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>> Alex McFarland: The Bible. It's the word of God. Sharper than any two edged sword. This sacred book is living and active and contains all that's needed for life and godliness. Stay with American Family Radio for the next hour as we study God's word and take your Bible questions.

Exploring the Word returns to study of Old Testament Book of Numbers

>> Bert Harper: Welcome to Exploring the Word.

>> Alex McFarland: God is not a man that he should lie, neither the Son of man that he should repent. Hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken and he shall not make it make it Good. That's numbers 2319. And with that we get back into our study of the Old Testament Book of Numbers. This is Exploring the word with Alex McFarland coming to you from North Carolina and Bert Harper and Brent Austin coming to you from Tupelo, Mississippi. But, welcome everybody. If you're at a place where you can get a copy of God's Word, turn to the Old Testament book of Numbers. We'll wrap up numbers 23 and continue on into 24 and following Bert. Good evening, brother.

>> Bert Harper: Good afternoon.

Exploring the Word is exploring the Book of Numbers

It is good to be with you here on Exploring the Word as we are in the Book of Numbers. It has been quite a journey, honestly. When we first talked about it, we said, well, we can go through it relatively quick, but as we've gone through, we say we don't need to rush over this, we need to spend some time here. So it's been a great journey through Numbers.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, you know, this is one of those books that, at least in my journey I've not heard it preached on a whole lot. And what we've been doing on Exploring the Word, if you kind of might be new to this program, in the last decade and a half we have gone through the entire Bible about three times and we go over all of the Bible and you know, some books are maybe a little easier to read than others, but every page of every Bible takes us to Jesus. I mean really. And there is great truth, parts of the salvation story and just application for each one of our lives. And Numbers is no exception.

Bert Anani: Balak hired Balaam to curse Israel

Let me, do a little bit of a recap on yesterday. We were talking about Balaam and Balak, and Balaam was this prophet for hire, if you will. And so Balak had hired him to pronounce curses over Israel, which he not only wouldn't do, he couldn't do, because God was providentially overseeing what he could or couldn't say. And so Balak gets very frustrated. In verse 25 of Numbers 3, Balak said to Balaam Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all. In other words, that's an Old Testament way of saying, look, just be quiet. You can't do what I want you to do. You can't curse them. And you're not cursing them. You're pronouncing blessing. Don't say anything. seriously, it's almost humorous here. Numbers 23, 25. Balak is basically saying, look, hey, just be quiet because he did not want a blessing pronounced on Israel.

>> Bert Harper: He is really getting to the point of don't bless them, because this is the second oracle that they're called. And, both times, guess what? A blessing came. Now, when you come to verse 27, right before you get to chapter 24, notice what they do. They go to Daniel. Different locations each time. Balak hoping that there would be a different view. Okay, your perspective. Okay, that didn't work there. This didn't work here. Let's go here and see if it works. Notice what it says in 27. Then Balak said to Balaam, please come, I'll take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God that you will curse them for me from there. Alex, this, When I read this, I said, I'm going to get this in. Truth is true anywhere, anytime, in any place. So the location is not going to change things, is it?

>> Alex McFarland: No, it isn't. I mean, you know, hey, it didn't work here. Maybe we'll go over here, a few feet. But no, God is in control. And as we segue into chapter 24, I mean, there are going to be prophecies about the future of Israel and even, yes, the coming of Jesus Christ. let me read this. When Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness. And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes. And the Spirit of God came upon him. You know, Bert, let me just say this. The Spirit of God came upon Balaam. you know, even Caiaphas in the NewSong Testament, this unconverted priest prophesied that one man would die for the sins of all the people, and that was Jesus. I've heard it said that God can draw a straight line with a crooked stick.

>> Bert Harper: That is it, Alex. And notice, if he could speak through a donkey, I think he could speak through a diviner. even though now you said he could not and would not. He would have if he could Have, I believe, I think Balaam was used to back. You know, I grew up watching westerns. there was this, Western called have Gun, Will Travel. You know, he was the one who will pay me enough. So Balaam was. He was wanting the money, he was wanting the honorarium. But again, God stopped him. And, he told him, I'm able to speak only what God says. But again, which one would win, what God would do or the money that he wanted. I think according to what we find out in the NewSong Testament, what Peter said and Jude said, I think his desire for money overweighed a lot of truth. Makes me think of Ananias and Sapphira, you know, and, money is one of those things. Money is one of the areas that really tries people to see where they really stand. Will they stand for truth or will they be bought? And here Balaam, you know, God intervened in such a way that he could not curse them. We'll put it that way exactly.

