American Family Radio takes your Bible questions live on American Family Radio

>> Jeff Chamblee: 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.

Numbers chapter 20 is significant for a lot of reasons

Welcome to Exploring the Word.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, numbers chapter 20 is significant for a lot of reasons. There's a lot packed into these 29 verses. There was the death of Miriam. And then yesterday of course, we talked about the circumstance where water came from the rock. and that was good that the people had water. But it was a, little bit sad because Moses lost his temper and God told Moses that you will not lead the children into the promised land. Where we're going to continue in numbers, chapter 20 and beyond. Plus plus we would love to hear from you with your Bible questions on this edition of Exploring the word.

Alex McFarland welcomes Jeff Chambley of the American Family Association

Alex McFarland here, and with us today is our close friend, colleague and perennial guest, Jeff Chambley of the American Family Association. Jeff Shambley, thanks for being with us today.

>> Jeff Chamblee: My pleasure, Alex. Great to be with you today.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, it's great to be with you. And for those that may be not aware, in addition to helping out sometimes on Exploring the Word, tell everybody what all you do for the ministry, if you would.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Well, I work in the Stand department, so I contribute to the Stand magazine and the online blog. And most of my work goes toward producing the Stand radio program which is heard on the weekends here on AFR, Saturdays at 4 and Sundays at 8pm we talk with a lot of interesting, people this coming, this weekend we'll be talking about the Andrew tate phenomenon with Dr. Owen Strand and he'll give us his perspective on that and tell us what the Bible says about being a man, what God says about being a man. So encourage people to listen.

>> Alex McFarland: You know, we need that, don't we? I mean folks, we often use the term biblical worldview, but really the word of God speaks obviously to salvation, heaven, hell, eternity. But the word of God speaks to family and morals and government and education. The word of God even speaks about economics. And it certainly does speak about masculinity and manhood and so many of the issues that are kind of the hot button topics of our time. We would do well to get back to what God's word says about it, wouldn't we?

>> Jeff Chamblee: Amen. Amen. The Bible touches on everything that we need to know for life and godliness, as the Word says.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

Alex: Jeff, any thoughts on the passing of John MacArthur

we're going to be in numbers 20 in just a moment. But, Jeff, you and I haven't talked about this. do you have any, thoughts on the homegoing of, truly one of the great leaders of our time, Dr. John MacArthur, that has been heard on American Family Radio Network? I mean, for Jeff, as long as I've been a Christian, which is 35 years, John MacArthur has been just the example of preaching God's word verse by verse. any thoughts on the passing of John MacArthur?

>> Jeff Chamblee: I'm so glad you asked me that, Alex. Had a huge impact in my life. going back to my days in seminary. I did a lot of traveling around the Fort Worth, Dallas metroplex and got to listen to John MacArthur. And honestly, in those days, he challenged me to the point I became angry because he challenged a lot of my presuppositions about the Scripture. But he was just so tenacious with his teaching and insistence upon the text of the scripture that over the years I began to love his teaching and really be shaped by it. Matter of fact, I'm holding, a John MacArthur study bible in front of me right now. that's my go to tool when I study the Bible. But what a treasure. God has given the body of Christ in these days to really define what a Christian is, what is salvation. And he was very, very clear on that and, of course, the authority of scripture as well. So he'll be missed.

>> Alex McFarland: for real, for real. And really, every one of us, certainly the pastors and anyone who teaches or preaches God's word should draw from his example. But really, every Christian. Jeff, I've got to tell you this. 20 years ago, well, 22 years ago, I went to work for Focus on the family and Dr. James Dobson. Now, there's a big convention, folks. You've heard us talk about NRB, National Religious Broadcasters. But 20 years ago, there was also one called CBA, Christian Booksellers Association. And they both were big gatherings.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Okay, we seem to have dropped Alex for just a moment. We're going to try to make that connection, with Alex in just a few moments. So we're working on that. Meanwhile, you are listening to Exploring the Word on American Family Radio. And we are shortly going to be getting into the Book of Numbers where we left off yesterday with Alex and Bert. And we're going to jump into verse 14 and talk about how Israel was going through, the wilderness and approached some of. Yeah, yeah, there you go.

>> Alex McFarland: I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt you.

>> Jeff Chamblee: No, I'm glad you did.

>> Alex McFarland: What happened?

>> Jeff Chamblee: I'm glad you did interrupt me.

