and why he's carrying out what seems to be 630 00:35:17,989 --> 00:35:19,750 S1: the responsibility of a priest? 631 00:35:19,790 --> 00:35:22,710 S5: Oh, this is a this is a challenging question. Let's 632 00:35:22,710 --> 00:35:26,340 S5: start here. I take it that Ezekiel chapters 40 to 633 00:35:26,340 --> 00:35:30,350 S5: 46 have to do with a literal millennial temple, a 634 00:35:30,350 --> 00:35:33,549 S5: situation that we've not been in yet. So who is 635 00:35:33,550 --> 00:35:39,230 S5: the prince? The prince would then be the resurrected David. 636 00:35:39,590 --> 00:35:43,149 S5: He's redeemed. But still, in this time period, there will 637 00:35:43,150 --> 00:35:47,910 S5: be sacrifices made. So we hear that the Prince Ezekiel 45, 638 00:35:47,950 --> 00:35:52,669 S5: verse 22, will provide himself and the people a bull 639 00:35:52,670 --> 00:35:55,149 S5: for the sin offering. This is what often happens. Read 640 00:35:55,150 --> 00:35:58,150 S5: your Old Testament. You find that whoever's wealthy like the King, 641 00:35:58,590 --> 00:36:02,109 S5: supplies the offering. But of course, the offering isn't offered 642 00:36:02,110 --> 00:36:05,870 S5: by the king. It's offered by the priest. So you 643 00:36:05,870 --> 00:36:09,549 S5: have David doing that very thing. Why? Sacrifices during the 644 00:36:09,550 --> 00:36:14,180 S5: millennial temple? It's kind of like the Lord's Supper today, 645 00:36:14,780 --> 00:36:20,259 S5: we can look back on the sacrifice and see its significance. 646 00:36:20,540 --> 00:36:23,820 S5: And so they'll be doing this in the millennial period. 647 00:36:24,180 --> 00:36:24,980 S5: I hope that's helpful. 648 00:36:25,020 --> 00:36:27,180 S1: I hope so too. And it's been a great collection 649 00:36:27,180 --> 00:36:29,860 S1: of questions today. Wish we had time for more. But 650 00:36:29,860 --> 00:36:31,900 S1: we'll be back next week. And we'd love to include 651 00:36:31,900 --> 00:36:34,379 S1: your question as you email it to us at The 652 00:36:34,380 --> 00:36:39,380 S1: Land and the Book at Moody. Our fourth and final 653 00:36:39,380 --> 00:36:42,259 S1: segment coming up next, Doctor Charlie Dyer with his devotional 654 00:36:42,260 --> 00:36:58,660 S1: here on the land and the book. Good news. We've 655 00:36:58,660 --> 00:37:01,859 S1: saved the best for last. It's true. Many people find 656 00:37:01,860 --> 00:37:05,180 S1: this next segment our fourth. It's Charlie Dyer's devotional to 657 00:37:05,219 --> 00:37:09,060 S1: be their favorite. Why? Well, you're about to find out, Charlie. 658 00:37:09,060 --> 00:37:12,250 S1: They say that confession is good for the soul. But 659 00:37:12,250 --> 00:37:14,890 S1: I have a feeling the confessions we're talking about in 660 00:37:14,890 --> 00:37:17,930 S1: this devotional series are a bit different than that old saying. 661 00:37:18,210 --> 00:37:21,490 S2: Uh, it is. These are very positive confessions leading people 662 00:37:21,489 --> 00:37:22,850 S2: to look toward God. 663 00:37:22,850 --> 00:37:25,730 S1: And we'll get into that confession for this week after 664 00:37:25,730 --> 00:37:29,450 S1: we pause for a Holy Land experience. Listen to this testimony. 