1 00:00:08,119 --> 00:00:13,119 S1: Earthquakes, floods, fires, terrorist attacks in the US. We turn 2 00:00:13,119 --> 00:00:15,960 S1: to the Red cross for help. But what about in Israel? 3 00:00:16,160 --> 00:00:18,800 S1: On today's program, we'll get an inside look at first 4 00:00:18,840 --> 00:00:22,040 S1: responders in the Holy Land. You'll hear about the courageous 5 00:00:22,040 --> 00:00:25,720 S1: men and women who are saving lives in Israel. As always, 6 00:00:25,720 --> 00:00:28,040 S1: we'll make plenty of time to address your most puzzling 7 00:00:28,040 --> 00:00:31,200 S1: Bible questions. We'll also ensure you're up to date on 8 00:00:31,200 --> 00:00:33,800 S1: the latest developments in the Middle East. With that, I 9 00:00:33,800 --> 00:00:36,600 S1: welcome you to the land and the book. Our host 10 00:00:36,600 --> 00:00:39,800 S1: is a noted Middle East Authority doctor, Charlie Dyer. I'm 11 00:00:39,800 --> 00:00:42,159 S1: John Geiger. Charlie, you having a good day today? 12 00:00:42,440 --> 00:00:44,360 S2: Yeah, I'm having a great day, John. Thanks. 13 00:00:44,400 --> 00:00:46,800 S1: All right, well, we're glad to connect with you. And 14 00:00:46,840 --> 00:00:49,000 S1: I think it's important for people to understand that the 15 00:00:49,000 --> 00:00:52,920 S1: Jewish people, in many cases, have never heard the gospel. 16 00:00:53,159 --> 00:00:55,640 S1: Some have said most Jewish people have never heard the gospel. 17 00:00:55,640 --> 00:00:58,480 S1: And each week we talk about Israel and the Jewish people. 18 00:00:58,480 --> 00:01:01,630 S1: And it's important to remember that they, like everyone else, 19 00:01:01,630 --> 00:01:03,230 S1: need to hear the good news. 20 00:01:03,670 --> 00:01:06,429 S2: That's absolutely correct. And that's why life in Messiah, you know, 21 00:01:06,510 --> 00:01:10,030 S2: a ministry that's been in existence for over 135 years 22 00:01:10,069 --> 00:01:13,069 S2: is devoted to sharing the gospel with Jewish people around 23 00:01:13,069 --> 00:01:16,390 S2: the world. And now they're offering a gift to moody listeners. 24 00:01:16,430 --> 00:01:20,790 S2: This free e-book, Reaching Jewish People for Messiah, highlights the 25 00:01:20,790 --> 00:01:23,870 S2: need for the gospel among the Jewish people. It will 26 00:01:23,870 --> 00:01:26,710 S2: equip you with practical ways to share the good News 27 00:01:26,709 --> 00:01:30,229 S2: with them. Now, to receive this free e-book, visit Life 28 00:01:30,230 --> 00:01:33,630 S2: in Messiah org and click on the Moody Radio logo. 29 00:01:33,870 --> 00:01:36,750 S2: Sign up today to get your copy. Now that's life 30 00:01:36,750 --> 00:01:37,709 S2: in Messiah. 31 00:01:39,190 --> 00:01:42,590 S1: Well, Charlie, just after we finished recording last week's program, 32 00:01:42,590 --> 00:01:45,630 S1: the official announcement was made regarding the end of the 33 00:01:45,630 --> 00:01:49,190 S1: conflict between Israel and Hamas. How has the process been 34 00:01:49,190 --> 00:01:50,630 S1: unfolding since then? 35 00:01:50,950 --> 00:01:53,790 S2: Well, the process has been moving forward, though not without 36 00:01:53,790 --> 00:01:57,590 S2: some issues. This past Monday, Hamas did release the 20 37 00:01:57,630 --> 00:02:01,380 S2: hostages still alive, but only four of the 28 hostages 38 00:02:01,380 --> 00:02:03,780 S2: who were dead. However, they claim to have lost track 39 00:02:03,780 --> 00:02:06,700 S2: of the remaining hostages and are continuing to search for them. 40 00:02:07,020 --> 00:02:10,060 S2: Then Tuesday night, they released four more bodies, but one 41 00:02:10,060 --> 00:02:13,660 S2: of those was a Palestinian in an Israeli uniform. Israel 42 00:02:13,660 --> 00:02:17,380 S2: temporarily closed the Rafah border crossing into Gaza to force 43 00:02:17,380 --> 00:02:20,380 S2: Hamas to fulfill its part of the bargain and return 44 00:02:20,380 --> 00:02:23,980 S2: all hostages. The hostages were released around the time of 45 00:02:23,980 --> 00:02:27,540 S2: President Trump's arrival in Israel Monday morning. He delivered an 46 00:02:27,540 --> 00:02:31,859 S2: address to Israel's Knesset and received a standing ovation. President 47 00:02:31,900 --> 00:02:34,940 S2: Trump then flew to Egypt for an international summit hosted 48 00:02:34,940 --> 00:02:39,220 S2: by him and his Egyptian counterpart, president al-Sisi. The rather 49 00:02:39,220 --> 00:02:41,580 S2: lofty goal of the summit was, if you get this 50 00:02:41,580 --> 00:02:44,220 S2: to end the war in the Gaza Strip, enhance efforts 51 00:02:44,220 --> 00:02:46,859 S2: to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East, and 52 00:02:46,860 --> 00:02:49,980 S2: usher in a new era of regional security and stability. 53 00:02:50,180 --> 00:02:52,739 S2: Now they hope to design a plan to disarm Hamas 54 00:02:52,900 --> 00:02:56,299 S2: and create a new governing body for Gaza. The four 55 00:02:56,300 --> 00:03:00,329 S2: nations guaranteeing the plan are the US, Egypt, Qatar and Turkey. 56 00:03:00,770 --> 00:03:03,650 S2: In addition, leaders or foreign ministers from a number of 57 00:03:03,650 --> 00:03:08,010 S2: other countries, including Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Jordan and 58 00:03:08,010 --> 00:03:11,649 S2: Saudi Arabia attended the meeting along with the UN secretary 59 00:03:11,690 --> 00:03:15,889 S2: general and the EU Council president. Iran was even invited 60 00:03:15,889 --> 00:03:19,930 S2: but declined to attend. However, Israel was not initially invited, 61 00:03:19,930 --> 00:03:23,570 S2: nor was Hamas. With prompting from President Trump, Egypt did 62 00:03:23,610 --> 00:03:27,530 S2: eventually invite Prime Minister Netanyahu to attend. But after Turkey 63 00:03:27,530 --> 00:03:31,410 S2: threatened to withdraw from the conference, Netanyahu decided to decline 64 00:03:31,410 --> 00:03:35,730 S2: the invitation, citing the current Jewish holiday. At the summit, 65 00:03:35,730 --> 00:03:38,970 S2: Trump announced he would like al-Sisi to join the Peace Council, 66 00:03:38,970 --> 00:03:42,090 S2: tasked with managing the affairs in the Gaza Strip. This 67 00:03:42,090 --> 00:03:46,170 S2: was likely a strategic move to help moderate the anti-Israel 68 00:03:46,170 --> 00:03:50,170 S2: and Pro-hamas influence of Turkey and Qatar. The peace summit 69 00:03:50,170 --> 00:03:53,690 S2: will make international headlines, but the real work begins once 70 00:03:53,690 --> 00:03:56,960 S2: all the delegates leave. There are three key short term 71 00:03:56,960 --> 00:03:59,840 S2: decisions that need to be made first. Who will take 72 00:03:59,840 --> 00:04:04,240 S2: responsibility for disarming Hamas and eliminating its control over Gaza? 73 00:04:04,440 --> 00:04:07,920 S2: Since Hamas said it won't disarm and is already trying 74 00:04:07,920 --> 00:04:12,200 S2: to re-establish control. Second, who will be responsible for setting 75 00:04:12,200 --> 00:04:15,320 S2: up a government of technocrats to oversee Gaza for the 76 00:04:15,320 --> 00:04:19,800 S2: next several years? And finally, how will Gaza be rebuilt 77 00:04:19,800 --> 00:04:22,960 S2: and who will actually pay for it? How these questions 78 00:04:22,960 --> 00:04:26,760 S2: get answered will determine the long term success or failure 79 00:04:26,760 --> 00:04:27,680 S2: of the summit. 80 00:04:27,760 --> 00:04:30,200 S1: This is the land and the book with noted Old 81 00:04:30,240 --> 00:04:34,080 S1: Testament scholar, Middle East Authority doctor Charlie Dyer. I'm John Geiger, 82 00:04:34,080 --> 00:04:37,320 S1: working our way through a list of current events stories. Well, 83 00:04:37,320 --> 00:04:40,679 S1: the conflict between Israel and Hamas might be winding down, 84 00:04:40,680 --> 00:04:43,920 S1: but that certainly doesn't mean everything is over. What impact 85 00:04:43,920 --> 00:04:47,680 S1: will this all have on the ongoing problem of anti-Semitism 86 00:04:47,680 --> 00:04:49,640 S1: toward Israel and the Jewish people? 87 00:04:49,960 --> 00:04:52,680 S2: Well, the hatred against Israel and the Jewish people has 88 00:04:52,680 --> 00:04:57,060 S2: not abated. Turkey's refusal to allow Israel to attend the conference, 89 00:04:57,060 --> 00:05:00,100 S2: supposedly focusing on peace in the Middle East, is just 90 00:05:00,100 --> 00:05:02,860 S2: one recent example. It's hard to make peace when one 91 00:05:02,860 --> 00:05:06,740 S2: of the key parties isn't even invited. Looking further afield, 92 00:05:06,740 --> 00:05:11,260 S2: several pro-Palestinian and Marxist groups protested in New York, saying 93 00:05:11,260 --> 00:05:14,100 S2: the deal between Israel and Hamas didn't go far enough. 94 00:05:14,260 --> 00:05:18,339 S2: They called for an ongoing armed resistance against Israel, wanting 95 00:05:18,380 --> 00:05:22,820 S2: ultimately the destruction of the Jewish state. anti-Semitic incidents in 96 00:05:22,820 --> 00:05:25,940 S2: the US remain at an all time high, though the 97 00:05:25,940 --> 00:05:29,100 S2: Jewish people make up just 2% of the US population. 