>> Alex McFarland: The STREAM kind of broke up.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Didn't you were saying about cba? Christian Booksellers Association.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. well, I was working for James Dobson, and I had the privilege of interviewing John MacArthur, like at a convention 20 years ago. And, I was sitting on the floor with Dr. Del Tackett of the Truth Project, and that's what he and I were working on. Some of you might remember, the Truth Project. It was a great curriculum that was created by Focus on the Family. And we were at this convention and there was Josh McDowell, R.C. sproul, Chuck Colson, James Dobson, Johnny Eareckson, Tada just a lot of very fine Christian leaders. And I'm sitting there and somebody, one of the engineers passed me a note and he said, next. because, you know, we'd have 15 minutes and then we'd have the next guest. They said, get ready, John MacArthur. And my little heart was kind of pounding. I was, thrilled and a little bit intimidated and, deeply in awe. But on the floor of this convention for Focus on the Family had the great privilege of sitting at the table and interviewing John MacArthur. And that was just a great thrill, but he's gone on to heaven.

Are you born again? Are you confident in God's word

And so as we get into numbers 20, folks, what about you? Have you made that decision? put your faith in Christ? Are you born again? is the word of God the roadmap for your life? And God's word has the authority because, Jeff, what else matters? I mean, the Bible asks the question, what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul? And the answer is nothing. So just as, ah, John MacArthur and millions of others, they've built their life and eternity on Jesus. We would ask you, listener, what about you? Do you know that you have Christ in your life? if not, make sure that you do, and you can call out to him today.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Amen. M. Amen. Alex.

Jeff Shambley: Moses lost his temper in verse 14 of Exodus

>> Alex McFarland: let me read a little bit from numbers 20. We're going to pick up at verse 14. Yesterday, we kind of wrapped up, where, well, in verse 13, the waters of Meribah, which really means, contention that, you know, they contended they had this strife. And, you know, the Lord was not by Moses anger. And Moses was to speak to the rock, but he got angry, and twice he hit the rock with this stick. God says, look, you did not believe me to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore, you shall not bring this congregation into the land which I've given them. It's worth it to go back just a little bit. It says, this is the water of Meribah, which means contention. Because the children of Israel strove with the Lord, and he was sanctified in them. Now, here's the thing. The word sanctification means set apart. And God should be sanctified in our eyes. Now, God is a God of grace. God is very merciful with us, very patient. But we should always hold God holy. And we should view the Lord with utmost reverence and obedience and humility and worship. And, see, when Moses lost his temper, I guess I'd put it this way, Jeff. The life and the actions of the spiritual leader have an influence on the parishioners or the watching world. And Moses kind of lost his temper in front of everybody. And God says, moses, your actions did not sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel. But he was sanctified. Here's my thing. The Lord will be Lord, because God is Lord, and nothing will diminish that. But, how much better it is when we willingly, humbly let God be God in our life and not have to be reprimanded or chastised. Erin. Jeff Shambley, any comment before we transition to verse 14?

Alex: It underscores the importance of the Christian's testimony in the public

Just this incredibly vivid circumstance that unfolds, you know, in verses 8 through 13.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Alex. I think it underscores the importance of the Christian's testimony in the public, because, m. When you look at Moses, some people I've even heard, why was God so tough on Moses? As if the holiness of God is a light issue, you know, Moses along with Erin. And we'll see here in this passage, Erin also faced the consequences of this. But it is so crucial that we represent the Lord correctly. Whether we are at work or whether we are at school. We're at home to our very own families. It's crucial that we uphold God as holy and that we don't misrepresent Him. we could receive the Lord's blessing. Or, as you've said, the Lord will be hallowed in our discipline. And how much better to choose the former. So. Exactly.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen.

Moses sends messengers to king of Edom to ask permission

Well, we get to verse 14, and it says, and Moses sent messengers from Kadesh unto the king of Edom. Thus saith, thy brother Israel. Thou knowest all the travail that has befallen us. How our fathers went down into Egypt. And we have dwelt in Egypt a long time. And the Egyptians vexed us and our fathers, or did evil to us. And when we cried to the Lord, he heard our voice, sent an angel, brought us forth out of Egypt. And behold, we are in Kadesh, a city in the uttermost of thy border. Let us pass, I pray thee, through thy country. We will not pass through the fields or the vineyards. Neither will we drink of the water of the wells. We will not turn to the right or the left until we have passed thy border. So, Israel needs to cross over their land. And, like a wise leader, Moses is sending to ask permission. And he's making a promise. Look, we're not invading you. We're not going to plunder as we go across. But verse, 18. Any comment you'd like to make, Jeff? And then take it from verse 18.

