00:00:08
S1: Don't you love filling out your taxes? Those forms are so fun and paying up is a sheer delight, right? Wrong. But the pain of paying taxes is something people understood in Jesus day as well. Hey, what's the biblical viewpoint on taxes, especially those that might be paying for things Christians find sinful? Taxes in Scripture. That's our conversation in just a few minutes. Hey, welcome to the land and the book. Our host, doctor Charlie Dyer, is an accountant. And no, that's not quite right, is it, Charlie? Not quite. Yeah, but you do a pretty good job with your taxes. You haven't done real early. I do.

00:00:44
S2: I'm obsessive about that. And thankfully, there's nice software that helps me.

00:00:48
S1: Okay, well, we're glad that you're helping us understand what's going on in the current events side of things, particularly in the Middle East. We'll get to that after we think about the the question, how do I share the gospel with my Jewish friend. It's a good question because it recognizes the need for a sensitive approach to sharing with Jewish people.

00:01:07
S2: That's right. And that's why our friends at Life in Messiah want to help answer that question. They put together a series of helpful articles on how you can share the good news with Jewish people around you. You'll learn about Jewish cultural sensitivities, how anti-Semitism affects Jewish evangelism, the importance of messianic prophecy, and more. To access the articles, visit lifein. Messiah. Org, click on the Moody Radio logo and sign up. You'll receive articles that will equip you with practical ways to share the good news with Jewish people around you or online. Find the Moody radio icon at Life in Messiah Dot. Oh.

00:01:44
S1: And now a look at current events from the Middle East. This coming Monday evening marks the start of Yom Hashoah Holocaust Remembrance Day. The timing seems fitting in light of Iran's ongoing threats to wipe out the State of Israel. The conflict with Iran took a dramatic turn, though. Last Tuesday evening, just minutes before President Trump's threatened all out assault on Iran was to begin. Instead, he announced a suspension in strikes on Iran in exchange for Iran opening the Strait of Hormuz. Could this lead to an end to the war? Or is it only a temporary truce?

00:02:18
S2: You know, right now, John, we don't have a definitive answer to that question. It'll depend in large measure on whether Iran halts all its attacks, allows ships through the Strait of Hormuz and agrees to eliminate its nuclear program. Prior to President Trump's dramatic announcement of a two week suspension in strikes. Many were critical of his hyperbolic language when he said, quote, you know, the whole civilization in Iran would die once the attack begins. But had people focused on his actions, I think they would have understood what he meant. Trump was not threatening to destroy the Iranian people. He's the one who stood up for them. When tens of thousands were murdered by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. He was focused on dismantling Iran's ability to attack neighboring states, choking off their support for international terror and eliminating their pursuit of nuclear weapons. His imagery was colorful or crude, depending on your perspective, but his actions have remained very consistent. I always like a historical perspective, and a historical parallel to what's been happening is what took place in World War Two. The goal of the Allies in Europe wasn't to eliminate the German people. It was to defeat Hitler and remove the Nazi leadership that started the conflict in Europe, including the Holocaust. It took an all out military effort to defeat Hitler. We had to bomb factories, rail lines, bridges, power stations and anything else that could be used to support the Nazi war machine. The financial lifeline for the Islamic Republic is its oil and natural gas. They've used those funds to build up their nuclear program, support other terror groups and fund their development of missiles and drones. And by controlling the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz, they proved to be a strategic threat to the rest of the world. President Trump was threatening to make it impossible for them to continue on that pathway. That's what he meant by his words. War is never a good option, but sometimes it's the only effective option, especially when confronting an enemy driven by an ideology of hatred. Once Iran realized that President Trump was willing to follow through on his threat, they agreed to this two week ceasefire and renewed talks. The next two weeks, though, are crucial. Iran can't be allowed to rearm and resume threatening its neighbors. Let's hope the rest of the world uses this opportunity to also put pressure on them to change their ways. As you said earlier, John, this coming week is Yom Hashoah Holocaust Remembrance Day. And that's a stark reminder of what can happen if the world waits too long before standing up to evil.

00:04:45
S1: A quick follow up, Charlie. Iran has to know that with satellite technology and spies and so on, they're being watched. What could they be doing, though, to rearm during this ten day hiatus.

00:04:57
S2: Well, I think we've done enough damage to them. I think they would be just trying to dig out right now and see what they have. Take stock of what still remains.

00:05:04
S1: Okay. Story number two. Oil, water or accurate information. Charlie, which of these three items seems to be in short supply right now in the Middle East?