98 00:05:29,300 --> 00:05:32,539 S2: They've been the target of 69% of all religion based 99 00:05:32,540 --> 00:05:35,900 S2: hate crimes. And the problem's not just in the US. 100 00:05:36,260 --> 00:05:41,580 S2: Protests continue in Europe. A so-called unauthorized demonstration by 5000 101 00:05:41,580 --> 00:05:45,979 S2: anti-Israel activists in Bern, Switzerland, turned into a riot, causing 102 00:05:45,980 --> 00:05:49,620 S2: millions of dollars in damage, with 18 police officers wounded 103 00:05:49,620 --> 00:05:53,409 S2: during the clash. This coming week, Indonesia is hosting the 104 00:05:53,450 --> 00:05:58,490 S2: upcoming International Gymnastics World Championship, but they unilaterally decided to 105 00:05:58,529 --> 00:06:02,050 S2: block Israeli athletes from the competition by refusing to issue 106 00:06:02,050 --> 00:06:06,250 S2: them visas. The International Criminal Court still has arrest warrants 107 00:06:06,250 --> 00:06:10,570 S2: for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Secretary Galant, 108 00:06:10,810 --> 00:06:14,609 S2: and the International Court of Justice is exploring charges even 109 00:06:14,650 --> 00:06:18,010 S2: though no charges are currently sought against leaders of Hamas. 110 00:06:18,410 --> 00:06:21,850 S2: The problem is that world opinion is almost uniformly against 111 00:06:21,850 --> 00:06:24,890 S2: Israel and its leaders. They're viewed as guilty in the 112 00:06:24,890 --> 00:06:28,170 S2: eyes of the world of war crimes and genocide, even 113 00:06:28,170 --> 00:06:30,530 S2: though there are valid answers for the charges that have 114 00:06:30,529 --> 00:06:34,290 S2: been raised. The victim is being blamed for defending himself 115 00:06:34,290 --> 00:06:38,089 S2: against a vicious attack by a determined enemy. The fighting 116 00:06:38,089 --> 00:06:41,490 S2: in Gaza might be over, but the hatred against Israel 117 00:06:41,490 --> 00:06:45,050 S2: that brought it about is still sadly alive and well. 118 00:06:45,050 --> 00:06:47,770 S1: And you sense that all around here in America too. 119 00:06:47,930 --> 00:06:51,050 S2: I agree completely, and the reality is that people have 120 00:06:51,050 --> 00:06:53,400 S2: already assumed Israel's guilty, and then they don't want to 121 00:06:53,400 --> 00:06:54,560 S2: be bothered by the facts. 122 00:06:54,600 --> 00:06:59,200 S1: Yeah. After 20 years of restoration, Egypt recently reopened the 123 00:06:59,200 --> 00:07:02,599 S1: tomb of Amenhotep the Third to tourists. Is there any 124 00:07:02,600 --> 00:07:05,560 S1: connection between this Pharaoh and the Exodus, Charlie? 125 00:07:06,160 --> 00:07:09,000 S2: Well, let me start with the possible connection to the Exodus. 126 00:07:09,120 --> 00:07:11,400 S2: I hold to an early date for the Exodus about 127 00:07:11,400 --> 00:07:15,120 S2: 1146 B.C., and I do that because first, Kings six 128 00:07:15,160 --> 00:07:18,480 S2: one dates the beginning of Solomon's Temple to the fourth 129 00:07:18,480 --> 00:07:22,360 S2: year of his reign and the 480th year after Israel 130 00:07:22,360 --> 00:07:25,240 S2: came out of Egypt. Now that provides a firm biblical 131 00:07:25,240 --> 00:07:28,320 S2: date for the Exodus. Now there's less precision on the 132 00:07:28,320 --> 00:07:31,920 S2: dates of the pharaohs of Egypt. Some date Amenhotep II's 133 00:07:32,120 --> 00:07:36,240 S2: reign from 1392 1350 B.C. and if that's the case, 134 00:07:36,240 --> 00:07:39,120 S2: then he doesn't have any connection to the exodus. But 135 00:07:39,160 --> 00:07:43,280 S2: others date his reign from 1408 to 1372 B.C., and 136 00:07:43,280 --> 00:07:45,800 S2: I tend to accept those dates. Now, if they're correct, 137 00:07:46,040 --> 00:07:48,680 S2: then he would have been the grandson of Pharaoh of 138 00:07:48,680 --> 00:07:52,750 S2: the Exodus, Amenhotep the Second. This would also make him Pharaoh. 139 00:07:52,750 --> 00:07:55,989 S2: At the time, Joshua was leading Israel into the Promised 140 00:07:55,990 --> 00:07:58,990 S2: Land so there could be a connection. Now, as for 141 00:07:58,990 --> 00:08:03,150 S2: the tomb itself, it was originally discovered back in 1799. 142 00:08:03,390 --> 00:08:06,510 S2: I saw it back in 1984, but for the past 143 00:08:06,510 --> 00:08:10,430 S2: 20 years it's been closed for renovation, including restoring the 144 00:08:10,430 --> 00:08:14,230 S2: paintings on the tomb walls. Amenhotep the third was known 145 00:08:14,230 --> 00:08:18,310 S2: as Amenhotep the Great and he ruled for four decades. However, 146 00:08:18,310 --> 00:08:21,310 S2: in spite of his long reign, the tomb itself wasn't 147 00:08:21,310 --> 00:08:24,470 S2: fully decorated, it wasn't completed, and it was looted after 148 00:08:24,470 --> 00:08:27,190 S2: his death. His mummy was later moved to the tomb 149 00:08:27,190 --> 00:08:31,070 S2: of his grandfather Amenhotep II, who very likely was the 150 00:08:31,070 --> 00:08:34,470 S2: pharaoh of the Exodus. Anyone planning to visit Egypt and 151 00:08:34,470 --> 00:08:38,150 S2: travel south to Karnak and Luxor will hopefully take the 152 00:08:38,150 --> 00:08:41,870 S2: opportunity to visit this newly reopened tomb. The vibrance of 153 00:08:41,870 --> 00:08:45,270 S2: the wall paintings will help capture the splendor of Egypt, 154 00:08:45,270 --> 00:08:48,230 S2: as it would have been shortly after the time of Moses. 155 00:08:48,830 --> 00:08:52,460 S1: Well, Charlie, an Israeli developed AI system, is apparently shortening 156 00:08:52,460 --> 00:08:56,940 S1: the reporting. Time to read CT scans of suspected stroke victims. 157 00:08:57,140 --> 00:08:59,780 S1: Tell us about this innovation from Amazing Israel. 158 00:09:00,020 --> 00:09:04,020 S2: Yeah, the company is named AI doc. It's literally AI doc, 159 00:09:04,220 --> 00:09:06,900 S2: and it's an Israeli company that has developed an artificial 160 00:09:06,900 --> 00:09:10,699 S2: intelligence platform that's actually being used worldwide. It has the 161 00:09:10,700 --> 00:09:15,860 S2: largest portfolio of FDA cleared algorithms running on a single platform. Now, 162 00:09:15,860 --> 00:09:20,420 S2: this latest edition focuses on offering sharply shortened reporting times 163 00:09:20,420 --> 00:09:24,220 S2: for suspected stroke and intracranial hemorrhages. In a study of 164 00:09:24,220 --> 00:09:27,700 S2: more than 5000 CT scans, the system was able to 165 00:09:27,740 --> 00:09:32,339 S2: significantly reduce the backlog of urgent cases waiting to be evaluated. 166 00:09:32,500 --> 00:09:36,740 S2: It also detected 21 cases of intracranial hemorrhages not flagged 167 00:09:36,740 --> 00:09:40,180 S2: in the original radiology reports, which would have enabled earlier 168 00:09:40,179 --> 00:09:46,780 S2: diagnosis and treatment. Now, for prioritizing emergency situations, it attained 100% sensitivity, 169 00:09:46,820 --> 00:09:51,410 S2: meaning no true emergencies were missed in this test. In comparison, 170 00:09:51,410 --> 00:09:55,530 S2: imaging technicians who were asked to pre-sort urgent cases only 171 00:09:55,530 --> 00:10:01,809 S2: attained 66.7% sensitivity. Now, the company's research underscored the value 172 00:10:01,809 --> 00:10:05,209 S2: of using AI for triage. With so many scans in 173 00:10:05,250 --> 00:10:07,930 S2: the queue, it's not always easy for staff to decide 174 00:10:07,929 --> 00:10:11,689 S2: which cases are most urgent. The program excels in identifying 175 00:10:11,730 --> 00:10:14,809 S2: emergencies and moving them to the front of the line. 176 00:10:14,850 --> 00:10:18,730 S2: The company has received FDA Breakthrough Device designation for the 177 00:10:18,730 --> 00:10:22,010 S2: first of a kind AI solution to help solve one 178 00:10:22,010 --> 00:10:25,690 S2: of the most critical bottlenecks in health systems. Now, that's 179 00:10:25,690 --> 00:10:28,650 S2: just the sort of innovation needed in times of rising 180 00:10:28,650 --> 00:10:32,730 S2: patient volumes and continuing shortages of physicians and nurses. And 181 00:10:32,730 --> 00:10:36,209 S2: it's all thanks to the hardworking doctors and researchers at 182 00:10:36,250 --> 00:10:38,530 S2: Aidoc in Amazing Israel. 183 00:10:38,650 --> 00:10:41,290 S1: Thank you Charlie. Great report. Thanks for covering all these 184 00:10:41,290 --> 00:10:46,770 S1: stories faithfully every week. Earthquakes, floods, fires, terrorist attacks in 185 00:10:46,840 --> 00:10:49,000 S1: the US, we turn to the Red cross for help. 186 00:10:49,000 --> 00:10:52,280 S1: But what about Israel? It's a fascinating conversation about saving 187 00:10:52,280 --> 00:10:55,720 S1: lives there. Hey, why not enrich your understanding of the 188 00:10:55,720 --> 00:10:58,760 S1: Middle East as you subscribe to our podcast? You'll find 189 00:10:58,760 --> 00:11:01,720 S1: it at the website. The land and the book. The 190 00:11:01,720 --> 00:11:21,600 S1: land and the book.org. Earthquakes. Floods. Fires. Terrorism. Attacks in 191 00:11:21,600 --> 00:11:24,040 S1: the US. We turn to the Red cross for help. 192 00:11:24,080 --> 00:11:27,360 S1: But what about in Israel? Coming up, an insider's look 193 00:11:27,400 --> 00:11:30,400 S1: at first responders in the Holy Land. You'll hear about 194 00:11:30,400 --> 00:11:34,079 S1: the courageous men and women who are saving lives in Israel. Hey, 195 00:11:34,080 --> 00:11:36,600 S1: welcome back to the land and the book. And before 196 00:11:36,600 --> 00:11:39,280 S1: we say hello to today's guest, let's think about another 197 00:11:39,280 --> 00:11:43,080 S1: creative idea for sharing Jesus with a Jewish neighbor or friend. 