Exploring the Word continues its journey through the book of Isaiah

>> Jeff Chamblee: The Bible. It's the word of God. Sharper than any two edged sword. This sacred book is living and active.

>> Bert Harper: And contains all that's needed for life and godliness.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Welcome to Exploring the Word.

>> Bert Harper: Merry Christmas. Isaiah, 26, three, you'll recognize this many of you. You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you. This is Burt Harper along with Alex McFarland and it's our joy to be with you today as we're continuing our journey through the book of Isaiah. And it's been quite a journey of blessing but difficulty, judgments but promise. All of that is involved in Isaiah and in chapter 26 and 27. It will not stop. Although they're suffering, there's something better awaiting them.

Bert Harper and Alex McFarland are traveling together this week

Well, this is Bert Harper and Alex McFarland again. And Alex again. I'm enjoying this, but before you go on, we need to tell everybody you're traveling again because you're you know, the audio is not quite the same as it is when you're in studio, so tell us a little bit about where you are, where you're headed, brother.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Well, God bless you. It's great to be with you and great to be in Isaiah 26. And apologies for the background noise, but I'm in the airport. And praise the Lord. This trip this week, is going to be my last airplane ride of the year. Good, Lord willing. And so I'm in Greensboro, headed, going through Chicago to Colorado, speaking out there, also meeting with one of my book publishers, Tyndale Publishers, about some books that I wrote that they want to re release.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Couple of years. So that's exciting but good, Lord willing, I'll be back in North Carolina on Thursday. But we have got, even though Christmas is coming, you and I and Jim Stanley, we've got some great radio coming up with Christmas and with NewSong Year's, don't we?

>> Bert Harper: We really do. We appreciate Jim Stanley and again we're praising God that God's raised Jim back up after a fight really for his life earlier this year in February and March. And God's raised him up and we're so excited to have him on, exploring the Word. And he'll be working with you quite a bit and so we're looking forward to that.

In Isaiah chapter 26, he compares Israel with a city but there's hope

But while we're doing that In Isaiah chapter 26 again, Alex, Isaiah, I, I know Ezekiel, let me start all over. Ezekiel gets a lot of press concerning his imagery and it's rightly so, but I would say Isaiah has imagery as well. Now, I would say it's not as quite as wild as Ezekiel, but in chapter 26, he compares Israel with a city, but there's hope for the city. And then he goes about the way, it's been rough, but he said the way's going to get better. He's talking about a woman in travail suffering, but she brings forth a child. And then in the latter part of chapter 26, he talks about the dew that brings refreshment and brings renewal. So that's what you get in chapter 26. 6. But let me set this up and I'll throw it to you. You're always looking for verses and phrases that have become more common in our way. Now, I'm not saying the Bible's common, but it's been common part of our language. And verse three, I think, is one of those. You. You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you, Alex. Now, that's after the appointed salvation. But how true that is. We can have peace, in the midst of difficulty, can't we?

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Well, you know, Proverbs 18, verse 10 says the the name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run into it and are safe. That's even a song. Well, in Isaiah 26, in that day, this song will be sung in the land of Judah, we have a strong city. God will appoint salvation for walls and bulwarks, open the gates that the righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter in. Bert, isn't that kind of, like that, you know, the name of the Lord is the strong tower, to which we run and in which we are safe.

>> Bert Harper: It really is. And he is that strong city. Now, notice we need to set this up in that day. He's talking about in a day that's coming. And he's going to say, things have difficult before, they're difficult now, and there'll be some difficulty in the future, but ultimately, this is going to be such a blessing. And so I agree with you. Open the gates. The righteous. The righteous. Now, what you're going to find out in chapters 26 and 27 is, righteousness is proclaimed the righteousness of God, as he desires our righteousness. Not self righteousness, but real righteousness on our part. And so here it is. You will keep him in perfect peace. God will keep the person in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on God because he trusts in you, God. That's the whole idea. So don't get the pronouns mixed up. In this, because pronouns can sometimes throw you off. But here, God's the one that gives us that perfect peace.

