American Family Radio takes your Bible questions live on American Family Radio
>> Bert Harper: 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.
Welcome to Exploring the Word. Later on in the show, we will take your Bible questions
Welcome to Exploring the Word.
>> Alex McFarland: You know, the book of Isaiah has so many just moving verses, very touching, wonderful truths. And Isaiah, 54 is no exception. And we're going to come across a verse here in a few minutes that really illustrates how much God loves his people. Not only Israel, but believers today, the deep, deep love of God. We'll see it in Isaiah 54. And with that, I welcome you to today's edition of Exploring the word. Alex McFarland along here with Bert Harper. And we're so honored that you're listening as always. Later on in the show, we will take your telephone calls and, and your Bible questions. So if you've got a Bible question of any sort, we look forward to hearing from you in just a few moments.
Alex: Isaiah is one of the longer biblical books, 66 chapters
But Bert, you and I have spent a right long time in Isaiah. For one thing, it's, it is a, one of the longer biblical books, 66 chapters. But I'm thinking back, we might have spent more time on this reading of Isaiah than just about any other, biblical book in our 16 year history.
>> Bert Harper: I agree with you. I was looking at that even today and looking back on when we started. And I do believe, and let me just say this, Isaiah deserves it.
>> Alex McFarland: Amen.
>> Bert Harper: not only in the length 66 chapters, but the content and the reason is, and I think chapter 54 is a good example of this. Alex, you have an immediate prophecy, but you also have an ultimate prophecy. And when you read in Isaiah, you're saying, okay, this is not what happened when they returned, there out of Babylon. So this great, great explanation of how glorious it's going to be will be when Jesus Christ returns and sets up his kingdom. So you have that in chapter 54, but you have that in several places. So to do as good as you can at, you know, looking at scripture, you try to do that, right? And divide it. And so Here in chapter 54, I think you have that, yes, they're returning. Isaiah is getting them ready. You're going to return to Jerusalem, you're going to rebuild it. It's going to be great. But one of these days there's going to be new Jerusalem coming down.
>> Alex McFarland: Amen.
>> Bert Harper: And so, that's what makes, to me it makes it Just intriguing as always. Just glorious.
>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen.
Bert says Isaiah 54:3 speaks of Israel inheriting the Gentiles
Well, in Isaiah 54, Israel is. Is compared to a wife, and God is compared to the husband. And we know that, Jesus is the bridegroom, and ultimately the bride of Christ is the church. But there's a verse and Bert, I'm going to read the first 2, 3 verses. There is a phrase in Isaiah 54:3 that is just amazing. Bert. I think a pretty compelling argument could be made that, that this is one of those examples of something that no human could have possibly thought up. This is an indicator that the Bible is the word of God. Because there's just something. For lack of a better word. I would say it is mind boggling. Let me read this. Sing, O barren, thou that did not bear. Break forth into singing and cry aloud, thou that did not travail with child. For more are the children of the desolate than. Than the children of the married wife, saith the Lord. We'll come back to this. Enlarge the place of thy tent. Let them stretch forth the curtains of thy habitation. Spare not, lengthen thy cords and strengthen thy stakes. You're gonna have to enlarge the house. You'll have so many children. For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left, that means joy. you're gonna have joy. And thy seed shall inherit the. The Gentiles and make the desolate cities to be inhabited. Bert. Israel inheriting the Gentiles. And it doesn't just mean that the, Gentile nations that try to like the Philistines and the Amorites, will be defeated. I think Isaiah 54. 3 speaks of the Gentiles being grafted in to the covenant people of God. I really think this is a reference. Reference how through the Jewish nation came Jesus. Unto the Jews were committed the oracles of God. That is the scripture. And the seed of Israel will inherit the Gentiles. Bert, I'll say this. I'll throw it to you. This is one of the reasons that we. We cannot be anti Semitic. True Christians love the Jewish people, stand with Israel because had it not been for Abraham and his seed, we would not know the way of salvation.
>> Bert Harper: Preach it, brother. You're exactly right, Alex. And this shows you the missional part of God's people. From Abraham all the way through anywhere, anytime. God's people, whether it be the nation of Israel or whether it be the church that, as you said, was grafted in our. Our part is missional to share that. That, verse three, your descendants will Inherit. And mine says the nations, of the world. Yes, that is true. We're grafted in. So we are to make much of Jesus, because that's the way he is. The way. So what do you do about it? You sing. Now. This is interesting, the way it starts out in chapter 54, verse 1. Sing now. What have they been doing? They've been in captivity. they've been under, you know, not complete bondage, but certain amount of bondage. It doesn't seem like it's as bad as it was in Egypt. No. Although they call this the second Exodus and them coming back, and I understand that. But it says, seeing you're barren now, but you're going to be fruitful. Yes, you've been limited here in Babylon, but you're going back to your own land. And it's talking about that land. And that's immediate, Alex. But again, when you read verse three in this same section, verses one, two, and three, it has that ultimate man. All the nations of the earth will be grafted into you. Do you see this? Let me ask this. Through it, they still have purpose, don't they?