>> Jeff Chamblee: And following, you know, first of all, according to Haley's Bible handbook and some other commentaries, there's a 38 year gap. as we're going into this passage, as they're now going through, the land of Edom, actually coming out of Kadesh and now going into the land of Edom. Edom was a, close relative of Israel. they descended from Esau. and as you notice here, as Moses is sending his emissaries to the king of Edom, he's being very diplomatic. no doubt he learned some of that growing up in Egypt, in the palace, learning how to talk to people. He uses the word, he uses the word brother. he calls him, you know, we're brothers, he refers to our fathers. And so he's making this connection to Israel and letting these people know. Look, we are your kinfolk. we're just wanting to pass through on the king's highway, which is, you know, that main caravan route that's been in use for 3,000 years. So Moses is really trying to be very diplomatic and just gets the door slammed in his face.

>> Alex McFarland: Unfortunately, very much so. And, you know, when we get into 21, you know, troubles only, compound. But Edom says, no, you can't go through here. And, if you do, I'll come out against you with a sword. In verse 19, the children of Israel said unto him, we will go by the highway. And if I and my cattle drink of thy water will pay for it. Well, we've got to take a break. When we come back, we'll continue and find out what they do. We'll also look at the remainder of chapter. And, this is exploring the word. Alex McFarland, Jeff Shambley, the Book of Numbers plus your questions and we'll give you a biblical answer. Stay tuned. More after this brief break on the American Family Radio Network and exploring the Word.

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>> Dr. Jessica Peck: I know the only reason I can stand here unashamed. It's not because I'm worthy. It's all because I'm mercy. There's no way that I could earn it. Praise God, my debt is paid. It's not because I'm worthy. It's all because of mercy.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Exploring the Word on American Family Radio.

Jeff Shambley: Was Edom averse to Moses and Israel

Good afternoon, it's great to have you along. I'm Jeff Shambley along with Alex McFarland. We are in Numbers chapter 20 around verse 18. Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Jeff, it's good to be with you and good to have everybody listening. You know, I was thinking about something over the break. you know, Edom was Israel's brother, but the Edomites were descended from Esau, ah, the brother of Jacob. And might it have been because, remember Jacob and Esau, they had controversy like Isaac and Ishmael. were the Edomites, averse to Moses and Israel? Because Esau was, you know, in controversy with Jacob back from Genesis, 32. And previously, a long standing family squabble seemed to be at least part of what was preventing Israel's passage across the land at this point. Would you agree?

>> Jeff Chamblee: Absolutely, I think so. And you know, two, what occurred to me is I read this passage today. was that the reputation of Israel had preceded them. You know, when God delivered them out of Egypt, word got around quickly to the surrounding nations. Don't mess with the God of Israel, because look what happened to Egypt. And so I think Edom was afraid. As a matter of fact, Deuteronomy 2 says that Edom was afraid. but God gave these descendants of Esau the land of Seir or Mount Seir, or the region of Edom. And so he forbade Israel to take one square inch of that. He said, you cannot have any, any of it. Which just reaffirms the fact that God keeps his word and Israel was not to take any of this. And so Moses knew that. He understood that, and that's why he tried to be very diplomatic to, the king of Edom, to just simply go through it, you know.

>> Alex McFarland: I'm glad you mentioned that. Deuteronomy 2, Jeff. it's uncanny that you had mentioned that, because during the break, I was looking that up, they were in the wilderness and they had compassed this mountain round and round. Mount Seir. And God told Israel about the Edomites. Verse 5 of Deuteronomy 2. Do not meddle with them, for I will not give you of their land. No, not so much as one footbreadth, because I've given Mount Seir unto Esau for possession. The Edomites. And, do you have Deuteronomy 2:7?

>> Jeff Chamblee: I do.

>> Alex McFarland: Let's see here now, folks, the promises God made to Israel. And I'm sure they had to re remind themselves of this. They're on this journey through the wilderness. in 21, the Canaanites are going to attack them. Fiery serpents are going to bite them. Maybe you need some reassurance sometimes that God is with you. Jeff. Shamply, if you've got Deuteronomy 7, read this precious gentle reminder that they needed to hear pretty often.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Chapter two, verse seven. Is that right?