198 00:11:43,960 --> 00:11:47,340 S1: So as a follower of Yeshua. You've got this Jewish 199 00:11:47,340 --> 00:11:48,940 S1: friend of yours that you want to reach out to 200 00:11:48,980 --> 00:11:51,580 S1: and help them come to see Yeshua. You know you 201 00:11:51,580 --> 00:11:53,940 S1: need to pray for them, but what's an intelligent way 202 00:11:54,100 --> 00:11:57,460 S1: to pray for your non-believing Jewish friend? Michelle gold is 203 00:11:57,460 --> 00:12:00,020 S1: with Shalom Revolution and has some practical ideas. How do 204 00:12:00,020 --> 00:12:01,860 S1: we pray Michelle intelligently? 205 00:12:02,100 --> 00:12:05,340 S3: I love to pray for an urgency. Sometimes it's easy 206 00:12:05,340 --> 00:12:07,980 S3: to get so busy we forget. And so I ask 207 00:12:07,980 --> 00:12:10,340 S3: the Lord, fill me with urgency. And then I also 208 00:12:10,340 --> 00:12:13,820 S3: pray for divine opportunity. You may not know any Jewish people. 209 00:12:13,820 --> 00:12:16,220 S3: You may not have met someone in a while and 210 00:12:16,260 --> 00:12:20,300 S3: you need that divine opportunity. So that is one powerful 211 00:12:20,300 --> 00:12:23,420 S3: way to pray. Lord, give me an urgency. Father God, 212 00:12:23,420 --> 00:12:25,980 S3: give me a divine opportunity with this person today that 213 00:12:25,980 --> 00:12:28,500 S3: I'm going to meet and talk to. And I think 214 00:12:28,500 --> 00:12:31,460 S3: those two things will lead you in just the perfect direction. 215 00:12:31,500 --> 00:12:33,460 S1: You sound like you're kind of passionate about this notion 216 00:12:33,460 --> 00:12:35,580 S1: of prayer. A lot of people are maybe a little more, 217 00:12:35,620 --> 00:12:38,939 S1: quite honestly, lackadaisical about prayer. But it sounds to me 218 00:12:38,940 --> 00:12:40,540 S1: like for you this is a huge key. 219 00:12:40,820 --> 00:12:44,100 S3: Mhm. And that's why I pray for urgency because I 220 00:12:44,170 --> 00:12:48,170 S3: think in our flesh we really sometimes we just get distracted. 221 00:12:48,170 --> 00:12:51,050 S3: We just get busy. We're sometimes we're just so blessed 222 00:12:51,450 --> 00:12:54,690 S3: or sometimes we're so blessed. We're distracted. Things are going well. 223 00:12:54,690 --> 00:12:56,970 S3: Things are going great. We forget that there are people 224 00:12:56,970 --> 00:13:00,050 S3: in need. And so that's my thing. I just say, Lord, 225 00:13:00,050 --> 00:13:03,330 S3: please don't let disaster strike before I get urgent. Feel 226 00:13:03,370 --> 00:13:05,930 S3: urgent inside to share my faith. There is so many 227 00:13:05,970 --> 00:13:09,370 S3: who are lost and and dying and who have no hope. 228 00:13:09,730 --> 00:13:12,410 S3: So let it begin with me. Let me feel that urgency. 229 00:13:12,410 --> 00:13:14,130 S3: Even if I don't feel it at all. You can 230 00:13:14,130 --> 00:13:15,090 S3: bring it on, Lord. 231 00:13:15,130 --> 00:13:18,170 S1: A sense of urgency in our prayer. That's Michelle Gold. 232 00:13:18,170 --> 00:13:25,210 S1: Learn more@michelle.com Troy Miller is president of the National Religious Broadcasters. 233 00:13:25,370 --> 00:13:29,050 S1: He's a US Navy veteran who served with distinction. After that, 234 00:13:29,050 --> 00:13:32,050 S1: he worked in several leadership roles in the corporate world, 235 00:13:32,250 --> 00:13:36,530 S1: where he spearheaded advances in global manufacturing and IT strategy. 236 00:13:36,890 --> 00:13:40,130 S1: He also previously served as executive vice president and chief 237 00:13:40,130 --> 00:13:44,439 S1: operating officer at D James Kennedy Ministries. Troy and his 238 00:13:44,440 --> 00:13:46,959 S1: wife Marcia have four children. And we want to say 239 00:13:46,960 --> 00:13:49,400 S1: welcome back to the land and the book, Troy. 240 00:13:49,440 --> 00:13:51,680 S4: Hey, it's great to be with you today. Thank you. 241 00:13:52,080 --> 00:13:55,560 S1: So we connected with you after you visited Israel shortly 242 00:13:55,559 --> 00:13:58,880 S1: after the October 7th attacks by Hamas. What do you 243 00:13:58,880 --> 00:14:03,120 S1: recall seeing of the sacrifice and dedication of the staff 244 00:14:03,120 --> 00:14:07,120 S1: of Magen David Adom, the Israeli version of the Red cross? 245 00:14:07,360 --> 00:14:11,520 S4: Yeah. You know, these are incredible people. As you said, 246 00:14:11,520 --> 00:14:14,880 S4: this is the Israeli version of the Red cross. And 247 00:14:14,880 --> 00:14:18,760 S4: these folks run the ambulance services across Israel. They also 248 00:14:19,000 --> 00:14:21,640 S4: run the blood banks that go there. These are folks 249 00:14:21,640 --> 00:14:25,080 S4: that are not military folks. These are civilians. And yet 250 00:14:25,120 --> 00:14:29,600 S4: on that day, on October 7th, they were driving into 251 00:14:29,760 --> 00:14:33,600 S4: not away from they were driving into the fire zones 252 00:14:33,600 --> 00:14:37,080 S4: there to save and to rescue people. And it's amazing 253 00:14:37,080 --> 00:14:40,240 S4: because this organization, as I said, it's run on a 254 00:14:40,240 --> 00:14:42,670 S4: lot of volunteers. They do have a lot of employees 255 00:14:42,670 --> 00:14:45,470 S4: as well, but they don't have to do this. They 256 00:14:45,470 --> 00:14:48,989 S4: choose to do this to help people and to save lives. 257 00:14:49,510 --> 00:14:51,910 S1: We're talking with Troy Miller today on the Land and 258 00:14:51,910 --> 00:14:55,310 S1: the book. He serves as president of the National Religious Broadcasters. 259 00:14:55,550 --> 00:14:59,190 S1: It's been great to see evangelical Christians stepping up in 260 00:14:59,190 --> 00:15:03,150 S1: tangible ways to stand with and support Israel. And for 261 00:15:03,150 --> 00:15:05,670 S1: those who haven't heard it, tell the story of Franklin 262 00:15:05,670 --> 00:15:08,790 S1: Graham and Samaritan's Purse and their response. 263 00:15:09,350 --> 00:15:13,710 S4: Yeah. So, Franklin Graham, Samaritan's Purse, these folks are just, 264 00:15:13,790 --> 00:15:16,350 S4: you know, first of all, they're incredible. They're they're the 265 00:15:16,390 --> 00:15:18,750 S4: equivalent here in the U.S. and around the world. They're 266 00:15:18,750 --> 00:15:22,990 S4: first responders. And most recently, Franklin donated a number of 267 00:15:23,030 --> 00:15:28,150 S4: ambulances to the dome, you know, to support their mission there. 268 00:15:28,150 --> 00:15:31,750 S4: And these are two like minded organizations are often first 269 00:15:31,750 --> 00:15:35,750 S4: on the ground, first responders. And there's just a great 270 00:15:35,750 --> 00:15:41,260 S4: camaraderie between the two organizations. Samaritan's purse and the Two 271 00:15:41,260 --> 00:15:46,020 S4: organizations I can't more highly recommend and have respect for. 272 00:15:46,260 --> 00:15:49,380 S1: Which takes us to a discussion about the American Friends 273 00:15:49,380 --> 00:15:52,780 S1: of Magen David Adom. What exactly is this organization? What 274 00:15:52,780 --> 00:15:53,780 S1: is its function? 275 00:15:53,900 --> 00:15:58,740 S4: So this is an organization has two functions. One, to 276 00:15:58,780 --> 00:16:03,220 S4: educate the American church in particular about the American population, 277 00:16:03,260 --> 00:16:07,540 S4: the general public on who Adam is and the work 278 00:16:07,540 --> 00:16:11,180 S4: that they do in Israel. Second, they work to get 279 00:16:11,220 --> 00:16:13,820 S4: support for that. And that can come in a number 280 00:16:13,820 --> 00:16:17,220 S4: of ways. It can come as financial support, direct support 281 00:16:17,220 --> 00:16:20,340 S4: to help this organization, but it can also come in 282 00:16:20,380 --> 00:16:22,140 S4: the support. As I said, this is one of the 283 00:16:22,140 --> 00:16:26,260 S4: largest blood banks that's run in Israel, and that support 284 00:16:26,260 --> 00:16:31,220 S4: can come from churches or other organizations doing blood drives 285 00:16:31,340 --> 00:16:33,020 S4: in order to help to make sure that they have 286 00:16:33,020 --> 00:16:36,420 S4: enough blood on supply to meet these people. Matter of fact, 287 00:16:36,460 --> 00:16:40,570 S4: we've done one at NRB National Convention, and we're probably 288 00:16:40,570 --> 00:16:43,810 S4: going to do one at our convention coming up in 2026. 289 00:16:43,850 --> 00:16:48,010 S1: Exciting. That's great. Saving lives in Israel. That's the mission 290 00:16:48,010 --> 00:16:51,370 S1: of Magen David Adom. And we're talking with Troy Miller, 291 00:16:51,370 --> 00:16:54,330 S1: who serves on the national board of directors of American 292 00:16:54,330 --> 00:16:58,010 S1: Friends of Magen David Adom. I understand that the national 293 00:16:58,010 --> 00:17:01,210 S1: Religious Broadcasters, in addition to these blood drives, more recently 294 00:17:01,370 --> 00:17:03,970 S1: has a bit of a history with American friends of 295 00:17:03,970 --> 00:17:05,570 S1: Magen David Adom. Tell us more. 296 00:17:05,730 --> 00:17:09,250 S4: Yeah, well, we have quite a long history of them 297 00:17:09,250 --> 00:17:12,690 S4: being a part of our conference, a part of what 298 00:17:12,730 --> 00:17:15,490 S4: goes on in our exhibit. For matter of fact, I 299 00:17:15,530 --> 00:17:19,170 S4: first became really aware of them when I was still 300 00:17:19,369 --> 00:17:24,850 S4: running in Rvtv at a NRB convention and start to 301 00:17:24,890 --> 00:17:27,690 S4: talk to them. They had one of their ambulances there 302 00:17:27,730 --> 00:17:30,450 S4: on the exhibit floor, and to talk to them about 303 00:17:30,450 --> 00:17:34,130 S4: the work that they did. And through NRB television, we 304 00:17:34,130 --> 00:17:37,730 S4: ran a series of public service announcements to help make 305 00:17:37,880 --> 00:17:41,280 S4: the public aware of who they are. And as you know, NB, 306 00:17:41,359 --> 00:17:45,200 S4: we have many, many, many ministries that support Israel and 307 00:17:45,200 --> 00:17:48,359 S4: friends of Israel, friends of the Jewish people. And so 308 00:17:48,400 --> 00:17:51,200 S4: they really fit right in as a home within the 309 00:17:51,200 --> 00:17:52,240 S4: NB family. 