Alex: Are you going to trust something temporary or something that is forever eternal

Alex, I want to ask this. And then you answer it. Can you find this real kind of peace anywhere else?

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: You can't. You can't find it anywhere else. The real peace, the lasting peace, and the peace that is bigger than any storm you might find yourself going through. And, you know, when Isaiah 26 talks about things like walls and bulwarks, these are, you know, unshakable fortresses. And as you mentioned verse three, that very famous verse, I've. I've seen it on plaques, you know. Thou will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever. For in Yahweh, the Lord. And really, when you. In your Bible, when you see L O R D in all caps, that that means almighty God. For the Lord is everlasting strength. And, you know, we have our time thinking about things that are everlasting. You know, I think about Bird. I remember when I was in science class back in probably junior high, and we were studying the solar system and the sun and how that, you know, ball of fire just doesn't burn out. And my science teacher said, but it would one day. And I remember thinking, well, even the sun is going to burn out sometime. what could be more powerful than that? Well, God. You know, the created world, the solar system is big, but it is finite and it is temporary. God, like Isaiah 26, says that he is everlasting strength, doesn't just say he has everlasting strength. God is everlasting strength, isn't he?

>> Bert Harper: He really is. And according to what I read, this also is interpreted Rock of Ages. That strength is a rock of all ages. You remember the song Rock of Ages clef for me? the author, top lady, read this verse and found out that what that mean everlasting strength, and wrote the song the Rock of Ages. That's who he is. And notice, trust in the lord forever, verse 4. Let me ask you, if you're going to trust something, are you going to trust something temporary or something that is forever eternal? It's a wise choice to choose God. It's not just something that you decide to do. It's a wise choice to choose that which is eternal, that lasts, that's everlasting notice. For he brings down those who dwell on high Their lofty city he lays it low he lays it low on the ground he brings it down to the dust the foot shall tread it down the feet of the poor and the steps of the needy. Is that not a contrast? You going to trust in God's city, the Peace City? Are you going to trust in man, what man, builds and lives in? Alex, that's the choices.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Isn't really is. You know, not to get too technical here, but in. In logic class sometimes, they would talk about learning things via, negativa. in other words, learning by what something is not. And when it comes to the Lord, I think about this. God is not temporary. He's eternal. He is not transient. He is unchanging. God is. Is not finite. He's unlimited. And, and let me say this. God is not sinful or fallen. He is righteous and holy. And, he's not, well, fickle. He's. He's full of grace, you know?

>> Bert Harper: Yeah. That's awesome, Alex.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Yeah. It says in verse seven, the way of the just is uprightness. O most upright, you weigh the path of the just. Yes, in the way of your judgment, O, Lord, we have waited for you. The desire of our soul is for your name and for the remembrance of you. For wouldn't it be good for it to be said of us that the desire of our soul is for the name of the Lord? That be, pretty good aspiration, wouldn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It would be, Alex.

Bert says Isaiah is telling something that's going to happen even after Christ

And notice the transition is made from the city to the way, or the path, the highway. And he makes these transitions in their images of what Isaiah is given. And here is the way, and it's of the Most High. And like you said, just. And notice in verse eight, yes, in the way of your judgments, O Lord, you can't help but notice the way. And Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but by him. And here with my soul, I have desired you in the night. Yes, by my spirit within me, I will seek you early. For when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn. There it is again. Righteousness. Alex. You'll see righteousness all through these chapters. And it's his righteousness that he gives us, that we live in that righteousness that he has given. But you can't help, O, Lord, we have waited for you. Alex, man has been looking for, quote, a, utopia. Man has been looking for a paradise. And listen, it's coming. But it's only coming to that remnant that has trusted the Lord Jesus Christ. But it's coming in a day. And even here in Isaiah, chapter 26, 800 years before Christ would come, he is telling something that's going to happen even after Christ has come. The church age and then judgment. But in that day, going back to verse one, there's going to be a day when that righteousness will prevail. We've waited on it, oh Lord, but it's coming. Alex, you know, what is it in Second Peter talks about, you know, it's been such a long time. But he doesn't forget his promises to. So this promise is true. Even now we know his ways are going to find out. And it's going to be righteous, isn't.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Is it? Is that second Peter 3 talks about that, that God is not slack to fulfill his promises. You know, later on in Isaiah, in Isaiah 45:23, we're going to see the phrase every knee will bow. And that phrase is repeated in Philippians 2, 10 and Romans chapter 14, verse 11, that every knee will ultimately bow to Christ. Now, some in salvation, some in condemnation. But there at the end of verse, 9, where it says that the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness when God's judgments are in the earth. You know, Bert, I think about this. Everybody is going to know the righteousness of God now. Many will know of God's righteousness by his grace and his mercy and salvation. But some are going to know of God's righteousness by his judgment and pronouncement of condemnation. It's like really, nobody really, really breaks the law. I mean, if people are lawless and criminal, the law will break them. You know what I mean?