>> Alex McFarland: and so he turns and, it says that he took up his parable and said, balaam, the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said, he hath sid. Which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty falling into a trance, but having his eyes opened. Now, here is just a Beautiful blessing, verse 5. How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, thy tabernacles, O Israel. As the valleys they are spread forth, gardens by the river side, trees of line aloes, which the Lord hath planted as a cedar trees by the waters. So if you read, numbers 24 5, and following it's great testimony, God brought them forth out of Egypt. He protected them as a lion, couched and ready to pounce. Now, while, Balaam is saying all these lovely true things, you read verse 10. Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together, and in other words, he's about ready to throw, fists here, and he says, I called you to curse my enemies. And behold, you have altogether blessed them these three times. Therefore now flee to thy place. In other words, you better run. I'm paying you to pronounce a curse and you're blessing them. I mean, it's almost humorous, isn't it, Bert?

>> Bert Harper: It really is. And, verse 13 sums it up. Balak, though you were to give me a house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the Lord to do either good or bad. Now that Goes back to verse 25 that you were talking about in church, verse 23, when it says, curse them. Neither curse them nor bless them. So it says here, to do either good or bad of my own will, but what the Lord says, that I must speak. Alex, go back to the last part of verse nine, if you would. Blessed is he who blesses you, and cursed is he who curses you.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, that comes straight out of Genesis chapter 12. It sure does, 17, doesn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It just. Man, it spotted on right there. And again, God is using Balaam to speak truth. Okay, yes. I'm not sure he was the most ready prophet to do so. but God still spoke through him, and there's so much truth through these oracles that he gave. And in the fourth one, we're going to see something rich, aren't we?

Balaam is giving a messianic prophecy in chapter 24

>> Alex McFarland: Well, we really are. This is just amazing. And so he goes on and Balaam said to Balak, spake, I not also to thy messengers which you sent me, saying, in other words, he's basically saying, like verse 13, what the Lord says that will I speak. In other words, you can't pay me enough to speak. He took up his parable and he basically has this little prelude, like in verse 15. Balaam, the son of Beor, hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said. So in other words, he's trying to preface this as if it's some grand thing, but it is, really, even though it's not what comes out of his heart, he hath said, which heard the words of God and knew the knowledge of the Most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty falling into a trance, but having his eyes open. I shall see him, but not now. I shall behold him, but not nigh. There shall come a star out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel and shall smite the corners of Moab and destroy all the children of Sheth. Okay, Now, Balak is a leader of Moab, and this is a prophecy, by the way, the wise men that come to the birth of Jesus quote numbers 24:17, which Daniel had told in Daniel 2:48, when Daniel was a governor over the wise men of Babylon. Among the messianic prophecies that Daniel had told, and centuries later, the Persian magi would remember, they would see the star, okay? The star did arise out of Jacob at the birth of Jesus. And there was a scepter in the hand of one denoted by that. Now, who holds a scepter? A king, a leader, and this Jesus will rule and reign. He will smite the corners of Moab and destroy the, the children of darkness. So, Bert, what's amazing is it's Balaam has been giving blessings of Israel. Now, not only that, he's giving a messianic prophecy.

>> Bert Harper: It is powerful and it doesn't even stop there. Verse 19. Out of Jacob, one shall have dominion and destroy the remains of the city. again, he does. These oracles seem to you they get stronger and stronger as he goes from 1, 2, 3, and 4, and to the fourth one. Here the Lord Jesus is seen, and we praise God for him, for what we see even in Balaam's, prophecies or oracles that he would give. And so, this is God using this man who was, I think, reluctant is too kind. I mean, maybe not, I don't know, maybe we were talking about Balaam yesterday, but I know the NewSong Testament doesn't have anything good to say about him. Let me put it that way.

>> Alex McFarland: I know I would love for Balaam to have really gotten converted. You know, I'm not going to say yea or nay, but the only times that I can find he's mentioned, it's not really positive.

