Be honest. Have you ever skipped over or given up on a book of the Bible like, oh, let's say numbers or Leviticus? These laws, rules and rituals can be confusing, daunting even. But why did God include all these in the Bible? And what does he want us to learn from them today? You'll be surprised at what you discover as you join us. Now for the land and the book. Thanks for connecting today. I'm John Geiger, excited to be teaming up with our host, Doctor Charlie Dyer, noted Israel expert.
And as the end of this year approaches, many world events have left us wondering what God's plan is for the future. And that's particularly true when it comes to Israel. Despite its tiny size, people around the world are intensely focused on what takes place. There are today's headlines connected in any way with prophecies in the Bible. How should followers of Jesus interpret current events as we await his second coming?
Yeah, those are great questions, John. And to help answer those important questions, our friends at Life and Messiah encourage you to check out their book, God, Israel and Bible Prophecy with Scripture as its foundation. This book will take you on a journey into what God has in store for the Jewish people and the nations. This book is for anyone who wants to explore where modern day events
fit on God's grand timeline. Now, if that's you or someone you know, this would be a great resource or gift. Visit Life in Messiah org and click on the Moody Radio button to find out how you can receive your copy of God, Israel and Bible Prophecy. That's life in messiah.org. And if you.
Happen to be a newer listener new to this program, why this opening segment? The first of four, by the way, brings us a look at current events from the Middle East region. Well, Charlie, early last Saturday, Israel finally launched its retaliatory strike against Iran in response to their October 1st missile attack. What do we know about the the effect of that strike so far? Could it lead to another round of attacks between the two countries? That would seem possible, but what's your take?
Well, the strike was limited, but it was effective. The US pressured Israel not to attack Iran's nuclear facilities or oil refineries. Those could have taken down Iran's economy, but would have demanded an Iranian response. And being so close to our elections, that's not something our government wanted. But the targets Israel did select were strategic by disabling Iran's air defenses. Israel gained greater freedom to attack throughout the country,
and that could continue on into the future. They then crippled Iran's missile manufacturing production by destroying mixers used to make the solid fuel used in the rockets. It could take up to two years for Iran to repair the damage. Israel also hit a site that manufactured drones, which are on both used and exported to groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis. Israel deliberately tried to avoid civilian casualties and apparently attacked in a way that allows Iran to deny
much was damaged. Apparently, the strike involved over 100 Israeli warplanes, all of which returned safely to Israel afterward. Now the big question is what will Iran do in response? Iran still has rockets stockpiled that it could use to launch a retaliatory strike. However, they also know any missiles used can't be replaced for several years. And in the meantime, Israel could freely retaliate by going after oil refineries, oil
shipping facilities and power generating stations. That's why many believe Iran might hold off striking back in any direct way or significant way, and look for other means to hit back at Israel. Now, one last point. The Gulf states and other Arab countries condemned Israel for the attack, but this was more by way of protecting themselves against retaliation by Iran, rather than genuine concern over what Israel did. For the most part, they're more concerned about Iran's intentions
in the region than they are about Israel's. So they said what needed to be said to protect themselves. But privately, they're likely breathing a sigh of relief over Israel's attack.
Story number two while the conflict with Iran has dominated the news for several weeks, Israel's war against both Hamas and Hezbollah, as well as its fight against terrorists in the West Bank, also continue. What's been happening in these areas that the news might be overlooking? We haven't heard so much, Charlie.
Yeah. Well, let me start in the north. Israel is continuing its assault on Hezbollah and its leaders after Hezbollah appointed its new leader just this week. Israel's defense minister posted his picture with the message temporary appointment. Not for long. Okay. Israel's soldiers discovered a massive Hezbollah base underneath a Lebanese village on their border. It had a subterranean area over a mile long that would have served as a staging
area for hundreds of Hezbollah fighters. It was a definite reminder that Hezbollah had planned to do in the north what Hamas did in the south. Israel also attacked a shadow banking operation set up by Hezbollah to fund the organization and its operatives and their families. Now, while most normal banks don't keep a great deal of cash reserves on hand, Hezbollah kept a large portion of their assets in physical cash and gold. So Israel's attack on these
bank branches was a serious financial blow. In Gaza, Israel continues to target Hamas terrorists, including individuals they've identified as leaders during the attack on October 7th. Israel discovered documents from Hamas seeking funds from Iran to train an additional 12,000 terrorists. They launched their attack, but they had plans to make an even larger attack at some point in the future in the West Bank. Israel continues to battle
both Hamas and Islamic Jihad squads. Now, interestingly, the Palestinian Authority has also been trying to crack down on terror groups in some West Bank towns. Now they're not doing it to support Israel, but for their own survival. Since those terror groups want to take over the West Bank, the Palestinian Authority is trying to position itself as the group that should be in charge, not only in the
West Bank, but in Gaza. Once Hamas is defeated, though, that seems rather uncertain since they're not trusted by Israel or by most Palestinians.