00:05:14
S2: You know, if people were voting here, I think they'd vote on oil. It would be at the top of our list. And anyone who's been filling up a car or truck in the past few weeks has seen that rise in fuel prices. And that's in spite of the fact that we actually receive very little oil from the Middle East. But Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz sent oil prices skyrocketing worldwide. Now, hopefully, this will start to decline in the next week or so. Accurate information, though, especially in the Middle East, also seems to be in short supply. Political bias the desire to scoop other news organizations in a 24 over seven news cycle results in breathless coverage that's often inaccurate, in fact, downright misleading at times. But while oil and information are definitely in short supply, water actually might be the most critical shortage facing the Middle East. Historically, water for the six states in the Gulf Cooperation Council, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait have come from aquifers, which are now severely depleted. The total renewable surface and groundwater resources of these six Gulf countries is less, far less than the annual flow of the Susquehanna River, where I grew up, and that's for a Gulf population that has grown to 62 million. The vast majority of the water used by those people is coming from 3400 operational desalination plants. That's one fifth of all desalination facilities worldwide. And those facilities are actually producing even more than that. They're producing a third of all desalinated water generated worldwide. Now that represents a serious vulnerability that Iran has threatened to exploit. Several desalination plants were attacked by Iranian missiles and drones during the conflict. And while the total number of facilities seems rather sizable, there are actually just a small number of mega complexes serving a million people or more. Attacking those larger desalination plants would be far more disruptive. Humans can go weeks without food. We can only survive for 72 hours without water. Both the Gulf states and Iran know the seriousness of this danger, and that's why Iran was willing to threaten both the oil and water resources of the surrounding nations. So right now, water is the resource whose supply is most vulnerable in the Middle East.

00:07:24
S1: This is the land and the book from Moody Radio. A look at current events in this opening segment. Hyssop was considered the most humble of plants, but in Israel today you can be fined for picking it. Charlie, why is there a war against hyssop harvesters?

00:07:38
S2: Well, you know, in one Kings four, the writer explained the vast breadth of Solomon's knowledge by saying he spoke of trees from the cedar that's in Lebanon, even to the hyssop that grows in the wall. And what he meant was from the most majestic tree to the most humble and common plant. Solomon knew it all. Well, in Israel, I'm always on the lookout for hyssop growing in those walls and other rocky areas. Since it's related to the oregano family of spices, I love to have people rub the plant and then smell their hands and ask what food comes to mind. And eventually someone shouts out, pizza! Well, hyssop is still used for cooking and sadly though, as a result it's being illegally harvested almost to the point of extinction in some places there. Israel's Nature and Parks Authority has made it illegal to pick hyssop in nature reserves. They aren't pursuing individuals who are picking small amounts for personal use. But in two recently publicized cases, they arrested and fined several individuals found with hundreds of pounds of hyssop and some other sought after plants. These individuals are overharvesting the plants, and are even cutting through fences and forcing open gates to reach restricted areas. They end up harming the biodiversity there. I'm rooting for the parks authority on this one. Hyssop was common in Bible times and it plays a key role in several biblical passages. You know, it would be a shame if future travelers to Israel were only able to learn about hyssop from a book, or from sprinkling oregano on their pizza.

00:08:59
S1: Why don't they just make available hyssop seeds to responsible farmers who are interested?

00:09:03
S2: I think it's so common to plant that most farmers don't care for it. Again, it's just a weed that grows in the rocks, but it's a valuable weed that's being harvested to extinction in some places.

00:09:13
S1: Well, it's too bad. Yeah. In spite of the war, excavations continue at hippos on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee. This is a really cool place, Charlie. Tell us about the two recent discoveries, though, from two different time periods that are 800 years apart.

00:09:28
S2: Yeah. You know, it's a fascinating site. As we saw, it's open to visitors, but it really wasn't quite ready for large crowds when we were there. Now, at some point in the future, though, I think it's going to be a must see site for tourists. About these two most recent discoveries. The first is a 2100 year old lead projectile. It's shaped like a small football, an inch and a quarter long, about three quarters of an inch wide, and it weighed just under two ounces. David used a stone in a sling to kill Goliath, but the inhabitants of hippies were using lead weights for their slings. What makes this lead weight so special is that it contained an inscription that read, quote, learn. The archaeologist believes the meaning behind the inscription was learn your lesson in the sense of giving up trying to attack us. And this LED bullet was found on the south side of the city down the slope, suggesting it was fired by a defender there. Now move forward in time, 700 years and we go from that to an object of peace. The newest discovery is a marble liturgical bowl discovered in one of the seven churches during the Byzantine era, from a lead bullet bearing a sarcastic image to a three basin marble bowl with religious significance, Hippasus continuing to reveal its fascinating history.