310 00:17:52,680 --> 00:17:55,520 S1: You were recently appointed to the National Board of Directors 311 00:17:55,520 --> 00:17:58,520 S1: of American Friends of Magen David Adom. What does that 312 00:17:58,520 --> 00:18:01,240 S1: actually mean? What are the practical aspects of that? 313 00:18:01,280 --> 00:18:03,720 S4: Well, one of the things it means is because of 314 00:18:03,720 --> 00:18:06,600 S4: where we are at NRP, in my experience, is that 315 00:18:06,600 --> 00:18:12,119 S4: we are helping them navigate the US media landscape, both 316 00:18:12,119 --> 00:18:15,160 S4: Christian and secular, because that's one of the things, of course, 317 00:18:15,160 --> 00:18:18,040 S4: we do on a daily basis and do well. And 318 00:18:18,040 --> 00:18:19,880 S4: so one of the things as a board member there 319 00:18:19,880 --> 00:18:23,560 S4: that I'm going to be helping them with is communication plans. 320 00:18:23,560 --> 00:18:27,639 S4: How do we make this organization more aware across America? 321 00:18:27,680 --> 00:18:30,800 S4: I'm sure as more churches find out what they do 322 00:18:31,040 --> 00:18:33,960 S4: and the services that they offer, they'll want to get 323 00:18:33,960 --> 00:18:38,670 S4: behind this effort. And really the mission that Meghan has. 324 00:18:38,710 --> 00:18:41,149 S1: Well, tell me a story. A favorite story that comes 325 00:18:41,150 --> 00:18:44,870 S1: to mind that says, this is why I'm invested in 326 00:18:44,869 --> 00:18:47,150 S1: the American Friends of Magen David Adom. 327 00:18:47,470 --> 00:18:50,510 S4: So when I was there a year ago in May, 328 00:18:50,950 --> 00:18:54,230 S4: we actually got to go visit the blood Bank center 329 00:18:54,270 --> 00:18:56,910 S4: there and to meet with some of the people. And 330 00:18:56,910 --> 00:18:59,470 S4: I think that the one thing that I was impressed with, 331 00:18:59,470 --> 00:19:01,990 S4: so I met with one of the ambulance crews there, 332 00:19:02,190 --> 00:19:05,070 S4: and I'm talking to the ambulance crews now. Now this 333 00:19:05,070 --> 00:19:08,910 S4: is in Israel. One of the ambulance driver, he was Jewish, 334 00:19:09,350 --> 00:19:13,750 S4: one of the paramedics in the back. She was a Christian. 335 00:19:13,750 --> 00:19:18,990 S4: She was a messianic believer. And her partner in the back. 336 00:19:19,030 --> 00:19:23,310 S4: The other paramedic. He was a muslim. And that's the 337 00:19:23,310 --> 00:19:27,030 S4: heart of this organization. And here's three people from three 338 00:19:27,070 --> 00:19:30,990 S4: very different religious backgrounds an Orthodox Jew, a Christian and 339 00:19:30,990 --> 00:19:33,350 S4: a muslim. And no, this is not a joke. This 340 00:19:33,350 --> 00:19:36,770 S4: was real. This is how they work together, and to 341 00:19:36,810 --> 00:19:40,690 S4: listen to their stories of how they go in and 342 00:19:40,690 --> 00:19:43,689 S4: help people across Israel. I don't think people understand. Also 343 00:19:43,690 --> 00:19:47,530 S4: within Israel proper, you have hundreds of thousands of Muslims 344 00:19:47,530 --> 00:19:52,010 S4: who live within Israel peacefully as neighbors. And when they 345 00:19:52,010 --> 00:19:54,810 S4: go in, they don't ask, are you Jewish? Are you Christian? 346 00:19:54,810 --> 00:19:58,570 S4: Are you Muslim? They go in with the idea that 347 00:19:58,570 --> 00:20:00,930 S4: we have a tragedy here. We either have a natural 348 00:20:00,930 --> 00:20:04,530 S4: disaster or we have a terrorist event and necessarily worried 349 00:20:04,530 --> 00:20:07,770 S4: about who's hurt. We're there just to help people and 350 00:20:07,930 --> 00:20:12,330 S4: to hear those stories. That was the most heartwarming unity 351 00:20:12,330 --> 00:20:14,609 S4: that made me just love this organization. 352 00:20:14,850 --> 00:20:17,290 S1: One of the things that I'm intrigued with as we 353 00:20:17,450 --> 00:20:20,770 S1: learn more about Magen David Adom, is how innovative they are. 354 00:20:21,010 --> 00:20:23,210 S1: You and I think of an American context. We think 355 00:20:23,210 --> 00:20:26,370 S1: of our big boxy ambulances. But over there, when you're 356 00:20:26,369 --> 00:20:29,369 S1: in a very urban setting like Jerusalem with very skinny 357 00:20:29,410 --> 00:20:32,929 S1: streets and you've got such small clearances, they've had to 358 00:20:32,930 --> 00:20:36,080 S1: go to motorcycle based units, as well as even care 359 00:20:36,119 --> 00:20:39,879 S1: units on bicycles. So these people have left no stone 360 00:20:39,880 --> 00:20:43,520 S1: unturned in their in their mission to save lives, right? 361 00:20:43,560 --> 00:20:46,200 S4: Yeah. And you know, the interesting thing about that, with 362 00:20:46,200 --> 00:20:49,680 S4: all of the situations that they get into, um, as 363 00:20:49,680 --> 00:20:53,639 S4: you said, they have their innovation has been shared with 364 00:20:53,680 --> 00:20:58,040 S4: similar organizations around the world. Um, so oftentimes they're called 365 00:20:58,040 --> 00:21:01,119 S4: on because they are so good at helping to find 366 00:21:01,119 --> 00:21:05,159 S4: people in building rubble or buildings that have collapsed and 367 00:21:05,160 --> 00:21:09,360 S4: other things. They've developed different technologies for that that can 368 00:21:09,359 --> 00:21:12,800 S4: do things, and it's amazing. And they're willing to share 369 00:21:12,800 --> 00:21:15,040 S4: this around the world. They're not saying, okay, this is 370 00:21:15,040 --> 00:21:18,680 S4: just our kind of they do lots of seminars with 371 00:21:18,720 --> 00:21:22,440 S4: other groups to say, here's what our experience is, here's 372 00:21:22,440 --> 00:21:25,240 S4: what we've learned, and here's some of the tools we've 373 00:21:25,240 --> 00:21:27,760 S4: created to respond to these disasters. 374 00:21:28,000 --> 00:21:30,840 S1: Thanks for joining us today on the land and the book. 375 00:21:30,840 --> 00:21:34,109 S1: I'm John Yeager. Our guest is Troy Miller, president of 376 00:21:34,109 --> 00:21:37,550 S1: the National Religious Broadcasters. He's also on the national board 377 00:21:37,550 --> 00:21:41,629 S1: of directors of American Friends of Magen David Adom. Troy, 378 00:21:41,630 --> 00:21:44,950 S1: do you feel like, uh, Israelis in government or just 379 00:21:44,990 --> 00:21:49,310 S1: average citizens there understand that Christ followers in America love 380 00:21:49,310 --> 00:21:52,510 S1: them and care for them? Are they getting that message? 381 00:21:52,510 --> 00:21:54,430 S1: And if so, with what impact? 382 00:21:54,750 --> 00:21:58,150 S4: Let me tell you this. I think that that message, 383 00:21:58,350 --> 00:22:03,149 S4: particularly since October 7th, is a message that has come 384 00:22:03,350 --> 00:22:08,030 S4: loud and clear to all facets of Israel, whether it 385 00:22:08,030 --> 00:22:12,590 S4: be government, whether it be NGOs and even the religious community. 386 00:22:12,830 --> 00:22:16,950 S4: I was there just this last year, and we met 387 00:22:16,950 --> 00:22:19,790 S4: with a number of religious leaders, and some of these 388 00:22:19,790 --> 00:22:23,070 S4: leaders were what's known as reformed rabbis, which we would 389 00:22:23,070 --> 00:22:27,350 S4: think would be very liberal pastors in our country all 390 00:22:27,350 --> 00:22:31,070 S4: the way to, you know, Orthodox rabbis. And the comment 391 00:22:31,180 --> 00:22:35,260 S4: was made by several of them that during this whole 392 00:22:35,300 --> 00:22:38,260 S4: time of October 7th, many of them have felt like 393 00:22:38,260 --> 00:22:42,179 S4: that their, their liberal counterparts and even some of their 394 00:22:42,180 --> 00:22:46,980 S4: Jewish counterparts have really abandoned them. But that the group 395 00:22:46,980 --> 00:22:50,180 S4: that has come alongside them the most and is seen 396 00:22:50,180 --> 00:22:54,700 S4: the most and recognized the most is the evangelical Christian community. 397 00:22:54,940 --> 00:22:57,899 S4: I actually had the speaker of the Knesset tell us 398 00:22:58,100 --> 00:23:03,139 S4: that he was so thankful that the evangelical community has 399 00:23:03,140 --> 00:23:07,340 S4: come to lock arms with Israel and with the Jewish people. 400 00:23:07,460 --> 00:23:10,699 S4: And he said to me, that has not gone unnoticed. 