>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen. Well, and I just have to say, in light of verse three, that this adopted Gentile is grateful to know the king of the Jews.
>> Bert Harper: Amen.
>> Alex McFarland: Jesus Christ. And so there's a bit of, irony here, because, as I'm sure everybody has heard, to be childless in the ancient world. Barren. That was. That was a very sad thing. It was a disgrace. And sing, O barren, you who did not bear a child. so Israel is compared to a childless woman. But God says, hey, rejoice, be happy. The children of the desolate are going to have more children than the married wife. Now, here's the thing. Like you said, the Jews were, slaves in Egypt and Assyria and Babylon, but yet this nation is going to have honor from God, protection, preservation, through the. And I don't know the exact percentage, Bert, but I think maybe about 1% of the world population is Jewish right now. And we've talked about this, how the Jews throughout history have had a disproportionately huge impact on the world in the sciences. I was looking up, Bert, this was last year. You and I were doing, a show. Just the number of, scientists, Nobel laureates, people in every field of endeavor. The Jewish people have distinguished themselves. And of course, the greatest thing of all is that through the nation of Israel came Jesus.
Bert says daily news has had conflict in the Middle East since childhood
And by the way. And we'll get back to Isaiah 54, but this is one of the reasons, Bert, that I, I do by conviction. As I was a young believer, I began to read and study because as long as I can remember, the daily news has had conflict in the Middle East. Bert. I, remember we moved when I was like six years old. Five, actually, because I turned six at the farm. And before we moved, I remember, so I had to be five years old. I asked my parents, why is the Middle east in the news every day? Because it just seemed like every day it was. And this, would have been, 1970. Every day. The six o' clock news had shooting and fighting in the Middle East. And I didn't even know what the Middle east was, but I said, why are they in the news every single day? fighting. And my parents were trying to explain to me about the conflict over Israel. And so whenever Israel is pressured to give up land for peace, which never works, my heart is heavy because I learned, you know, by historical precedent and by divine right, the land of Israel belongs to the Israelites, you know, so, they've had their travails throughout world history. But God says, look, you're going to have the greatest inheritance of all. break forth into singing. your descendants will inherit the Gentiles. The desolate cities will be inhabited. Verse 4.
>> Bert Harper: Alex, real quickly, I'm going to interrupt you because I don't want to leave. Verse 2. I know you read it, but look at these words. Enlarge the place. Stretch out the curtains. lengthen your cords. Strengthen your stakes. In verse three, expand to the right and to the left. In other words, you haven't seen anything. Why? Because it's getting ready for what you have spent this time on. The descendants will inherit the nations. You're going to have to have room. I just love that God says, okay, I've got a purpose. So while we're waiting for that ultimate purpose, I've got some instructions for you to do. Now, Alex, that's you. I would say that's true just about in every area of our life that God looks out and he sees 10 years from now, he sees 20 years from now. So what he does, if we can listen to him, he'll give some US instructions where we're to do in order to be ready for that time.
>> Alex McFarland: Well, and not only this, you know, illustration. Enlarge your tent and your land, and your footprint is going to be enlarged, you know, to really bring it into the context of the gospel, which is the bigger story here. put. Put the leaf in the Banquet table, set out some more chairs for, for the great banquet, you know.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. Good word, brother.
>> Alex McFarland: There's going to be a lot of people, Gentile and Jew, at Christ's marriage. Supper of the lamb.
>> Bert Harper: It's going to be something. Hey, by the way, you was talking about that land of Israel. It's the most fought over land in the world. Oh, yeah, More battles have been fought over that one strip of land than any other place in the world. And that's, that shows you why they covered the Middle east when in 1970 and they still covering it today.