00:10:37
S1: And that's a look at current events from the Middle East. Well, what's the biblical viewpoint on taxes, especially those that pay for things we Christians find sinful? That's our conversation coming up next here on the land and the book where our website is the land and the book dot. Oh. Don't you absolutely love working on your taxes? Yes. Those forms are so fun and paying up. Now that's a bonus, a sure pleasure, right? Uh, wrong. But the pain of paying taxes is something people understood even in Jesus day. So what's the biblical viewpoint on taxes? Especially those that pay for things Christians find sinful? Taxes in Scripture. That's our conversation coming up. Hey, welcome back to the land and the book segment two. I'm John Gager. Before we ponder today's taxing topic, let's think through a quick idea on reaching our Jewish friends with the love of Jesus. In First Corinthians chapter nine, Paul states, I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. You ever wonder, how does this apply to Jewish evangelism? Wes Tabor is with life in Messiah. How does that apply? Wes.

00:12:02
S3: Yeah. In verse 20, Paul says that he relates to the Jewish people, quote, as a Jew, end quote. That required no effort because Paul was Jewish. But he goes on to talk about identifying with both those under the law, the Jewish people observing the mosaic code, and likely the rabbinic application of the law and those not under the law. So on the practical level in acts, we see him relating very differently when speaking in a synagogue and when addressing idolaters on Mars Hill in acts 17. In reaching Jewish people today, we need to understand their worldview, whether religious or secular, to make the gospel relatable.

00:12:37
S1: Okay, Wes, what would be an example of entering into their world? Give me an idea here.

00:12:42
S3: Okay. An easy example would be attending a lifecycle event like a briss, a ritual circumcision or a bat mitzvah. Holiday celebrations such as Passover, Purim, Hanukkah are great opportunities to build bridges. Connecting such events with their biblical roots can open the door for spiritual conversation.

00:12:59
S1: Okay. Good ideas. Westhaven with life in Messiah. Rob West is the host of Faith and Finance Live, heard on more than 900 radio outlets every day, including Moody Radio. Rob also serves as the president of Kingdom Advisors, an international community of financial professionals who are specialists in delivering biblically wise financial advice. He's a great friend who has more financial wisdom in his little pinky finger than most of us will gather in a lifetime. Hey, welcome back to the land and the book, Rob. John, what a treat to be with you. Thanks for the invitation. So I just got to ask, where do we see taxes first mentioned or implied in Scripture? You know, the first instance of taxes in Scripture appears in the account of Joseph's administration in Egypt. So during the famine, Pharaoh granted Joseph authority to manage the land's resources and a national tax system emerged as a part of that stewardship. I'll take you to Genesis 47, verse 24. It records Joseph's policy at the harvest. You shall give a fifth to Pharaoh, and 4/5 shall be your own. So this 20% levy functioned as a formal state tax to sustain Egypt's government and food reserves. Now, even earlier than that, taxation was implied in systems of royal tribute and centralized authority. So, for example, when Abraham rescued lot, he encountered kings who ruled territories and collected resources from their people, suggesting early forms of tribute based governance. However, Joseph's policy is the first explicit structured tax recorded. Are taxes Inherently evil or do they actually serve a redemptive purpose? Yeah. You know, taxes in scripture are not portrayed as inherently evil, though they can certainly be misused. Instead, I think, John, they're shown as a part of life in an ordered society under governing authorities. So the clearest biblical framework comes in Romans 13, where Paul writes, because of this, you also pay taxes for the authorities. Are ministers of God, pay to all what is owed to them, taxes to whom taxes are owed. So here, taxes are tied to God's provision of civil order, supporting justice and infrastructure and public responsibility in a fallen world. At the same time, though, John Scripture acknowledges that taxation can become oppressive when rulers are unjust. You know, the prophet Samuel warned Israel that a king would take the 10th of your grain and burden the people, and heavy taxation under leaders like Rehoboam contributed to division. So the problem was not taxation itself, but its misuse. Now Jesus brings clarity in Matthew 22. You'll know it well, he says, render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. So taxes belong to the realm of civic duty, while ultimate allegiance belongs to God. So in this sense, taxes can serve a redemptive purpose, restraining evil and promoting order, and reminding believers that their true hope is not an earthly systems, but in God's kingdom. Taxes in Scripture. That's our focus today on the land and the book. Our guest is Rob West, host of Faith and Finance Live, heard on more than 900 radio outlets every day, including Moody Radio. So, you know, I can't imagine you took us to that Luke two announcement of taxation for Joseph and his family and everybody else. You know, there's no record of any cheering going on there, nor is there a record of any revolt. What do we know about attitudes toward taxes in Scripture, if anything? Yeah, I think there's a complex but consistent picture of attitudes towards taxes in Scripture. On one hand, taxes are often associated with burden and injustice. So tax collectors themselves became symbols of corruption and Jewish society, often exploiting others for personal gain. Yet John Scripture doesn't promote rebellion against taxation. Instead, it calls for a posture of faithful obedience. So I think the biblical attitude is neither blind approval nor outright resistance. Taxes are treated as a necessary part of life in a fallen world, sometimes misused, yet still functioning within God's providence. So as believers, I would say we're called to engage them with integrity, with humility and ultimate allegiance to God's kingdom. Alright, now we get to the question, what about Christians who feel uncomfortable with the causes and policies that their taxes are supporting? Scripture acknowledges this tension, John, by reminding believers that God's people have often lived under imperfect governments. It's worth noting that both Jesus and Paul call us to fulfill our tax obligations, and both were under some of the most oppressive leaders in history. Nero for Paul and Caesar for Jesus. So rather than resolving every policy concern, the Bible calls believers to anchor their response in faithfulness and trust. Jeremiah urged God's people in exile to seek the welfare of the city and pray to the Lord on its behalf. That was Jeremiah 29 seven. Even when that city didn't reflect their values in the same way, John Peter instructs Christians to be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, while continuing to honor everyone and fear God. So I think this creates a helpful distinction. Paying taxes is not the same as endorsing every decision made by government. As Christ followers, we can remain responsible for our own obedience and generosity and witness. We can advocate, pray, and live out kingdom values while recognizing that ultimate justice and righteousness come not through human systems, but through God's rule. Okay, that said, is it wrong for believers to criticize or protest tax items? Why or why not? You know, we can faithfully disagree with or even protest specific tax policies without doing wrong, as long as our posture and methods reflect Christ like character. Scripture affirms both respect for governing authorities and the responsibility to pursue justice and speak truth. Taxes themselves are not inherently unjust. Jesus acknowledged paying them. But particular policies may raise moral, economic or stewardship concerns that we as Christians, as citizens, can thoughtfully engage in. Rob West is president of Kingdom Advisors, an international community of financial professionals who are specialists in delivering biblically wise financial advice. Boy, can't we all use that. We're thankful for his insights today on the land and the book as we talk about taxes in Scripture. So it's not unbiblical to push for tax reform. Is that what you're saying?