401 00:23:11,500 --> 00:23:14,379 S1: Well, listeners might be saying that all sounds good, but 402 00:23:14,380 --> 00:23:18,740 S1: what impact could I possibly make with an organization like 403 00:23:18,780 --> 00:23:21,180 S1: American Friends of Magen David Adom? 404 00:23:21,460 --> 00:23:25,859 S4: Well, again, look, you can go to saving lives in israel.org. 405 00:23:26,140 --> 00:23:28,980 S4: That's the website that can tell you about the work 406 00:23:28,980 --> 00:23:34,409 S4: that dome is doing. There's also opportunities for you to 407 00:23:34,450 --> 00:23:38,170 S4: donate and opportunities to reach out to see if your 408 00:23:38,170 --> 00:23:40,969 S4: community or church can do one of these blood drives 409 00:23:40,970 --> 00:23:44,090 S4: in their area. And then, of course, you can always 410 00:23:44,130 --> 00:23:47,210 S4: be in prayer for these people. They are often heading 411 00:23:47,210 --> 00:23:51,570 S4: into harm's way, not away from it. Not many organizations 412 00:23:51,570 --> 00:23:55,530 S4: in the world outside of a military have to have 413 00:23:55,810 --> 00:24:00,010 S4: armored ambulances in their car pool in order to go 414 00:24:00,010 --> 00:24:02,209 S4: in to help people. So of course, prayer is the 415 00:24:02,210 --> 00:24:05,010 S4: number one thing you can do. And let me add 416 00:24:05,010 --> 00:24:08,490 S4: on to just that last piece too. I really see 417 00:24:08,490 --> 00:24:13,810 S4: that there's a huge softening of hearts right now between, 418 00:24:14,170 --> 00:24:17,610 S4: you know, the Jewish community, especially the Orthodox religious community 419 00:24:17,609 --> 00:24:20,890 S4: and the Christian community. So just be in prayer that 420 00:24:20,890 --> 00:24:24,530 S4: God will continue to soften those hearts, because at the 421 00:24:24,530 --> 00:24:27,689 S4: end of the day, we want to support saving lives. 422 00:24:27,690 --> 00:24:30,280 S4: We want to support all of those things. But as 423 00:24:30,280 --> 00:24:33,199 S4: a Christian community, we also want to support the sharing 424 00:24:33,200 --> 00:24:34,040 S4: of the gospel. 425 00:24:34,560 --> 00:24:37,240 S1: Well, you are the president of the National Religious Broadcasters. 426 00:24:37,240 --> 00:24:40,040 S1: Let me give you 30s to say, what should we 427 00:24:40,040 --> 00:24:42,920 S1: know about what's going on in NRB in the whole 428 00:24:42,920 --> 00:24:44,800 S1: world that you're part of there? 429 00:24:45,160 --> 00:24:50,399 S4: Well, NRB is the premier Christian communicator association. We fight 430 00:24:50,440 --> 00:24:57,440 S4: very hard on behalf of making sure that all Christian communicators, radio, television, podcasters, filmmakers, 431 00:24:57,600 --> 00:25:01,440 S4: you name it, publishers, authors that they can stay in, 432 00:25:01,680 --> 00:25:04,959 S4: in the marketplace of ideas that they have a voice 433 00:25:04,960 --> 00:25:08,639 S4: within the community, within society. We have a number of things. 434 00:25:08,640 --> 00:25:10,760 S4: Congress is going to go back into session here, and 435 00:25:10,760 --> 00:25:13,400 S4: we have a number of things we're working on Am 436 00:25:13,400 --> 00:25:17,080 S4: radio and religious freedom. So the NRB does all of 437 00:25:17,080 --> 00:25:20,120 S4: those things. And then we hold the largest conference of 438 00:25:20,119 --> 00:25:25,399 S4: Christian broadcasters. Communicators that come together will be in Nashville, Tennessee. 439 00:25:25,920 --> 00:25:28,670 S4: You can go to Airborne and find out about all 440 00:25:28,710 --> 00:25:29,629 S4: of those things. 441 00:25:29,910 --> 00:25:32,109 S1: Well, what's going on with SRB? But we thank you 442 00:25:32,109 --> 00:25:34,830 S1: for this conversation. And again, the website to visit is 443 00:25:34,830 --> 00:25:38,790 S1: Saving Lives in Israel, a link to that website at ours, 444 00:25:38,790 --> 00:25:42,510 S1: which is the land and the book. Troy, thank you 445 00:25:42,510 --> 00:25:44,669 S1: so much for your time. This has really been helpful 446 00:25:44,670 --> 00:25:45,470 S1: and enlightening. 447 00:25:45,830 --> 00:25:48,670 S4: Well, thank you for having me and for, um, bringing 448 00:25:48,670 --> 00:25:49,869 S4: light to this subject. 449 00:25:49,910 --> 00:25:50,470 S5: You bet. 450 00:25:50,710 --> 00:25:52,950 S1: Gerald Peterman is next with a fresh set of Bible 451 00:25:52,950 --> 00:26:07,590 S1: questions here on the land and the book. Second Timothy 452 00:26:07,590 --> 00:26:12,030 S1: 215 urges us be diligent to present yourself approved to 453 00:26:12,070 --> 00:26:15,230 S1: God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, 454 00:26:15,470 --> 00:26:18,990 S1: accurately handling the word of truth. That's the theme verse 455 00:26:18,990 --> 00:26:21,150 S1: of the Moody Bible Institute. And that's at the heart 456 00:26:21,150 --> 00:26:24,109 S1: of this third segment here on the land and the book. 457 00:26:24,390 --> 00:26:27,340 S1: Welcome back. I'm John Gager. Before we get to correctly 458 00:26:27,380 --> 00:26:30,780 S1: handling the Word of God, consider this. Did you know 459 00:26:30,780 --> 00:26:34,780 S1: that most Jewish people have never heard the gospel? It's true. 460 00:26:35,140 --> 00:26:38,580 S1: And each week we talk about Israel and the Jewish people, 461 00:26:38,780 --> 00:26:42,020 S1: and it's important to remember that they, like everyone else, 462 00:26:42,060 --> 00:26:45,740 S1: need to hear the good news. Well, life in Messiah, 463 00:26:45,780 --> 00:26:50,220 S1: a ministry in existence for over 135 years, is devoted 464 00:26:50,220 --> 00:26:53,340 S1: to sharing the gospel with Jewish people around the world. 465 00:26:53,580 --> 00:26:56,420 S1: And now they're offering a really cool gift to moody listeners. 466 00:26:56,420 --> 00:27:00,580 S1: This free e-book, Reaching Jewish People from Messiah, highlights the 467 00:27:00,580 --> 00:27:03,380 S1: need for the gospel among the Jewish people, and it's 468 00:27:03,380 --> 00:27:06,060 S1: going to equip you with practical ways to share the 469 00:27:06,060 --> 00:27:09,340 S1: good news with them. Now, to receive this free e-book, 470 00:27:09,340 --> 00:27:13,100 S1: visit Life in Messiah org. Click on the Moody Radio 471 00:27:13,100 --> 00:27:16,340 S1: logo and sign up today to get your copy. Again, 472 00:27:16,340 --> 00:27:22,020 S1: that's Life in Messiah and sign up today. With that, 473 00:27:22,020 --> 00:27:24,659 S1: we say, welcome to Doctor Gerald Peterman of Moody Bible 474 00:27:24,770 --> 00:27:25,850 S1: Institute faculty. 475 00:27:26,090 --> 00:27:27,210 S6: Well, I'm glad to be here. 476 00:27:27,290 --> 00:27:29,730 S1: Well, we're glad you're here, too. And let's dig into 477 00:27:29,730 --> 00:27:32,850 S1: our first question, this one from Sharon, who points out 478 00:27:32,850 --> 00:27:36,050 S1: there are many verses in which God instructs us to 479 00:27:36,090 --> 00:27:40,650 S1: not add to his word. Deuteronomy four, verse two, chapter 12, 480 00:27:40,690 --> 00:27:44,250 S1: verse 32, Proverbs 30, verse six, and then of course, 481 00:27:44,250 --> 00:27:48,210 S1: revelation 2218 if we add to God's Word, we make 482 00:27:48,210 --> 00:27:51,530 S1: ourselves and our thinking the standard of truth. We put 483 00:27:51,530 --> 00:27:56,290 S1: ourselves above God. Here's the question was Eve adding to 484 00:27:56,330 --> 00:28:00,250 S1: God's Word before she ate from the forbidden tree? Could 485 00:28:00,290 --> 00:28:04,450 S1: Satan have seen Eve's mindset and somehow knew exactly how 486 00:28:04,450 --> 00:28:06,370 S1: to cause her to sin against God? 487 00:28:06,690 --> 00:28:08,649 S6: Well, John, this is one of the things I just 488 00:28:08,650 --> 00:28:12,130 S6: love about answering listener questions. They they make me think 489 00:28:12,130 --> 00:28:14,570 S6: about things I never thought about before. So this is 490 00:28:14,609 --> 00:28:18,970 S6: this is Sharon's question. Let's start with Genesis 216. The 491 00:28:18,970 --> 00:28:21,689 S6: Lord commanded the man from any tree in the garden 492 00:28:21,690 --> 00:28:24,710 S6: you may surely eat, but from the tree of the 493 00:28:24,750 --> 00:28:27,710 S6: knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat from it. 494 00:28:27,710 --> 00:28:30,270 S6: For on the day you eat of it, you will 495 00:28:30,270 --> 00:28:33,550 S6: surely die. Well, then we come to the conversation in 496 00:28:33,550 --> 00:28:37,469 S6: Genesis three with the serpent, and Eve says, from the 497 00:28:37,470 --> 00:28:40,910 S6: tree of the garden we may eat. But from the 498 00:28:40,910 --> 00:28:42,670 S6: fruit of the tree that is in the midst of 499 00:28:42,670 --> 00:28:45,750 S6: the garden, God says, you shall not eat of it, 500 00:28:45,750 --> 00:28:49,150 S6: and you shall not touch it, lest you die. So 501 00:28:49,150 --> 00:28:52,710 S6: it looks like indeed she's added to the scriptures. She's 502 00:28:52,790 --> 00:28:55,790 S6: added the commandment. She's added, do not touch. But I 503 00:28:55,830 --> 00:28:59,190 S6: wonder about her motivation. I wonder if I don't know, 504 00:28:59,230 --> 00:29:01,870 S6: only God knows. But maybe Adam and Eve thought we 505 00:29:01,910 --> 00:29:03,910 S6: do not want to eat from this tree, so let's 506 00:29:03,910 --> 00:29:05,510 S6: just make sure we don't even touch it. I don't 507 00:29:05,510 --> 00:29:08,270 S6: know what their motivation is, but technically, yes, it's adding 508 00:29:08,310 --> 00:29:12,030 S6: to the word. But the second question Sharon brings could 509 00:29:12,070 --> 00:29:16,230 S6: Satan have seen Eve's mindset? I think my answer is 510 00:29:16,390 --> 00:29:21,710 S6: ah yes and no, because our enemy is very clever 511 00:29:21,710 --> 00:29:24,820 S6: Ever in the worst sense of the word. And he 512 00:29:24,820 --> 00:29:29,060 S6: knows human nature, but he cannot read our mind. He 513 00:29:29,060 --> 00:29:33,940 S6: is not omniscient. So I hope this helps with the question. 