Transcript

>> Bert Harper: The Bible.

>> Jeff Chamblee: 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.

Isaiah 41:41 says present your case in God's courtroom

Welcome to Exploring the word.

>> Bert Harper: Isaiah, 41, verse 21. Sounds like you're in a courtroom. God's courtroom. It says present your case. Says the Lord, bring forth your strong reasons. Let them bring forth and show us what will happen. The former things, what they were, that we may consider them and know the latter end. This is bert Harper and Dr. Alex McFarland will be joining us later. he had an appointment that he had to keep, but he said I won't take the whole hour, so he'll be joining us. And, and we'll be looking forward to that.

Only choose to follow God who knows the past and the future

But here in again this chapter 41, he is in a courtroom. Present your case. And verse 23 says, show the things that are come hereafter that we may know that you are gods. In other words, if they are real gods, they will tell prophecy. Yes, do good or evil, and indeed the judgment is given after having all this that they could not do. They could not do. This is what the verdict is. In verse 24 of when they present their case, you are nothing and your work is nothing. That's the whole idea. They're false gods. They're idols. Their power is, is just so limited. If they have any power, it is demonic power, which is limited as well. Very well. And so don't choose them. It's an abomination to choose to follow an idol. Now our idols can be something like science. Our idols could be education. Our idols could be entertainment. No, that is an abomination. Only choose to follow God who knows the past, the present and the future. That's the case. And I hope that you are following him. Then in verse 25 of this same chapter, he raises up the idea that there's going to be a deliverer coming. And it's going to be Cyrus and it'll be years later. But, but he's coming. You're going to go into Babylon. You're going to be into captivity. But he shall call on my name. He shall deliver you. He shall give Jerusalem back to you. And this is the whole idea. there was no man that could do it. God had to raise him up. Now here's important thing. God does use lost men and women, even doing his will. And that would be true in government. That can be true. In science, it can be true. And so God has used. He used Nebuchadnezzar in such a way, and he'll use Cyrus in such a way to carry out his plans in our day. He uses individuals to carry out his plans that he has in store for the future. And so what you want to do and I want to do, I want to come into his, courtroom and say, lord, I'm guilty. I'm a sinner. I'm lost. I have nothing to add. It is simply by your mercy and your grace that I can know you through Jesus Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection. I hope you've done that. And then when it comes time for what God is doing in the world, we can trust him. I know Alex and I talk about this quite a bit in John chapter six. And, Jesus at that time presented some difficult teaching. And it says many of them walked away. Well, then Jesus said to Peter and those others that were there, are you also going to go away? And Peter, who sometimes would put his foot in his mouth, sometimes get the cart before the horse, he didn't that time. He said, to whom would we go? You have the words of life. And that's what I want to say to you today. there's no one else. There's nothing else. Jesus Christ is the one. I pray you have turned to him. And if you haven't, I pray you would.

Look at the contrast between verse 29 of chapter 41 and the first verse in chapter 42