>> Alex McFarland: Of Deuteronomy?

>> Jeff Chamblee: Yeah. for the Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hand. He knows you're trudging through this great wilderness. These 40 years, the Lord your God has been with you. You have lacked nothing.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Yeah, I mean, and hey, the journey is not always easy. Chuck Swindoll says, don't get comfortable. You're not home yet. The Christian life in this fallen world is a journey across raw pagan soil. End of quote. That's what Chuck Swindoll said, Jeff. I think for the Christian, we can very much resonate with that. The Lord thy God has blessed you in all the works of your hand. The Lord knows that we're trudging through this great wilderness. These 40 years, the Lord thy God has been with you. Let's be honest. Ultimately, we have lacked nothing. they needed to hear that on their journey. I think very often we need to hear it on ours.

>> Jeff Chamblee: And two. You know, Alex, it's more bitter when members of your own family turn you down. you know, when you come to the very people that you should have a bond with, and they don't pick up on that. And they're not obedient because God says they should have supplied them with food and water, but they did not. And, so that reminder is all the more precious, that God is our Father, he is our provider. And I think that must have been a great comfort to them.

>> Alex McFarland: Exactly. Exactly. So it says in verse 21, thus, Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border, wherefore Israel turned away from him. so they've got to plot a new route. And this will influence some of the travails they have on that.

Just shortly before they enter the Promised land, Aaron dies

But before we resume the journey, here's another significant happening. Says in the Children of Israel, even the whole congregation journeyed from Kadesh and came unto Mount Hor. And the Lord spake unto Moses and Erin in Mount Hor, by the coast of the land of Edom, saying, aaron shall be gathered unto his people. And that means he's going to pass away. For he shall not enter into the land which I've given unto the Children of Israel because you rebelled at my word. At the water of Meribah, take Erin and Eliezer his son, bring them up unto Mount Horrible, and strip Erin of his garment and put them on Eliezer, his son Erin shall be gathered unto his people, and he shall die there. So, for one thing, Erin is going to pass away. But there's a succession plan in place, isn't there?

>> Jeff Chamblee: There always is. And this is a very, this is a watershed moment, because the death of the high priest is always the end of an era in the Bible, you know, when you come to, you know, for example, the Israelites who were to go to the cities of refuge, who were accused of manslaughter. They were to stay there until the death of the high priest. That was a significant marker in time. And here we have Israel 38 years after they have left, Mount Sinai. Now they are coming into a new portion. They are about to go into the land. And here we have the death of the high priest. so I think that's significant. And also the fact that Erin was taken up into Moses sin. My first thought, Alex, was that Erin, he received the consequences of Moses sin. But I think Erin was part and parcel of that rebellion, too. Is that what you read into that?

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. Yeah, he was complicit. And, he, you know, just shortly before they enter the Promised land, he dies. God used him greatly. But, you're right. He was complicit in that rebellion there at Meribah. And, so Moses does what God says, and his, son Eleazar there on Mount Ur is kind of. It's really, an investiture service or an ordination. But Eliezer, takes the reins from Erin. And when all the congregation saw that Erin was dead, they mourned for him 30 days, even all the house of Israel. And then chapter 21 says this. When King Arad, the Canaanite, which dwelt in the south, heard tell that Israel came by way of the spies, then he fought against Israel and took some of them prisoners. Jeff, before we get Too far into 21, you mentioned that the gods of the Egyptians were defeated during the plagues. And certainly the surrounding nations knew about this. I have to smile. you're right. Moses learned some diplomacy there in Pharaoh's court, no doubt. But in verse 16 of 20, when Moses had initially appealed to, the Edomites, he said, when God heard our cries in Egypt, he sent an angel and brought us forth out of Egypt. And behold, now we are at Kadesh. All right, that's putting it kind of lightly how they got out of Egypt, isn't it?

>> Jeff Chamblee: He's leaving some details out, but, yeah, he just gets. See the summary version of it?