514 00:29:33,980 --> 00:29:36,540 S1: Now it's possible he, he, or one of his minions 515 00:29:36,540 --> 00:29:39,460 S1: would have overheard a previous conversation about that fruit. 516 00:29:39,500 --> 00:29:40,460 S6: Oh, absolutely. 517 00:29:40,460 --> 00:29:42,420 S1: And he could have drawn on that for his strategy. 518 00:29:42,460 --> 00:29:46,620 S6: Right. And if this conversation is being had because he's clever. Again, 519 00:29:46,620 --> 00:29:50,140 S6: I've said he'll use anything he can get his hands on. 520 00:29:51,060 --> 00:29:56,100 S1: John's question is this. I'm still wondering about Jesus word fulfill. 521 00:29:56,380 --> 00:29:58,620 S1: It was mentioned in a previous program, and I'm referring 522 00:29:58,620 --> 00:30:02,260 S1: here to Matthew 517 to 20. Does this mean that 523 00:30:02,260 --> 00:30:05,380 S1: Christ obeys the law on our behalf? 524 00:30:05,420 --> 00:30:08,500 S6: Right? It's a great question. Students bring this question up 525 00:30:08,500 --> 00:30:10,300 S6: in the classroom, so I know it's going to come 526 00:30:10,300 --> 00:30:13,380 S6: up here as well. What does fulfill mean? This is 527 00:30:13,380 --> 00:30:18,580 S6: very important in the New Testament. Fulfill does not mean obey. 528 00:30:19,060 --> 00:30:21,930 S6: That's an English use of the term in the New 529 00:30:21,930 --> 00:30:26,330 S6: Testament fulfill does not mean obey. When the Old Testament 530 00:30:26,330 --> 00:30:31,210 S6: anticipates something and then that thing shows up, there's been fulfillment. 531 00:30:31,370 --> 00:30:34,890 S6: This is what fulfillment is anticipation and then arrival. And 532 00:30:34,890 --> 00:30:38,090 S6: so we come to Matthew five and our Lord says, 533 00:30:38,090 --> 00:30:39,690 S6: do not think I've come to abolish the law and 534 00:30:39,690 --> 00:30:42,810 S6: the prophets. I've not come to abolish, but to fulfill. 535 00:30:42,810 --> 00:30:47,850 S6: That is the law. And the prophets look forward to him. 536 00:30:48,050 --> 00:30:50,090 S6: And when he says law and the prophets, what does 537 00:30:50,090 --> 00:30:53,210 S6: he mean? Is he excluding the Psalms? I think not. 538 00:30:53,250 --> 00:30:56,330 S6: Is he excluding the historical books? I think not. I 539 00:30:56,330 --> 00:30:59,090 S6: think by law and the prophets he just means all 540 00:30:59,130 --> 00:31:03,450 S6: of Old Testament scripture, all of Old Testament scripture looks 541 00:31:03,450 --> 00:31:08,370 S6: forward to Jesus when he arrives. He fulfills its longing 542 00:31:08,370 --> 00:31:09,730 S6: and anticipation. 543 00:31:10,250 --> 00:31:12,570 S1: You've said it again, and I think it's so key. 544 00:31:12,730 --> 00:31:16,410 S1: All of the Old Testament looks forward to Jesus, and 545 00:31:16,450 --> 00:31:19,760 S1: I think that's so, so telling and so important as 546 00:31:19,760 --> 00:31:22,200 S1: far as a reference point for why we need to 547 00:31:22,200 --> 00:31:24,840 S1: be doing more studies, more sermons in the Old Testament 548 00:31:24,840 --> 00:31:25,520 S1: in our churches. 549 00:31:25,840 --> 00:31:30,000 S6: John, thanks for that. Absolutely. Because I just think it's 550 00:31:30,000 --> 00:31:32,760 S6: a delight when we're maybe in Matthew and then we 551 00:31:32,760 --> 00:31:34,400 S6: see he quotes the Old Testament, and then we go 552 00:31:34,400 --> 00:31:36,800 S6: back there when we read that and we think, oh God, 553 00:31:37,080 --> 00:31:39,720 S6: you are so amazing what you've been doing for hundreds 554 00:31:39,720 --> 00:31:42,480 S6: of years. Oh yeah. So folks, get into your Old 555 00:31:42,520 --> 00:31:44,760 S6: Testament on a regular basis. It's really good stuff. 556 00:31:44,800 --> 00:31:47,760 S1: Doctor Gerald Peterson answers your questions every week here on 557 00:31:47,760 --> 00:31:50,120 S1: the land and the book, and you connect with him 558 00:31:50,280 --> 00:31:53,120 S1: as you email us at the land and the book 559 00:31:53,160 --> 00:31:57,640 S1: at Moody. Again, get your question to us when you 560 00:31:57,640 --> 00:32:02,520 S1: write The Land and the book at Moody. Edu Ron says, 561 00:32:02,520 --> 00:32:05,200 S1: I was reading about Jesus baptism, and it looks like 562 00:32:05,200 --> 00:32:08,920 S1: it's told two different ways in two different passages, two 563 00:32:08,920 --> 00:32:13,160 S1: different renderings. One says, this is my son and the 564 00:32:13,160 --> 00:32:16,120 S1: other says, you are my son. One of those references 565 00:32:16,120 --> 00:32:18,950 S1: is in Mark and one in Matthew. What's the deal 566 00:32:18,950 --> 00:32:19,590 S1: on that? 567 00:32:19,670 --> 00:32:22,830 S6: First, I really appreciate this question because this shows us 568 00:32:22,830 --> 00:32:27,630 S6: we've got readers who are reading scripture listening, and they're 569 00:32:27,630 --> 00:32:29,830 S6: just trying to figure it out. So I really appreciate 570 00:32:29,870 --> 00:32:33,950 S6: this question. Obviously, the baptism of Jesus only happens once, 571 00:32:34,190 --> 00:32:38,230 S6: but it's told by Matthew, Mark, and Luke. So first, 572 00:32:38,590 --> 00:32:41,790 S6: what are the gospel writers doing? They're giving us history. 573 00:32:42,190 --> 00:32:45,990 S6: And anytime you write history, you are selecting things to 574 00:32:45,990 --> 00:32:48,590 S6: tell for a purpose. I like to tell my students, 575 00:32:49,150 --> 00:32:52,030 S6: if you, as the historian, want to tell about everything, 576 00:32:52,030 --> 00:32:54,630 S6: you'll never stop writing. And if you never stop writing, 577 00:32:54,630 --> 00:32:56,989 S6: nobody starts reading. So then who cares, right? So in 578 00:32:56,990 --> 00:32:59,990 S6: other words, Matthew, Mark and Luke have been selective in 579 00:32:59,990 --> 00:33:03,470 S6: what they say, and they each have their own perspective. 580 00:33:03,470 --> 00:33:06,790 S6: And the perspective is okay. Like, for instance, if I 581 00:33:06,830 --> 00:33:10,270 S6: said to a student, go get me that book, and 582 00:33:10,270 --> 00:33:13,270 S6: then the students in the hallway and says, Doctor Peterman 583 00:33:13,270 --> 00:33:15,990 S6: asked me to get the book, that's a faithful rendering, 584 00:33:15,990 --> 00:33:19,180 S6: but it's not a quotation, right? So what did the 585 00:33:19,180 --> 00:33:21,540 S6: voice from Heaven say? I think the voice from heaven said, 586 00:33:21,940 --> 00:33:26,060 S6: you are my son. And that is communication between father 587 00:33:26,060 --> 00:33:30,940 S6: and son. Affirmation. Love. But I think we need to 588 00:33:30,940 --> 00:33:34,260 S6: hear that. And so Matthew presents it as this is 589 00:33:34,260 --> 00:33:36,900 S6: my son. That is, we need to listen to him. 590 00:33:37,140 --> 00:33:39,060 S6: We need to hear from him. We need to hear 591 00:33:39,060 --> 00:33:42,660 S6: about him. So Matthew's just directing our attention a slightly 592 00:33:42,660 --> 00:33:44,860 S6: different direction. So I hope that's helpful. 593 00:33:44,900 --> 00:33:47,940 S1: I do too, thank you. I think sounds good to me. Uh. 594 00:33:47,940 --> 00:33:50,820 S1: Ruth asks. There was recently a debate about whether the 595 00:33:50,820 --> 00:33:54,140 S1: current day Israel, as in the nation, is the same 596 00:33:54,140 --> 00:33:57,340 S1: as the Israel in the Old Testament. The question was asked, 597 00:33:57,340 --> 00:34:01,700 S1: Should Christians bless modern day Israel? Do you believe the 598 00:34:01,700 --> 00:34:05,500 S1: Bible's reference to Israel, specifically in the Genesis passage about 599 00:34:05,500 --> 00:34:09,340 S1: blessing those who bless Israel is referring to all believers 600 00:34:09,500 --> 00:34:12,140 S1: or the modern day country and government of Israel? 601 00:34:12,340 --> 00:34:15,780 S6: Ah, this is an important question in our current political environment, 602 00:34:15,810 --> 00:34:19,930 S6: I think the statement from Genesis still applies to us, 603 00:34:19,930 --> 00:34:23,650 S6: but how does it apply? It applies to the people 604 00:34:23,650 --> 00:34:28,890 S6: as a whole, chosen by God, unique and chosen by God. 605 00:34:29,090 --> 00:34:33,690 S6: What it doesn't mean is that Abraham as chosen and 606 00:34:33,690 --> 00:34:36,970 S6: his family as chosen. They never do anything wrong. No. 607 00:34:37,010 --> 00:34:41,730 S6: I'm sorry. Right. Because Abraham lied about Sarah and said, no, 608 00:34:41,770 --> 00:34:46,490 S6: she's not my wife. She's my sister. And David chosen 609 00:34:46,489 --> 00:34:49,890 S6: as the King of Israel due respect. As the King 610 00:34:49,930 --> 00:34:53,210 S6: of Israel, as a figurehead for Israel. We know about 611 00:34:53,210 --> 00:34:56,650 S6: his life as well, right? He has this horrible misuse 612 00:34:56,650 --> 00:35:00,250 S6: of Bathsheba, and he kills Uriah the Hittite so we 613 00:35:00,250 --> 00:35:03,170 S6: can give respect and honor to the nation of Israel 614 00:35:03,170 --> 00:35:07,089 S6: as a whole, as God's chosen people, and not necessarily 615 00:35:07,090 --> 00:35:10,890 S6: agree with everything an individual in that nation does. 616 00:35:11,090 --> 00:35:13,210 S1: Let me quote that Genesis 12 three verse, and I 617 00:35:13,210 --> 00:35:15,390 S1: will bless those who bless you and the one who 618 00:35:15,390 --> 00:35:18,350 S1: curses you, I will curse. And in you all the 619 00:35:18,350 --> 00:35:20,830 S1: families of the earth will be blessed. I think that's 620 00:35:20,830 --> 00:35:23,670 S1: another reason, the second half of that verse, why the 621 00:35:23,670 --> 00:35:27,190 S1: whole thing is intact. Jesus is the blessing in whom 622 00:35:27,190 --> 00:35:28,910 S1: all the families of the earth are blessed. 