>> Bert Harper: Exactly.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: And God's righteousness and holiness will be known. The question is, will you know it as his forgiven child or will you experience it as lost and condemned?

>> Bert Harper: And listen, we on Exploring the Word, Alex and myself, American Family Radio, we do our best to get the word out to those of you who are listening that do not know the Lord Jesus as Savior. You need to do it now because you don't want to be that one that expresses his lordship in condemnation. We're going to be back with more of Isaiah, ah, 26. And there's more word pictures that we'll see.

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Alex: We had all this Christmas trivia on Friday's show

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: We 3 Kings of Oriental bearing gifts we travel so far Field and fountain my and mountain following yonder star.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. That, that music just draws you in. We three kings. the trivia is, were they really just three magi, or were they more or were there less? Well, we know the three comes from the three gifts, don't they, Alex?

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Yes. Gold, frankincense and myrrh. And you know, you were talking about that. Didn't we have a good time on Friday? We had all this Christmas trivia. And let me encourage you folks on afr.net, all the shows are archived. Maybe go back and listen to, I guess it would have been Friday, the 12th. December 12th. I felt like that was just a really fun show, wasn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It really was. Brent had three questions. You had three, I had three, and then we added to them because people got them. Brent, what'd you think of that show? Oh, it was great.

>> Alex McFarland: I've still got questions floating around out there, and nobody answered, so. Hey, and by the way, I sent those packages out today, so the, the winners are going to get their packages and resource center. Want me to let you guys know, we have a new mug in the resource center now that you can check out. And we sent one out. That's really limited. Like only new employees are getting now, so whoever gets that one is going to get something.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, man, that's good. We had a great time doing that. And, we, we have a good time sharing that and we hope you have a merry, merry Christmas.

Alex Masters: Time to seek God while he may be found

Well, digging back into Isaiah 26, Alex, I don't know how far you want to seek, but verse nine, the middle of it is, or, verse nine speaks with my soul. I've desired you in the night. Yes, in my spirit within me I seek you early. What a way to live your life. Seeking God in his spirit early and then desiring him at night. that covers the basis. And early will I seek thee. that's what that's a psalm as well. And so, Alex, can we advise and encourage people to seek the Lord while he may be found?

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Absolutely. You know, don't. Don't seek after God. Someday, you know, someday may never come, but you've got right now. And the Bible says that God will save whoever calls on the name of the Lord. Romans 10:13. And so the time to seek God is while he may be found. And we know that that's right now, isn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It is now. Verse 10 and 11 concludes this section of verse 7, through 11, which is talking about the way of the Lord. Let grace be shown to the wicked, yet he will not learn righteousness. In other words, God's grace being shown to the wicked, but they don't respond. In the land of uprightness, he will deal unjustly and will not behold the majesty of the Lord. They just turn their way. It reminds me of Pharaoh, what Moses, did. As God would lead him and direct him, here it was. Pharaoh's heart would go harder and harder. Lord, when your hand is lifted up, they will not see, but they will see. And be ashamed for their envy of people. Yes, the fire of your enemies shall devour them. Now again, Alex, listen. come to God and do it now. You don't want to wait. You don't want to put it off. You want to get right with God and do it now. And so you verse again, 7 through 11 is talking to the way. you come to him now, while the way may be found, it may be narrow and not broad, and it may be restricted to only those that come to him by grace, through faith. But it is worth being in the way of the Lord, isn't it?