00:20:06
S4: It's not unbiblical to advocate for tax reform. No. Scripture does not forbid civic engagement. Instead, I think it calls us as believers to live as responsible citizens who seek the good of their communities while honoring governing authorities. And that's really key. You know, taxes themselves are affirmed. Jesus said again, give to Caesar what is Caesar's. But the Bible doesn't require silence about how government structure or their use of taxes in democratic societies especially. Participating in policy discussions, including tax reform, is a legitimate expression of stewardship and love for neighbor. So I think ultimately, John, Scripture gives moral principles rather than specific tax systems. And we as believers can faithfully support reform while remembering our ultimate hope is not in policy outcomes, but in God's kingdom and his righteousness.

00:21:04
S1: All right, here's a painful question. How is paying our taxes and with a reasonable attitude tied to our testimony for Christ?

00:21:13
S4: Yeah. It shapes our testimony not only through integrity and obedience clearly, but also through gratitude. Scripture calls us to honor governing authorities and fulfill our obligations, and I think doing so demonstrates a faith lived out in everyday financial decisions. You know, honest compliance. It reflects trust in God. It reflects humility. And even, I would say, John, a desire to live above reproach. So it can reframe how we view taxes. You know, Ron Blue, the the author, one of my mentors would often say that taxes are a reminder that income was first provided. You see, you can't pay taxes on money you never received. So in that sense, taxes become evidence of God's provision. They're symptomatic of his faithfulness in supplying work and resources and opportunity. So even when the burden feels heavy, if we can find gratitude, that will shift our perspective from resentment to stewardship, we're returning a portion from what God has allowed us to earn. And I think that posture strengthens our witness.

00:22:21
S1: Yeah, maybe we've got it all wrong. It's just like you just said, quoting Ron Blue there. Maybe. Maybe we're so focused on having to give some that we forget the fact that we have so much to give. Yeah. Well, what about those conversations that we inevitably fall into with fellow believers who maybe disagree with our take on all that? Let's say they're listening to this conversation and they're still angry that their taxes are paying for X, Y, and Z. And boy, they're going to raise some noise about that and they're going to try not to pay the tax for that. And how do we engage them lovingly in conversation?