Now, what happens at the end of chapter 41 in the last verse 29, what you want to do if you have your Bibles there. Look at the contrast between verse 29 of, chapter 41 and the first verse in chapter 42. Let me set this up. Chapter 421 through 7 are, the is one of the four servant songs that Isaiah talks about in the book of Isaiah. And it's none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. And you'll see that we'll get to that. I'm sure Alex will be joining us. And we'll be in 42 because it's so, so significant. The first Servant song. That's what you would want to know it as. But verse 29 says this. And then I'll read straight into chapter 42, verse one. And indeed, they're all worthless. Who? Those gods. Their works are nothing. Their molded images are wind and confusion. That's all it is. They draw confusion. They draw you away from truth. Now listen. Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my elect one in whom my soul delights. I have put my spirit upon him. He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. He. He will not cry out, nor raise his voice, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. This is the suffering Jesus Christ, the servant. The servant song. You have the suffering servant, but you also have the servant song. And this is him. Behold my servant, whom I behold. Again, contrast that He's. Let it be heard. All these false gods are nothing. They're worthless. And Alex and I talked about the God of Dagon that the Philistines had. And when they put the Ark of the Covenant in there. When they went back the next morning, Dagon had fallen from his altar face down. They had propped him back up, and he fell down again and broke off and. And again. They're worthless. They're nothing. What do you putting your trust in? your bank account? I tell you, it can go fast. Are you putting your, faith in your health? Oh, I can work it. Well, I've seen a lot of people cut short when they were thinking they had plenty of time in health. But something occurred, and all of a sudden it was cut out from under them. The one that you can depend on is the Lord Jesus Christ. And here it is. Behold my servant, whom I uphold. Now, this word uphold is the one I lean on. It's kind of like Eileen. And this is a presentation like a. A great leader coming in. And. And the person that is is his counsel. The Father depends upon the Son to carry out the Father's wishes. It pleased the Father for the Son to suffer. Jesus said, I came not to do my will, but I came to do the will of my Father. And this is my servant. I lean upon him. I trust him. I put all confidence in him. That's who God has said, God the Father sent the Son that he might come and dwell among us. And this is the first picture here in Isaiah of the. Of the servant song that is presented. And it is my servant. again, my servant. And I'd remind you, in God's kingdom, the highest position is a servant. You don't get any higher than a servant. Jesus said, I came not to be served, but to serve. And that's what he did. The healing, the preaching, the teaching ministry of Jesus Christ. And so he says, my elect one, in whom my soul delights. God the Father delighted in the Son because he would be the one that would say, when you have seen me, you have seen the Father. When you see how I operate. God operates that way. And this is it, the elect one. It's really the chosen one. Jesus chose to come. He's the chosen of the Father. No one else could do it. Billy Sunday, years and years ago, when he was an evangelist, he would try to make this known that God had a lot of great men. He could say, hey, Moses, you go down there and, and, and do what I want you to do.

Bert says we need to delight in Jesus Christ because God delights

And Moses said, I need a redeemer myself. Abraham. I need a redeemer myself. David. I need a redeemer myself. The only one who could be chosen and the chosen one, the elect one, was Jesus Christ, in whom my soul delights. Do you hear that word delights? The Bible talks about it in psalm. Delight thyself also in the Lord and he'll give you the desires of your heart. Now, what happens when you delight in the Lord? Your desires will not be selfish. They will not be. Give, me. Give me. It's that part of Lord. What do you want me to do? Here I am. Send me. That is what happens when you delight. So here it did. Jesus delighted in the Father because He wanted to do his will. The Father delighted in the Son because he was doing his will of carrying out the great redemption story of Jesus Christ coming. Perfect. Coming as the virgin born son of God. Perfect life, going to the cross, overcoming sin and death at the resurrection. This is whom God delights. And we need to delight in him. We need to have our delight in the Lord Jesus Christ. And just he, he lights up our life. He really does. And it says, I put my spirit upon him. you remember the Spirit descending as a dove. Now, he was already God, but the Spirit did come upon him. And notice what will happen in verse one as he finishes this up. And it shows you the great mission purpose of the servant. Here in Isaiah 42, verse 1, he will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. What a statement. And you'll find it again in verse six. As a light to the Gentiles. The Jewish people were to be a light to the Gentiles to show them this is how God operates. Jesus would be the ultimate light of the world. It's talked about him being the light. So, Alex, I know you've joined us. I'm glad you're here. and we're in chapter 42, the first Servant song. And again, you might want to say this, what I did. And I'm going to do this and contrast what he said in the last verse of chapter 29 and the first verse of chapter 42. I'll read it and I'll throw it to you. Indeed. They're worthless. Talking about the gods that Men worship. Their works are nothing. Their molded images are wind and confusion. And then he contrasts that. Behold my servant, whom I be uphold. What a contrast that is, isn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, it is. And Bert, it's great to be with you. And you know, it's interesting that this Isaiah 42, the servant who is Jesus. This is referenced in Matthew 12 and Philippians 2, seven centuries before the birth of Jesus. You have this Isaiah 42, which is a very, very clear, reference. and Jesus, isn't it something? That's why Mark, 1044 could say, he who is greatest among you will be the servant of all Christ, the Son of God, the King of kings. And yet he came as a servant to we fallen sinners. Isn't that something? And God delights in him. I've put my spirit upon him. He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. In other words, Gentiles will have an opportunity to be saved. And Bert, you know, for pious Jews of old, the idea that Gentiles could become, quote, unquote, seed of Abraham, that was kind of an unthinkable idea, wasn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It really was. But this was God's idea all the time. this is his plan. And again, those of us who are a part of his plan of knowing him and then what? Making him known. So he made himself known to Abraham. Abraham was to make God known to others as well. We're to do that. We're let our light so shine before men that they'll glorify the Father who's in heaven.