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Amen. Amen. verses 12. And following it says, lord, you will establish peace for us. For you also have done all our works in us, O Lord, our God. Masters. Besides, you have had dominion over us. In other words, the Lord is the ultimate, Lord, master, leader. But we've had other people, sometimes oppressive, but by you, only we make mention of your name. In other words, no matter who m. I'm accountable to, or what I'm facing, our ultimate loyalty is to God. And in this case, it's oppressors says, they are dead. They will not live. God punished and destroyed and made their memory to perish. Now you have increased the nation, O, Lord, you have increased the nation. You're glorified. You've expanded all the borders of the land. You know, Bert, over the weekend, there was a very tragic shooting In Australia, I'm sure everybody has seen it. It's made the world news. Hanukkah celebration and unless the numbers change, I think about 15 Jewish people were killed. I mean just unspeakably.

>> Bert Harper: 87 from 10 to 87 is an.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Islamic terrorist, a father and son. It's very sad. And the father was, was killed. But verse 15 says the borders of the land have been expanded even in spite of the oppression and everything. God looks after Israel, doesn't he?

>> Bert Harper: He does. Again, I make sure we got it from the ages of those 15 was 10 year old to 87 as I remember and all in between how severe it was. But Lord in trouble, they visited you, they poured out a prayer when your chastening was upon them. And then it gets into this word picture. As a woman with child is in pain and cries out in her. Okay, Alex probably dropped off there, we'll see and see if we can get him back. As a woman with child is in pain and cries out in her pangs when she draws near the time of her delivery. In other words, he's saying, Israel, yes, you're going through these birth pains, you're going to go through suffering, but the time of your delivery is coming. verse 18. We have been with child. We have been in pain. We have, as it were, brought forth wind. We have not accomplished any deliverance on the earth. In other words, they haven't done it on their own. Only God can bring forth the real deliverance that anyone needs, no matter who they are, regardless of the circumstances. Money or whatever is the only way to have a deliverance is through God. And Alex, as you dropped off, we talked about verse 17. Given that word picture of a woman giving birth, they go through the pains of for a delivery. And so they had tried every other way to deliver a peace a, place, it only comes through Christ. And so we have not accomplished any deliverance in the earth. We can't, can we? We just don't have the power to bring about.

Bert: One out of seven days of history has been war

I'm going to use a phrase that a president and ever long, ride in peace. we haven't had very many days of peace in the world, in our nation, in our history of the whole world. somebody's usually at war, aren't they?

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Well, they really are. Bert, I've read in one history book that something like one out of seven days of all of history, you know, at least one day out of seven there's been war going on. And truth be told, it's probably more Than that. But, you know, before I, accidentally dropped off, I was talking about where it says that even in spite of the enemies, God expanded the borders of the land. And in verse 17, it talks about a woman with child in pain and cries out in her pangs, the birth pangs. And the word there in the original language for the birth pangs, it means the snares and the pain. And really, it's almost like a cord that is laid in the weeds to trip you up a snare. And. And some of those pains and birth pangs. I've known of churches that had growing pains and troubles, you know, maybe getting a building permit or something like that. But Israel has had her birth pangs. And nevertheless, God has prevailed. And God has protected, hasn't he?

>> Bert Harper: He has and will continue to bring about until that time. Now, verse 19 to the end of this, chapter uses another image or word picture. You find it in verse 19. Your dead shall live together with my dead body. They shall arise, awaken, seeing you who dwell in dust. For your dew is like the dew of herbs. And the earth shall cast out the dead. In other words, dew. What a great thing of, it moisturizing and bringing forth good. And again, he's going to use the subtle things. It's not always the big. You remember that still small voice that he spoke to Elijah with. So we. We all. We're looking for God. Okay, God, do something big.

Bert: God has a plan. God in his sovereign council runs this world

Well, I want to just tell you some of the most significant things in my life as I look over my lifetime. Alex has been some of those that. Okay, that was great. But later on I understood how significant it really was. An individual in my life, a person in my life, an event in my life. So. For your dew is like the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: But.