665 00:37:33,650 --> 00:37:35,410 S6: My name is Kent, and I think one of the 666 00:37:35,410 --> 00:37:37,570 S6: most impactful things for my time in Israel was actually 667 00:37:37,570 --> 00:37:40,009 S6: the first day when we went up on Mount Carmel 668 00:37:40,010 --> 00:37:42,489 S6: and came around and all of a sudden we looked 669 00:37:42,489 --> 00:37:45,250 S6: out over the Jezreel Valley. It was amazing to see 670 00:37:45,850 --> 00:37:48,569 S6: Nazareth in the distance, that it was really actually so 671 00:37:48,570 --> 00:37:52,050 S6: close to there. And the Sea of Galilee wasn't very far. 672 00:37:52,050 --> 00:37:55,450 S6: And just to realize that all these things that happened 673 00:37:55,450 --> 00:37:58,770 S6: in that area, it's a small area, and even the 674 00:37:58,770 --> 00:38:00,890 S6: country of Israel is small, and yet so much has 675 00:38:00,890 --> 00:38:04,250 S6: happened there. And, um, just to know that Christ also 676 00:38:04,250 --> 00:38:07,210 S6: had had been in that area and that God's plan 677 00:38:07,210 --> 00:38:10,170 S6: throughout time was for, um, all these things to occur. 678 00:38:10,920 --> 00:38:14,520 S7: My name is Norma, and I think the thing that 679 00:38:14,520 --> 00:38:16,600 S7: I benefit most from when I come to the Holy 680 00:38:16,640 --> 00:38:20,560 S7: Lands is that it provides a biblical context. The Bible 681 00:38:20,560 --> 00:38:24,200 S7: is no longer just a cover with pages in between it, 682 00:38:24,400 --> 00:38:27,040 S7: but it's a place where Christ walked. And when I 683 00:38:27,040 --> 00:38:29,960 S7: walked through Jerusalem, I see the steps that are wallowed 684 00:38:29,960 --> 00:38:34,640 S7: out in the center from leather, sandal soles and bare feet. 685 00:38:35,000 --> 00:38:37,800 S7: And I see the Western Wall and the Temple Mount, 686 00:38:37,800 --> 00:38:40,879 S7: and I see the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee. 687 00:38:41,120 --> 00:38:44,600 S7: So it puts the entire life of Christ and everything 688 00:38:44,600 --> 00:38:48,319 S7: that's happened in the past 2000 years into a context 689 00:38:48,320 --> 00:38:49,920 S7: that makes Scripture richer. 690 00:38:51,960 --> 00:38:54,720 S1: All right, Charlie, take it away with today's devotional. 691 00:38:54,880 --> 00:38:57,839 S2: Thanks, John. Well, today's devotional is a continuation of our 692 00:38:57,840 --> 00:39:00,799 S2: eight part series that I've been calling Great Confessions of 693 00:39:00,800 --> 00:39:04,239 S2: the Bible. The focus is on memorable lines spoken at 694 00:39:04,239 --> 00:39:06,720 S2: key points in history by some of the great heroes 695 00:39:06,719 --> 00:39:09,790 S2: of the faith. And today's great confession takes us to 696 00:39:09,830 --> 00:39:12,310 S2: the summit of Mount Carmel, to a place known in 697 00:39:12,310 --> 00:39:16,070 S2: Arabic as Muraka, the place of burning. There's a Carmelite 698 00:39:16,070 --> 00:39:19,029 S2: monastery here today, but we're not visiting the chapel. We're 699 00:39:19,030 --> 00:39:21,310 S2: climbing up on the roof. Now, follow me for an 700 00:39:21,310 --> 00:39:25,030 S2: outstanding view. It's a clear day, which isn't always the case, 701 00:39:25,030 --> 00:39:28,509 S2: especially in November. Sometimes the valley below is cloaked in 702 00:39:28,510 --> 00:39:31,310 S2: a blanket of haze. And other times, the winter rains 703 00:39:31,310 --> 00:39:34,549 S2: here on Mount Carmel make it impossible to view anything. 704 00:39:34,830 --> 00:39:37,310 S2: But today we can see from the Mediterranean all the 705 00:39:37,310 --> 00:39:40,190 S2: way to the mountains east of the Jordan River. This 706 00:39:40,190 --> 00:39:42,750 S2: is one of the places that helps a person realize 707 00:39:42,750 --> 00:39:46,910 S2: how small Israel really is. Before we begin, let me 708 00:39:46,910 --> 00:39:50,630 S2: point out just a few geographical details. The valley almost 709 00:39:50,630 --> 00:39:54,709 S2: 1600 feet below is the Jezreel Valley. The highway running 710 00:39:54,710 --> 00:39:57,630 S2: along the base of Mount Carmel is heading west to 711 00:39:57,670 --> 00:39:59,870 S2: the city of Haifa. Now, do you see that ribbon 712 00:39:59,910 --> 00:40:02,790 S2: of dark green just on the other side of the highway? 