>> Alex McFarland: Exactly, exactly. And you know, I'm old enough. I remember the Yom Kippur, attack in 73. And folks, that's why, Satan has always attacked Israel, whether it be Haman in the Old Testament or Hitler in the 20th century, because it was through Israel that came the one who would crush the head of the serpent so that, you know, my goodness, it's a spiritual dynamic that just has gone on throughout history. verse four. Fear not, for thou shalt not be ashamed, neither be thou confounded, for thou shalt not be put to shame. Thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth and shall not remember the reproach of thy widowhood anymore. To be childless, to be a widow woman with no family, I mean, that's very frankly a frightening possibility for people. And to be ashamed. In other words, the cultural stigma of being widowed or childless is going to be removed.
>> Bert Harper: And, he says no fear in that. just think of this, Alex. And we're getting close. I want to make this connection. Verse one, sing. Why you sing all this and then you come after he tells what he's going to do, he says, do not fear. You won't be disgraced, you won't be ashamed.
>> Alex McFarland: Amen.
>> Bert Harper: I'm going to bring about good even out of your captivity. That's our God, isn't it?
>> Alex McFarland: Amen. When we come back, we're going to get into verse five, which is a powerful, encouraging verse. And we want you also stay with us as we go through Isaiah 54 and we'll take your phone calls, your Bible questions later on in the show. Bert Harper, Alex McFarland, so honored that you're listening and stay tuned.
Burt Harper asks you to join Preborn in protecting life
We're back after this brief break.
>> Bert Harper: This Sanctity of Life Month. We honor the over 66 million babies whose lives have been tragically ended through abortion since Roe. Sadly, with the abortion pill accounting for over 60% of all abortions, babies lives are at, ah, even greater risk now. But in the midst of this darkness, there's a light that shines. And that's PreBorn. PreBorn's network of clinics have rescued over 300,000 babies from abortion and have prayed with over 80,000 women to come to Christ.
>> Alex McFarland: When I heard her heartbeat, I decided to keep her. And now my daughter's about to be three. I don't know where my life would be without her.
>> Bert Harper: An ultrasound doubles a baby's chance at life. This is Burt Harper asking you to join PreBorn in protecting life. One ultrasound session costs $28 and $140 will sponsor five ultrasounds. Any gift will help. $100. Two hundred. A thousand. To donate securely, dial pound 250 and say the key word baby. That's pound 250, baby. Or go to preborn.com that's preborn.com afr that's preborn.com Afr. And reach to bear.
>> Caroline: M.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. Hallelujah. What a hymn. I no longer call you servants. I call you friends. we need to have that relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ that is so close, that we're friends, that we call on each other, we walk together and talk together. I hope you have that relationship. It's an awesome relationship and I recommend it highly.
The Activate Summit is coming up again this year; register now
Alex, have you heard about Activate Summit? I seem like you were in it in 2025am M I right?
>> Alex McFarland: Last year it was my great privilege to speak at the Activate Summit. It was such a great honor and there were people there just from all over America. And of course I heard a lot of other great speakers too, like Abe Hamilton and Ed Vitagliano and others. But the Activate Summit is coming up again this year as well, isn't it?
>> Bert Harper: It really is. July 16th through the 18th, and again that's Thursday, Friday and a Saturday. And it's going to be here in Tupelo, Mississippi. And, and it's, it's theme is Roots to Fruit. In other words, looking about where you started and what God's going to bring about. And the subtitle Grounded in Truth, Growing in Grace. And if you want to register, you can go to afa.netsummit afa.netsummit and there's some special pricing going on right now. So if you can clear your calendar, you know you're coming, you'll get a financial break. You can find that on the web site. And if you want to know who the speakers are, there's another website, it's called activate.afa.netsummit and I'm going to be One of the speakers. Jan and I will be one of the speak two of the speakers today. We'll be doing it together. We're looking forward to it, to be a part of this. And, it's talking about family and, what is going on. So you want to give your. What is it you give your children? Roots and wings. And, so we're looking at that. So I pray that if you want to be a part of that Again, go to afa.netsummit. and it's July 16th, 17th, and 18th here in Tupelo, Mississippi. If you want to be a part, register now.
>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Well, thank you for that, Bert. And folks, having been there last year, not only as a speaker, but as a listener, it is fantastic. You will not be disappointed. And so, we'll. We'll probably make that reminder again as well.
Isaiah chapter 54, verse 5 says God turned away from Israel
But we're in Isaiah, chapter 54, and verse 5 is yet another one of these, verses that just, I don't think any human could have thought this up. But what a sentiment here. From the heart of God, it says, for thy maker is thine husband, the Lord of hosts is his name, and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, the God of the whole earth, he be called for the Lord hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth. When thou wast refused, saith thy God. For a small moment have I forsaken thee. But with great mercies I will gather thee. And let me just say the, moment of Israel's troubles and travail, it was because they turned away from God, you know, and God allowed them to get in a tight spot. Bert, he still does that with people, doesn't he?