>> Bert Harper: But God's going to give life. Yes, the earth, yes, does that. But do. And so it says, come, my people, enter your chambers, shut your doors behind you, hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment. And to, The indignation is passed. In other words, there's going to be judgment, there's going to be difficulty, but it will pass. Alex.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Amen. Amen. I love it how it says in verse 21, behold, the Lord comes out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. The earth will also declut. Disclose her blood, and will no more cover her slain. You know, it speaks of really murders being revealed and ultimately murderers exposed. But think about this. The Lord coming out of his Place, God. God has a place he inhabits, of course, heaven, the heart of the believer. But Bert also. Let me just. And I don't want to be too, allegorical with this passage. there's another place that God works from, and that's the counsel of his own sovereignty. You know, it, the world is going its way, but I think we can take great confidence in the knowledge. God has a plan. His plan is never derailed. God in his sovereign council runs this world. And, in his time, in his way, with, you know, really a thorough righteousness, he acts. He manifests himself from out of his place, doesn't he?

>> Bert Harper: He does that. Listen, that was a great, you know, rendering from this verse of what he does and how he operates. We come to chapter 27, and it's on the same vein. Chapters 26 and 27 go together as they're talking about the suffering people awaiting, kingdom blessings. And a lot of times we wait upon the Lord here. Notice what it says in chapter 27, verse 1. It's a repeat of how chapter 26 started in that day. Now, the day that he's going to bring this about with his severe sword, great and strong. Now he's going to use, Old Testament imagery that's used several times. Will punish Leviathan, the fleeting serpent, Leviathan, that twisted serpent. And he will slay the reptile that is in the sea. Again, here it is. There's going to be defeat of this world system. This angry serpent, this serpent used of Satan. There's going to come to an end. He will slay the reptile, that is in the sea. That's good news. That evil and satanic forces, I heard someone say, you know, the killing of those, the Jews at Hanukkah was evil. The. No other word. I think there is another word similar, and that is Satanic. Satan has certain ones especially he hates everyone. But some have targets. And Satan is doing his best to destroy and kill, just like he did Jesus when he killed, had all those babes in Bethlehem killed and slain. Alex.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Amen. Amen.

Bertie and Alex discuss chapter 27 of the Bible about Israel

Well, you know what, really, the, the summary of 27 is that Israel is going to be restored and then God has victory over Leviathan, symbolizing evil. And what the word Leviathan means is fascinating word actually. a Hebrew word. It means wreathed W, R E A T H E D like a wreath, wreathed animal or wreathed serpent. And ancient imagery is kind of like the, the biggest, most fierce crocodile you've ever seen, but with Kind of a wreath of skin around its neck. And I know there have been different, dinosaurs, you know, that have kind of a, skin around the neck, you know, that some of them look pretty fierce. Some of the artists, you know, renderings. but imagine. And again, not to be too allegorical, but imagine, you know, The Leviathan is an evil system. it's sometimes used as a symbol for Babylon, which is a word that connotes the evil world system. It is wreathed or garnished with not just power, money, spiritual power, but not salvation. And let me say, if you really think about it, this. This evil serpent, this twisted, wreathed, decorated serpent, I could see how that is a. An appropriate picture for the world systems that for centuries have been building up against Israel, against the Church, and ultimately against God himself.

>> Bert Harper: That is so true, Alex. That's exactly how I'd look at it. Looking at the rest of chapter 27. Notice in verse two, in that day, sing to her a vineyard of red wine. That's the sixth imagery. It's a vineyard. But let me give you a little bit in verse six, if we do it quickly. Those who come, he shall cause to take root in Jacob. Israel shall blossom and bud and fill the face of the earth with fruit. One day, NewSong Jerusalem. Listen, Alex. Jerusalem restored. It's going to be a great day. And he is saying, right now. No, right now, Babylon's going to come m and take you captive. You're going to be gone. But there's something waiting. And of all the things that we've seen in chapter 26 and 27 about the future blessing, I think this one is the most prominent. That's my thoughts. Go ahead, Alex.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Well, yes, it says he has struck Israel as he struck those who struck him. You know, Jesus in the Old Testament being crucified, it says he is struck. You know, smite the shepherd and the sheep will scatter. Well, this Israel has been struck. And ultimately, the striking is against God, isn't it? Just against the people of God, but it's ultimately against God himself.