713 00:40:03,190 --> 00:40:06,390 S2: That's the Keyshawn River. Remember where it is, because it'll 714 00:40:06,390 --> 00:40:09,420 S2: play a role in our story. Now follow the highway 715 00:40:09,420 --> 00:40:12,580 S2: in the other direction. Do you see that tall mountain 716 00:40:12,580 --> 00:40:16,180 S2: off in the distance? That's Mount Gilboa. The city of 717 00:40:16,180 --> 00:40:19,779 S2: Jezreel is located right at its base. Once you have 718 00:40:19,780 --> 00:40:22,219 S2: all these places in mind, it's time to open our 719 00:40:22,219 --> 00:40:25,300 S2: Bibles to First Kings 18. We all know the story 720 00:40:25,300 --> 00:40:28,219 S2: of Elijah's contest with the prophets of Baal. But I 721 00:40:28,219 --> 00:40:30,340 S2: want us to think of that contest as the Super 722 00:40:30,340 --> 00:40:33,620 S2: Bowl of its day. And the oddsmakers are all expecting 723 00:40:33,620 --> 00:40:37,060 S2: Baal to win. He's the god of rain and storms. 724 00:40:37,100 --> 00:40:40,500 S2: Mount Carmel rises so quickly from the Mediterranean that the 725 00:40:40,500 --> 00:40:44,100 S2: moisture laden air cools as it rises. As a result, 726 00:40:44,100 --> 00:40:47,500 S2: Mount Carmel receives more rain than many other places, and 727 00:40:47,500 --> 00:40:50,660 S2: people saw it as a special place for Baal. Holding 728 00:40:50,660 --> 00:40:53,060 S2: the contest between Elijah and the prophets of Baal on 729 00:40:53,060 --> 00:40:58,300 S2: Mount Carmel gave Baal home field advantage. But the inequalities continue. 730 00:40:58,660 --> 00:41:02,060 S2: Baal had 450 prophets on his team, while the God 731 00:41:02,060 --> 00:41:05,860 S2: of Israel only had Elijah, and Baal also had 400 732 00:41:05,860 --> 00:41:10,330 S2: prophets of the Asherah for a cheering section. Elijah had none. 733 00:41:10,810 --> 00:41:12,850 S2: The contest was to be decided by the God who 734 00:41:12,850 --> 00:41:16,770 S2: could send fire from heaven. Baal was often pictured holding 735 00:41:16,770 --> 00:41:21,049 S2: a lightning bolt for a spear. Since lightning often accompanies storms, 736 00:41:21,370 --> 00:41:25,330 S2: Baal's specialty was sending fire from heaven. And then Elijah 737 00:41:25,330 --> 00:41:28,810 S2: let Baal win the coin toss. Baal's prophets were allowed 738 00:41:28,810 --> 00:41:31,650 S2: to choose the animal they wanted to sacrifice and to 739 00:41:31,690 --> 00:41:35,210 S2: go first if they could get fire to fall from heaven. First, 740 00:41:35,250 --> 00:41:37,850 S2: Elijah would lose even before he would have a chance 741 00:41:37,850 --> 00:41:41,250 S2: to take the field. So what can one person do 742 00:41:41,250 --> 00:41:44,810 S2: when asked to stand for God against seemingly impossible odds? 743 00:41:45,130 --> 00:41:48,290 S2: The answer is found by exploring Elijah's great confession on 744 00:41:48,290 --> 00:41:51,730 S2: Mount Carmel. At the very beginning of the contest, Elijah 745 00:41:51,770 --> 00:41:54,569 S2: turned to the people of Israel and shouted out a challenge. 746 00:41:54,850 --> 00:41:58,250 S2: How long will you waver between two opinions? If the 747 00:41:58,250 --> 00:42:01,530 S2: Lord is God, follow him. But if Baal is God, 748 00:42:01,530 --> 00:42:05,960 S2: follow him. But the crowd was unwilling to respond. Bond. Elijah. 