>> Bert Harper: Still today? he is faithful. He is. Alex, now, notice this. And you said it, verse 5. Your redeemer is the holy One of Israel. Only one. The only one. He is called the God of what? The whole earth. The gods of the Egyptians, the gods of the Babylonians. Okay, they'd have. Okay, we got a God over here. We've got a God of the insect. We got the God of the reproduction. No, the God that we know. The God, the real one is the God of the whole world. Alex couldn't help but think of that children's song. He's got the whole world in his hands. He had it then. He still does, doesn't he?
>> Alex McFarland: Amen.
Bert: Romans 7 says believer espoused to Jesus, wedded
You know, Romans 7 says that, the believer is espoused to Jesus, wedded, and in fact, in My Bible, the word Redeemer is capitalized. And we know Jesus is the Redeemer. Well, in the original language, it's the Hebrew word. And I don't know how to pronounce Hebrew words all that well, but g, a, w, al gawal or gal. but it means kinsman Redeemer. Now Bert, where else have we heard of a kinsman Redeemer? It was Boaz, wasn't it?
>> Bert Harper: It was. And Ruth. What a story. And it's a real live event that demonstrates that that great Redeemer. And, again, Alex, we see that again all through the Scriptures. Even Hosea going after his wife Gomer, you know, again and again we see this redemption. And in the Book of Israel, in the book of Isaiah, I haven't counted. I should have counted how many times redeem and Redeemer is used. I hope I may try to find that by tomorrow. You may know it already, but it's a, it's a theme all the way through the Book of Israel. Why? Because Jesus is our Redeemer. And, and Isaiah was talking about Jesus Christ, so he would talk about the Redeemer, would he not?
>> Alex McFarland: He really would. And let me say, regarding, like Boaz, the human kinsman Redeemer, there were, there were two attributes that had to be present. The person needed to be able and willing. Okay, verse six says God has called Israel like a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and that could have abandoned or bereaved a widow. Ruth was a widow. Boaz was the right relative. He was able, but he was also willing. And let me tell you about our kinsman Redeemer, Jesus. All right? He was fully God, yet fully human. Dual natured, not fallen human. But Jesus was qualified to be our Redeemer and he was willing to go all the way to the cross. So this is just a perfect picture of not only Israel getting rescued and her cause was taken up, but it's a picture of salvation. Even though by their own disobedience they got into many, many a, desperate situation. verse eight says, in a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment, but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, says the Lord thy Redeemer.
>> Bert Harper: There it is again. Alex, before you leave, verse seven real quick, listen m to this. A mere moment, I have forsaken you. Now, they had been there where Isaiah is preaching to them for 70 years. It did not seem like a mere moment for them, but for God is a mere moment. And Then think about how long it's been before we come into his kingdom. Listen, compared to eternity, it's a mere moment. And, the other thing. Notice that. This is awesome. I will gather you. God takes the initiative. I just. I didn't want to leave this one out because I think this is so important. God takes the initiative to get them out of Babylon. He takes the initiative to gather them together as a nation in 1948 Israel. He will take the initiative later in his kingdom to bring all these nations. And God is the hound of heaven, isn't he?
>> Alex McFarland: He is. He is. And. And you know what's amazing? Like you say, 70 years is just a moment with the verse seven. Just a minute. And then, you know, God's, mercy is so big and the troubles so small. Amazing. Verse 9. For this is as the waters of Noah unto me. For as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth. In other words, the earth will never be judged again by a flood. God has promised there was a global, worldwide, global flood. But, that's not how the earth is ever going to get judged again. so have I sworn that I would not be wroth or angry with thee, nor rebuke thee. For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee. Now, when I've ever talked with people, Bert, that say, well, the modern state of Israel doesn't matter, and maybe the Abrahamic covenant was forfeited because of the crucifixion of Christ. Isaiah 54, 10. Neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord, that has mercy on thee. Romans 3. 3 Romans 11. It is an everlasting covenant, isn't it?
>> Bert Harper: It really is. And notice my kindness and my covenant, Alex. They. They run parallel. Okay?