You're listening to The Land and the book from Moody Radio. Our host, Doctor Charlie Dyer. I'm John Geiger. These are the stories that have been coming out of the Middle East this week. The arrival of November marks the beginning of the winter rainy season in the Middle East. Charlie, what impact will the weather have on all of these various conflicts going on?
Yeah, the weather will impact the conflicts in at least two ways for those fighting, especially in the North. The biting cold, the rain, the snow and the mud could make conditions very difficult. We remember last year when we talked to Meno Kalisher, pastor of the Jerusalem Assembly, and last October, when the invasion took place, he got a call from his daughter because she was called up to serve on the border with Lebanon right about this time
of year. Their entire unit didn't have winter coats. The church had to buy 220 winter jackets and rushed them up to the front. Well, this year Israeli forces are better equipped, but they're fighting inside Lebanon, so the weather will still take a toll on both soldiers and their equipment. But the second impact from the weather will be on civilians and actually from both sides. Houses have been destroyed, power lines downed, access to basic necessities like food and
water disrupted. At the end of October, the region had already experienced some unusual weather conditions. A wind gusts up to 60 miles an hour were recorded on the Sea of Galilee, and the central part of Israel experienced the coldest October night in 33 years. This was accompanied by blowing dust from the east. Before the arrival of the coming winter weather, Hezbollah was using rockets and drones to start fires in heavily wooded areas in Israel, over 4000
acres of forest land were destroyed. In one sense, the coming rain might make it harder on the soldiers, but it will help stop the fires and it will help replenish the Sea of Galilee, which currently stands about eight feet below the upper red line when it's full and six feet above the lower red line, which is when they're forced to stop pumping. So they do need the rain now, as weather moves through the area, it could
bring about temporary lulls in the conflict. But absent a cease fire, Israel plans to keep pushing forward until it's able to bring about a peace for those living along its borders.
Charlie, apart from the weather and its influence, is there any indication at all that Lebanon and those in control of Hezbollah would at last be saying, gee, maybe, you know, quietly to themselves, we should just pull back?
They may be saying it quietly, but publicly. They're always saying, no, no, no peace with Israel, no agreement with Israel. Our goal is to destroy Israel. But there are negotiations going on quietly behind the scenes. And what I think we could hope is that they would happen. I think the end result would be that Hezbollah would be pushed north of the Litani River and out of those immediate border areas with Israel.
And do you see any situation, any scenario in which Israel would agree to anything apart from that definition, that they must be north of the Litani River?
I don't see him agreeing to anything other than that, but I think if that were offered, Israel would take it because they are war weary right now.
Story number four the Ark of the covenant was on display in Jerusalem. Oh, no, not the one constructed by Moses in the wilderness, but a newly constructed replica. Tell us about this new ark and its purpose.
Yeah. Thanks to the efforts of numerous volunteers and an anonymous architect and a major financial backer, along with over £80 of gold and acacia wood, an exact replica of the Ark now exists. The new Ark went on display at different locations in Jerusalem during Sukkot, including a platform overlooking the Temple Mount, Out. Though starting with the description in the Bible, much research was needed to. Determine exactly how the ark was constructed. For example, what was the
purity of the. Gold? And they figured out what it was in Egypt at that time, and what was the level of torsion and load bearing required to support the structure's legs and poles and joints? Well, they did all of that research and saw the ark in the end as a communication device. Since God spoke to Moses from between the cherubim on the mercy seat. And because of that,
they did take one bit of artistic license. They inscribed four scenes on the four sides of the ark the burning bush, the parting of the Red sea, the cloud and pillar of fire, and the giving of the Ten Commandments. But otherwise the final product appears to be breathtakingly beautiful and very accurate. Now, it's an interesting piece of historical construction, but I don't think we need to worry about being
struck dead if we happen to see it. There's one piece missing, and that happens to be the Shekinah glory that dwelt between the cherubim.