>> Bert Harper: He really is. you're listening to Exploring the Word, Bertie and Alex, and we're going to take phone calls. Your Bible questions. We love to hear from you. That number is 888-589-8840. if you have a Bible question for us, we'd love to hear it. And we'll do our best to give you a biblical solid answer that you can depend on.

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>> Bert Harper: Haven't you heard the good news of our Savior's birth?

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Word became flesh.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Cause God kept his word. He came to bring peace on earth.

>> Bert Harper: And light to the world. Rejoice. Rejoice. Amen. I hope you're rejoicing in the Lord. Emmanuel. God is with us. this Christmas season. Let's celebrate. Well, that number, and we do have some lines open. Triple 858-98-8840.

Brent wants a recommendation for a commentary Bible for Christmas

If you have a Bible question, we would love to hear it today, but we had one that came into Brent. What was it, Brent, that you want?

>> Alex McFarland: that's going to be from Janie on Facebook. She sent me a message. She's wanting a recommendation for a commentary Bible. She wants to give them as gifts this Christmas.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Alex, you got any suggestions?

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Well, for like a study Bible. A commentary Bible. I mean, there are so many really good ones. And, one, the David Jeremiah study Bible. I've enjoyed that. Let me mention another one, the Life Application Bible. Bert, have you ever.

>> Bert Harper: I got it, man. I, I use it all the time. I love that one. That's one I was going to tell. Talk about.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Well, and then one. This is a little bit off the beaten path, but I think it's worth owning. Dr. Henry Morris did the, apologetics study Bible from a creation perspective. If you google the Dr. Henry Morris study Bible, there's so much in there in terms of biblical worldview. And, his commentary on Galatians is just without parallel, you know, and all of the notes are great, but Dr. Henry Morrison, it's an apologetic study Bible. He did. And I've really loved and appreciated that one, Burt.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. I hope that helps, Janie.

Alex: I've always been taught that the King James Version is definitive

Well, let's go to Mississippi. And the first question on the radio today is Angela. Angela. Thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Hey, how are y' all doing?

>> Bert Harper: Doing well, thank you.

>> Caroline: Great. so, Alex, I heard you speak on this one day. I, have always been taught that the King James Version was the definitive, the, you know, the most reliable, the oldest, and I do love its language. As a lover of theater and language, but I did my postgrad at Liberty, and I came across some inconsistencies with that, but I didn't have time for a deep dive. So my question is, where can I study this for myself and find out? You know, if someone asks me, they expect me to know these things, and I don't know. I don't know the answer to that about the Bible.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Yeah. God bless you. You know, I. I've quoted the King James, endlessly and part. It's not that I only read the King James or am a King James only person. I just. I learned it literally at my grandmother's knee. And it's kind of dear to me just because I've, My main Bible that I've had for 30 plus years, I have it marked up the way I like. Bert, do you ever have a Bible like that?

>> Bert Harper: I do. Matter of fact, the one that I've started For the last 15 years here on Exploring the Word, just about every page is highlighted, underlined, a note, and.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: yes, so let me say this. God gave us his word. The Old Testament is in Hebrew. The NewSong Testament is in Greek. And I think an absolutely compelling case can be made for the preservation of the Hebrew and Greek manuscripts. And, you know, even scholars nowadays, because there have been so many manuscripts found, even scholars that aren't exactly as conservative as Bert and I might be in the academic world, the honest consensus is that, yes, the manuscripts, of the Bible have been accurately, accurately preserved. Now, when it comes to a translation, there is what's called the donor language, and then there's the recipient language. And, you know, the Praise God, his word can be translated. You know, Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Bimba, you know, and English. I mean, there's hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of recipient language. And, you know, Bert, during the time of The Reformation, over 500 years ago, by the grace of God, the Bible began to be put in English. Two books that I would recommend, and this is, you know, for those wanting to do a deep dive. One is by a man named Da Carson, and it's called the King James Version, a plea for realism. And the bottom line is that any recipient language can have some. Some problems. it doesn't mean any doctrine like the deity of Christ is lost or anything like that. But when we say God's perfect infallible word, we're talking about what's called the autographer or the original language. And Bert, while, the recipient language may be, sometimes less than ideal, the donor language is perfect. The only other book that I'd recommend on this topic by a wonderful scholar named Harold Rawlings, it's called Trial by How We Got the Bible in the English Language. And Bert, let me just say King James, NewSong King James, ESV Holman, Christian Standard, nasb, the NewSong American Standard. I think there are a number of really, really good English translations out there. What do you say, Bert?