>> Alex McFarland: I think that is very much the summary version. The Lord sent an angel and led us out. But anyway, we're coming your way. Yeah, Egypt was decimated. We took gold, silver, livestock, millions of dollars worth of plunder. God killed all the firstborn sons. Pharaoh was humiliated, and it really brought the end of the great Egyptian civilization. You know, it's like, hey, may I stop by and see you? Because what I really need is a place to stay for a month, you know? anyway, that was, a very carefully crafted word Moses gave there in numbers 2016. But still, they didn't get in. But verse back to 21. Israel vowed a vow unto the Lord and said, if you will indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities. And the Lord hearkened to the voice of Israel and delivered the Canaanites, and they utterly destroyed them in their cities. And he called the name of the place Ormah, or destruction. So, you know, Jeff, to our modern ears, this thing of, you know, fighting Canaanites and just, you know, basically razing their cities to the ground, that sounds kind of harsh. But, here's how I look at it. God was raising up Israel, bringing Israel to their land, through whom to send the savior of the world. And when there were Canaanites and Philistines that wanted the Israelites dead, in fact, I was on the road a week before last and a man asked me, he said, why would I want to believe in a God that caused Israel to engage in so much warfare? And I said, well, what would be worse for a few thousand pagans to die or for the human race not to have a savior? And so Israel had the right to self defense as they took the land that God had given them. do you have any thoughts on that?

>> Jeff Chamblee: Well, you know, I underlined something that, sort of applies to this whole passage here, and I think to this set of verses here. The fact that God owns all of the land. And this is being talked about even today when Israel is in the land and ownership of the land is being discussed and debated. The fact is, I heard Darrell Bock say the fact that God owns the land and he gives it to whomever he wants to. and so when you're saying who owns the land? Well, God owns the land and he is able to give it to whomever he wants to. And the fact is too, that these Canaanites and Philistines were under God's judgment because they had a period of time where they could have repented, and turned away from these false idols, but they refused. And they were engaged, Alex, in some horrendous ceremonies, and patterns of worship that were just. We can't even talk about the things that they did. And God used Israel to stop that.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, exactly. And like you say, and I've shared this, I've written about this, I mean, the people of the land, very often you'll find that phrase that were the gentile pagans, they engaged in gross immorality, child sacrifice, horrible occultism, just bloody, vicious paganism. And they had four centuries really, as Israel was possessing their land. Now, I realize this is 40 years removed from Egypt, but really times 10, over four centuries plus. The people of the land did not repent of their sin. And, it wasn't like these were pure little innocents in the wilderness that died. God was defending Israel so that through the nation of Israel, in fulfillment of his prophetic word, the Messiah, our Savior, would come. Now, believe it or not, numbers 21 4, 9 is a very, gospel centric passage. And let me read a little bit, and you're going to see some, familiar refrain from these traveling Israelites. They journeyed from Mount Ur by the way of the Red Sea, to compass the land of Edom. And the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. In other words, they're impatient and they're weary and they're tired. The people spoke against God and against Moses. Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water. And our soul loathes this light bread. and the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people. And much of the people of Israel died. Okay, Jeff, verse five. we've heard this time and time again. And look at this, accusation.

AFA is hosting its first ever Weekend with AFA in October

Really, Moses, why have you brought us out of Egypt? Well, for centuries, they had cried out to God, God, deliver us from our servitude, our slavery. they're not very happy about it, not very grateful for it at this point, are they?

>> Jeff Chamblee: No. And God is teaching them who he is, and it's discipline that he exercises on them. And one of the themes of the Book of Numbers is God's testing of his people. And you see this stubbornness over and over and over. And they're saying, moses, why did you do this? As if God was not the deliverer. It was Moses. And, Moses had to bear that burden as he led these people.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. And, God is providing food, manna in the wilderness. And they said, not just our tummy, but our soul loathes this light bread. What does your translation say?

>> Jeff Chamblee: loathes. Same thing. Yeah. There's no water. And our soul loathes this worthless bread.

>> Alex McFarland: Wow. Wow.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Worthless.

>> Alex McFarland: isn't that something? And, really, in the original language, they call it detestable. And yet it's the manna God is providing. All right, Verse six. The Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people. And much people died. Therefore, the people came to Moses and said, Verse 7. We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you. Pray unto the Lord that he take away the serpents. These are snakes. And Moses prayed for the people. Now, this is what's very interesting. And we'll talk about this, The Lord told Moses, make an image of brass and put it up on a pole, make a fiery serpent, set it upon a pole, and it shall come to pass. Everyone that is bitten, when he looks upon it, he shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, put it up on a pole, and it came to pass that if a serpent had bitten any man when he beheld or looked at the serpent of brass, he lived. Now, Jeff, I hear the music. We've got a break, folks. This is a rich gospel passage, so we're not going to be able to get it in before this commercial break. But here's the number. If you have a Bible question, call us. 888-589-8840. Triple eight. Call us. We'll be back with your questions and God's answers.