00:22:55
S4: Well, I think just lovingly reminding them that scripture affirms paying taxes as a normal responsibility of living under authority. And that's a part of God's system. That's the way he designed it. Yet I think many Christians reduce the conversation to frustration or even political debate instead of asking the right question. And that is, how can we respond in a way that reflects Christ? I think one common oversight is forgetting this idea that taxes intersect with our witness. You know, complaining and cutting corners or treating obligations casually, it undermines credibility, while honesty and consistency demonstrate integrity shaped by faith. So I think we just need to get back to this idea of gratitude, recognizing the incredible responsibility it is to be a money manager for the King of Kings. That's a high calling, John, and we want to take that seriously. We want to live under the governing authorities. And recognizing our participation in God's system of authority does not mean automatic endorsement of every policy.

00:24:01
S1: That's key. That's huge. Anything, Rob, that stands out to you that we as believers might be overlooking or misunderstanding when it comes to taxes?

00:24:10
S4: Yeah. I'm struck by how Jesus handled the temple tax in Matthew 17. You know, even though he wasn't obligated, he chose to pay it to avoid unnecessary offense. And I think that challenges us to approach taxes, as we've said today, with humility rather than resentment. And with this idea of gratitude, actually knowing that my response reflects my witness. So I'm reminded that faithfulness isn't just about what I give to God, but also how I live responsibly in society. I believe Jesus would invite us to pay taxes honestly, to guard our hearts against anger or fear, and to remember that governments are temporary. Our provision, security, and hope aren't tied to tax systems or policies. But at the end of the day, to God and His kingdom.

00:24:59
S1: Maybe in 2026, our attitudes are different than they were in Jesus day. Or maybe not. How would Jesus counsel us today with regard to taxes? The last word, Rob.

00:25:10
S4: Well, you know, at the end of the day, I think it's a heart posture. We need to pray for our leaders. We need to seek wisdom. We need to pursue the welfare of our communities while remembering our primary allegiance is to God's kingdom. So engage tax issues with humility, with truth and with grace. That reflects both responsible citizenship and Christian discipleship.

00:25:34
S1: I love it. Heart posture. That's a great way to land this conversation, even when it comes to taxes. Let's watch our hearts. Rob West, host of Faith and finance, president of Kingdom Advisors. It's a blast having you on this program.

00:25:47
S4: Oh, I always love it. John. Thanks for having me.

00:25:48
S1: All right. We'll let you get back to your busy day counseling folks, and we'll get ready for a fresh set of Bible questions here on the land and the book. Welcome back to the land and the book segment three. You ever wonder, how do I share the gospel with my Jewish friend? It's a it's an important question that people ask. And that question recognizes the need for a sensitive approach to sharing with Jewish people. Well, our friends at Life in Messiah want to help answer that question. and they've put together a series of very helpful articles on how you can share the good news with Jewish people all around you, and you'll learn about Jewish cultural sensitivities, how anti-Semitism affects Jewish evangelism, the importance of messianic prophecy, and a whole lot more. Now you say, how do I get these articles? Just visit life.org. Click on the Moody Radio logo there and sign up. You'll receive the articles to equip you with practical ways to share the good news with Jewish people around you or online. You can find that Moody radio icon at Lifemail in. Hope your day is going well. I'm John Gieger. Seated across from me in the studio is the very faithful, very expert Doctor Gerald Petermann of the Moody Bible Institute faculty. Always good to see your smiling face, sir.

00:27:14
S5: I don't deserve that praise. It's fun to be here.

00:27:16
S1: It sure is. And it's even more fun to take time to give a listen to the questions that have come in to us, and hear what some of the responses might be. By the way, if you've got a question, let's just say it up front. You can get it to us as you email the land and the book@moody.edu. The land and the book@moody.edu. Marilyn has the honor of asking our first question. She takes us to the last book of the Bible, revelation 21, verse 27, where it says that for the New Jerusalem there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Her question since all the unsaved have been cast into the Lake of fire in revelation 2015, who or what is left to defile the new heavens and earth?