>> Bert Harper: I agree with you. And those two books, I know of them, read parts of them, not the whole thing. Those are good books. Repeat the name so that if there's people out there, I wish I'd have written that down. Alex, would you give the names and the authors one more time?

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: D.A. carson. C A R S O N the King James Version Debate. A Plea for Realism. And the other is by Dr. Harold Rawlings, trial by Fire. How we Got the Bible in English. And let me just say this. The King James Version debate book. when I read that book several years ago, I was ready to go to the mat, shall we say, for the King James only position, because that was just what I had heard and taught and was taught. But in reality, and I revere the King James Bible, I do. But Bert, it's not the only way to render God's word in English. If you read for God so loved.

>> Bert Harper: The world.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: If it's a thou hast said or God has said, we still know what it's conveying, don't we?

>> Bert Harper: We really do. And, again, I use the new King James. And I've told folks, I always had trouble with the King James. Not the reliability, not other. But I had a hard time living the liketh and the thou I'd have to work on. Okay, well, who's it talking about? It was easier for me. And the new King James does that. But those two books, Angela, that was a great question that needed. And people needed to hear that.

Bert says Satan has always attacked Israel because Jesus came through Israel

We're going to go to Joshua in Ohio. Joshua, thank you for calling. Joshua, are you there? Okay, third time is. Let's see one more time. Give Joshua, Joshua from Ohio. Okay, we don't get him. So we're going to go to Joe in Arkansas. Joe, are you there? Hello, Joe? Is this Joe?

>> Caroline: Yes, sir.

>> Bert Harper: Go right ahead. You're on the radio, brother.

>> Caroline: Alrighty. My question should be waited till Friday, but it's been on my mind. I keep hearing people talk about it on social media, read about it the paper, see it on tv. And they act like that Israel does not stand for anything that. But I've always believed, grew up believing that you curse Israel, you'll be cursed. You bless Israel, you'll be blessed. And why is it that all of a sudden everybody is turning on Israel is what I don't understand, Alex.

>> Bert Harper: Do you think it has anything to do with the future?

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Well, yeah. And. And I gotta tell you, even Mark Twain, who was not a Christian, he said, if there's anything that proves the reality of the supernatural, it's the Jewish people. And, I mean, that was even before Israel was reconstituted as a nation. I mean, there's several things at play here. you know, for one thing, Satan has always attacked Israel because it was through Israel that the Savior was born. And it says that the dragon or the serpent has made war on the woman that delivered the man child. And that's in Romans 12:17. So, for one thing, the anti, Semitism, is a result of spiritual warfare. Satan hates Israel because Jesus came through the nation of Israel. But the other thing, Bert, is, I think the rise of antisemitism and demonic activity and sadly, the murder of precious Jewish people. Because the devil is very busy. He knows his time is short. But thirdly, Bert, let me say this. There is. There are theological positions where people say that, the covenant promises to Israel were nullified by the crucifixion of Christ. And I disagree with that, because Paul in Romans 3:3 and Romans 11 says that, you know, the. The Abrahamic covenant is an everlasting covenant. So I will say this, and I will gladly be on record saying this, that, the Jews in Israel today are the ancestors of the biblical Jews. They, by historical precedent, by divine right, by scriptural promise, the Jews of today, they are the descendants of Raechel, Rebecca, Sarah Leah, Abraham. That is their land. And, Bert, you and I write about this extensively in our book on prophecy, but I think that Israel, is Israel. It is biblical, it is prophetic. And the greatest thing that this nation can do is, is to be a strong ally and a friend of the nation of Israel.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. I could not agree more. And I'll, tell you, Joe, hope that helps you. You're standing on solid ground with what you just said. Let's go to Mississippi and talk to Frank. Frank, thank you for calling. Frank. Are you there? You got your radio on, Frank? Okay. Yeah, go ahead, Frank. Turn your radio off.