And that's a look at current events. It'd be interesting to see that Ark of the covenant. Thank you so much for that. Look at the news, Charlie, and I'm looking forward to a conversation next about delighting in God's law. That's all ahead on Moody Radio's The Land.
And the book.
Have you ever skipped over or given up on a book of the Bible like numbers or Leviticus? Come on, be honest. These laws and rules and rituals can be confusing, daunting even. I mean, why did God include all this in the Bible? What does he want us to learn from this today? These are important questions, and we'll get to them after we pause. First for an innovative idea
on sharing Christ with a muslim friend. So you're having that Muslim friend or coworker or neighbor, and inevitably, there's this rather embarrassing thing that comes along with regard to the immorality that is going on in American culture. And of course, Muslims believe that America is a Christian nation, and therefore all the immorality they're seeing is a great disconnect between the Bible and what we pretend to believe. So my goodness, how do we deal with all of that?
In a conversation with a muslim friend, Stefano Ferrer, with call of Hope, what do you say?
Well, tell them that this is not Christianity, that what they see on television has nothing to do with your life and nothing to do with your faith, and nothing to do with what you believe. Tell them exactly what you just said, that this is culture and that this is not your belief. That's very important. Actually. You are right that that's crucial. Muslims are also into immoralities, but I would never talk to them about it. This is
not the point. The point is that what they see in television has nothing to do with Christianity, and it has nothing to do with my personal life.
Okay, so state the facts as they are. That's it. Point to.
Jesus. Absolutely.
And love them anyway.
That's what you should do.
Stefano Ferrer with call of Hope. Us always appreciate your insights here on the land and the book. Christie Anyabwile is a Bible teacher at Anacostia River church. She serves organizations that equip women to study and teach the Bible. Her writing can be found at Christianity Today. She reads the Gospel Coalition and more. She and her husband, Pastor Tim Beatty, have three kids and live in Washington, DC. Christie has written the Moody Publishers book we're focusing on today,
delighting in God's Law. We are so grateful you joined us today on the land and the book.
Christie, thank you so much for having me. It's great to be here. You know, a.
Lot of people might look at the title of that book and slam on the brakes saying, what delight in God's law. What could you possibly mean? Isn't the law out of date and out of mind? What do you say?
Well, listen, I get it. I've actually had that experience myself, which prompted me to write this Bible study. It can feel daunting, a little scary, a little, dare I say, boring to think about the law and the Old Testament. But I am convinced that all of God's Word is good and should prompt in us this desire to know him and should bring us delight. The word itself tells us that we should delight in God's law and meditate
on it day and night. And so I do believe that God has given us his law for our instruction, for our good, so that we can know what he expects of us and how he desires for us to live for him, particularly in light of the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who fulfilled all the law on our behalf. So that should bring us delight as our starting place. And then there's so much more in God's Word about his law that he intends for us to delight in.
You write that Bible study is a holistic discipline that engages the heart and mind of the student, but also each person of the Trinity. Illustrate what you mean by this. All three members of the Trinity being involved.
I think that in God's Word and in Bible study, the Holy Spirit is our guide. The Holy Spirit is our teacher. The Holy Spirit teaches us, leads us into all truth. And so we need God's Spirit to help us as we study His Word. And then when we're studying our Bibles, God Himself has illuminated His Word to us. He's given it to us. He has created all things so that we might live in loving obedience to him. And then Jesus Christ. As we study our Bibles, we
want to know him. We want to know why God sent his son so that we could have new life in him. We want to know what Jesus has done on our behalf. So God the Father created us and created the world and everything in it. God the son was with God the Father in the beginning. We read in John chapter one and Jesus Christ is the one who all the scriptures are about. So our redemption is rooted in the person of Jesus, and then by His Spirit, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit
himself again is guiding us in all truth. It's helping our hearts to be open to even hearing the good news of the gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. So we're studying our Bibles. We're studying about our one true God who is present with us in three persons the father, the son, and the spirit, so that we might have the fullness of what God intends for us to know about him, and for how God intends to teach us through the word.
Thanks for being a part of the land and the book. I'm John Gager. Talking today with Christy Anyabwile, who has written the Moody Publishers book Delighting in God's Law, A six week Bible Study. I have to ask, what's the biggest wow moment that God blessed you with as you worked on this book, pondering Old Testament commands and and why they matter today?