749 00:42:06,000 --> 00:42:08,120 S2: Let the prophets of Baal spend the greater part of 750 00:42:08,120 --> 00:42:11,680 S2: the day calling in vain for Baal to answer. Finally, 751 00:42:11,719 --> 00:42:15,880 S2: Elijah walked onto the gridiron. He repaired God's altar, prepared 752 00:42:15,880 --> 00:42:18,600 S2: the wood and the sacrifice, and then asked for four 753 00:42:18,600 --> 00:42:21,160 S2: large jars of water to be poured on the altar, 754 00:42:21,480 --> 00:42:23,760 S2: and to be filled and poured out a second time 755 00:42:24,160 --> 00:42:27,520 S2: and a third time. By then the sacrifice and the 756 00:42:27,520 --> 00:42:30,640 S2: wood were soaked, and the ditch around the altar looked 757 00:42:30,640 --> 00:42:34,759 S2: like a medieval moat. Only then did Elijah begin his 758 00:42:34,760 --> 00:42:39,600 S2: great confessional prayer, a prayer that displayed unswerving conviction in 759 00:42:39,600 --> 00:42:44,239 S2: the power of Yahweh, the God he served. O Lord 760 00:42:44,480 --> 00:42:47,759 S2: God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known 761 00:42:47,760 --> 00:42:50,640 S2: today that you are God in Israel, and that I 762 00:42:50,680 --> 00:42:53,279 S2: am your servant, and have done all these things at 763 00:42:53,280 --> 00:42:56,919 S2: your command. Answer me, O Lord, answer me so these 764 00:42:56,920 --> 00:43:00,319 S2: people will know that you, O Lord our God, and 765 00:43:00,320 --> 00:43:03,839 S2: that you are turning their hearts back again. Don't miss 766 00:43:03,840 --> 00:43:07,779 S2: the conviction in Elijah's confessional prayer. His focus is on 767 00:43:07,780 --> 00:43:11,020 S2: the fact that Yahweh, not Baal, is the true God 768 00:43:11,020 --> 00:43:14,660 S2: and that Elijah was there facing 450 prophets of Baal 769 00:43:14,700 --> 00:43:17,580 S2: because he was God's servant and God had sent him 770 00:43:17,580 --> 00:43:20,580 S2: to turn the hearts of Israel back to the true God. 771 00:43:21,340 --> 00:43:25,939 S2: So how effective was Elijah's prayer? The account continues. Then 772 00:43:25,940 --> 00:43:28,700 S2: the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, 773 00:43:29,140 --> 00:43:33,020 S2: the wood, the stones, and the soil, and also licked 774 00:43:33,020 --> 00:43:35,580 S2: up the water in the trench. When all the people 775 00:43:35,620 --> 00:43:38,779 S2: saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, the Lord, he 776 00:43:38,780 --> 00:43:43,020 S2: is God, the Lord, he is God. I love that story, 777 00:43:43,300 --> 00:43:46,260 S2: but that's where we often stop. We need to keep going. 778 00:43:46,620 --> 00:43:48,540 S2: About the time the fire fell, I have a feeling 779 00:43:48,540 --> 00:43:51,500 S2: the prophets of Baal turned and began trotting toward the 780 00:43:51,500 --> 00:43:54,739 S2: locker room. And that's when Elijah shouted out, seize the 781 00:43:54,739 --> 00:43:59,020 S2: prophets of Baal! Don't let anyone get away! They seized them, 782 00:43:59,020 --> 00:44:01,779 S2: and Elijah had them brought down to the brook Keyshawn, 783 00:44:01,780 --> 00:44:05,330 S2: and slaughtered there. Now look down to the Keyshawn River. 784 00:44:05,330 --> 00:44:08,810 S2: That's a long way down. Then Elijah told Ahab to 785 00:44:08,850 --> 00:44:13,370 S2: go up, eat and drink. As Ahab did, Elijah went 786 00:44:13,370 --> 00:44:15,969 S2: up to the top of Carmel. He climbed back up 787 00:44:15,969 --> 00:44:20,010 S2: the mountain. It had to be almost dark by now. Then, 788 00:44:20,010 --> 00:44:23,930 S2: when the storm arose, Elijah told Ahab to ride to Jezreel, 789 00:44:24,370 --> 00:44:27,770 S2: while Elijah came back down off the mountain and outran 790 00:44:27,810 --> 00:44:31,530 S2: Ahab to Jezreel. He ran the equivalent of a marathon 791 00:44:31,530 --> 00:44:34,290 S2: at the end of a very busy day in the dark. 792 00:44:34,890 --> 00:44:37,609 S2: Elijah was a man of conviction who was willing to 793 