00:28:08
S5: I'm so happy that our listeners read and they think this is a really fun time when we when we get into revelation 21, we hear over and over how glorious the new heaven, the new Earth, and the New Jerusalem are. It comes down from heaven adorned like a bride. We have several wonderful descriptions of its. Of its light and its glory and its pearls. And then to get back to Marilyn's question with the positive descriptions, there's also negative descriptions. That is to kind of affirm for us that this place is holy and righteous and good. So what do we find? We find some kinds of exclusion. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. That is, the sorrow will be excluded. Will the cowardly be there? No, they will not be there. So I appreciate the question. That is, when we add these negative descriptions, that kind of affirms for us the glory of the positive descriptions. And so we get both together in this chapter.

00:29:08
S1: I have often wondered, as I'm sure many listeners have, maybe you as well, what is the what is the source for those tears? Is it a feeling like, wow, I could have done so much more. Is it disappointment in my own testimony. Is it regret over loved ones who aren't in heaven? What's the cause of those tears?

00:29:27
S5: Well, John, I appreciate that. And I'm not sure I want to exclude anything that is, um, sadness over many things from the past. Sadness over who's not in heaven with me that I wish were here, sadness about my life from the past, griefs and dozens of griefs we've been through. That is, I think, this image wipe away every tear, invites all sorts of directions these tears come from. And all of that sorrow is going to be personally taken away by our Lord's embrace and his compassion.

00:29:58
S1: You know, I think it might be a fitting bookend to, you know, Romans 323, if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. And later, he wipes away all tears from our eyes. Who knows? Maybe that's a bookend. All right. Lorraine's question were King Darius and King Cyrus the same man which the evangelical heritage version of the Bible states.

00:30:24
S5: Well, I think, um, Lorraine's question comes from Daniel 628, and I'm reading it from the Legacy Standard Bible. It says, so this Daniel enjoyed success in the Kingdom of Darius and in the kingdom of Cyrus the Persian. Now this makes you think it's two different kings. But actually, that's a debate amongst Old Testament scholars. And so I went to the Moody Bible commentary, always extremely helpful. And I read Michael Rudnick and he says, actually the translation could be Darius, who is Cyrus. So I'm sorry. I'll answer this question by saying, I'm not sure this is a puzzle from our Old Testament.

00:31:09
S1: Stay tuned. We'll find out someday. Yeah. All right. Let's go to Sophia's question after I remind you that the email address for you to use as you get your question to us is the land and the book@moody.edu? The land and the book@moody.edu. Sofia is wondering about different words in the New Testament for gladness and joy. She asks, are the words that are translated as happiness and glad, or gladness translated from a different word than those that say joy or rejoice? And. And how can joy really be continuous? I think that's a really important follow up.

00:31:49
S5: Yeah, a great set of questions here. Actually, when we come to our New Testaments and we're in this word group, glad, gladness, joy, there's three different words. And they get used in a variety of ways. So the first one is Eve. Don't write that down. This will not be on the exam. You're fine. The first one is to have a kind of a positive mindset. It gets used 14 times. The next one is a Gagliano. Again, don't worry about that pronunciation. This is a word about praise or joy. And this happens to our Lord Jesus in Luke 1021. At that point, the Lord Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit. This is the word of Gagliato that one occurs 14 times in the New Testament as well. Oh, but the most common word for joy in the New Testament is Carol. This is the one that Paul uses in Philippians for the most commonly used word for joy. And yes, Paul does say in Philippians four, rejoice in the Lord always. Now I'm going to get myself in trouble, I'm sure, by saying, I don't take it that when Paul says, rejoice in the Lord always, he means 24 over seven 365 for your whole life. I take it he means instead, this should be the habit of your life. And why would I say that? I would say that because this is Philippians four. In Philippians three. What does Paul do? He says, as I write to you, I weep. MM. So he's not rejoicing at that moment. I take it that joy was the most common emotion in his life, but wasn't one that was always happening. And then what does he tell us in Romans 1215? Rejoice with those who rejoice and tell those who weep why they shouldn't. No, I'm sorry. It's rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. So I think joy should be the characteristic of our life.

00:33:34
S1: Yeah. I mean, you look at people in your church and you say she is a joyful person. He is a maybe a critical person, I mean, or whatever it is, right? That's their thing. And they are not that 100% of the time. Marlene's question is from Isaiah 25, verses seven and eight, who are all people and all his people and all nations? When the Lord destroys the shroud that enfolds all people, the sheath that covers all nations, it sounds like anyone alive at that time. We'll see who Jesus is and will believe. Is that, uh. Is that fair?