>> Jeff Chamblee: You could be a part of our first ever Weekend with AFA Thursday, October 2nd through Saturday, October 4th, in Tupelo, Mississippi.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Our Weekend with AFA event in October is going to be a chance to meet AFA supporters in person.

>> Jeff Chamblee: We'll have tours, fellowships, special speakers and more.

>> Jeff Chamblee: I'll do some stand up comedy, Abe will do some preaching, and I'm really excited about it.

>> Jeff Chamblee: It's A Weekend with AFA, Thursday, October 2 through Saturday, October 4, in Tupelo, Mississippi. Speakers will include Abraham Hamilton III, Jenna Ellis, Tim Barton, Tim Wildmon and more.

>> Jeff Chamblee: I am thoroughly looking forward to our.

>> Alex McFarland: Weekend with a FA coming up in October where we're going to be able to meet our supporters like yourself, to fellowship, to visit our facilities here in Tupelo and to have everyone come together for a Wonderful Weekend.

>> Jeff Chamblee: That's October 2nd through 4th. It's a weekend with AFA and we hope you can join us. [email protected] Weekend that's AFA.net Weekend.

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: I've witnessed your faithfulness. I've seen you breathe life with it. So wild. Pour out my praise again. You're worthy, God. You're worthy of all the things.

Exploring the Word has a new book coming out in October

>> Alex McFarland: Welcome back to Exploring the word. Alex McFarland here with Jeff Shambley, Brent Austin on the board and you, the listeners for whom we are very grateful. The number, by the way, if you've got a Bible question, we'd love to hear from you. It's 888-589-8840. That's 888-589-88420. By the way, if you ever want to email us, all the emails, Bert and I do get them and that's word W o r d wordfr.net and we do love to hear from you. And finally, I would ask you to please like us on Facebook. Brent Austin, he's our Facebook, man and he's always putting stuff up there and you know, quotes and lots of great stuff. So check out the Exploring the Word Facebook page and like us on social media, if you would. And Jeff, before we go to the calls, tell people about your work with the Stand where they can read your online content and hear the Stand broadcasts that you do.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Yeah, we encourage people to go to afa.net thestand and sign up for a free 6 month trial subscription to the Stand magazine. It's a great looking magazine packed with all kind of information, a lot of what's going on here at afa. So you can stay up to date with that again. Afa.netthestand and my program is called the Stand Radio. It airs here on AFR on the weekends, Saturdays at 4 and Sundays at 8pm and you can go to afr.net and check out the Stand and listen to some past episodes.

>> Alex McFarland: You know, I gotta say this, and we're gonna go to calls and by the way, the number is 888-589-8840. Bert Harper and I have a book coming out in October. Actually the official Release date is October 7th and it's 100 Bible Questions on Prophecy and the End Times. And with so much going on, it's funny, Jeff Byrd and I started working on it over a year ago and here we are. And so much is happening in the Middle east. And if you would, if you're online again, the book is not available till October and it will be made available during the fall. AFA Share a thon. But read about it online if you would just Google it. And I want to thank the listeners of Exploring the Word because this will be our third book of your questions, folks. 100 Bible questions. Then a couple of years ago we did 100 Bible questions for families. Just the marriage, parenting, family related questions and then now the one on prophecy. so a lot going on. God is using AFR and we're so grateful. We give God the glory, but we also do. Thank you the listeners.

Exploring the Word begins in Indiana with Kim in Indiana

Well, today we begin in Indiana. Kim in Indiana, thank you for holding and welcome to Exploring the Word.

>> Caroline: Well, hello, Alex and Jeff.

>> Alex McFarland: hello.

>> Caroline: Good to have you, love. Hello.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, you're on, you're on.

>> Caroline: Hi. I love afr of all you guys pretty much listen from Jenna through Abe Hamilton III.

Kim had a question about Ephesians 6 regarding spiritual warfare

I specifically had a question about Ephesians 6. 6:12. So I've done a couple of different Bible studies about, spiritual warfare, putting on full armor guides. M. But the difference between. There are four separate against principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this age, spiritual host of witness, wickedness. The difference between those, and if there's any overlap, actually who they are.