God made a covenant with Israel that guarantees protection, security, protection
because of this covenant, God's kindness is demonstrated not only with Israel, but let's also talk about the people who are listening to us today. The covenant God made. If you receive Jesus Christ as you, I'll never leave you. I'll never forsake you. I'm with you. And I'm going to go away to be with the Father and sit at his right hand so I can, you know, make intercession for you. But I'm not going to leave you as orphans. I'm sending my Holy Spirit, and he will indwell you. Alex. That's all a part of God's covenant with us. But that covenant he made with Israel. So it is. But they do converge because of the grafted in. And that's what we're talking about, the grafted in that Jews have always been saved by faith. No matter where Gentiles, no matter if they were someone, before, the church or after the church. You're saved by grace, through faith. And so this is my covenant will not be removed. The kindness and covenant just going together. What. What a relationship we have with him, Alex.
>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen. You know, I've got to, smile at how beautiful the promises of God are for really tangible blessing. in verse 11, it says, you know, you're afflicted, tossed, and not comforted. But behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colors, and lay thy foundations with sapphires. And I will make thy windows of agates and thy gates of carbuncles. By the way, that's a, actually, carbuncle is a reddish garnet. An almondine garnet is what it really means. And thy borders of pleasant stones. Now, Bert, when you and I did, We did a long study of the book of Revelation, and then we did a book on end times. Revelation 21:19. Talked about the foundations of, the city and its walls are garnered with all manner of precious stones. And what's amazing is in the Revelation 21, the precious stones of paradise, it's almost an identical list to the stones that rested over the hearts of the Jewish high priest in Exodus 28. Jasper Sapphire, chalcedony emerald, sardonyx, sardius, chrysolite, beryl, topaz, chrysoprasis, which is a, a translucent emerald. Jason. sometimes called a hyacinth, which is dark blue amethyst. you know, Tiffany's jewelry store doesn't have anything like this. Even the windows and the gates and the foundations and the walls are going to be, as Isaiah 54 says, pleasant stones. our God. I said it yesterday. I gotta say it again. He's not just creator, not just revelator and savior. Our God is an artist.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. The foundations, windows, gates, walls, everything around us. Protection, security, and it's all in Christ and what God's done.
All your children shall be taught by the Lord, verse 13
Verse 13 brings on. I got this highlighted. All your children shall be taught by the Lord. And great shall be the peace of your children, Alex. all your children shall be taught of the Lord. Listen, the Holy Spirit of God, we talk about what we do here on Exploring the Word. We do our best to teach the word of God. That's what our calling is. That's what our assignment is. From our president, Tim Wildmon and Jonathan Coker. Teach the word. Guys, stay in the Word. We're not an interview program, although we do interview so and such. Stay in the Word so your children should be. Everyone who is born again has already got the greatest teacher in the world, the Holy Spirit of God. He can lead you. Now, I admit others help, yes, Jesus helped. But then it says, great shall be the peace of your children, Alex. The peace with God and the peace of God. If we're going to have peace of God reigning in our lives, we got to be at peace with him, don't we?
>> Alex McFarland: We do. And let me just say that is the greatest inheritance you could ever leave your children is the Christian faith. You know, different families have different means. And it may, you know, may not be a lot to put in the will or the inheritance. But I want to tell you, if you give your children the gospel, and they are, as you know, the verse here says, taught of the Lord, verse 13. And by the way, I know we have a lot of parents that are praying that their kids would come to Christ or come back to Christ. But Bert, isn't that the greatest thing of all? Great shall be the peace of thy children. I want to tell you, if you have everything in the world but you don't have Jesus, you're bankrupt.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. John said it well, didn't he? He said, you know, I have no greater joy than that my children walk.
>> Alex McFarland: Amen.
>> Bert Harper: That walk in faith means their life, their life. They continue with it. And we, Alex, especially on Tuesday when we get a prayer request. Very few times do we have prayer day that we don't have a parent calling in, asking prayer for their children. That's how, Listen, when you have those children, those grandchildren, the love and Alex, you said it, brother. I want to say amen. The greatest gift that you can give is the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ so those children can have heard it and seen it in your life that they'll follow him by their will and their choice. Alex. Good word, brother.
>> Alex McFarland: You know, there's a very famous Scottish, writer and influencer named Sir Walter Scott. And, he wrote this famous book, Ivanhoe. Anyway, he was on his deathbed and he asked his son in law, he said, please bring me the book. And his son in law said, which book? He said, the only book, the Bible.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. We're going to take phone calls. That number, 885-898-9840. We'd love to hear from you. The AFR app is a powerful tool, but it does have limitations.
>> Alex McFarland: You can't use it to change the.
>> Bert Harper: Oil in your vehicle or get rid of carpet stains.
>> Alex McFarland: It won't walk the dog, won't pick.