Frank: I think it may have happened earlier in Jesus ministry

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Yeah, okay, so, well, I pulled the screen, you know, already know the question, I guess, but Romans 16:25. And the people that I'm studying was tell me that that's the mystery. That, was not known that the Gentiles would be on equal plane with the Jews. And that wasn't until Paul came along.

>> Bert Harper: Okay. Frank. I think it may have happened earlier, even in Jesus ministry. Alex. Jesus. Let me see what he did. He went up to the Phoenician women, you know, in miracles. So he was inclusive even then. And as Paul would take that and expand it. Am I off base or is that a good statement?

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: No, I think you're right on the money. You're right on the money. And, our Lord says, whosoever will may come.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. And so it was true then. And Paul caught up on it and again expanded it and understood that. And he put feet to that thought and going to the Roman Empire and, sharing Christ with Jew and Gentile.

Alex: California public schools are indoctrinating children with homosexual transgender curriculum

We want to go next, if we can, to Kenny in Oklahoma. Kenny, thank you for calling.

>> Speaker H: Hello, Alex and Bert.

>> Bert Harper: Good afternoon. Kenny, good to hear from you. Go ahead.

>> Speaker H: Good to hear from you, gentlemen. When you love the Lord Jesus Christ, you will love the Jews and you will love Israel. Praise God. Gentlemen, can you hear me?

>> Bert Harper: Yes, go right ahead, brother.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Okay.

>> Speaker H: What I would like to ask you, gentlemen, I've done a little research, and if I'm not mistaken, if I've got my facts right, and I think I do, the entire state of California, every single public school from kindergarten on up, are indoctrinating the little children on up to the 12th grade with the homosexual transgender curriculum. Perversion. What should be done?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, great question, Alex. some decisions by parents are going to have to be made, aren't they?

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: They really are. They really are. You know, we've long used the phrase public schooling, but really, to be accurate, government schooling. And, you know, I got to tell you, I hear so many stories, not only from California, but from all over the country about the secularism and even the anti Americanism. You know, how many. Not only K12 public schools, but colleges. You know, just last week there was, some college in California that said they would no longer fly the American flag because some people found it offensive. Well, if the red, white and blue offends you, you don't have to stay here, you know. And so, Bert, we are the. The public school classroom is illustrative. Of the fact that we're in a spiritual battle, aren't we?

>> Bert Harper: We really are. And it may be churches involved. Like a lot of churches I know, homeschooling is, just multiplying. So churches having a place where a lot of them want to be cooperative and come together, especially on Fridays, where you have. And they meet other homeschool kids, teachers that are, parents that are more familiar with one subject, English, another in history and science, they come together and give their expertise in those areas so that the homeschooling becomes more familiar. Sports teams that are involved and they. They have sport teams of those that are homeschooling. yes. I think it's right. Something has been doing. And I would say this, Kenny. Churches are many, many churches are doing something, Alex. Praise God.

>> Dr. Josh Mulvihill: Yeah, well, and homeschool, has really come into its own, and more and more families do it. And I will tell you, some of the most brilliant young people I meet are the kids around this country that have been homeschooled.

>> Bert Harper: But I praise God for those Christian teachers that are instilled the public school system. They're agents of God doing a work for the kingdom. And we're praying for you. If you're on your way from, school and home, you're a public school teacher. Stay in there, Teach, believe, and live it. We're praying for you. We'll see you tomorrow for more of exploring the word.

>> Jeff Chamblee: The views and opinions expressed in this.

>> Bert Harper: Broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of.

>> Jeff Chamblee: The American Family association or American Family Radio.

Isaiah 26:1 - 27:6: Future Blessings