00:34:06
S5: Well, I think we're moving in a I think we're moving in a really good direction. And I really appreciate Marlene's question. Many scholars refer to Isaiah chapters 24 2526 is kind of a little apocalypse. A lot of it is talking about the end of the age end times. So I take it that this refers to the gathering together of all God's people, and all God's people will be people from every tribe and tongue and nation, as we hear in revelation five. So there John says, 24 elders falling down before the Lamb. They sang a new song, saying, you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people from every tribe and language and nation. So where does this promise come from? This promise comes in part from here in Isaiah 25. But of course, we know it appears several other times in Scripture. This promise goes as far back as at least. Genesis 12. What is Abraham told through you? Every nation will be blessed.

00:35:05
S1: All right. I want to take us to the Psalms for just a moment. I noticed as I as I go through the Psalms and try to memorize some of them, there is often a sort of a rapid switching of tenses. If I may, I'm gonna take you to Psalm 62. It says, my soul waits in silence for God alone. From him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress. I will not be greatly shaken. Then it goes on. Watch this. The very next verse. How long will you attack a man that you may murder him, all of you. Like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence. And then it goes, yeah, they third party. They have planned only to thrust him down from his high position. Okay, so what's going on with the rapid fire switching?

00:35:45
S5: Well, I take it what's going on? And this, as you mentioned, this happens in several Psalms. What is the psalmist doing for us? The psalmist is looking back on some life experience, thinking it over and then bringing it to us and making a song out of it so that we can sing it together and kind of relive that experience and confess the trust, confess the sins that the writer confesses. And so as the writer then writes the song. He remembers the painful parts of it and remembers the glorious parts of it. He remembers the Lord's intervention in it, and then, as he refers to them, we find this shifting back and forth. It's actually quite common.

00:36:26
S1: Yeah. One of the things I notice in the Psalms is that there doesn't seem to be, quote unquote, always a linear flow to the thought, right? And that's different for us. We're Westerners. We're geared toward a linear thing. They weren't so much. Plus, I have to always allow for the fact that this is poetry here. We're talking about two as well.

00:36:46
S5: Right? Right. Um, another example happens in Jeremiah 20. Jeremiah's persecuted. And then we find out he's in deep torment and he's crying out to God with bitter language. And then he shifts to praise toward God, and then he's back to the lament. It's quite common.

00:37:04
S1: Well, we've sure covered a lot of ground today, but we're not done. Charlie Dyer is back with his devotional next. Everybody loves stories, but stories with a purpose. Well, you can't top those. This is segment four of the land and the book. Charlie, I won't ask you to give it away, but I understand our current devotional series has to do with stories.

00:37:36
S2: Exactly right, John. And just like you, I love stories. I think everybody does. And we're going to see how Jesus told those stories this week and several weeks to follow.

00:37:46
S1: Okay, a great new series and we're looking forward to it. First, though. Let's pause for a Holy Land experience. You say, what's that? Well, listen to this and you'll find out.

00:37:58
S6: Hi, my name is Tom Doyle. I came on Charlie Dyer's Tour of the land in the book, along with my wife, Diane. My favorite takeaway from this time was the visit to Yad Vashem, a memorial and a name the Jewish Holocaust Museum. To me, it exemplifies the spirit of the Jewish people. They do not forget their suffering, but they are ready to forgive their enemies and make peace. They refuse to let the past hold them back, but rather work tirelessly to build a future filled with hope and blessings for themselves, their children, their children's children, and all those who are willing to extend a hand of peace and fellowship. God bless Charlie Dyer for this trip and God bless Israel.

00:38:45
S1: All right, Charlie, I'm looking forward to today's story.