>> Bert Harper: It is not. Now, it continues in this chapter in verse 20. And he looked at Amalek, and he took up his oracle and said, amalek was first among the nations, but shall be last until he perishes. a cursing. Yeah, it was, then he looked at the Kenites. He continues on, sharing all the things that's going to happen. But finally, in verse 25, as we come to the end of the first segment, this is good to end in chapter 24. Then Balaam rose and departed and returned to his place. Balak also went his way. this collusion that wanted to happen is they've been together, no matter which location, no matter if they offered realms, whether he did an, incantation or not, God's word was strong and powerful and overruled everything else. Alex, is that the power of the Word of God?

>> Alex McFarland: That is the power of the Word of God. And who can Change it? Verse 23. Who can live when God hath said it and done it?

Preborn needs you to help speak the truth about life, dignity

Well, we've got a brief break. More of numbers and your calls and questions on this edition of Exploring the Word. Please stay tuned.

>> Bert Harper: Right now, the voices in our culture are loud, but truth is often silent. And today, preborn needs you to help speak that truth. Women facing unplanned pregnancies are often pressured to act quickly. Before they have time to pause, breathe, or hear the truth about life, dignity, and hope. But I refuse to be silent, and I'm asking you to join me. At preborn network clinics, a woman is welcomed with compassion and given a free ultrasound. She sees the life growing inside her, often for the first time. And in that sacred moment, fear gives way to clarity. And she's offered something the abortion industry will never provide. The hope of Jesus Christ. This April, our goal is to have 11,000 gospel conversations in preborn network clinics, trusting God to bring the increase as we remain faithful to speak. You can help make that possible by sponsoring ultrasounds. Just $28 provides one ultrasound. $140 sponsors five ultrasounds for mothers in crisis. Every dollar helps save babies and share the good news of Jesus Christ. To donate, dial £250 and say the keyword baby. That's £250, baby. Or visit preborn.com host that's preborn.com host

>> Alex McFarland: In Christ, alone my hope is found. He is my love, my strength, my song, this cornerstone, this solid ground.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. One of the hardest things to do is to cut into that song. I want to hear the rest of it. It's one of the greatest songs written, anytime, but especially in the last year's. Quite a song.

Alex Burke: How many times has one person saved so many lives

Well, Alex, we're in chapter 25, and I want to start it out by asking you a question.

>> Alex McFarland: Okay.

>> Bert Harper: How many times has one person saved so many lives? Well, here we have it. In chapter 25, they started committing harlotry. But one man, one man stood between them, and lives were changed, saved. I remember Moses doing that. Eryn's done that. And now Phineas has done that. With that in mind, can you think of anybody that would save so many people?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, you know, during, well, in the immediate aftermath of World War II, Winston Churchill said, never before have so many owed so much to so few. And so there. There have been those times. But I'm telling you, Phinehas here in verse 11 is one of those heroes. He did the right thing at the right time, and many were the beneficiaries of his obedience.

>> Bert Harper: And do you believe these are pictures of Jesus Christ standing m. Amen. I as well. We got that earlier when about looking on the serpent. And I think we see this again here and just, follows after chapter 24 when Balaam was talking about the star which comes out of Jacob, the scepter shall rise out of Israel, and, Jacob, one shall have dominion. And now here, Phinehas stands in those. Now what happened in chapter 25, verses 1 and 2. We need to go back a little bit to set this up. when then, Israel remained in Acacia grove and the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab, they invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods. And the people ate and bowed down to their gods. Here it is, Alex. Reminds me early on what their parents had done, at Sinai, when Moses was receiving the law. And they began again, harlotry, not with foreign people, but with one another. But here, it's the Moabite women, making. I believe this is not accidental. This is planned. This is something that Satan put in the way. But Phineas M. He did the difference. and Moses said, take these leaders, the people, hang the offenders before the Lord out in the sun, that the fierce anger of the Lord may turn away from them, from Israel. And they did all of that. And they did it. But when Phinehas, verse 7, the son of Eliezer, the son of Eryn, the priest. Now we're talking about the grandson of Eryn, right? Okay. Yes, we do. He rose from among the congregation, took a javelin in his hand. He went after the man of Israel into the tent and thrust both them through the men of Israel and the woman through her body. And so the plague was stopped among the children of Israel. And those who died in the plague were 24,000. I haven't done the addition. I think after. I'm going to go through, see how many thousands died here. You know, specifically, we know everyone. But a lot of them were killed in bunches, weren't they?