00:44:37,650 --> 00:44:41,290 S2: take his stand before a king and 450 prophets of 794 00:44:41,290 --> 00:44:44,210 S2: Baal and a fickle nation. And I can hear you 795 00:44:44,250 --> 00:44:47,529 S2: saying to yourself right now, he sure was an amazing man. 796 00:44:47,530 --> 00:44:50,330 S2: I wish I could be an Elijah. But here's the 797 00:44:50,330 --> 00:44:53,970 S2: good news you can be an Elijah. How do I know? 798 00:44:54,250 --> 00:44:57,410 S2: Because the book of James tells me so. Near the 799 00:44:57,410 --> 00:45:00,410 S2: end of his letter, James uses the story of Elijah 800 00:45:00,410 --> 00:45:03,560 S2: to drive home a key point. Listen to what he says. 801 00:45:04,000 --> 00:45:07,160 S2: The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. 802 00:45:07,440 --> 00:45:10,160 S2: Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and 803 00:45:10,160 --> 00:45:12,480 S2: he prayed earnestly that it might not rain. And it 804 00:45:12,480 --> 00:45:15,040 S2: did not rain on the earth for three years and 805 00:45:15,040 --> 00:45:18,680 S2: six months. And he prayed again, and the sky poured rain, 806 00:45:18,680 --> 00:45:22,480 S2: and the earth produced its fruit. A conviction is a 807 00:45:22,480 --> 00:45:26,520 S2: firmly held belief. Elijah was a person just like us, 808 00:45:26,520 --> 00:45:31,399 S2: with all the same fears and frustrations and failures. But 809 00:45:31,400 --> 00:45:35,120 S2: the one truth Elijah held with absolute conviction was the 810 00:45:35,120 --> 00:45:38,000 S2: truth that the God of the Bible was the only 811 00:45:38,000 --> 00:45:41,560 S2: true God, and that allowed him to stand before seemingly 812 00:45:41,560 --> 00:45:46,680 S2: impossible odds and to pray seemingly impossible prayers. And that's 813 00:45:46,680 --> 00:45:51,000 S2: why Elijah's great confession is one we can all follow 814 00:45:51,000 --> 00:45:52,279 S2: in our lives. 815 00:45:52,680 --> 00:45:55,040 S1: Thank you Charlie. What a scene and what a painting 816 00:45:55,040 --> 00:45:57,960 S1: that you have created for us. Thanks for giving it 817 00:45:57,960 --> 00:46:01,630 S1: new life and new perspective. You can hear Charlie's devotional 818 00:46:01,630 --> 00:46:04,790 S1: and the entire program again with a visit to our website, 819 00:46:04,790 --> 00:46:06,950 S1: there's a podcast there and we'd love it if you 820 00:46:07,190 --> 00:46:10,029 S1: enjoyed that. Not just yourself, but also shared us with 821 00:46:10,030 --> 00:46:12,589 S1: your friends. A lot of folks don't live anywhere near 822 00:46:12,590 --> 00:46:15,149 S1: a radio station that carries the land and the book, 823 00:46:15,150 --> 00:46:19,190 S1: but everybody, everybody can enjoy the podcast. You'll find it 824 00:46:19,190 --> 00:46:23,430 S1: at the land and the book, the land and the book. 825 00:46:24,630 --> 00:46:26,950 S1: A reminder that you can get your question to us 826 00:46:26,950 --> 00:46:29,750 S1: about the Bible for Gerald Peterman to answer as you 827 00:46:29,750 --> 00:46:32,469 S1: email us at the land and the Book at Moody. 828 00:46:33,430 --> 00:46:36,710 S1: You get an answer to that question that's been bothering you. 829 00:46:36,710 --> 00:46:41,710 S1: The land and the book at Moody. Well, our time 830 00:46:41,710 --> 00:46:44,150 S1: has gone. It does go too quickly, but we're grateful 831 00:46:44,150 --> 00:46:46,830 S1: for your visit on behalf of our host, Charlie Dyer, 832 00:46:46,870 --> 00:46:50,430 S1: our producer, Dan Anderson, I'm John Yeager. The land and 833 00:46:50,430 --> 00:46:53,230 S1: the book is a production of Moody Radio, a ministry 834 00:46:53,230 --> 00:46:54,910 S1: of Moody Bible Institute.