You know the big wow moment for me. I'm a context girl, and so I do like digging around in the Bible and understanding the context of whatever passage it is that I'm studying. I'm one of those who like to chase the rabbit trails and those kinds of things. And so my big wow moment was in the very beginning, studying Genesis one. And I usually in the beginning of my Bible study, I spend some time thinking about the
context of the passage. What happened before, what happened after, what are some other things that are going on historically and culturally at the time. But when you get to Genesis one, it's the beginning of the Bible. So I'm like, wait, there is no before. How do I know what happened before? And so the wow moment for me was spending some time in God's Word, considering what he says about all of the things that God was doing before the foundation
of the world. And so having that context and understanding that even though Genesis one is the beginning of the Bible, it is not the beginning of God's work in creating us and having us in mind and in having plans for us, even from before the foundation of the world.
I like the way you have laid out each week's study five different parts. Day one is content of the passage. Day two command of the text. Day three clues about Christ and other parts of Scripture. Day four carry the text with you and day five contribution to the law. Choose one of those facets that is particularly meaningful to you, or maybe that you've heard some great response from others as they've gone through this six week Bible study.
One of the things about this study that I found personally helpful and fulfilling, and as I've engaged with people who have gone through this study that they found helpful as well, is that day three clues about Christ and other parts of Scripture. I think sometimes when we think about the law, we think about it disconnected from the
life and work and person of Jesus Christ. And so knowing that all of Scripture the Bible tells us, even Jesus himself says in Luke 24, when he was on the Emmaus Road and the guys were on the road talking about all that they had seen and heard about Jesus, and then Jesus shows up and they don't know that it's him. And he tells them, even on the Emmaus road, that everything written in the law, the books of Moses and in the prophets and in the writings, the wisdom
literature and poetry and those kinds of things. All of that is about him. And so Jesus explained to them how all of Scripture was about him. And so I think that day three is really a pivotal point in the study, because it shows us how a particular passage legitimately relates to Jesus's life, death, and resurrection in very specific and meaningful ways that help us to know a part of that big, redemptive, grand narrative of Scripture where we are and how it looks forward to Jesus, or
how it speaks about Jesus in some specific way. So we want to look not only at the passage that's being considered for that particular week, but also other passages in Scripture, too, that connect us to larger biblical themes and that connect us to larger themes that help us to understand our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Just joining us, this is the land and the book. I'm John Gager. Our guest today, Christie Anyabwile, who has written the Moody Publishers six week Bible study, Delighting in God's Law. Christie, just to make it simple for simple minds like mine, it seems to me that what you're really saying is, the reason that we delight in God's law is because it points us to Jesus, reminds us of Jesus, reveals something about Jesus. That's why it ought to matter to us. Is that is that a fair assessment?
That is 100% a fair assessment. When we read about even you think about the Psalms, when it talks about the word and the law and precepts and other terms like that, that relate to the Word of God. The law isn't just rules and commandments and instruction, but the
law has been embodied in a person. And so when we read our Bibles, the first five books of the Bible, the Pentateuch, that is the law given God's instructions and Expectations given that's the foundation, and then the whole rest of the Bible is unfolding for us what God expects of his people. And we know through the story of Scripture that God's people don't always respond very well to
his instructions. And so we see over and over again the prophets and the wisdom literature writers pointing us back to the Lord, saying, remember what God said, remember what God said. And then we get to the New Testament. We see God's law embodied in the person of Jesus Christ.
And so, yes, we should delight in God's law because it's teaching us what God expects is showing us that we cannot fulfill God's law on our own, and is pointing us to the one who did to Jesus Christ, who is the fulfillment of the law, so that we no longer live a life of constantly striving to make our way to God, but that God has made his way to us through Christ. All right.
Give us a favorite picture of Christ in the law. A snapshot from a passage in the Old Testament that really speaks to you. What comes to mind?
It's going to be a weird one, so go for it. One of the passages that we study is Leviticus, and in particular Leviticus chapter 20. And in that chapter, it's a very dark chapter, and it talks about a lot of sins that are related to family and those kinds of things. And it warns us against sexual sins and those kinds of things. And so it's a really dark chapter in that sense. But over and over again, you read this refrain throughout Leviticus chapter 20, and the refrain
would be something like, they shall be cut off. If you commit these sorts of sins, you will be cut off. If you commit these sorts of sins, your blood is upon you. If you commit these sorts of sins, then you will bear your iniquity. Inequity. And so as I read those refrains over and over again throughout. Leviticus 20, it just showed me a beautiful picture of Jesus. Yes.