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, they were. They were, you know, like in verse 16, the Lord spoke unto Moses, saying, vex the Midianites and smite them, for they vex you with their wiles. Now, the word vex really means to fight against something. Do you know? the unrighteousness of Sodom vexed Lot's righteous soul. It says, you know, it fought against it. There are, you know, here's an old Bible word, but it's a good word. Vexations in the world still aren't there. And. But God says to Moses, vex the Midianites, for they vex you with their wiles or deceitful, tricky ways. What does your translation say about verse 18, Burke?

>> Bert Harper: It does say, for they harassed you with their schemes.

>> Bert Harper: Schemes.

>> Alex McFarland: That's true. Yes. And it goes on there. And it really talks about not only spiritual things, but, social and cultural things. About, marriage and, being married. To and aligned with people that don't know the true God. but it goes on. And this is the book of numbers and numbers bespeaks counting. Well, there's going to be another great census of Israel in chapter 26. I know this might sound kind of erratic or something like that, but Bert, they were always very often having to defend themselves. I mean, in a posture of self defense. And that's why there's so much about armies and military, and military preparedness, because they were taking the land. And they had to be ready to do that.

>> Bert Harper: They did. And that's what it says in verse two. All who are able to go to war in Israel, we need to be ready to do what we need to do to defend ourselves, but also accomplish what God has called us to do. And they were going to be ready. Now what had happened before they had fought earlier, in this book about Ammon, they had had victory over them, they had gone to Bashan, they had victory over them. And so they had had some victories. They knew what it was to war. And it was again, I think, preparation for what they were going to face when they crossed over the river. And so, notice what it says. So Moses and Eliezer, this is verse 3 of 26. The priest spoke with them in the plains of Moab by the Jordan. Across from where? Jericho. Alex, let me see, what's the name of the city that they're going to first take when they cross over Jericho?

>> Alex McFarland: I mean, so much of this comes together. I know this is a lot to, keep track of, but, but it does come together, doesn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It really does. And, and I think this is setting it up. And you see all this taking place. this is what really gripped my, my heart as I was looking through this in my mind was the battles they had to fight and then looking upon the serpent, you know, there they were, they were dying, they were getting them ready.

Bert: Look what the enemy was doing to try to defeat Israel

It's important for you to obey me. And then a balak and balaam is, it's a kind of a intersection, here that they take time out of in place of looking at what Israel was doing. Look what the enemy was doing to try to defeat Israel. And now it comes back here and they're ready to their cross from Jericho, their target city that they go to in first. And then you see all the names of the tribes. Reuben, there it is. Simeon, Gad, Judah, Issachar, Zebulon, Manasseh, all of them are mentioned. And Alex, it brings us to the point over here in verse 52, 56. This is how I want you to divide the land. It, ah, was not only for the purpose of Abel to go to war, but it's also who has the most people, who has the least people. So guess what? The ones who have the most people get the largest section of land, don't they?

>> Alex McFarland: That's true. That's true. By the way, Jericho. Fascinating. The name Jericho means his sweet smell. an aroma, all right. I've read in several commentaries that Jericho, as far as anybody knows, is the oldest continually inhabited city in the world. And Jericho is, a few miles from the north end of the Dead Sea. It's a few miles west of the Jordan River. And Bert, have you read that even though it's been the subject of battles, Israel would take it victoriously. It's, as far as they know, the longest continually inhabited city in the world.

>> Bert Harper: I heard that. I think there are some cities that say, not so fast. But no matter what, it is one of them. If it's not the most. Alex, I would know that for sure.

>> Alex McFarland: Yes, exactly. So they divvy up the land according to the numbers of the people. And, fascinating that, I'm m going to read this beginning, like, at verse, 63. These are they that were numbered by Moses and Eleazar, the priests who numbered the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by Jordan, near Jericho. Bert, they're doing this. They're doing God's work, preparing for present and future blessings. They're in the plains of Moab by Jordan. Moab has been enemy land. let me just say this, that you don't wait till everything is rosy to serve God or trust God. Maybe you're at a place you really don't want to stay right now. You keep trusting God. Keep serving God. I heard a, heard a saying. I was counseling a young pastor, and he just felt like things weren't coming together like they should. And he kind of wasn't really doing much. And I had heard a phrase, I said, you know, even God can't steer a parked car. And, I think if you're wondering what to do, just keep on. Keep on doing the right things. And even if you're quote, in the plains of Moab, keep trusting God. Keep serving God. His blessing will come. His guidance to you will be there at the right time. It was for Israel. It will be for the church today.