>> Alex McFarland: Oh, this is great. And this is very important because. And thank you, Kim, for asking this, and I'll start. And Jeff, you can weigh in on this because, it says we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in high places. for one thing, principalities are seats of power. And then, it says, principalities, powers. Okay. There are demons that engage. And let me say this. There are world rulers that, are influenced by demonic forces and they may not even know it. And there are cultural entities. I'll say this. I think that, one of the tools that to varying degrees, Satan has used in recent decades has been secular higher education. You know, I mean, as you look at moral relativism and you look at, God denying Darwinism, that has a stranglehold. I mean, that. That is the only philosophy allowed in most science departments. And then you've got, now critical theory and you've got, woke theology, the legitimization, or I should say the attempted legitimization of things that the Bible clearly condemns. And so these principalities, I think from Satan and his hierarchies of demons that operate almost like generals and military organizations, and then they influence, powers, which are the seats of power in this world, and the rulers of the darkness of this world against spiritual wickedness in high places. Jeff, I'm going to throw it to you, but I'm going to say this. Jesus said, if, you're not for me, you're against me. And there are people in this world that are on the side of the darkness and they don't even know it. There are also people that are on Satan's side and they do know it. I mean, there are people that, for an inexplicable reason, pursue demonic things. But, if we're not led by God and in his hands, we're upon. In the hands of Satan and his demons. Jeff. I believe that.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Yeah, that's very good, Alex. My thoughts on this are that there's simply. There are different ranks of angels. The Bible doesn't go into a lot of detail, but we know for Example that there are archangels, there are seraphim, there are cherubim, there are different types of angels that appear to have different functions. this realization of the darkness that is in the air, the prince of the power of the air and so forth. That was one of the truths that woke me up in college, that brought me to Christ in a sincere way. Because, the reality of those things became very clear to me. And one of the great triumphs that we have as believers is knowing that all of these powers are subject to Christ and that in Christ, you know, there's no condemnation, there's no way that we can be harmed by these spiritual powers.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, thank you for that great, question there, Kim. We're going to go to Linda, in South Carolina. Linda, thank you for holding and welcome to Exploring the Word.

>> Caroline: Thank you, and thank you for this program. I learned so much from you each day, so I thank AFR for this program. Chapter nine. Amen.

In Genesis chapter nine, there is a curse placed on Ham's fourth son

In Genesis, chapter nine, there is a curse placed on Ham's fourth son. Now, some commentaries I read said that God placed it, but actually no of, voiced it. But why the fourth son? That's always made me wonder why the fourth?

>> Alex McFarland: great, great question. This is a sad chapter in the life of a, ah, man that the Bible calls a preacher of righteousness. Noah. after the, the flood, Noah makes a vineyard, creates some wine, gets drunk, and something happens that we don't quite know what happens, but Ham, verse 22 of Genesis 9. Ham the Father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father Noah, and told his two brothers outside, Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it upon their shoulders, and went backward and covered Noah, ah, up. And their faces were backward, and they did not see their fathers nakedness. And Noah awoke from his wine and knew what his younger son had done to him. So in a way. And Jeff, you feel free to weigh in on this. Noah pronounces, what amounts to almost like a prophecy. He said, cursed be Canaan, A servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren. And he said, blessed be the Lord God of Shem, and Canaan shall be his servant. God shall enlarge Japheth. All right, for one thing, I want to say what this is not saying because sometimes people, have tried to use this to justify, oppression of those that descended from Ham and justify slavery and different things like this, verse 22, Ham, the Father of Canaan. What happened? We don't know. Jeff, have you ever read any, Commentaries. And there's so much speculation about Genesis 9:22. What exactly happened, we don't know. And I don't want to speculate too much, but something very unseemly was done. Yeah.

>> Jeff Chamblee: One of the suggestions that I've seen in a commentary is that perhaps Ham, saw his father in a very undignified way and in some way took pleasure in that and thought his brothers would also enjoy that. And so it was dishonoring to Noah. but beyond that, I think you have to go. You have to stretch a little bit to make some sort of accusation that there was some sexual immorality going on here. But again, that could be wrong.

>> Alex McFarland: And let me say this. This, curse that Noah pronounces is only really on the Canaanites and not Ham's descendants. let me read one. It says, servants of servants. Literally denotes the most abject slavery. And when blessings are declared for the brothers Shem and Japheth, the theme of Canaan's servitude is repeated both times. And let me just say this. Jeff, I was in a debate at a college, and they said, well, the Bible has a curse on Africans. False, false, false. In no way can this be ever used to justify, the African slave trade. The Canaanites were white, by the way. The Canaanites were probably, if not fully Caucasian, pretty close to it. So here's the thing. That there was repercussion, and you get the impression that Noah was angry. But I think one thing that is history we can look at without argument. And this is where the Bible is so trustworthy. All of the human race is descended from Shem, Ham, and Japheth. The Jewish people are the Shemites. the Europeans were from Japheth. And many, of the Middle Eastern and African peoples came from Ham. But, the curse Noah pronounces on Canaan should not be construed to mean oppression or God's disfavor on any people group. but thank you, Linda, for that.

Alexander in Louisiana thanks Exploring the Word for strengthening his faith

Good question. Let's go to Alexander in Louisiana. Alexander, welcome to Exploring the Word.

>> Speaker G: Hey, am I on?

>> Alex McFarland: Yes, welcome.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Hey.

>> Alex McFarland: Wow.

>> Speaker G: It's great. Thanks so much for taking my call. I listen to you guys every day. Y' all have really helped strengthen my faith.

>> Alex McFarland: Thank you.

Martina: Where do you draw the line between temptation and sin

>> Speaker G: Okay, so, my question has kind of something to do with the way Paul talks about the laws and in Romans and how he does things he doesn't want to do. And then in Hebrews 10:26, he says, if we deliberately keep on Sinning. After we receive the knowledge of truth, there's no sacrifice left. My sin. I'm sure you know how the rest goes. So where do you draw the line? And someone being on the law of pen, or just doing things that are bad because they. They enjoy doing them, or is it like a delusion thing that God blinded them to their sin and left them to their ways?

>> Alex McFarland: great question. and I know, let me say this. Hebrews 12:1 and 2 talks about the besetting sin. And Jeff, I think what is very tempting to one person may not be tempting to another person. But I'm going to quote John Piper. John Piper said that we are not to be in the business of sin management, but repentance.

>> Jeff Chamblee: That's good.

>> Alex McFarland: yeah. Isn't that a good quote?

>> Jeff Chamblee: Yeah.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, the Bible says the pleasures of sin are but for a season. Now, regarding the verse where it says, you know, if we sin willfully after having had knowledge of the truth, there's no more sacrifice, for us. It doesn't mean that, if we repent and ask forgiveness, Christ won't forgive us because he will. anytime we turn to Christ and we repent, and the word metanoia, repentance literally means to turn around, but it means to agree with God about something. I mean, to agree with God to the degree that we change our life. Lord, I admit that I'm a sinner. Lord, you are right and just in condemning my actions and even me. But I plead for your mercy. I will say this to everyone. when the Holy Spirit convicts you of sin, it's a very dangerous thing to suppress that conviction, ignore that conviction, and willfully keep on sinning. Jeff, your thoughts?

>> Jeff Chamblee: Well, at the end of Romans chapter 7, when Paul is going through this discourse, speaking of doing the things that he does not want to do and not doing the things that he should do, he ends this chapter, chapter seven, by saying, oh, wretched man that I am. That's not the expression of a person who's presumptuous. he is in repentance who will deliver me from this body of death. And then he says, I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So you have the treasure in earthly vessels and earthen vessels that we all have. We're in human fleshly bodies that have not been redeemed and glorified. So we deal with sin. But as you said, we're not into sin management. We're into repentance. And that's the call every day to turn to the Lord in repentance.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Martina in Mississippi. Martina, welcome to the program.

>> Caroline: Welcome. Thank you so much, y'.

>> Alex McFarland: All.

>> Caroline: I just want to call and publicly apologize. Repent to the Lord, because that's what he said, to ask God for his forgiveness. Because I was so angry about God about some areas in my life, and I couldn't understand, like, Lord.

>> Alex McFarland: Martina, I beg your forgiveness. Forgive me, dear one. We're almost out of time. Please call back tomorrow. I want to hear from you. I want to hear what's on your heart. But that music is upon us. Blessings to you, Martina. Jeff, it's been a good day, and thank you for helping us out, brother.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Thanks so much, Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Folks, this is Exploring the Word, and thanks to everyone listening, calling in, and we'll, good Lord willing, do this again tomorrow. So please keep, your radio tuned to afr. Tell somebody about the great programming of afr, but most of all, tell everybody about Jesus.

>> Jeff Chamblee: The views and opinions expressed in this broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio.

Numbers 20:14-21:9: Further Troubles Along the Journey