Alex: I think Isaiah 42 is one of the greatest songs ever written

Well, we're going to be back with more of Isaiah 42, the first servant song, and you don't want to miss it. It even gets.

 In Christ alone my hope is found he is my love, my strength, my song this cornerstone, this solid ground Firm through the fiercest drought in storm what acts of love what depths of peace and fears I still, when stride receives my comfort My all in all here in the love of Christ.

>> Alex McFarland: Listen to a couple of, Texas boys there. Shane and Shane within Christ alone.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Listen, that song that the Gettys wrote, and along with others, it, Alex, I and Brent, I really think it's one of the greatest songs ever written, period. But especially in the last 25 years. Would you agree, Alex?

>> Alex McFarland: Absolutely, absolutely. You know, I think the first time I ever heard that song was at, Amsterdam 2000. It was the Billy Graham Conference for Evangelists. And I was very privileged to, go to that. And I'll never forget hearing that song. And it just moved me. And I love it to this day. Don't you, Bert?

>> Bert Harper: I do. We're going to do a little bit. We've had several people, and especially lately. Say something. They love these songs that we introduce. And so we may not do it all the time, but some of the time Brent's going to tell us who it is and the. And the, person who is singing it and something about it. because, listen, I don't know about you. Music ministers to me in such a way. I tell Brent all the time. I may not can produce it, but I sure can appreciate it. And, that song is great.

>> Alex McFarland: Music's really big in our house, too.

>> Bert Harper: Yeah. Amen. Listen. Well, God's got his own songbook. It's called Psalms. Okay. Exactly the whole one. And then Isaiah, ah, writes several of them. Alex, that's pretty neat as well.

>> Alex McFarland: Exactly, exactly. And, you know, it's interesting, I'm showing my age here, but, when we turn to the year 2000, I remember, at the turn of the millennium, there were a lot of articles, you know, and it was a big deal. You know, we went from 1999 to the year 2000. And I'll never forget, it was in, I think, USA Today. They had a big spread of the last thousand years. The most influential works of art, literature and music. And, Bert, I was just amazed at how really it was like 75 to 80% were based on biblical themes. Handel's, Messiah, even the song. Think about this, folks. We're talking about music for just a second. Canon in D Poppy, Johan Pockelbel wrote Canon in D. It's played at, like, every wedding. Da da da da da da da da da da da da. You know. All right. Do you know what that was? That was a song he composed to play while they took up the offering at a church.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: I mean, you think about this. One of the most venerated, beloved pieces of music in history. Canon indeed, was, a, one time, one and done. It was a toss away. He was a chorister at a church in Europe, and it was one Tom played while they took up offering one Sunday. But here's the thing. In Christianity, Christianity has created beauty and art. And even, something that at the time was viewed as trivial was just one of the greatest things ever. And I think about Michelangelo's statue David. I think about even Moby Dick by Herman Melville, To Kill a Mockingbird, which in the film, that was by Harper Lee and Of course, the film version had Gregory Peck just steeped with biblical themes of salvation and redemption. And here's my point. The Christian worldview that many reject and even many scoff at. It is the movement that has built the world and blessed the lives of billions of people.

>> Bert Harper: It has continually. And look, at the hospital movement, the building hospitals. Who was the first believers? those taking care of orphans. Believers. and one more thing.

>> Alex McFarland: Literacy.

>> Bert Harper: Yeah, literacy. Teaching people to read. Yeah. One more thing before we get to verse two here. And that is during that period of time they said was the greatest invention, everybody agreed it was the printing press, right? And, what a difference that made.