Alex: God's doing all this preparation right before the target city

>> Bert Harper: Okay, now we're at Moab. Here it is. go further into the Bible. during the period of Judges. And you'll find a woman named Ruth. And guess what? A mother Moabitist. So here you have. Yes, they're there, they've done this. But out of that, out of that difficulty, out of this anti God spirit that they have, God raises up a woman who would be in the lineage of the Messiah, a Moabite.

>> Alex McFarland: Alex, the Moabitest.

>> Bert Harper: This is and notice again, I can't help in my, in the new King James, it doesn't say near Jericho, it says across from Jericho. So now here's what I think if I understand. I haven't, I have been to Jericho. When we went there, they possibly could see Jericho. If they couldn't, they knew it was there. And so here it is. God's doing all this preparation right before the target city, the first one. And I, I found some, I, I, I guess what I'm trying to emphasize and it does to me, he's getting them ready and he's going to let them see. I'm going to do all this for you. I'm going to help you. I'm going to lay it out for you. I'm going to get you ready so you'll be ready to go and do and take what I've already given to you. And you may be in Moab, but guess what? Just across the river is the victory. And so yeah, Moab may be a place of preparation. It was here.

>> Alex McFarland: Wasn't really was, it really was. And like, like you said, even though it had, you know, traditionally been a place of unbelief and paganism, God would bless even through the Moabite land and people. I love chapter 27 of Numbers because among other things, it shows that God cares about the rights and the welfare of women, doesn't it?

>> Bert Harper: He does. I found it interesting. Go ahead. But it blessed me too well.

>> Alex McFarland: The daughters of Delophehad, son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh, the families of Manasseh, the son of Joseph. By the way, this is very, very, very specific. And I had a question earlier today from a college student who said, how do we know that the Jews in the land of Israel today are of any relation to the ancestral Jews of the Bible? Hey listen, even before the websites existed about your DNA and your family lineage, there's never, never been a people group in history as precise, as meticulous, as well authenticated as the Jewish family lineages that go back to centuries before the birth Centuries before the birth of Christ. And whenever you see all these lists of names and very specific, you know, son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph, these are the names of the daughters, Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglath and Milcah and TIS Tirzah. And they stood before Moses and before Eleazar the priest. My point in this, some of these Old Testament name lists that might just seem a little bit laborious. If nothing else, they prove that the Jews knew who they were. They knew who was in which family, which tribes. And, I think it's important to point out that, this is no random thing. God knows every name, the hairs on every head. And the, families of Israel through whom God revealed himself to the world, their histories have been well preserved. But they go and they say, basically, our father died in the wilderness. He was not in the company of them that gathered themselves together against the Lord in the company of Korah. Hey, our dad died, and he wasn't the rebellious men of Korah, by the way. And, so why should the name of our father be done away from among his family? Because he has no son. Give unto us, therefore, a possession among the brethren of our Father. And Moses brought their cause before the Lord. The Lord spoke to Moses. And God basically says that, if there's no son, but there are daughters, they can have an inheritance. God is fair, isn't he?

>> Bert Harper: He really is. And m. If a man dies, verse 8, and has no son, then you shall call his cause his inheritance to pass to his daughter. And, Alex, if you go on, you find out in verse 11. Listen to this. And if his father has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to the kinsman nearest him and his family. Let me see, is this getting close to a kinsman Redeemer here?

>> Alex McFarland: It really is. It really is. By the way, let me just say this. And this could be a whole nother show. Prayerfully, God, in a godly way, do your estate planning. And, you know, there's a little bit of. I don't think it's too far of a stretch to say that, you know, there's the precedent here for thinking ahead and estate planning, Bert, I would agree.

>> Bert Harper: And, listen, it is a smart thing to do, and, so that you can direct what God would have you to use of yours. Don't forget ministries when you do that as well. Well, we're going to be back, and with your questions. The Phone number is 888-589-8840. Give us a call today with your Bible question.