That it wasn't us who was cut off, but it was Jesus who was cut off on our behalf because of our sin, that our blood is not upon us because of Jesus, his blood. The Lord poured out Jesus's blood on our behalf. So the blood wasn't on us. It was Jesus's blood that was shed. And then they shall bear their iniquity. It wasn't us who have to bear our iniquity, but Jesus bore our iniquities in our place. And so as I read Leviticus 20, what really stood out to me in that chapter was that Jesus is
our substitute. He has paid the penalty for all of our sins, and it was through him that atonement is made. The wrong was made right through Jesus. And so the cutting off the blood being upon them, the bearing of iniquity, teaches us, yes, that sin has consequences, that it requires a payment through the shedding of blood and through the
separation of God from people. But again, in this passage, it taught me a lot about the sacrifice of Christ, that his blood was shed in the place of ours, that he took our sins or iniquities upon himself, that he was cut off from God on the cross, so that we wouldn't have to be cut off from God eternally. And all of this was so that we would be the holy people that God called us to be, that we might die to sin and live righteously before God, and that we would be able to eagerly await to
receive eternal inheritance. Because we have been found righteous before God, we have been made righteous before God through Christ.
Well, you can sense the excitement and enthusiasm in Christie's voice, and this is the kind of journey and experience that will be yours as you dig into delighting in God's law. From Moody Publishers, a six week Bible study, a link to that book at our website, the land and the book org. We love your passion, Christie. Thank you for your time and your insights. You're a blast.
Thank you so much. Oh, it was so much fun. Thank you so much. All right.
There's more fun to come, though, as Charlie steps back into the studio to answer your Bible questions. Next here on the land and the book. It's always a great day to connect with you here at The Land and the book. I'm John Gager with our host, Charlie Dyer. And Charlie, for somebody who is maybe newer to the program, what is this third segment all about?
This is our question and answer time. If you've got questions as you're reading through the Bible, send us the question. Send us what's bothering you, what you don't understand, and we'll try and get an answer to you.
And those questions get to us via email. Send yours to the land and the book@moody.edu. Well, Charlie Israel has been in the news so much over this past year and as we know, the Bible is jammed with end times prophecies about epic world events, the regathering of the Jewish people to their ancient homeland, and of course, Jesus return. And it is crucial for us as believers to have a proper understanding of Bible prophecy. So our view of
the future is shaped by Scripture and not just today's headlines. Right?
Absolutely. And with that in mind, our friends at Life and Messiah have published a book titled God, Israel and Bible Prophecy, and they're offering it to listeners of the land in the book for a limited time. This informative book is focused on providing readers with a deeper understanding and greater appreciation of what God has in store for Israel and the nations by digging into what the scriptures
say about these issues. Now, if you're interested in learning more about what God has in store, Visit Life in Messiah. Org and click on the Moody Radio button there to find out how you can receive your copy of God, Israel and Bible Prophecy. That's life in messiah.org.
So many questions to get to. Let's dig right in with this one from Lois. Does the promised return and blessing of Israel, described in Ezekiel 11, verses 14 through 21, refer to the times in which we are now living?
Yeah, well, I take the promise. Physical and spiritual restoration described there to refer to Israel's still future restoration at the time of Jesus Second coming. And I say that for several reasons. First, God says the people will not only be regathered back to the land, but that he'll also give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them. Well, this restoration, then, is both physical
and spiritual. And second, God later uses those same words in both Ezekiel and in Jeremiah to help identify when the new relationship will take place in Ezekiel 36. God describes it as a time when he'll give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you, and remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. That wording parallels what he said in chapter 11, and Jeremiah's description of the New Covenant
in Jeremiah 31 says the same thing. Now I say all of that to say this, I believe the promise given by God in Ezekiel 11 is an early description of the New Covenant promise that's later presented in Ezekiel 36 and Jeremiah 31. And I think it will ultimately be fulfilled when the Jewish people, as Zechariah says, it, will look on me, the one they pierced, and will
mourn as one mourns for an only child. That then followed in Zechariah 13 by God opening up a fountain to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to cleanse them from sin and impurity. It's also the same time Paul describes in Romans chapter 11, where he pictures God applying the new covenant to the remnant of Israel to forgive them of their sins. And Paul connects that to the time he says, when the deliverer, Jesus, will come from Zion.
John asks, what did Paul specifically mean when he was going to hand over Hymenaeus and Alexander to Satan? Were they unbelievers or believers in rebellion? Since Paul states that they were shipwrecked in regard to their faith and needed to be taught not to blaspheme?
