People in Scripture Who Memorized Scripture

I'm John Gager and our host, Doctor Charlie Dyer is out on assignment, but he's still in touch with us and shared his thoughts about the news stories that have come out of the Middle East this week. But first, Passover will soon be upon us. And one of the traditional Passover questions is what makes this night different from all others? Passover is an important biblical holiday with huge

meaning for Jewish people and believers in Jesus. And if you want to learn more about what makes Passover so special, our friends at Life and Messiah are offering to mail you a free copy of their Messianic Passover Haggadah. This is a booklet that will lead you through the celebration of Passover to see the rich connections to Jesus, our Messiah,

and the Last Supper. You'll also receive a link for an interactive Passover Seder video, and with the Haggadah and the video together, you can really celebrate Passover this year with your family and friends. And to get this free offer, just go to life in Messiah. Org and click on the Moody Radio button there to find out more and request your copy. Again, that's life in messiah.org. All right, let's swing our focus toward current events from the Middle East.

The threatened attack against Iran by Israel and possibly the U.S. is already impacting Iran. What preparations are they taking and how serious is the threat of such an attack actually happening? Well, in spite of their bluster and bravado, Charlie suggests that Iran appears to be very concerned about a threatened attack. As we mentioned before, they were apparently secretly rushing to develop the technology to produce several basic or crude nuclear

weapons just as quickly as possible. Now, the bombs don't need to be ultra powerful or sophisticated. They simply need to be small enough to mount on a missile and deliver to a target. In threatening a small country like Israel, having a nuclear weapon that could be launched against Tel Aviv, for example, could deter Israel from responding to future Iranian threats.

The ayatollah also suggested there should be no negotiations with the U.S. because of the apparent threats, but he apparently left the door open to talks with the understanding that they do not include any threats of attack. Iran also launched its first drone carrier. The former container vessel has been equipped with a runway for launching drones, and it can also operate helicopters. This gives Iran more flexibility in launch locations, however, it's also unclear how vulnerable the ship

will be. Should it stray too far from home waters. But to the main question being asked here, how serious is the actual threat of an attack? President Trump posted an online message saying reports that the United States, working in conjunction with Israel, is going to blow Iran into smithereens are greatly exaggerated. However, it is unclear what is his final word on the subject. Or is this simply

a way to try to coax Iran into negotiations? President Trump has made it clear that Iran cannot possess nuclear weapons. The breakout time for Iran to actually build a nuclear bomb once they start is likely measured in weeks, not months. So the US and Israel are likely both preparing a response should they receive intelligence suggesting Iran is moving forward. Story number two. President Trump has proposed a trade corridor

linking India to Europe and the U.S. through Israel. Now, what would such a trade corridor accomplish and is it even feasible? Well, Doctor Dyer told me he thinks that most in the US really didn't grasp the strategic significance of this proposal. So let me share some of the background. The US and China are in an economic war, no doubt about it. China has been using its Belt and Road Initiative to try to carve out its own worldwide

connections to diminish US influence. At the same time, the Houthis have created a force in the Red sea that is disrupting trade and commerce through the Suez Canal. That's increasing the price of everything from goods to oil coming from Asia to the west. China has also tried to gain influence in the Panama Canal, another major choke point

for world commerce. India is a major counterbalance to China, and at the same time, a peace treaty between the Gulf states and Israel and a route through them connecting the Arabian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea could bypass the Houthis and their attempt to block the Red sea as envisioned by President Trump. This new trade route would run from India to Israel and onward to Italy in the U.S., and would include seaports, rail lines, and undersea cables. Now

the question is, is it feasible? The short answer is that it is. Though it will face some obstacles. For example, China will not stand idly by and allow India to become the dominant power in Southeast Asia, though they don't have the military capability to project power and control through the area. Iran is one other potential block for the project, like the Houthis in the Red sea. Iran sits at the narrow band between the Gulf of Oman and the