There are four servant songs in Isaiah. And those of you that like to know this, you get a pen

So here we are. Let me give this real quickly. The servant songs. There's four of them. And those of you that like to know this, you get a pen and get ready to write them down. You could find it if you wanted to. The first One is Isaiah 42, 1 7. And you'll find the second servant song in chapter 49, 1 6. And the third one, chapter 50, verses 1 through 10. And then the fourth one, 52 13, verse 13 through 53, 12. It's by far the. The longest one. But this is the first servant song. And notice what he says here. It's first, his majesty, the elect one. the one I behold. I put my spirit upon him. He will bring forth justice. That's his majesty. And then, he will not cry out or raise his voice. This is cause of who he is. He has caused his voice to be heard in the street. Now, verse three brings on his mercy. Alex, all these starts with him. a, bruised reed he will not break, and a smoke and flax, he will not quench. He will bring forth justice for truth. In other words, he is majestic. He is all powerful just in truth. But he's also. What? Merciful. Aren't you glad those two go together? Only in Jesus Christ like that.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. I mean, there's so much eternity intersected with time. The full deity of Jesus, yet the full humanity. And, yes, the righteousness of God, but also the mercy. There's justice, but there's grace. So much convenes in Jesus. hey, we even set the calendar of the life of Christ.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Every time they give the year, it's a testimony of who Jesus is, what he's done. Alex, you're right.

>> Alex McFarland: Exactly. and of course you remember it says that like a sheep before his shearers. is dumb. We'll get to Isaiah 53. he doesn't lift up his voice in the streets, verse two. he didn't have to shout or defend himself, but he fulfilled all the criteria of messiahship. in verse 5 it says, Thus says the Lord, he that created the heavens and stretched them out. He that spread forth the earth and that which cometh out of it, he that gives breath to the people upon it, and the Spirit to them that walk therein. Okay, this idea of stretching out the heavens and spreading out there is something called red shift that they believe that the universe is expanding outwardly in all directions. And you get that idea, the expanse of heaven. a few days ago we talked about the vault of the heavens above us. Well, this language comports with what physicists now know about the world. but that shouldn't surprise us, Bert, because you know, God, the writer of scripture, is also God, the creator of the universe.

>> Bert Harper: Now notice this, Alex, just see this in verse 3. I've already read it, but I'm going back to it. A, bruised reed, he will not break. A, smoking flax, he will not quench. And then, as you said in verse five, he created the heavens and stretched them out. Now look at that. Here it is the God Creator who made this magnificent universe and everything that's in it. He notices a bruised reed, he notices a smoking flax. That's how tender he is. That's how a sparrow does not fall to the ground without his knowledge. A, sparrow. I mean, there's more sparrows than you can name, but he noticed, knows every one of those. He also noticed the stars and calls them by name. Now what you have here is the contrast of the intricateness of the details of God, no matter how small or quote, insignificant or how huge and how big and how awesome. And he's Lord overall, isn't he?

>> Alex McFarland: He really is. You know, this verse three speaks of just the gentleman. I would say not only gentle but compassionate character of Jesus. You know, as a kid I heard this verse read in Sunday school. A bruised reed, will he not break. And I didn't really know what that meant, but, at our pond on the farm growing up, there was, these cattails that grew up. And at one time I was in the pond swimming one summer, and I saw that the, the, the stem of these cattails was saturated with water. And if you even really touched it, it would fall over and break. And if you kind of, bruised this reed, it was very, very fragile. Well, Jesus is so gentle that he could handle a bruised reed. And it Wouldn't break. Now, the smoking flax. Imagine the wick of a candle that is about to go out. Or if they in the ancient world were trying to start a fire, you know, some, some kindling, or tinder. All right, to get a fire to burn, you can blow on it, right? But, and that's good because, you know, there for combustion to take place, there has to be oxygen, so you can blow. And if you've ever tried to start a campfire, you know what I'm talking about. Here's the thing. If you blow too hard, not only do you not make the fire come, you'll actually put it out. And so what this is saying, this servant of God, the Messiah, would be so gentle that a, ah, bruised reed or a fledgling little spark of fire, he wouldn't put it out or quench it. And he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. He shall not fail, nor be discouraged till he have set judgment in the earth. And the isles. I mentioned this the other day.