00:38:48
S2: Well, John, I'm right with you. Everyone loves stories. Good communicators know that if an audience starts fidgeting in their seats, the best way to pull them back is to tell a story. And the true master of storytelling had to be Jesus. The Bible only records a small fraction of what Jesus said and did, and much of what it records focuses on the stories he told. So over the next five weeks, I want to look at seven specific stories told by Jesus. All seven are found in Matthew 13, a chapter that signaled a fundamental change in Jesus's ministry. In the first part of Matthew's gospel, Jesus presented his claims to be Israel's Messiah. The messages and his miracles were the resume he laid out to the nation. He fulfilled the Old Testament predictions, displaying his power over death and disease, and even demonstrated his mastery over the demonic forces of the age. Yet in chapter 12, the religious establishment officially rejected those claims. They couldn't deny the miracles he'd done, but they refused to accept the fact that God was the one behind those miracles. And it's at that point, after the leaders had officially rejected him, that Jesus began speaking in parables. The Greek word parabole actually means to place something alongside. The word refers to a story used for the sake of comparison or illustration. Jesus begins sharing a series of stories, each of which has a particular purpose. The first of Jesus's stories in Matthew 13 is also the longest, and it comes right from the fields around the Sea of Galilee. As Jesus sat in a boat and taught the crowd, he might very well have pointed to a lone farmer off in the distance, walking through a freshly ploughed field, carrying a pouch or bag of seeds slung over his shoulder. Behold, the sower went out to sow. Perhaps some in the crowd inadvertently turned to watch the man in the distance. But if they did, it would have only been for an instant, because they were quickly drawn back to Jesus's words as he continued speaking. And as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road and the birds came and ate them up. The crowd nodded at this obvious truth. The dirt pathway running along the field was so packed down from constant use that it was almost as hard as the rocks poking through its surface. And a glance back showed a group of grey and black crows already sweeping in behind the farmer to peck at the grains that had fallen on the pathway. Jesus continued, and they were again riveted by his story, and others fell upon the rocky places where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up because they had no depth of soil. But when the sun had risen, they were scorched. And because they had no root, they withered away. Every field in the land seemed to grow an abundant crop of rocks. As the farmer threw handfuls of seed out over the field, some landed on the rocks and got lodged into many small crevices and holes. People knew from experience what would happen to this seed. The moisture hidden away in these holes would cause the seed to germinate, but the lack of soil guaranteed the tender plant would quickly wither and die. Jesus then continued with his story, and others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out. Farmers fought a constant battle with thorns and thistles. These plants, with their purple flowers, look beautiful in the spring and early summer as they begin to sprout, but they can soon grow to the height of a man, and their thorns are a painful reminder of God's curse on Adam. Farmers worked hard to keep the thorns at bay, but the plants still managed to take hold in those areas that were harder to reach, and their size guaranteed that any plant competing with them for sunlight and moisture would lose. But so far, Jesus has only been describing the seed that's fallen along the edges of the field. He ended his story by focusing on the well plowed ground where the bulk of the farmer's seed landed and others fell on the good soil and yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some 60 and some 30. Most of the grain sown would germinate and grow into a mature head of wheat or barley, and in a normal year each stalk could produce 30 to 60 kernels of grain, though even more was possible. Jesus finished telling his story, a story grounded in real life. But what was the point? What's the truth? He was trying to teach? The disciples came to Jesus and asked that very question, and Jesus answer was very direct. The seed being scattered was the word of the kingdom. It was the truth of the message Jesus had been teaching about himself and about the promised kingdom. But what did the four different types of soil represent? Jesus said the hard packed pathway represented those who heard the message but didn't understand. They were the clueless listeners who never stopped to allow the truth to even penetrate their lives in any meaningful way. And as a result, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. They heard the message, but it never sunk in. This allowed Satan to snatch away the truth before it could make any impact. The rocky soil represented a person who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy. Yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary. And when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away. This was the casual listener. The message seemed reasonable, but the person had no spiritual depth, so the truth never took root. And in the end, an easy life proved more important than a transformed life, which might require personal sacrifice. Jesus then revealed the thorny ground represented a person who hears the word and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word and it becomes unfruitful. This was the self-centered listener. The message sounded good and made sense, but ultimately it was crowded out by all the pleasures offered up in the present age. Jesus then explained the good soil. It represented the person who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit. This was the committed listener who heard, understood and responded to the message Jesus had been sharing. For soils. For ways to respond to the claims of Christ. And that brings us back to today. Jesus's message is still being proclaimed in the word, and everyone still has four ways they can respond to his message. Some are clueless, while others are casual listeners afraid to make a commitment, and still others are self-centered. So wrapped up in all that life appears to offer that they're unwilling to let go of anything, to follow Jesus. And then there's the good soil. Those who hear, understand, accept, and follow. And the question at the end of the day is this which soil best describes your heart today? The answer to that question holds eternal consequences.

00:45:54
S1: Thank you very much, Charlie. A sobering end to that story. And it should give us cause to say, where am I with Christ? If you have never received Jesus as your Saviour, the leader of your life, the forgiver of all the wrongdoing you've ever done, that choice and it is a choice is available to you. And if you'd like to have a conversation with a volunteer who can answer your questions, who will pray with you, won't put you on a guilt trip, but we'll put you in touch with the Saviour of the world. You can do that now, as you call eight, eight, eight. Need him. There's no cost because there's nothing to buy. 888. Need him. Thanks so much for hanging out with us today at the land and the book. We're always glad to have you and we welcome you to share any thoughts, any time with a quick email to the land and the book@moody.edu. Our website where you can find our podcast and share it with your friends is the land and the book. I'm John Gager for Charlie Dyer the Land and the book is a production of Moody Radio, a ministry of Moody Bible Institute.