Persian Gulf. They've blocked oil shipments there before. However, a road and rail link through the United Arab Emirates, through Saudi Arabia and Jordan to Israel's port at Ashdod could help bypass that blocking point. Now, the major stumbling block to such a deal remains lack of a peace treaty between Saudi Arabia and Israel. But while Europe and the U.S. have in the past tried to force a deal on

Israel because of pressure from the oil producing states. President Trump is presenting a vision for a deal in which everyone who participates comes out on top, and that's a great incentive to get everyone to buy into it. If you joined us midstream, you're listening to The Land and the book. I'm John Gager, and in this opening segment, we're looking at current events based in the Middle East. Our expert and host, Doctor Charlie Dyer, returns next week

from his assignment. But let's continue now with our look at the top stories. Number three, watching the interaction of all the countries and groups in the Middle East is like watching the ever shifting shapes in a kaleidoscope. So what do you say we take a kind of a walk around the latest events in places like Syria, Turkey and Saudi Arabia? Here we go. In Syria, the army that is now aligned with the new administration has openly

fought with Hezbollah. Hezbollah tried to advance into a stronghold they previously held in Syria, but were repulsed by the Syrian Army. The Syrian Army then entered a town on the Lebanese side of the border, forcing the Hezbollah forces to retreat further into Lebanon. Now there's no love lost between the Sunni forces now controlling Syria and the Shiite Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon, supported by Iran. This border war could become more active as Iran tries to resupply Hezbollah.

Iran and Turkey are also vying for control in the region. Turkey's President Erdogan is claiming that Iran is planning to send drones to the Kurds in Syria to fight against Turkish forces. Now, the Kurds had been our ally, but in their fight against Turkey, they will apparently seek help from any source willing to provide arms. Meanwhile, Turkey is trying to build a modern version of the Ottoman Empire with their brand of a Sunni religious caliphate controlling the

region from Istanbul. And Turkey's influence in Syria could bring it into conflict with Israel should Turkish forces end up on Israel's northern border. This is especially troubling given Turkey's ideological alignment with groups like the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas and even the jihadist al-Nusra group now controlling Syria. Saudi Arabia would also like to be a major regional player in

the Middle East. They don't have the population of Turkey or Iran, but they do have incredible oil wealth and closer connections to the Sunni Arab states and to the west. Saudi Arabia would also like to be a major player in a regional security arrangement between the Gulf states, Israel, and the United States. The Abraham Accords are the initial basis for such an agreement. But the main sticking point is the issue of a Palestinian state. So can a

trade alliance like the one just mentioned help overcome those obstacles? Well, I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Story number four. Archaeologists in Egypt have announced the discovery of the lost tomb of Pharaoh Thutmose the second. Maybe you're curious what exactly was discovered and how significant is this find? Well, it turns out the actual discovery isn't nearly as spectacular as that of the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun back in 1922.

There was no sarcophagus or golden face mask or other hoard of chariots, beds, jewelry or intact alabaster jars. Truthfully, the tomb was in a poor state of preservation, apparently because of flood damage shortly after the king's death. However, fragments of alabaster vases, along with texts and paint fragments were discovered, and they helped identify the tomb as that of Pharaoh Thutmose the second, whose mummy had been discovered

in the 1800s. Now, what makes this find significant, at least for those of us who take the book of Exodus literally, is that throughout, most of the second plays a minor role in the time of Israel. In Egypt, his father, Thutmose the first, would seem to be the pharaoh who gave the order to kill the Hebrew boys that were born. Thutmose the second was then married to his sister Hatshepsut. Now follow this. She is likely the

pharaoh's daughter, the very one who rescued and raised Moses. Well, there's a lot more details to this whole story, but the bottom line is this discovery might simply be the tomb of a minor pharaoh, but it does help fill in the details of the account of the first 40 years of Moses life in Exodus one and two. Boy, that is amazing, right? Hey, we'd love for you to visit our website, The land and the book. Org where

you can access our podcast. A great tool to stay in touch throughout the week, and a neat way to share this ministry with a friend. Somebody who doesn't live anywhere near a radio station that carries the program. So check out the podcast at the Land and the book. Org. Also, we'd love for you to email your question. That question that's been nagging you as you go through Scripture and wonder, what's that there for? Email your question to the land

and the book@moody.edu. Just ahead, a fascinating look at people in Scripture who memorize scripture. We've got some compelling examples for you, and some bonus tips for your own Bible memory as well. On the land and the book. Oh sure, you've heard you're supposed to memorize the Bible, but what about the people in the pages of Scripture itself? Did any of them memorize whatever portions of the Bible they had back then? Coming up, a fascinating look at people

in Scripture who memorized Scripture. We've got some pretty compelling examples for you and some bonus tips as well. A welcome to the second segment of Moody Radio's broadcast The Land and the book. I'm John Gager, inviting you to envision with me what it might look like to take just another step in walking with your Jewish friend or co-worker. So I've noticed in the past that when I try to bring up Messiah Yeshua with a Jewish friend. Invariably,

the conversation comes to a screeching halt. It's not like there's an openness toward further discussion, even when there's a friendship that pre-exists. What's going on? Let me ask Justin Cronin of Chosen People Ministries. What's going on?

the author of the Memorization Study Bible. He's become kind of a fan favorite here on the program. So welcome back to the land and the book. Tom.

receives a divine revelation. And that is the instruction that this book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate therein day and night, that you may be able to do according to all that is written therein. Then shall you make your ways prosperous, then shall you will have good success. So once that seven year war, when you do the math, it's the conquest of seven years. You can deduce that from chapter

14 of Joshua. But after that seven year war, these unconquered Canaanites that you're living next to are quote unquote, going to work with. They don't think in practice like you do. And in order for the ancient Israelites not to become like them, they were to do what? To have this book of the law not depart out of

their mouth. To have those words that their parents taught them when they were children, that they repeated to them over and over and over again, would have dwelt inside them, and they would make the right choice when no one is looking. Well, except God. That they would obey God's law.

could speak. And God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage, etc. because they were there, they were eyewitnesses. Many of them

were right at the giving of the Torah. And so whether it's in Deuteronomy with this emphasis, like we touched on right in chapter six and 11 with the family education, or whether it's after that event in the wilderness wanderings and about to enter into the back door of Canaan and attack Jericho from beginning to end, is that the spiritual condition of people's hearts was was most important to God. And having the word hidden in the heart, of course,

is the best way not to sin against them. As David would later say.

thy commandments. And here we go, the famous one. Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee. So that's the number one reason why, whether we live in the economy, the era of the children of Israel way back when, or the church today, God's people have always been instructed to hide His word

in their heart, so they don't sin against him. And God has, as you know, John, he has no greater joy than his children walk in truth, just like we who are parents have no greater joy than when our children walk in truth. And what greater truth to walk in than the light of his word?

student was the son and the teacher's the father. That kind of mindset. And so we have that phraseology or proverbs a lot like my son, write these words upon the table of thine heart. Well that's perfect. There it is.

Write these words on the tablet, depending on your translation of your heart, because the author knows that the heart is the inner control center of the person, you know, the heart is the part of us that the Lord is most concerned with, because out of it come all the issues of life, and with a well-stocked heart, full of Torah, of the oracles of the living God. Then ideally, we won't sin against him.

a church service. Once the church is born on Pentecost, or one of the the high holy feasts in the temple, as you know, three times a year. But by going to those events at the temple, you know, Josephus says that they know the Word of God better than their own name. And so these people, the Lord Jesus is talking to, they're not fools. These people are well versed, even though they live far away from Jerusalem in the Galilee. You know, they're well versed in the history of God's people.

And they knew his word. And when you have verses like that, it goes to show us that we have people like King David, right. Who's a king who memorized God's Word. We have prophets, right, who memorize God's Word. And we have common people here, perfect, right, who hide God's Word in their heart, just like us.

sat at the feet of Gamaliel. Right. As a young Jewish student. Right. He would have known the Torah backwards and forwards, up and down, left and right. And he brought that skill set, didn't he?

hymns and spiritual songs. So during our downtime, when we're standing in line at the store, whether we're in traffic or whatever, one of the best ways to redeem that time is not only to pray, to let our requests be made known unto God, but also during that downtime is to speak to ourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, and by doing that by reciting the Word of God to ourselves, it puts the mind of the living God right there. And we don't always act on

what we know to be true. We know it's more precious than rubies. We know it's more to be desired than anything. It's more precious than gold. The Word of God. Right? And to be able in that downtime, to have that and reach and think on it and dwell on it, you do it all the time. You understand how it works, right? The benefits are amazing.

word of God. And that's just it. You know, at the early church services, he commanded them in first Timothy chapter four, verse 13, until I come to devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, see, even to this very day when I lived in Jerusalem for four years, I would ask the cantors, the the leaders in the synagogue, how did the people memorize to this day in Jerusalem and the synagogues? And they would tell me by hearing it, read the scriptures, read aloud. So 2000 years later, this

tradition still exists. So by the public proclamation in first Timothy 413 of the scriptures, that's how really in that early church period where no one had a copy at home, where you could hear the Word of God, where you could meditate it, and then you could memorize it.

you with words of comfort for yourself, for others. It provides us with our weapon of choice, etc..

something like that. Something that's doable. Right. And then shoot for 1 or 2 verses a week and you'll see that it's difficult. Okay. It's hard. It's like exercising. And then some people do it when the new year starts, you know they don't want to do it, but they're glad they've done it down the road. Right. Because they see the results. And this is just bodily exercise which profits little. Okay. Start memorizing chapters, verses, etc. and you'll see over time how it's going to have more of

the mind of Christ in you. It'll transform your thinking. It'll transform your practice. It will make you hopefully a better father, a better friend, a better, etc. because you have more of that mind of Christ in you.

but there's an awful lot of it that we can. Hi, I'm John Gager sitting with me in the studio, doctor Gerald Peterman of the Moody Bible Institute. Faculty capable and qualified. He's got plenty of enthusiasm and his Bible is open. And let's get right to our questions after I talk to you about a Seder. What does Passover mean for us as believers in Jesus? Some might remember the story from the book of Exodus, but there's a whole lot more to it. You know, the Last Supper was really

a Passover meal. And not only did Jesus and his disciples celebrate Passover, it also foreshadowed his death on the cross for our redemption. Jewish people, of course, have been observing the feast of Passover for thousands of years. So understanding the history, the importance of this holiday will help us better connect with our Jewish friends and neighbors. Boy, what better way is there to learn about Passover than

to experience a Passover Seder yourself? If you've never celebrated Passover? Well, our friends at Life in Messiah would love to partner with you in hosting a Seder experience. Every year their staff engaged churches and small groups in an interactive Messiah in the Passover Seder, allowing participants to taste and see the redemption story. And if you're interested in having somebody come to lead a Seder in your area, your church, visit life in Messiah. Org and click on the Moody

Radio button there to learn more. That's life in messiah.org. Ready for our first question?

go to heaven. Is there any scripture to back up any of these thoughts?

The descent into hell was added to the Creed about a century later, and the Book of Common Prayer, used by the Anglican Church uses the old version of the Creed without the descent into hell. So I just want to say that not all Christians believe in a descent into hell, and no passage of Scripture specifically mentions one. Yet a verse that sometimes used is Ephesians four eight

and nine. They say, therefore it says, when he ascended on high, he led host captives, and then he gave gifts to men in saying he ascended, what does it mean but that he also descended to the lower regions, that is the earth. Here the descent is coming down from heaven to earth in becoming human. Now about our Lord Jesus freeing people from hell. There are very good reasons to believe that rather than going to hell temporarily when God's people die, they go instead to a place

of comfort and blessing. Let me mention a couple of these. In Luke 16, our Lord tells a parable about the rich man and Lazarus. I suggest you read it. It is wonderful. After the death of the rich man, he goes to a place of torment and punishment. But Lazarus goes to a place of comfort next to Abraham. Likewise, in Luke, Jesus promises to the thief on the cross that at death he will be with Jesus in Paradise that day. And in Philippians one, Paul says that at

death he will be with Christ. Now, as for the keys, this passage is revelation one, verses 17 and 18. I'm going to read that. Then I saw him. I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his hand on me, saying, fear not. I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold, I am alive forevermore. I have the keys of death and Hades. When one has keys, one has power and authority. So death and hell have no power over Jesus. He has power over them.

in the Old Testament. I'd never taken it that way, but I was curious. Do we know if there were any stones of witness near where Jesus was when he said that?

The Pharisees hear the crowd saying about Jesus, Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. And they say, teacher, rebuke your disciples. And Jesus says in response, I tell you, if they keep silent, the stones will cry out. There will be stones all around on the path. And again, when our Lord is tempted by the devil, he says, if you're the Son of God, command these stones to become bread, because they're just all over the place. Right. So it's very rocky territory.

one wife, and that he approved of David's polygamy? Doesn't Romans 325 indicate that God passed over some sins, particularly that of adultery, among Old Testament saints?

this from Deuteronomy 17. In Deuteronomy 17, we hear this Israel, when you go into the land and you want a king, this is what the king should do. The king should not multiply wives for himself. Deuteronomy 1717. So monogamy, one husband, one wife has always been God's pattern. We see that in Ephesians five. We see that in the book of Proverbs. And of course we see it in Genesis one and two. Now there was also a question about Romans 325 about

God passing over sins. This is an important passage, so let's read it in its context. Verses 24 and 25 say we were justified by his grace as a gift through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This is to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he passed over former sins. The passing over former sins is not punishing them to the degree they deserved. Old Testament sacrifices did not punish our

sins to the degree they deserved that punishment. All of it went on. Jesus.

a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life for every kind of beast and bird or reptile or sea creature can be tamed and has been tamed by man. But no human being can tame the tongue. It's a restless evil, full of deadly poisons. So we should be very careful. Speech is a gift of God.

fourth and final segment. It's Charlie Dyer's devotional. Charlie, I'm intrigued with your title, Shebna Tomb. I'm saying to myself, who is Shebna? Where is his tomb and why should we care so much?

hard land to travel over. It just was very moving to me.

artifacts tracing the history of civilization through the ages. We could spend days here looking at all the different pieces, but today we're heading to the upper floor to visit the rooms devoted to the Middle East. And our focus is an object that can easily be missed because it's positioned just to the left and near the top of the doorway leading into room 57. Now pause here with me and look up at this rough hewn piece of

limestone just above our heads. That piece of stone was hacked from the entrance to a tomb on the Mount of Olives, just across the Kidron Valley from the original city of David. You can see that it has an inscription written in the ancient Hebrew script, and which was partially destroyed when someone cut through the limestone to expand the opening into the tomb. Now, do I detect a

look of disappointment on your face? There are many fascinating objects here in the museum, and I get the impression that this piece of limestone, with its chiseled inscription, doesn't seem that interesting. And from watching others walk through the museum, I know you're not alone. Most don't even stop to look up at the piece, and those who do barely give it a fleeting glance. But that begs the question,

so what are we doing here? Looking at it? Well, for those who stop to read the translation and who know the Bible, this inscribed piece of limestone has a fascinating story to tell. As I said before, this three lined inscription was carved into the rock over the entrance to a tomb just across from the city of David. It was discovered by a French archaeologist and eventually made

its way into the British Museum. Later, an Israeli epigraphist, a person who specializes in studying inscriptions, determined that the style of writing was the same as the inscription found in Hezekiah's tunnel, meaning it was written about the same time he reconstructed the inscription to read as follows. This is the tomb of Shebna Yahu, the royal steward. There is no silver or gold here, only his bones and the bones of his maidservant. With him cursed be the

man who opens this. A part of the person's name was missing, but there are two clues as to his identity. The last part of his name was Yah or Yahoo, the covenant name of God, and the individual identified himself as the royal steward. The royal steward was the treasurer, or in today's terms, the comptroller or CFO. He's the

one who controlled the royal purse strings of Judah. And those clues, along with the dating of the inscription, narrowed down the search for the identity of this person to just one man in the Bible, a man named Shebna or Shebna Yahu. And we learn about Shebna and his tomb in Isaiah 22. Last week we looked at Isaiah's message to Hezekiah and the people of Judah as they were making preparations to defend themselves against a threatened attack by Assyria. It was a time of national calamity, a

time when people needed to. Refocus their priorities and turn to God for help. But one of the major stumbling blocks was a self-centered, materialistic. What's in it for me attitude that stretched all the way up into the royal court and the royal steward, Shebna was perhaps one of the most flagrant examples of everything that was wrong with

the country. Here's the message Isaiah had for Shebna. Thus says the Lord God of hosts, come, go to this steward to Shebna, who's in charge of the royal household. What right do you have here? And whom do you have here that you have hewn a tomb for yourself here? You who carve a resting place for yourself in the rock.

The nation was on its last legs militarily, economically and spiritually, and Shebna was spending all his time working on a lasting monument to himself at a time when Judah needed trusted leaders, the head of the royal household was acting like some pharaoh, diverting resources to build himself a tomb. God's judgement was very direct and appropriate. God announced through Isaiah that Shebna would be deposed from his office and taken captive into a foreign country, where he would die.

All Shebna plans for a fancy burial would be for naught. He wouldn't be using the tomb he had spent so much time preparing, and the only part of his memorial to himself that would survive the ages would be the inscription over the doorway, with most of his name chiseled out by someone thousands of years later who had no idea what he was defacing. Now take another look at the carving. It's not particularly pretty or dramatic, but it fills in the blanks on why God had Isaiah condemn

this royal steward named Shebna. But what lessons can we take with us as we leave here today? I'd like to suggest to first. Like Shebna, we also live in uncertain times economically, spiritually and morally. These are times that call for dedication and sacrifice on the part of all who claim to be followers of Christ. But way too many Christians are spending their time and their resources on only themselves. God is looking for faithful stewards and that

involves using our resources wisely for him. Second, Isaiah ends this section by announcing Shebna replacement, Eliakim. God then says to this new faithful steward, I will set the key of the house of David on his shoulder. When he opens, no one will shut, and when he shuts, no one will open, and I will drive him like a peg

in a firm place. It's no accident that this same imagery was used later in the Book of Revelation to describe Jesus as Jesus spoke to the church in Philadelphia, a church which also faced difficult times, he described himself this way he who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts, and no one opens, says

this I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept my word, and have not denied my name. The ultimate faithful servant is Jesus, and he's promised to help and protect those of us who are committed to being faithful to him in spite of circumstances. The museum is getting ready to close,

so it's time to leave. But look back at the Shebna inscription one last time and ask yourself this what kind of steward am I being with all that God has given to me? Am I building a monument to myself, or am I using the resources he's entrusted to me to make an eternal difference for him? Let's make sure we don't end up like Shebna. If you'd like to see photos of this three lined Shebna inscription on display

in the British Museum along with the explanatory sign. Be sure to head over to our land in the book Facebook page where I'll post those pictures.

the book@moody.edu. That's the land and the book@moody.edu. Also visit our website, The land and the book org where you can check out today's guest, past guests, future programs, and more. That's the land and the book.org. Thanks for your company. Appreciate having you along today. The land and the book is a production of Moody Radio, a ministry of Moody Bible Institute.