Alex: Creation and redemption are the central themes of Jesus' ministry

Shall wait for it. Bert, I've got a book about, and it's a fantastic book by Don Richardson. And it's about how cultures all around the world have waited for and expected the Messiah. The. The isles have waited for the salvation and revelation that Jesus would bring.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Alex, when you see that that's his ministry. I've already mentioned his majesty, you know, and then his mercy with the tender, the bruised reed and the smoking flax. Now what's his ministry? Well, to be a lot to the gentiles, I know. But till, he has established justice in the earth and the coastlands shall wait for his law. He is going to bring a Bible about something of peace that man has never been able to achieve, only he can. This is the whole idea. This servant is somebody that there's no one like him. There never has been, never will be. He's the one and only, and he does all of those. And he says the God of the. Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens, who stretched them out, who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it. Life. He breathed into man the breath of life, and he became a living soul. He's the creator that shows his creativity. But when you see the bruised reed and the smoking flax, doesn't that show his redemption?

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

>> Bert Harper: So the two great themes, creation and redemption, if you can, If a person can get straight on those, the creator, the designer, the one that, that rolled it out as a scroll, and then understand that this same creator is the one who is also the redeemer, that once we have fallen short, he redeems and pays the price for us and be brought back unto himself. Alex, it's a great story, and we need to make it known, don't we?

>> Alex McFarland: We do. I don't mean to go backwards.

>> Bert Harper: But, it's hard not to in.

Brent: Don Richardson wrote a book about missionaries worldwide

>> Alex McFarland: This verse I mentioned. And believe it or not, I don't mention books lightly. If I bring up a book, it's one that, I've read and sincerely believe in. So I don't. I don't just glibly recommend books. But Don Richardson, he was a Canadian missionary, and, I'm pretty sure he's passed on, but he wrote a book, some years ago called Eternity in Their Hearts. Did you ever have that book?

>> Bert Harper: I did, yeah.

>> Alex McFarland: Now let me give you the subtitle Eternity in their startling evidence of the belief in one true God in hundreds of cultures throughout the world. And I'm sharing this in light of how it says the isles, the islands, and the people wait for God's law. Because missionaries would discover that, as they would go to reach people, and there are so many testimonies in Don Richardson's book, they basically would say, look, we knew these statues weren't any good. And we knew there was one true savior, and someday our tribe would hear of him and learn about him. And, we went through the rituals of all this paganism, but deep down, we knew that wasn't real. Anyway, we knew there was a true God. We just didn't know who he was. And I think that's like in Acts 17, when the apostle Paul was at Mars Hill and he said, you men of Athens, you've even got a statue to the unknown God. That's who I'm going to tell you about. And, if you'll give me a few minutes and listen, you're going to know who it is. Now, kind of what Paul preached.

>> Bert Harper: It is. It is. I want to read verses six and seven because that completes this song. I, the Lord have called you in righteousness, and I will hold your hand. I will keep you and give you as a covenant to the people, as a light to the gentiles, to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the prison, those who sit in darkness from the prison house. That is Jesus Christ, Alex. No other one. Isn't that amazing? I, The Lord have called you. He's the one. Jesus Christ. No other. And again, notice how Gentiles are mentioned two times in this first servant song, it's to bring forth justice and then a light to the Gentiles. We're to let our light shine that they may see Jesus Christ, aren't we, Alex?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, that's true. And you know, in Acts, chapter 13, Acts 13, verse 47, you know, Paul is preaching and he cites this very verse, Acts 42. 6, as proof of who Jesus is.

>> Bert Harper: He is. Hey, we're going to take phone calls. That number. If you have a Bible question today, we'd love to hear it. 888-589-8884-0888-5898-8400.

>> Jeff Chamblee: 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.

>> Alex McFarland: It won't walk the dog, won't pick.

>> Jeff Chamblee: 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 any Listen to AFR wherever you go with the AFR app.

>> Alex McFarland: You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah, 29, verse 13.

>> Jeff Chamblee: American Family Radio.