623 00:35:28,950 --> 00:35:32,470 S6: Oh, John, thanks so much for bringing that up. Yes, exactly. 624 00:35:32,510 --> 00:35:36,390 S6: That is, what does our Lord Jesus tell the woman 625 00:35:36,390 --> 00:35:40,110 S6: at the well in John four? Salvation is from the Jews. 626 00:35:40,710 --> 00:35:44,790 S6: She's a Samaritan, but he offers her the salvation. Many 627 00:35:44,790 --> 00:35:47,750 S6: of us are Gentiles like me, and we are being 628 00:35:47,750 --> 00:35:52,030 S6: offered this same salvation. It's not that salvation is only 629 00:35:52,030 --> 00:35:55,150 S6: for the Jews. It is most certainly for them. It's 630 00:35:55,150 --> 00:35:57,310 S6: from them to the whole world. 631 00:35:57,510 --> 00:36:00,350 S1: Yeah, boy, a great conversation. These are important questions and 632 00:36:00,350 --> 00:36:02,830 S1: conversations to have. And I bet you've got one that 633 00:36:02,830 --> 00:36:05,110 S1: you'd like to bring to our attention. It's welcome any 634 00:36:05,110 --> 00:36:07,910 S1: old time, if you'll email us at The Land and 635 00:36:07,910 --> 00:36:14,420 S1: the book. At the land and the book at. Doctor Peterman, 636 00:36:14,420 --> 00:36:16,500 S1: someone might be asking, how long does it take me 637 00:36:16,500 --> 00:36:18,140 S1: to get a reply from you? Typically. 638 00:36:18,580 --> 00:36:22,100 S6: Um, two days to 7 or 8 days, something like that. 639 00:36:22,340 --> 00:36:23,420 S1: I was under ten usually. 640 00:36:23,420 --> 00:36:25,980 S6: Yeah, typically under ten. I was a little bit slow recently. 641 00:36:26,020 --> 00:36:28,780 S6: Every time I'm slow, I say please forgive my delay. 642 00:36:29,300 --> 00:36:30,500 S1: But you do get a reply. 643 00:36:30,540 --> 00:36:31,340 S6: But you do get a reply. 644 00:36:31,380 --> 00:36:34,140 S1: Typically under a week. Email us at the Land and 645 00:36:34,180 --> 00:36:39,340 S1: the book at. Doctor Charlie Dyer is back with his devotional. 646 00:36:39,340 --> 00:36:55,020 S1: It's next on the land and the book. This is 647 00:36:55,020 --> 00:36:57,580 S1: the land and the book. I'm John Yeager, reflecting on 648 00:36:57,580 --> 00:37:01,100 S1: a conversation with novelist Jerry Jenkins, who at one time 649 00:37:01,100 --> 00:37:04,500 S1: was on the staff of Moody Bible Institute, and he 650 00:37:04,500 --> 00:37:07,379 S1: related being part of the executive cabinet for the very 651 00:37:07,380 --> 00:37:10,580 S1: first time, being invited to a meeting. He got there 652 00:37:10,580 --> 00:37:13,410 S1: just a couple of minutes early and, uh, the meeting 653 00:37:13,410 --> 00:37:16,370 S1: had already begun, and, uh, he was poked fun at 654 00:37:16,370 --> 00:37:19,209 S1: because he wasn't there really early. But when it comes 655 00:37:19,210 --> 00:37:21,529 S1: to being on time, do you ever wonder if if 656 00:37:21,530 --> 00:37:24,170 S1: God is just a bit late? Charlie, it strikes me 657 00:37:24,170 --> 00:37:25,969 S1: that this issue of timing is at the heart of 658 00:37:25,969 --> 00:37:26,770 S1: your devotional. 659 00:37:27,090 --> 00:37:30,290 S2: Uh, timing is everything, and it is part of the devotional. Uh, 660 00:37:30,290 --> 00:37:32,930 S2: we're looking at the great confessions of the Bible. So, uh, 661 00:37:32,969 --> 00:37:34,290 S2: we'll come back and talk about that. 662 00:37:34,290 --> 00:37:36,770 S1: All right. After we hear this Holy Land experience, a 663 00:37:36,770 --> 00:37:39,890 S1: testimony from someone who's traveled to Israel and shares this 664 00:37:39,930 --> 00:37:40,890 S1: with you and me. 665 00:37:45,210 --> 00:37:47,250 S7: Hi, my name is Rob Barr, and I've had the 666 00:37:47,250 --> 00:37:51,290 S7: opportunity to spend some time here in Israel. And one 667 00:37:51,290 --> 00:37:55,250 S7: particular item of note was the time that I spent 668 00:37:55,250 --> 00:38:00,450 S7: in Getty. And there I learned from Charlie exactly what 669 00:38:00,450 --> 00:38:06,170 S7: happened in first Samuel 24, specifically when David was in 670 00:38:06,170 --> 00:38:10,570 S7: the cave and Saul came and David had the opportunity 671 00:38:10,680 --> 00:38:14,799 S7: to actually kill Saul, but he submitted to God's authority. 672 00:38:14,800 --> 00:38:19,040 S7: And I think, you know, uh, dealing with crises in 673 00:38:19,040 --> 00:38:22,480 S7: our lives is very important. And what I learned from 674 00:38:22,480 --> 00:38:26,480 S7: that is that, uh, if God puts me into a 675 00:38:26,520 --> 00:38:31,759 S7: leadership position, I will indeed recognize that, uh, there will 676 00:38:31,760 --> 00:38:34,800 S7: be crisis from time to time, and we will have critics. 677 00:38:34,800 --> 00:38:38,920 S7: And I need to be gracious. Uh, and I also 678 00:38:38,960 --> 00:38:43,560 S7: need to recognize that God is sovereign and never respond 679 00:38:43,560 --> 00:38:49,120 S7: in kind from the individuals that, uh, are on the 680 00:38:49,120 --> 00:38:51,960 S7: opposite end. So this was a very special time in 681 00:38:51,960 --> 00:38:54,720 S7: Israel for me, and it was a quite a lesson 682 00:38:54,719 --> 00:38:57,399 S7: that I learned there. And it really came home there in, 683 00:38:57,400 --> 00:38:58,560 S7: in Getty. Thank you. 684 00:39:00,520 --> 00:39:04,720 S1: We're headed to First Samuel chapter 12, in today's devotional segment. Charlie, 685 00:39:04,719 --> 00:39:05,600 S1: it's all yours. 686 00:39:06,040 --> 00:39:08,399 S2: Thank you John. You know, last week I started an 687 00:39:08,400 --> 00:39:11,510 S2: eight part series that I'm calling Great Confessions of the Bible. 688 00:39:11,550 --> 00:39:14,509 S2: You know, memorable lines spoken at key points in history 689 00:39:14,710 --> 00:39:17,069 S2: by some of the great heroes of the faith. And 690 00:39:17,070 --> 00:39:20,110 S2: for today's great confession, you need to grab your hat 691 00:39:20,350 --> 00:39:22,910 S2: and make sure you're carrying a bottle of water. We're 692 00:39:22,910 --> 00:39:25,710 S2: not going to be here very long, but even in October, 693 00:39:25,750 --> 00:39:28,669 S2: the sun is blazing and the heat is intense here 694 00:39:28,670 --> 00:39:32,469 S2: in the lower Jordan Valley. But now imagine being here 695 00:39:32,469 --> 00:39:36,110 S2: in June in the oppressive heat of summer. We're only 696 00:39:36,110 --> 00:39:39,510 S2: a short distance from Jericho, because the destination for today's 697 00:39:39,510 --> 00:39:43,990 S2: great confession is ancient Gilgal. Now let your eyes adjust 698 00:39:43,989 --> 00:39:46,430 S2: to the extreme brightness. Take a sip of water from 699 00:39:46,430 --> 00:39:49,670 S2: your bottle and then look around very carefully. We're standing 700 00:39:49,670 --> 00:39:53,469 S2: at a spot where a vast throng of thousands has gathered. Oh, 701 00:39:53,469 --> 00:39:55,870 S2: look over there to the side. That's the leaders from 702 00:39:55,870 --> 00:39:59,189 S2: all 12 tribes of Israel. And huddled about them. In 703 00:39:59,190 --> 00:40:02,230 S2: smaller groups are the different clans and families who followed 704 00:40:02,230 --> 00:40:05,950 S2: these leaders to the meeting. It's the time of wheat harvest, 705 00:40:05,950 --> 00:40:09,299 S2: the beginning of June. Israel gathered here once before when 706 00:40:09,300 --> 00:40:13,100 S2: they crossed the Jordan River with Joshua. But today's gathering 707 00:40:13,100 --> 00:40:16,860 S2: is taking place almost four centuries later. The people are 708 00:40:16,860 --> 00:40:19,940 S2: here because they've been summoned by Samuel the prophet, the 709 00:40:19,940 --> 00:40:23,100 S2: last in the line of Israel's judges. In the center 710 00:40:23,100 --> 00:40:27,100 S2: of this massive mob stand two men. We immediately recognize 711 00:40:27,100 --> 00:40:31,180 S2: the one. It's Samuel himself. He's old and gray, his 712 00:40:31,180 --> 00:40:35,299 S2: withered skin bronzed from years of walking the dusty roads 713 00:40:35,300 --> 00:40:39,300 S2: of the land as God's messenger. His shoulders are stooped, 714 00:40:39,300 --> 00:40:42,700 S2: and he's visibly leaning against his wooden staff for support. 715 00:40:43,140 --> 00:40:47,060 S2: Next to him stands a young man of 30, exceptionally tall, 716 00:40:47,060 --> 00:40:51,900 S2: muscular and handsome. Someone whispers to us that Saul. He's 717 00:40:51,900 --> 00:40:55,660 S2: the one God has selected as king. Samuel raises his 718 00:40:55,660 --> 00:40:59,819 S2: hands and the crowd falls silent. Behold, I've listened to 719 00:40:59,820 --> 00:41:01,739 S2: your voice in all that you said to me, and 720 00:41:01,739 --> 00:41:04,980 S2: I have appointed a king over you. And now here 721 00:41:04,980 --> 00:41:08,450 S2: is the king walking before you. But I am old 722 00:41:08,450 --> 00:41:12,049 S2: and gray. There's an air of solemnity, a sense of 723 00:41:12,050 --> 00:41:17,170 S2: significance in Samuel's opening words. You instinctively lean in, tilting 724 00:41:17,170 --> 00:41:20,330 S2: your head to make sure you catch every nuance. But 725 00:41:20,330 --> 00:41:23,290 S2: what Samuel says next causes you to shake your head 726 00:41:23,290 --> 00:41:27,930 S2: in disbelief. Here I am. Bear witness against me before 727 00:41:27,930 --> 00:41:31,370 S2: the Lord and his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? 728 00:41:31,370 --> 00:41:34,970 S2: Or whose donkey have I taken? Or whom have I defrauded? 729 00:41:35,290 --> 00:41:38,170 S2: Whom have I oppressed? Or from whose hand have I 730 00:41:38,210 --> 00:41:41,370 S2: taken a bribe to blind my eyes with it? I 731 00:41:41,370 --> 00:41:45,410 S2: will restore it to you, Samuel. Guilty of fraud or 732 00:41:45,450 --> 00:41:49,930 S2: oppression or injustice? Impossible. You raise your voice to join 733 00:41:49,930 --> 00:41:53,609 S2: the chorus of thousands shouting back at Samuel. You've not 734 00:41:53,610 --> 00:41:57,169 S2: defrauded us or oppressed us, or taken anything from any 735 00:41:57,170 --> 00:42:00,969 S2: man's hand. Samuel, you've been a model of incorruptibility and 736 00:42:00,969 --> 00:42:05,719 S2: fairness and justice. But Samuel keeps pressing the issue. The 737 00:42:05,719 --> 00:42:08,720 S2: Lord is witness against you, and his anointed is witness. 738 00:42:08,719 --> 00:42:11,680 S2: This day that you have found nothing in my hand. 739 00:42:12,120 --> 00:42:15,040 S2: And again you shout back. May God and the King 740 00:42:15,040 --> 00:42:18,520 S2: both be our witnesses. Samuel isn't being forced to retire 741 00:42:18,520 --> 00:42:21,680 S2: in disgrace, hounded out of office by a public that's 742 00:42:21,719 --> 00:42:25,880 S2: grown tired of his dishonesty and corruption. He's leaving office 743 00:42:25,880 --> 00:42:30,799 S2: with a spotless record, his rock solid reputation firmly in place. 744 00:42:31,480 --> 00:42:34,359 S2: And suddenly the crowd is overwhelmed with a collective sense 745 00:42:34,360 --> 00:42:37,960 S2: of shame and guilt. Samuel wasn't leaving office for anything 746 00:42:37,960 --> 00:42:41,239 S2: he'd done wrong. He was leaving office because they had 747 00:42:41,239 --> 00:42:45,000 S2: demanded a king. But before the people can respond, Samuel 748 00:42:45,000 --> 00:42:49,520 S2: moves from the past to the present and the future. Now, therefore, 749 00:42:49,560 --> 00:42:52,279 S2: here is the king whom you have chosen, whom you've 750 00:42:52,280 --> 00:42:54,399 S2: asked for. And behold, the Lord has set a king 751 00:42:54,400 --> 00:42:57,520 S2: over you. If you will fear the Lord, and serve him, 752 00:42:57,520 --> 00:43:00,160 S2: and listen to his voice, and not rebel against the 753 00:43:00,160 --> 00:43:02,640 S2: command of the Lord, then both you and also the 754 00:43:02,640 --> 00:43:05,660 S2: king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God. 755 00:43:06,060 --> 00:43:07,700 S2: And if you will not listen to the voice of 756 00:43:07,700 --> 00:43:10,460 S2: the Lord, but rebel against the command of the Lord, 757 00:43:10,700 --> 00:43:12,820 S2: then the hand of the Lord will be against you, 758 00:43:12,820 --> 00:43:16,140 S2: as it was against your fathers. To drive home the 759 00:43:16,140 --> 00:43:19,500 S2: impact of his words, Samuel calls for a sign from heaven. 760 00:43:20,020 --> 00:43:23,060 S2: Even now, take your stand and see this great thing 761 00:43:23,060 --> 00:43:25,940 S2: which the Lord will do before your eyes. Is it 762 00:43:25,940 --> 00:43:28,739 S2: not the wheat harvest today I will call to the 763 00:43:28,739 --> 00:43:32,140 S2: Lord that he may send thunder and rain. Then you 764 00:43:32,140 --> 00:43:35,259 S2: will know and see that your wickedness is great, which 765 00:43:35,260 --> 00:43:37,020 S2: you have done in the sight of the Lord, by 766 00:43:37,020 --> 00:43:41,219 S2: asking for yourselves a king. So Samuel called to the Lord, 767 00:43:41,219 --> 00:43:43,779 S2: and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day. And 768 00:43:43,780 --> 00:43:47,380 S2: all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel. The 769 00:43:47,380 --> 00:43:49,780 S2: impact of this event is lost on most of us. 770 00:43:50,020 --> 00:43:53,580 S2: Thunderstorms in June. We see them all the time, but 771 00:43:53,580 --> 00:43:56,940 S2: in Israel the rainy season ends in early May. It 772 00:43:56,940 --> 00:44:00,060 S2: almost never rains in Israel in June, and the lower 773 00:44:00,060 --> 00:44:03,410 S2: Jordan Valley receives even less rain than the rest of 774 00:44:03,410 --> 00:44:07,610 S2: the country. It never rains around Jericho or Gilgal in June. 775 00:44:07,969 --> 00:44:10,850 S2: So imagine the fear as dark clouds climbed over the 776 00:44:10,850 --> 00:44:14,090 S2: mountains to the west and dropped into the Jordan Valley, 777 00:44:14,290 --> 00:44:18,450 S2: bringing flooding rain punctuated by jagged streaks of lightning, followed 778 00:44:18,450 --> 00:44:21,850 S2: by the booming claps of thunder. The people cried out 779 00:44:21,850 --> 00:44:24,730 S2: in panic to Samuel, pray for your servants to the 780 00:44:24,730 --> 00:44:27,649 S2: Lord your God, so that we may not die, for 781 00:44:27,650 --> 00:44:30,570 S2: we have added to all our sins this evil by 782 00:44:30,570 --> 00:44:34,490 S2: asking for ourselves a king. Samuel then ends his great 783 00:44:34,489 --> 00:44:38,089 S2: confession by offering a solemn promise to the frightened crowd. 784 00:44:38,570 --> 00:44:40,770 S2: Far be it from me that I should sin against 785 00:44:40,770 --> 00:44:43,810 S2: the Lord by ceasing to pray for you. But I 786 00:44:43,810 --> 00:44:46,770 S2: will instruct you in the good and right way. Only 787 00:44:46,810 --> 00:44:49,930 S2: fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all 788 00:44:49,930 --> 00:44:53,209 S2: your heart. For consider what great things he has done 789 00:44:53,210 --> 00:44:56,570 S2: for you. But if you still do wickedly, both you 790 00:44:56,690 --> 00:45:01,010 S2: and your king shall be swept away. And Samuel points 791 00:45:01,010 --> 00:45:03,640 S2: to a nearby riverbed that was bone dry just a 792 00:45:03,640 --> 00:45:06,680 S2: few minutes ago, but that is now a raging torrent 793 00:45:06,719 --> 00:45:10,640 S2: of churning, muddy water pushing aside trees and boulders in 794 00:45:10,640 --> 00:45:14,440 S2: its relentless rush to the Jordan River. It's time to 795 00:45:14,480 --> 00:45:16,920 S2: head home, but what lesson can we carry back with 796 00:45:16,920 --> 00:45:21,680 S2: us from our time at Gilgal? Listening to Samuel's great confession, well, 797 00:45:21,680 --> 00:45:25,000 S2: the word that comes to mind is faithfulness. Samuel could 798 00:45:25,000 --> 00:45:28,680 S2: stand before the people, the King and God in confidence 799 00:45:28,680 --> 00:45:32,000 S2: because he'd been completely faithful in his service for God. 800 00:45:32,440 --> 00:45:35,520 S2: I'm sure he'd face temptation, but he'd never given in 801 00:45:35,560 --> 00:45:39,279 S2: to dishonesty or deceit. He never cut corners. He was 802 00:45:39,280 --> 00:45:42,480 S2: forced from office, not for anything he had done, but 803 00:45:42,480 --> 00:45:45,800 S2: because of the sinful hearts of the people. Yet even then, 804 00:45:45,800 --> 00:45:50,040 S2: Samuel remained a man of faithfulness, integrity, and prayer, promising 805 00:45:50,040 --> 00:45:53,280 S2: never to cease praying for them. Your life is 10% 806 00:45:53,320 --> 00:45:56,480 S2: what happens to us and 90% how we respond to 807 00:45:56,520 --> 00:46:00,589 S2: what happens. And Samuel's great confession reminds us that the 808 00:46:00,590 --> 00:46:04,109 S2: best response is to remain faithful and to pray. No 809 00:46:04,110 --> 00:46:06,070 S2: matter what the circumstances. 810 00:46:06,430 --> 00:46:09,549 S1: Boy, what a great story, Charlie, and a great application. 811 00:46:09,550 --> 00:46:12,549 S1: Thank you for those insights. Maybe as you're listening, you're saying, 812 00:46:12,550 --> 00:46:14,790 S1: I'd like to hear it again. Good news. You can 813 00:46:14,830 --> 00:46:16,790 S1: better than that. You can share it with a friend 814 00:46:17,030 --> 00:46:19,270 S1: who maybe doesn't live near a radio station that carries 815 00:46:19,270 --> 00:46:22,870 S1: the program. Our podcast is available at our website. The 816 00:46:22,870 --> 00:46:28,150 S1: land and the book. Again, that's the land and the book. 817 00:46:29,830 --> 00:46:31,630 S1: And why? Just listen to it when you can be 818 00:46:31,630 --> 00:46:33,950 S1: a part of it by sending in your Bible question. 819 00:46:34,190 --> 00:46:37,790 S1: Email that to us at the land and the book at. 820 00:46:39,950 --> 00:46:45,670 S1: The land and the book at. For our producer, Dan Anderson. 821 00:46:45,670 --> 00:46:48,509 S1: Our host, Charlie Dyer, I'm John Gager, thanking you for 822 00:46:48,510 --> 00:46:51,549 S1: listening to The Land and the book, a production of 823 00:46:51,590 --> 00:46:54,950 S1: Moody Radio, a ministry of Moody Bible Institute.