>> Bert Harper: Up the dry cleaning or take the kids to practice. But while you're doing those things, you.
>> Alex McFarland: Can listen to your favorite AFR content.
>> Bert Harper: 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.
>> Alex McFarland: My faith don't flinch at your rap.
>> Bert Harper: Devil gon get off of my shoulder?
>> Alex McFarland: You thought you had the last laugh?
>> Bert Harper: Thought this song was over?
>> Alex McFarland: You ain't m my king though.
Alex McFarland: I'll be at the Billy Graham Conference Center this summer
Welcome back to Exploring the word. Alex McFarland, Bert Harper, so honored that you're listening. Hey, here's the telephone number, Triple 858-98-8840. And as we get ready for calls, I want to remind everybody that I have the great honor. I'll be at the COVID this summer, the Billy Graham Conference Center. I'll be there July 17 through 19, teaching Daniel and Revelation, the book we just did on prophecy. But then I'll be back very shortly thereafter, 7-27-31 with Gary Habermas, and we'll be doing apologetics, and how, really how to share your faith confidently in any situation. And, Bert, we always have lots and lots of listeners come. It always fills up. But the website is thecove.org, t h e c o v e thecove.org and you can, you know, Google my name in the space bar. But we'd, love to see you this summer as we drill down deeply into God's word, growing in the Lord and preparing to share the gospel.
>> Bert Harper: And let me just say, you not only get to hear Alex, but you get to be at the COVID And what a joy it is to be at that wonderful place. You just drive up on the premises and you. And you sense the presence of the Lord. You really do. So make that. Make that choice and go. You'll be blessed either one of those weeks.
Tracy calls from Texas with question about Abraham's concubine
Well, Alex, you ready to go to the phone lines?
>> Alex McFarland: Where shall we begin?
>> Bert Harper: Let's go to Texas. Tracy, thank you for calling. Exploring the Word. You're on the radio. Go right ahead.
>> Caroline: Hi. Thank you for taking my call. My name is Tracy, and I am from Texas. My question is about, Genesis 25. Currently, in my small group, we're reading Genesis, and last week when we were going over, chapter 25, my. My leader, who is just a precious young woman, she, we were talking about Abraham after Sarah died. So Abraham had taken another wife with whose name was Keturah. K E T U R A H. And I was wondering, could this be Hagar in disguise?
>> Bert Harper: Ha ha.
>> Alex McFarland: I. I m never thought.
>> Bert Harper: I never thought about that. Let me see. I don't know the meanings of those. Their names. Hagar was an Egyptian in Katera. You would have to find out something about the, you know, the nationality, that name. Usually the names can tell you a little bit about, their, you know, ethnicity. I don't know for sure, Alex.
>> Alex McFarland: I looked it up. Here. Keturah means incense. I n C E N S E. Like, you know, I would imagine like candle, like incense. It says wife of Abraham in Genesis 25, 1st Chronicles, chapter 1, verse 32. You know, that. That is an intriguing question. let me look into that. I've never heard that. Never thought of that. my gut feeling would be probably not, because, you know, it would, maybe say that or something. But, I just have to, at this point, say, I honestly don't know. Bert. What do you think?
>> Bert Harper: I don't know. And I'm like you, as much as we studied on Abraham, and I did a whole study on his life, Abraham's life. When I was pastoring, I would do, you know, character studies of individuals like Abraham and David, you know, and those. And Abraham. I never read anybody that even brought that up.
>> Alex McFarland: So this now in 1st Chronicles, chapter 1, verse 32, that's what I was looking for. The sons of Keturah. Ah. Abraham's concubine. She bear Zimran Jochem. And it lists some, Abraham's concubine. That kind of bothers me, Bert. I have to be honest with you.
>> Bert Harper: Yeah, it does. And so, hey, we don't know, Tracy, and we may not can find out down here. Okay? That's the whole idea.
>> Alex McFarland: Let me say this. I know we've got to move on. not everything that the Bible records does the Bible approve of.
>> Bert Harper: I think that shows you the validity of the Bible, you know?
>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. they report the whole thing. Abraham, Let's just say Abraham and Sarah had a very unusual marriage anyway. Didn't they, Bert?
>> Bert Harper: They did. But out of that marriage, God brought forth Isaac and then Jacob and then those 12. Man, what a heritage we have spiritually. Thank you, Tracy. Let's go to Kentucky. And it is Steve. Steve, go right ahead.
>> Caroline: Good afternoon, gentlemen.
Alex: Is there a correlative past prophecy in Genesis
I had a question. Alex, that prophecy that you opened up the show with in Isaiah, I think it was Isaiah 54m where the. He would, God is going to give the Gentiles as what, an inheritance to Israel.
>> Alex McFarland: Right.
>> Caroline: Is there a correlative past prophecy in Genesis where Noah said, blessed, his sons. He. He said, blessed be the God of Shem, who was the progenitor of Israel.
>> Alex McFarland: Sure.
>> Caroline: And made Jeffrey his, progenitor of the Gentiles. Dwell in the tents of Shem.
>> Alex McFarland: Oh, wow, that, you know, I had forgotten that. Good, good observation, Steve. yeah, isn't that something that, the sons of Japheth would dwell in the tents of Shem, by the way. Shem. And the caller is absolutely correct. The Jewish people come from the line of Shem. The. The Shemites. Sometimes in older books you see Jewish people referred to as Shemites. But, yeah, Bert, I could absolutely see how Genesis, I think it's Genesis 8 harmonizes well with that, Isaiah 54.
>> Bert Harper: And this is what man. I know I've said it already, but let me. This is what makes it. The connections. And I talk about when we get to heaven. I can't wait to connect all the dots of, not just the Bible, but our own lives. And how it affected a decision you made, affected so else. And so there it is, another one of those biblical connections. And Steve, thank you for that.
Stephanie asks question about praying while not being on your knees
Okay, it's time to go to Ohio, and Stephanie is on the telephone from Ohio. Thank you, Stephanie, for calling today.
>> Caroline: Hi, thank you for taking my call.
>> Bert Harper: Go right ahead, Mike.
>> Caroline: Thank you. My question is about, praying while not being on your knees. Like, if you're praying and you're laying in bed, is that wrong or is that a sin?
>> Bert Harper: Well, let me give you a scripture now. Hand it over to Alex. I love to give those short. I'm just that way. that's the reason sometimes I don't answer everybody's thoroughly as I should. But it says, pray without ceasing. If you pray without ceasing, that doesn't mean you stay on your knees all the time, does it, Alex?
>> Alex McFarland: No. Stephanie, your heart to be so faithful to the Lord is beautiful. Very touching. you know Jesus, Brother James, who became a believer. Church history says they called him Camel Knees. He was on his knees praying so much that it wore out his knees. And, you know, I think about in England, there was the house of John Wesley, where there was two, you know, divots in the floor near a window where John Wesley knelt to pray so long. And they said, Billy Graham, when he was a Wheaton College student. They went to England, and, he kind of wandered off by himself because he wanted to put his knees in the place of prayer where John Wesley had knelt to pray. So, obviously throughout history, there's been great, great, precedent of people kneeling to pray. But, Stephanie, I think you're. You're on good, solid ground to pray anywhere. And certainly we've all prayed ourselves to sleep, lying in the bed, praying behind the wheel of the car. Bert, I'll tell you where I do a ton of praying. Riding on airplanes that, you know, I'm praying for safety, frankly. But I think we, we can pray anywhere and everywhere, at all times, in any waking moment. Bert, what do you say?
>> Bert Harper: I agree with that, but let me add a little bit to that, Stephanie. Daniel, had a specific place that he went each day, you know, and when you look at the Bible, there seems to be. There needs to be a place, in your home, hopefully apartment, ah, house, whatever you live. That is a place that reminds you, I need to pray. And, it's in my house. It's a place that I go to quite often. And it reminds me, that it reminds me also what God has heard. It reminds me of the prayers that God has answered. It reminds me of the things that God has said. Not now, but I have to say. It also reminds me of the place that God said, I'm answering your prayer, and it's. No, Bert. you know, and so I would. Stephanie, anywhere. But if you have a certain place, I really do believe it would be a blessing to you. And read, His Word and pray. Stephanie, thank you for that call and appreciate your heart for that.
Randy calls from Mobile, Alabama; thanks for taking the call
As Alex said, let's go to Alabama. And it's Randy. And by the way, before we let Randy on, we got room for another call. And that number is 8885-8988-4088-8589-8840. Randy, thank you for calling all the way from Alabama. What part of Alabama, Randy?
>> Caroline: Yeah, Mobile, Alabama.
>> Bert Harper: Oh, man, that's great. Wade. We. It's amazing. We cover most of Alabama with our station, so it's good to hear from you. Go right ahead, brother.
>> Alex McFarland: Yes, sir.
>> Caroline: Listen to you guys often. just wanted to thank again. Thank you again for taking my call.