>> Alex McFarland: The AFR app is a powerful tool, but it does have limitations. You can't use it to change the oil in your vehicle or get rid of carpet stains. It won't walk the dog, won't pick up the dry cleaning or take the kids to practice. But while you're doing those things, you can listen to your favorite AFR content through the app on your phone, smart device or Roku. Just go to your app store or visit afr.net listen to AFR wherever you go with the AFR, app. Holy, holy, holy is that Lord God Almighty who was and years and years to come. With all creation and sing praise to the King of Kings. You are my everything and I will adore you.

Alex and Bert answer your bible questions ahead of National Day of Prayer tomorrow

Welcome back to Exploring the Word. Alex and Bert here. This is the part of the program where we take questions. Now here's the number toll free nationwide. We'd love to hear your bible question. It's 888-589-8840. Triple 858-98840. And let me just throw this out there too. Tomorrow is the 75th annual National Day of Prayer Congress put this together back in the, I think it was 1952. And so, hundreds and hundreds of churches will be open, you know, from probably before daybreak till tomorrow night. At least take a moment no matter where you are, no matter who you are, take a moment tomorrow to pull away and pray. Pray for our nation. we know the leadership of NDP National Day of Prayer. Bert, for a number of years, Mrs. Dobson, Shirley Dobson was head of it. Then for a little while, Anne Graham Lotz. And now our colleague Kathi Branzel. She's ah, just a wonderful Christian leader. This is a great ministry. National Day of Prayer tomorrow. And I hope, one and all, that we'll all participate.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. And I'll just try to challenge tomorrow. Those of you that call in tomorrow, let us know where you were. If you were in a group, how many were there here in Tupelo, Mississippi? We're going to meet down at courthouse at 12 o' clock and we're going to have a big prayer meeting there. So we getting ready for tomorrow. Well, Alex, man the phone lines. They've come in. Let's answer them as quickly and as accurate as we can. And we go to Joyce in Kansas. Joyce, thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Hi, yes, yeah, this is my first time calling.

>> Bert Harper: Well, thank you for calling.

>> Alex McFarland: Welcome.

Did Jesus limit himself in the area of knowledge when Lazarus died

>> Caroline: Yes, my question is, a while back in our Sunday school class, we were talking about when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. And someone said, Jesus did not know everything. He did not know that Lazarus was going to die and that he was going to raise him from the dead. And I just feel like most people agreed with that, but I just feel like that Jesus is fully God, so he had to be omniscient. I guess that's my question.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Joyce, great. I would refer to you first, Alex. I'll do this. Then you finish to Philippians chapter two, where it says that Jesus, you know, emptied himself, you know, and, Jesus did limit himself while he was here upon earth with some of the attributes that he had before the, incarnation. he could only be in one place at one time. And even after the resurrection body, he, said, it's necessary that the Holy Spirit come, because I'm going to be in one place. I'm going to be at the right hand of the Father. So did Jesus limit himself in the area of knowledge? We know he knew some. He would hear what the Pharisees were thinking. did this catch him by surprise that Lazarus had died? Or was he all knowing? And which. Which way do you fall on this one, Alex?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, I don't think this took Jesus by surprise. And I'll grant you what's called the divine kenosis in Philippians 2, the voluntary limiting of himself, in some regards, part of the incarnation. You know, he came down here, the omnipotent, omnipresent God localized himself for a while. But here's the thing. If you read in Jon 11, especially like 38, 46, Jesus really said that he did this. Lazarus died, but Jesus would raise him to life, so the people would see the power of God. And he said, father, I thank you that you've heard me and you always hear me. but so that the people that stand by will believe you have sent me. And thus he cried with a loud voice, lazarus, come forth. So the death of Lazarus was not based on ignorance or inability on the part of Christ, but it was an opportunity to do a miracle and show, the people his power over death, which he certainly had.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, on this one question, we need to spend a lot of time. Jesus was a baby. He wasn't pretending to be a baby in his mind. Alex. So there had to be some point. The Bible says he grew in knowledge of God and man. So there was a process by which Jesus himself, in the incarnation, grew. Now, again, so there was some point in time where he did not have all that, Did it all change at his baptism? Did it change when he was 12 years old? This is one of those areas, in my opinion. Alex, you may completely disagree. you know, I think they could say that's a possibility that he did, you know, because of the limitation. Now, that's my thoughts.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah.