Well, I take it that Hymenaeus and Alexander were believers who had turned aside and embraced some kind of a false teaching or doctrine. And again, I see that first in first Timothy one nine, just before this verse, Paul says they had shipwrecked their faith. Though that suggests they had faith prior to developing this false teaching or new view. And second, Jiménez is named again by Paul in second Timothy 217 as someone whose false teaching would spread and
corrupt like gangrene. He says. Verse 18. There then describes the false teaching he'd adopted, and it sounds like an early form of Gnosticism that denied the physical bodily resurrection. So Alexander then is not mentioned again later, which either means he may have repented or may have died in
the intervening time between first and second Timothy. Now, when Paul hands the two men over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme, I take that to mean he's commanding, that they be excommunicated from fellowship in the church in Ephesus to be fully exposed to satanic attack. Now, in that sense, I see their judgment as being similar to the one Paul handed down on the immoral brother in
first Corinthians five. There the man was guilty of gross immorality and was to be handed over to Satan so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord. Now, in both cases, I see this being more a form of extreme discipline of a believer. So as a result, I do see them as believers and not unbelievers.
From Moody Radio. This is the land and the book. Doctor Charlie Dyer, our host, answering questions that have come in via our email address, the land and the book@moody.edu. Jared asks, what about the issue of the Holy Spirit acting through the human Jesus? I've recently come across a teacher who says that all of Jesus miracles were not involving his deity, but the Holy Spirit acting through the
human Jesus. And the rationale is to argue that Jesus human nature was limited as ours is, and we have the same power. But I think there's plenty of evidence that Jesus deity was active. I'd appreciate your thoughts.
Yeah, and I think your instincts are right on target. I see several dangerous flaws in the argument that teacher was trying to make. First, he's wrong in saying that all Jesus's miracles were just the Holy Spirit acting through the human Jesus. I'll just give one example the healing of the paralyzed man in Matthew nine. The miracle was performed to demonstrate Jesus had the power to forgive sin. Second, the passage also says Jesus knew the thoughts of the
teachers who had complained. The miracle was intended to physically validate the truth, that Jesus had the power to forgive sin and that he was omniscient. So the miracle actually demonstrated his deity. Uh, one other example. In John chapter 20, The Apostle John says the purpose of Jesus signs, which is what he calls the miracles, was to demonstrate that Jesus was the Messiah and the Son of God. It wasn't to show that he was merely human and empowered
by the Holy Spirit. Again, the miracles were intended to be evidence of his deity.
Question here from Vernon. Throughout the Old Testament, God calls his people to be holy and separate from the surrounding nations, and they would disobey and fall into sin and a promise for a future restoration. Well, with that said, how does the Holocaust fit into God's plan for the Jews? I don't believe there's any scriptural prophecy that speaks to this event, or explains the purpose for it taking place. What do you say?
Yeah, I need to start by saying we're not told specifically why God allowed the Holocaust, or how it fits into his overall plan for his people. The event was not prophesied in Scripture. As a result, I want to make sure I don't trivialize the horror of that event by somehow trying to provide a simplistic answer to a very terrible time. the Holocaust displayed the reality of humanity's capacity for evil, and I think the real Satanic roots of anti-Semitism. God permitted it to happen, but he in
no way approved of that evil. Now, having said that, there is one possible reason God allowed the Holocaust to take place. It's possible that as only God can do, he worked to bring good out of evil. The Holocaust was the impetus that finally brought about the establishment of
the State of Israel in 1948. Promises have been made to the Jewish people during World War One that had remained unfulfilled, and it took the Holocaust to energize both the governments of the world and the Jewish survivors to realize the importance of reestablishing Israel. That was a good result, but it in no way excuses those who instigated such evil. And perhaps the words of Joseph to his brothers in Genesis 50 can help us, maybe in some small way,
to put the event into a larger perspective. You remember Joseph said there, you intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
Sally points out. The Bible says that some of King David's sons were close advisors to him. Scripture also says that David had a son named Nathan. Do you think it was this son, Nathan, who confronted David regarding Bathsheba? Your thoughts?
Yeah, well, the Nathan who confronted David over his sin with Bathsheba wasn't the Nathan who was David's son. And I can say that because of First Chronicles chapter three, that section lists the four sons of David who were born to Bathsheba, and it includes both Nathan and Solomon. Well, the first child born as a result of David's sin with Bathsheba died after seven days. David then again went into Bathsheba and the next child born was Solomon. So
Solomon was the oldest living child of Bathsheba. Well, since Nathan the prophet came to David at the time of his adultery with Bathsheba, he had to be a different Nathan than the one who was later born to Bathsheba.
Sally's follow up here. So do you think that Nathan was the name of the child that was conceived in sin and then died.
You know, it's at least theoretically possible that's the name of the child. But I personally don't think that's the case. In later Jewish tradition, children weren't named until the time of their circumcision, which took place at the eighth day after birth. We see that in Luke chapter one, when the family gathered and they gave the name John for the child of Zechariah and Elizabeth. And then in chapter two of Luke it says, the eighth day when it
was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus. Now those took place hundreds of years after the time of David. But they do seem to be grounded in Jewish tradition. And I think that could be important, because in Second Samuel it says that that first child born to David and Bathsheba died on the seventh day, which would be the day before he would have been circumcised and possibly named. So as a result, I don't think that baby is the one that was named Nathan.
Todd asks, have you heard the theory that Jesus was crucified on the Mount of Olives? Can you address this theory?
Yeah, I've heard the theory. I'm aware of those who promote it. The problem is to make their theory work. They ignore all the information that shows that the temple was actually on Mount Moriah, and if the temple was on Mount Moriah, their position doesn't seem to work. I have a friend named Gordon Franz who wrote an article on that. If you're interested, Google Gordon, Franz, Franz and location of temple and you'll get a great article explaining the problem.
I love the variety of questions that have come in this week. As always, you can send yours to the land and the book@moody.edu. Hey, there's more to the program. Charlie Dyer's devotional is next. I love the way he takes us to a place in Scripture, a place in the Holy Land and welds them together. That's next on the land and the book. Thanks for being with us here at the land of the book, John Geiger asking, have you heard enough about the election yet? Yeah. You
know what? I can hear you from wherever you're listening right now. You're sick of hearing about the election, I get it, but, Charlie, you're talking about a different kind of election today.
I am John, we're going to talk about the election.
That's the subject of Charlie's devotional. He's going to take us to Joshua chapter 24. I'm getting ahead of myself because right now we're going to pause you and me and listen to this Holy Land experience.
Hi, this is Charlene Hutchinson. When I visited Israel, I went with some people from church, and we had a wonderful trip. And it was a gift from the Lord to me and my son. We had not been able to take a vacation for several years, and my husband had, um, left me. And so we had been given this gift to be in Israel and really get close to the Lord. And my son, uh, had decided to get baptized in Israel. He had not been baptized in water at all, and he had been saved since he was eight years old.
And every time someone was baptized at church, I would talk to him and say, did you want to consider? Would you like to have a baptism? And he'd said, no. And so before we left, he talked to me and said, mom, I want to get baptized where Jesus was baptized. So it was such a blessing, um, to see him get baptized in Israel. And that was a true experience and a blessing to be there and watch my son make that decision. And I was just thank the Lord that I was able to be there and my son was
baptized there. Thank you for taking my message.
All right, Charlie, I'm looking for a breather, a break from our current election. So take it away.
Okay, John. Thanks. I remember when I first arrived in Chicago in the summer of 2000, in the midst of what was another bitter presidential contest. That was the first time I ever heard the expression vote early and vote often suggesting that past elections in the Windy City weren't always as free and fair as I might have assumed. Now, some link that phrase to former Chicago Mayor William Hale Thompson,
who was supported by Al Capone. But the phrase was likely around long before their time with our upcoming election. As the background, I want to take you to what was perhaps the most unusual election in history. There was only one polling location. The campaign only lasted a single day, and the vote was unanimous. Sound intriguing? Well, then follow me to the city of Shechem, nestled in the valley between Mount Ebal to the north and Mount Gerizim to
the south. Standing in this valley at Shechem is impressive. The nation of Israel had gathered at the same spot shortly after entering the land under Joshua. After building an altar on Mount Ebal, the group made their way down into the valley, and Joshua eight describes what happened next this way. All Israel, aliens and citizens alike, with their elders, officials and judges, were standing on both sides of the ark of the covenant of the Lord, facing those who
carried it. The priests who were Levites, half of the people stood in front of Mount Gerizim, and half of them in front of Mount Ebal. As Moses, the servant of the Lord had formerly commanded them, when he gave instructions to bless the people of Israel. Afterward, Joshua read all the words of the law, the blessings, and the curses, just as it is written in the book of the law.
There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded, that Joshua did not read to the whole assembly of Israel, including the women and children, and the aliens who lived among them. That first gathering at Shechem and the battles that followed are now a distant memory. The 80 something year old veteran who led Israel in its conquest is now 30 years older. At 110, Joshua is nearing the
end of his life. At that time, a new generation had grown up, one that had no first hand recollection of Israel's slavery in Egypt or their wanderings in the wilderness. A generation that knew only the Promised Land, yet who still faced temptation to abandon the God of Israel by their idol worshipping neighbors. Joshua sensed the threat and summoned Israel one last time to call on them to make a decision. Standing here near the back of the crowd,
we're still impressed by the strength of Joshua's voice. Though frail and stooped with age, Joshua continues to display a commanding presence. Today, he will serve as the campaign manager, poll watcher and vote counter for the upcoming election. Now let's watch what unfolds. We're impressed with the range of those assembled. In addition to normal Israelites who came to see what was happening, the site is crowded with all the dignitaries. Joshua had summoned the elders, leaders, judges, and
officials of Israel. They've all come to present themselves before God. Joshua raises his hands and the crowd grows silent. Then he speaks, sharing God's message to the people. Long ago, your forefathers, including Terah, the father of Abraham and Nahor,
lived beyond the river and worshiped other gods. Tracing his call from Abraham and Isaac through the ministry of Moses and Aaron, God has Joshua recount Israel's history, their dramatic deliverance from Egypt, their time in the wilderness, and their entrance into the Promised Land. The citizens of Jericho fought against you, as did the Amorites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hittites, Girgashites, Hivites, and Jebusites. But I gave them over into your hands.
God said, so I gave you a land on which you did not toil, and cities which you did not build, and you live in them, and eat from their vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant. Joshua's message is a history lesson for a generation that had not experienced all these miracles firsthand in an election campaign. Candidates, especially incumbents, will focus on the benefits that they've delivered, the success stories of their administration that make them worthy
of re-election. But God's campaign speech through Joshua takes a much different tone. Rather than promising more goodies to entice the voters to vote for him, God instead challenges these voters to be as faithful to him as he has been to them. Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the river and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. That last phrase suggests that the people hadn't remained all
that faithful to God. They were enjoying the land he had given them, but they were still clinging to the false idols and gods that had enticed them since the nation's days in Egypt and in their time in the wilderness. In reading Joshua's message and thinking about all the promises being made in the current election campaigns, I can summarize Joshua's campaign speech this way. Forget the rewards and the perks you hope to receive. Focus instead on the responsibilities
and priorities you need to accept. Joshua then laid out the choices to be voted on in very direct terms. Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the river, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. The choice facing Israel that day was very direct the God of Israel, or the gods of Egypt and the surrounding peoples. They couldn't vote early or vote often.
This was intended as a straight up or down decision. Joshua left no doubt in their minds where he stood on the matter. He and his family had already chosen to serve the Lord. The people then voted and the results were unanimous. We will serve the Lord our God and obey him. Joshua made a covenant for the people and set up a large stone as a witness for them, a reminder that they had heard God's word and committed once again to follow it. The book of Joshua ends almost,
it seems, quite suddenly. Joshua sent the people away, each to his inheritance. And after these things, Joshua, son of nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of 110. It seems obvious that Joshua saw this as the culmination of his life's work, his final challenge to the people before he passed off the scene. But was he successful? Or was this just a final, feeble attempt by an elderly man to try and hold back the tide of
change as it rushed forward? Well, the Book of Joshua ends by suggesting that Joshua's final speech had a profound impact on the nation, at least for the next generation. Israel served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him, and who had experienced everything the Lord had done for Israel. So what does Joshua's final message have to do with you and with
our upcoming election. Let me suggest this. The most important choice you can make this coming week is not who gets into the white House, or Congress, or the governor's mansion, or the state legislature. The most important choice you can make this week is to choose to serve the Lord with all your heart, and to study and obey His Word. Vote to put God first in your life, and to live in a way that will encourage others to follow him as well. Choose for yourselves this day whom you
will serve. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
By very, very practical. Thank you Charlie. Love that application. And yes, I do want to cast my vote to serve the Lord. Thank you for that devotional. You can hear it all again at our website, the land and the book org. Our time is gone, but we thank you for being a part of the land in the book, a production of Moody Radio, a ministry of Moody Bible Institute.