Will we see the Holy Spirit as a visible form in heaven
So I was at Sunday school. Listen, to our Sunday school teacher, and he had mentioned, something kind of struck to me, and I just want to see what you guys think about it. He said that when we get to heaven, we'll be able to hug the Holy Spirit like we hug, you know, people here on Earth. I was just saying, you, know what, what do you guys think about that? Is that true? Will we see the Holy Spirit as a visible form in heaven? Or, what does the Bible say about that?
>> Bert Harper: Okay, let me see. Angels took, they could take human form. Jesus took human form at the incarnation. And every time we see that and hear about him, Alex, it's always human form. you know, now he shed his blood, but, and it was miraculous body. But the Holy Spirit of God, the Spirit in the beginning m moved over the face of the deep. The Holy Spirit indwells us. I just don't know about him taking a physical form. Alex. I'm trying to search scripture to think of that.
>> Alex McFarland: Can you, and, you know, we just don't know. I know in Revelation 4 it talks about the description of heaven and the throne occupied by God and the Lamb. theologians have pondered the question, will the Holy Spirit visibly manifest himself in heaven? And we just don't know. We know God will be there. Father, Son, Holy Spirit. But here, you know, we certainly see the effects of the Holy Spirit, but the Spirit of God. And by the way, we did a teaching on this, you and I did, about the Holy Spirit. is not an it, but a. But a person. And, but I don't know. The Bible doesn't tell us. But I tell you what the Bible does tell us. First Corinthians 2, 9. I has not seen ear has not heard. Neither has entered into the heart of man what God has prepared for those who love him. So will we see God, the Spirit? I don't know. We just don't know. But it's going to be wonderful.
>> Bert Harper: It's going to be wonderful. And I use this quite often. Jesus could only be beside those apostles. The Holy Spirit indwells us. Wow. We haven't lost anything by being alive in 2025. When it comes to our relationship with God, we have the Holy Spirit in us. thank you, Randy. Keep on listening there in Mobile, Linne in North Carolina. Linne, thank you for calling.
>> Caroline: Yeah, just kind of a comment piggybacking on the ladies talking about prayer.
>> Bert Harper: I don't know.
>> Caroline: I didn't watch the super bowl halftime show, but after I heard what the lyrics were and we're celebrating Snoop Dogg at the Olympics and I watched if, I would say she's a porn star, but a formal she wasn't living right on TV today. And I'm like, you know, we're celebrating all these people. the world's headed in the. In the wrong direction. And if we don't pray, I don't know when I'm waiting for God every day is all I can say. Amen.
>> Bert Harper: let me just share this, Alex, and I want you to comment because you, on the news department and the different shows, you are able to give, a lot of the observation in our culture. But let me say this. The darker the night, the brighter the light. So we need to let our light. That doesn't mean we don't try to influence our society. We are. Jesus influenced his, his apostles did. We're doing it now. But the darker the night, the brighter the light. Less. Let our light shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify the father. Alex Linne is right about our culture glorifying sin, isn't he?
>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. There's a famous quote. There was a Roman speaker named Juvenal, and when we say something is very, you know, childish, that's very juvenile. Comes from this Roman, really commentator, juvenile. But he said, in a dying culture, all that matters are bread and circuses. Just feed me, entertain me. and he was really making a commentary about how the Romans had lost their moral compass, and they didn't care about truth or ethics or morality. They just wanted food and entertainment. And Bert often think about that quote by juvenile. In a dying culture, all that matters is bread and circuses. Well, we had a circus called the Super Bowl. You know, there's nothing necessarily wrong with sports, but it's just become this, cultural obsession almost. And Bert isn't just entertainment with no boundaries, no redeeming quality. it's almost religion now, isn't it?
>> Bert Harper: It is. And listen, I call it the Big E's. we've put them in the place of God, education, and I'm all for education, but it's not the answer. Entertainment, it's great to have it, but it's not the answer. A strong economy, it's great to have it, but it's not the answer. The only answer is Jesus Christ, Messiah. And so, don't get caught up into thinking happiness can happen because you're educated, because you're entertained, and because you got enough money. It comes through that relationship with Jesus, doesn't it, Alex?
>> Alex McFarland: Man cannot live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God, said Jesus. Folks, thanks for listening to Exploring the Word, and we're going to resume Isaiah 54 tomorrow. In the meantime, pray for us, Pray for our nation and tell somebody about Jesus. Blessings to you all. The views and opinions expressed in this.
>> Caroline: Broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of.
>> Alex McFarland: The American Family association or American Family Radio.