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: You weren't there the night it found me. You did not feel what I felt when he wrapped his love all around me. And you don't know the part of the oil in my alabaster.

>> Alex McFarland: Welcome back to Exploring the Word. That is a beautiful song. Brent, was that Cece Winans? It was, yeah.

>> Bert Harper: Hard to miss that voice.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. Great, great. from Luke chapter seven. But, welcome back and I want to give the phone number because we will take your Bible questions. 888-589-8840.

Bert says Nancy needs back surgery; she lost her job

Hey, a couple of things for one, there's, a prayer request that came in. Nancy, who is a listener, and she is needing back surgery. that's, you know, traumatic enough, I suppose, but she lost her job and so let's pray for Nancy. And that's, ah, a sad thing. And I know there's always uncertainty and fear, but, please let's lift up this dear sister in the Lord who needs a job and some health issues as well. The other thing I was going to say, folks pray about coming to the COVID this summer. I have the great honor that I'll be speaking there twice, July 17 through 19. I'll be teaching our brand new book on prophecy in the end times. But then I'll be Back, a week later, July, 27th 31, doing a session on apologetics and how to defend the Christian faith. And there with me will be Gary Habermas, the world expert on the resurrection of Christ. I mean, folks, this can be just transformative. So the website is thecove.org T H E C O V E the Billy Graham Training Center. And Bert, it's a great privilege to speak there. And, every year, it fills up and three fourths of everybody there are AFR listeners. And, we have a great time at the COVID And, Angie and I would love to meet you there this summer, folks.

>> Bert Harper: Okay. Remember that, be a part of that.

Ruth claims she saw a bright light in the night sky

Well, we've got people online, so we're going straight to Kansas and talk to Ruth. Ruth, thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Well, thank you for letting me talk to you. I was just noting, a number of years ago, Fourth of July, we were taken outside doing fireworks, and I glanced up at the sky and we were out in the country, so I could see a lot. And all of a sudden, in the stars, there were just a bright light. And it went from. Was going from different places, and it had to go forward or to the right or to the left or backward and forward. And then it finally got clear of the stars and just disappear. And I'm wondering, couldn't that have been a cherubim to lift away for the. The mages to come from?

>> Bert Harper: Ruth, let me just share with you. The heavens declare his handiwork. And Alex, most of the things we've been able to understand and know, you know, and usually there is a reason the star that appeared over Bethlehem, men have tried to figure that out for ages and how they had come together and everything. I don't know if there's a cherubim, but God can make himself known, in unusual ways, even in the heavens, can't he?

>> Alex McFarland: That's true. and, you know, whenever we see phenomenon like that that we, we don't exactly know what it was, that's, you know, I don't dispute, you know, you saw what you saw, but measure everything by scripture because, you know, early in the life of the show, we had a caller who believed they had had a vision. And, it was really contrary to what the Bible said. And I said, look, no matter what, because Paul says this in Galatians 1:8, even if we or an angel from heaven were to preach a different gospel, we don't believe it. We must. What the Bible says, sounds like a very, very memorable thing. You saw, but, we don't know. But measure everything by Scripture. Bart, wouldn't you agree the word of.

>> Bert Harper: God is a more sure word than the vision, you know, in the night sky. And, Ruth, we don't know. God knows. And that's what Paul said at one time. you know, he was caught up and everything. Whether God did this or I don't know, but God knows. And so God knows when we don't, but it never is contrary to scripture, as Alex said.