>> Bert Harper: Okay. It does not take away. He was God, Joyce. Him, even as a baby, him not knowing everything did not take away who he was. He was God in the flesh. So that did not take away. If he did not know. That doesn't take away that he was God, Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: That's exactly.

>> Bert Harper: Okay.

Someone told me today that AI is operated by water

Okay. Let's go to Deborah in North Carolina. Deborah, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.

>> Caroline: Thank you for taking my call on yesterday. Alex was talking with a young lady, I think, Dr. Peg, I think that's her name, about AI and they were saying that AI is not going to go anywhere. So someone told me today that they probably are going to have to stop AI because AI is operated by water. So I just wanted to know. They were saying something about in Colorado, that all the water, that they're in a drought because, all of the chat rooms are taking up the water. So do you guys know anything about that? That's my first time hearing that. I really would like to know.

>> Bert Harper: Go ahead, Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, I know that, sometimes, you know, computers, have to, you know, be cooled by water. Here's the thing. Data centers consume a lot of water. now, how much it's debated. And, you know, water is such a precious thing nowadays that, they're going to either have to find different ways to cool all these hard drives or, you know, they're going to have to find a way to handle, all these data centers. I mean, you just think about this. There's hard drives and so much, you know, all the videos on YouTube that creates a lot of, space. And I don't know, I've read so many different things, but all the computer systems of the Earth, you know, are using up water to. I don't know if they're completely. To create the components. A lot of. I've heard about it, to cool some of the, the heat generated by these data centers. But it just might be that our, insatiable hunger for technology hits the wall of reality, you know.

>> Bert Harper: Okay. Deborah, thank you for calling. Hope that helps. Alex, thank you. By the way, I know they got a lot of snow in Colorado today. so praise the Lord for that. Edgar in Maryland, go right Ahead, Edgar. Hello. Thank you for taking my Carl.

Where in the Bible does it transition from multiple wives to a single wife

Gentlemen, I've got a really weird question. Where in the Bible does it transition from multiple wives to a single wife? I know Solomon had many wives, and the reason I'm saying it may be current nowadays, I believe Utah was blocked from coming into the state because they're having multiple wives. And I heard on one of programs Saturday on your station that, somebody says the Muslims do believe and are bringing in multiple wives and child brides in the United States. Okay, Edgar. Well, let me share. In the beginning, it was not so Adam and Eve, single, one man, one woman, man deviated from that to multiple wives. and then hopefully they got right the right way, like Hosea and Gomer. One man, one wife. Alex, go ahead.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, you know, in Genesis 2:24, it says that a man shall leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife singular, and the two shall become one flesh. And throughout the Bible, oh, my goodness. You hear, like Jesus in, Matthew 19 talked about quote, the two shall become one, Corinthians 7:2. Paul said this because of the temptation to immorality. Each man, Paul wrote, should have his own wife singular, and each woman her own husband singular. So, Bert, I think that m. Heterosexual monogamy, one man, one woman, has always been God's, standard. And therefore there's always, from the first book of the Bible, a prohibition against polygamy. Now, there have been polygamous societies of which the Mormons were one. But, scripturally and even socially and morally, multiple spouses, that's wrong. It's been frowned upon, as it should. But if you're going to believe the Bible, I think monogamy is clearly God's design for the human race.

>> Bert Harper: Edgar, thank you for that. And, the Bible is clear on that one. I don't think it reports, but doesn't necessarily condone. And, God doesn't necessarily cut off all the blessings because of disobedience. If that was true, none of us would be blessed, would we, Alex?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, and by the way, one of the reasons marriage has been so attacked in our lifetime is because, marriage is a picture of Christ and the church. And, just as we are espoused to Christ, the bride of Christ, and He the bridegroom, you know, we don't have Jesus plus two, three, four other saviors. I mean, I really think the monogamous nature of marriage, it also speaks to the monogamous nature of salvation.

>> Bert Harper: It does. Edgar, thank you. Hope that Helps.

Our friend Jacqueline's daughter came home after 10 days in detox

Let's go to Mississippi and our friend Jacqueline. Jacqueline, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.

>> Caroline: praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. I'm calling you all back because I'm sitting here listening like I always do every day. But I had called on last week and I asked you all to pray for my daughter, and there were several others. We all waited and prayed. You and Alex and Burg out prayed. But that daughter did come home. We found out that she checked herself into a detox, and that's where she was those 10 days. And she's healthy. And she apologies. Not only did she ask for forgiveness, she said, mama, continue to pray for me. It's working. So I just wanted to call you all to say God is using you mightily and thank you all. And being that tomorrow is a day of prayer, what can we say? It works you all. And I know we're going to give God all the glory, and I just wanted you all to hear that from me.

>> Bert Harper: Jacqueline, wait up. I'm going to pray. And thank God. We prayed for it. Well, let's pray God and thank him for it. Father, thank you for Jaclyn, thank you for calling and giving this praise. Thank you for her daughter, what she's doing, and we're praying right now where she is, that what she's learning would be helpful and then put it in combination with the power of God in her life that she would be delivered and come out of there victorious in Christ Jesus. We thank you, and we anticipate this in Jesus name, Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

>> Bert Harper: Jacqueline, thank God. A lot of folks in here, with a big smile on their face. Jaclyn, thank you so much.

>> Alex McFarland: Glory to God.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

June says if you're praying for someone's salvation, pray silently

Let's go to Virginia. June, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.

>> Caroline: It was probably two or three years ago. I thought I heard someone on this program say, if you're praying for somebody's salvation, don't do it out loud where Satan can hear.

>> Bert Harper: Well, I. I'm not so sure. What. Sometimes we may have misspoke. that's one of those. There are some things you do pray, kind of keeping it, you know, silent prayer. Alex, you know, there is that because Satan is not a reader of your minds. he's a limited foe. Okay. Jesus could tell what the Pharisees were thinking. Satan, tries to put stuff in your heart and your mind to propel you, but praying silently for salvation. I don't know if we said that or not, but if we did, I would disagree with myself. Alex, go ahead.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. there are plenty of things that I don't say because. Not again, Satan cannot read our mind, but he's a strategist. He's an observer of habits. And frankly, you know, Proverbs 22 says, the power of life and death is in the tongue. So I don't like to even vocalize negative, destructive things. But regarding praying for somebody's salvation, I pray about it all the time, and I don't mind praying it out loud, you know, And I'll often say, you know, in the name of Jesus, who is long suffering, not willing that any should perish, father, keep this person alive physically till they could be born spiritually. I pray things like that. Don't you, Bert?

>> Bert Harper: I do as well, June. If you're praying for someone like that, pray aloud. Pray silently. Share it with others, and watch God operate. He is working. While he's working on us, he's working on them as well. and we're praying that God would have his way.

What did Jesus do after he died and before he rose from the dead

Well, let's go to the last call of the day, and it's Lacy in Louisiana. Lacy. We're kind of up against the clock. Go ahead with your question.

>> Caroline: Hey, I'll make it short. what exactly did Jesus do for three days after he died and before he rose from the dead?

>> Bert Harper: Okay.

>> Caroline: Says that he, descended into hell.

>> Bert Harper: Well, okay, Alex, don't have a lot of time. Take it away and put that in a synopsis for Lacy.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. he descended, really, into the realm of the dead. I want to say. Jesus did not burn in the flames of hell to pay for our sin. He paid our sin on the cross, but he went into the realm of the dead, to the, unsaved, lost. There was a proclamation of condemnation to the saved of all the old ages. There was a proclamation of victory. He led the captives to the presence of God in heaven and ultimately came back to send the Holy Spirit and, birth the church and impart spiritual gifts. But from Calvary Friday to Resurrection Sunday, he was in the realm of the dead, fulfilling the will of the Father. Wasn't he, Bert?

>> Bert Harper: He really was. And it was victorious when he uttered those words. It is finished, paid in full. hallelujah. What he's done. And he rose again, overcoming our greatest enemies, sin and death. Well, we'll be back tomorrow. We'll be in numbers. You don't want to miss it. we're going to learn some more about what God was doing with those Israelites to prepare them for the land of promise.

>> Alex McFarland: The views and opinions expressed in this

>> Bert Harper: broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of

>> Alex McFarland: the American Family association or American Family Radio.

Preparation For The Promise: Numbers 24 - 27:11

✍️ Episode References

American Family Radio
https://afr.net 

Preborn 
https://preborn.com 

Philippians
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+2&version=NIV 

Numbers
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers&version=NIV 

Genesis
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+12&version=NIV