Mary Elizabeth from Alabama has three great Bible names

So from Ruth, we're going to Mary Elizabeth now. I just got a comment. Ruth, Mary. Now, Mary Elizabeth is the same person, but what three great Bible names. Mary Elizabeth from Alabama. Thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Thank you. And I've been trying to get in touch with you. I don't know if I say Brother Bird or Pastor BURKE. I am 78 years old. Next month, in the name of Jesus, I'll be 79. But I was listening to the radio one day you were saying if you read 11 chapters in the Old Testament. You have even read the Old Testament. Okay, I got. The only two I got was Genesis and Exodus. You were going too fast.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, I'm gonna slow down real quick. it's books, not chapters, by the way. They are Genesis and Exodus, and then it's numbers, numbers after numbers comes Joshua. Okay, Numbers, Joshua, and then first and Second Samuel, first and Second Kings, Ezra and Nehemiah. When you read those books through, you have covered the historical, evidence or the presentation in the Old Testament. And, it is. It is great stuff. And, so I hope you got all that, Mary Elizabeth. I'm going to give it one more time, and then we'll go to Kathi. But it is Genesis, Exodus, and then Numbers, Joshua, and then Judges. Did I say judges? Did I leave it out the first time? If I did, I'm sorry. Okay, judges, first and Second Samuel, first and second Kings, Ezra and Nehemiah. Brent, you got that down.

>> Alex McFarland: That's one of the most reposted things I've done on Facebook. So if you do miss that, it is on Facebook. And I just a second ago, reposted, it again. anytime you miss anything on the show and you're like, okay, Bert was going too fast. Burt would never go too fast. You can always go to our podcast and listen. you can also go back to the Facebook feed and listen to the live feed.

>> Bert Harper: Okay. Mary Elizabeth, what a great name. Alex. that's some, Mary Elizabeth. That's a stout name, isn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: Two Wonderful. Bible names. that's great.

Let's go to Texas and talk to Kathy. Hi. Thank you for calling

>> Bert Harper: Okay, where should we go next? Let's go to Texas and talk to Kathi. Kathi, thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Hi. I've been listening to you guys for quite a while. One of my favorite shows on. On the radio.

>> Bert Harper: Well, thank you.

>> Alex McFarland: Thank you.

>> Bert Harper: Thank you for calling and listening to.

There are references in the Bible that talk bad about Rahab

>> Caroline: Yes, well, my question involves Rahab. There are, references in the Bible that talk bad about Rahab. Isaiah 51:9, Psalm 89, 10, and Isaiah 37 all, ah, talk bad about Rahab, who was the only one who believed the spies in Jericho and is in Jesus genealogy. So what is that all about?

>> Bert Harper: did she have assorted past Alex? I mean, I'll ask it that way. Is that all right to ask it that way?

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. but when we were in Isaiah 37, that's a different Rahab, isn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It was. I remember that.

>> Alex McFarland: You remember that?

>> Bert Harper: I forgot that. Yeah.

>> Alex McFarland: Yes, but now Rahab, you know, was, a believer, you know, there in Jericho. But, that, Isaiah 37, I think it was Isaiah 37 was a different Rahab, wasn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It was. I remember that now. I'd forgotten it, but I was looking and hadn't found it yet. But, yes, but, yeah, Rahab, listen. It shows you the redemption power. Let's go back to what we said earlier today. Here in Isaiah, he said this. And again, this is powerful in the servant song, Alex, and I want you to come in. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoking flax he will not quench. Would Rahab qualify as one of those?

>> Alex McFarland: I think so.

>> Bert Harper: I would, too. Absolutely. And what did God do? God just brought her out and then restored her to a position of great honor. That's our God, isn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: Absolutely. That is our redemptive God. But, yeah, Rahab had a past. but this prostitute from Jericho got saved. And even talk about grace and redemption is mentioned there in the lineage of Jesus. Isn't that something?

>> Bert Harper: Well, what that does when it brings up her past Kathi, and then you know the rest of the story, as you should. it's praise. Look what God has done. Look what our God is able to do. If he could do that for Rahab, he can do it for that person that you're praying for that is lost and seems completely unresponsive. God's working in their life, isn't he, Alex?

>> Alex McFarland: Yep. You know, even the apostle Paul, like in First Timothy 1:13, Paul talks about how he was saved, even though I was once a BLASPHEMER and a persecutor and a violent man. I was shown mercy. Isn't that something?

Bert Burke: Some things are only accomplished through prayer and fasting

hey, I got. Brent made me aware of a prayer request that's come in. If I could share, this, out of seven children, three of my children are prodigals. This person says, I've been praying for years, and, how can I pray? And one child has gotten into drugs. one has rejected, the Christianity that he once believed and is now in the occult. Do you know, Bert, I often pray, and I'll say this. Lord, keep this person alive physically till they could be born spiritually.

>> Bert Harper: Okay?

>> Alex McFarland: You know, and I pray. See, there's evangelistic pray. Pray that the Spirit of God would speak to them. Pray that, God would put positive witnesses in their path. The other thing I would say, though, about, like, with especially deeply entrenched sin, like homosexuality or drug use, something. Mark 9:26. Some things are only accomplished through prayer and fasting. And, Bert, if there's a just severe, severe spiritual breakthrough needed, I would say couple your prayers with fasting, and God will work in a powerful way.

>> Bert Harper: Let me give you two examples. Gomer and Hosea. Gomer was rebellious. She knew what it was to have a home. She knew what it was. But she left and she became that harlot. And Hosea didn't give up on her. But what happened to her when she was, I hate to say it used up. And no one wanted her anymore. She was put on the slave market, and Hosea would buy and redeem her and bring her home. A lot of times, these individuals, as much as it hurts, as painful as it is, it is usually financial, something physical, relational that would get them to that point. For the prodigal son, it was. Listen, when he'd spent all he went in, and there was a key thing in that prodigal, no man gave him help. sometimes by helping individuals, you're keeping them in the pig pen. again, preach it, brother. And you've got to trust the Lord and so be, careful. whoever this is with the three prodigals, it's not over with yet. I know someone that prayed for someone for 50 years before they came to know the Lord Jesus Christ. Don't give up. Do what Alex said and ask God. God, bring them to yourself. And how he does it, that's sort of like. That's up to his business. Alex. I trust him. Want to trust. I trust God more than I trust me. Telling God what to do. Okay.

>> Alex McFarland: Wow.

>> Bert Harper: Barbara in Texas. Barbara, thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Well, Brother Burke, thank you both for the ministry that you have.

Alex Hamilton: Where did you get idea that Jesus is Michael the Archangel

But I wanted to ask you, where did I get the idea that Jesus is Micah the Archangel?

>> Bert Harper: Alex?

>> Alex McFarland: that's a good question.

>> Bert Harper: It is.

>> Alex McFarland: well, the Jehovah's Witnesses reject the deity of Christ. And with no basis whatsoever, the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society has taught that Jesus is Micah the Archangel, because they want Jesus to be a created being, not the eternal son of God. But, you know, the Jehovah's Witness. I want to give a website of a friend of mine, and we used this person to, speak. Dr. Dobson believed in this person as well. Her name is Christy Witt, and her website is Witnesses for Jesus. Google her. She's in Colorado. She is one of the nation's experts on evangelizing Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons. And so if you Google Christy Witt, Witnesses for Jesus, there's a lot of good free information on her website.

>> Bert Harper: Thank you, Barbara. Well, time is running out. And tomorrow, Alex, is Fire Away Friday. So we're going to get a lot more questions. Always look forward to Fire Away Fridays and, praise the Lord. By the way, I'll be on Learning University tomorrow. Trivia. so I'll be there. I've got my Andy Griffith show question ready to go. And so all of you that are trivia fans, I'll be one of the visiting professors. But, Alex, let me put this. And we've tried to do this every day this week. Hannah's Heart Women's Conference through it all, January 30th, 31st, is going to take place here in Tupelo, Mississippi, at Hope Church. And you can [email protected] events that's afa.net events. the keynote speaker will be Jan Johnson. The worship leader is Phil King. And it'll be time for the women to fellowship, share with one another concerns, blessings and what, a time it will be. Hannah's Heart Women's Conference through it all, January 30th and 31st. Well, Alex, it's been good to be with you today. And, again, Isaiah, it's awesome. That's all I can say. It's an awesome book, isn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: It really is. Hey, tonight and tomorrow, I have the privilege of being on the Hamilton Corner, which is an hour from now if you want to listen in. And then, of course, all questions, all the hour. Tomorrow, Fire Away Friday. So plan to call in. We'd love to hear from you. God bless you.

>> Caroline: You.

>> Bert Harper: Thank.

>> Alex McFarland: Thanks for listening. And may God bless America. The views and opinions expressed in this.

>> Bert Harper: Broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio.