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

Bert Harper: All scripture is given by God and is profitable

Welcome to Exploring the Word.

>> Alex McFarland: What is the law of recompense? And what is the difference between a Nazirite and a Nazarene? Well, this and more we'll cover on today's edition of Exploring the Word. We are in the Book of Numbers and Bert Harper and I have been teaching this Old Testament book, which is a book we believe really rich, with lessons for us in our own Christian growth. Bert, I don't know that I've heard many sermons out of the Book of Numbers in my, life as a believer, but there's a lot of material here because it is God's word and as the Bible says, it is profitable. All scripture is given by God and is profitable. And that would include the Book of Numbers.

>> Bert Harper: It would. And now if you're in a Bible study group and you're going through the Book of Numbers, you're going to cover this the way Alex and I are. You're going to cover these chapters, but you're going to zoom in on a few places that has, I would say, a good bit more to say concerning, the message of the scriptures, redemption. But all of it is profitable. And in chapter five we find out the camp was really important. At the center of the camp was the tabernacle. And you remember what we discussed yesterday, Alex. No person should come in very close except those that God has said. I want the priests, the Levites, Moses and Erin here. But those that were in the tribes outward, they better not get too close. But that was showing the importance, the holiness of it. But now in chapter five we get to the place of, you know, I would say keeping the camp safe, physically, spiritually, both. And here in chapter five we have a, you know, I'm going to find a repeated word. Alex. The word defy or defile or defiled is mentioned nine times and it's talking about that of physical defilement. In other words, some things physically that may be contaminated, but also other reasons there to be, put aside for a while outside the camp. Then relations, when there's relation between two individuals, that's, I would say relational defilement. You got to get that straight. And then finally, verses 11 through 31 is marriage, between a man and a woman. And Having difficulty there. So chapter five covers all these things, but it's about keeping the camp safe and clean, physically and spiritually. Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen.

Alex: There are many practical lessons in the Bible about hygiene and health

Well, you know, words mean so much, and we just find a lot of rich lessons, in the verses and the words. We're in chapter five. And there is talk about the cleansing. verse two talks about putting out of the camp every leper, those that have, some sort of infection, and whoever is defiled by a dead person. In other words, being in contact with a dead person. And it doesn't mean that God didn't love people that were ill or had some communicable disease. Bert. I think some of this about, leprosy and hygiene and physical cleansing. Yes, there were spiritual lessons in this, but there were also just the practical lessons.

>> Bert Harper: Exactly.

>> Alex McFarland: And, you know, God told Israel when they were in the wilderness. I mean, there were very specific, declarations about where to dig a well, where to put the, latrine, shall we say, far away. And do you know these codes today? What's so interesting? Many building codes today about the drinking water, far away from the impure water. these building codes that are for. They're also called the health code. The. They go all the way back to Israel in the wilderness, where practically God was telling them hygiene and health. And how would the Jews know this? Because the one that was directing them is our maker, Almighty God. Isn't that amazing?

>> Bert Harper: That is amazing, Alex. When you see that, the microscope. No, it's not around. Test tubes with doing some things, they're not around, but God is. And God instructs them for, again, physical safety. But also, you see spiritual application here, that you keep yourself unspotted from the world. He would talk about that in the New Testament. Now, the law, Jesus fulfilled it. We're not living by everything out of all. Jesus himself would touch a leper. Jesus himself would touch a dead person. He was fulfilling the law. And so we are being set free in Christ. Now, that doesn't mean we don't take care of ourselves physically. We are. It doesn't mean we're free to live anyway. No, we are to live by God's standard. And again, we're not talking about keeping and being saved that way. But the Bible says, come out from among them and be separate, saith the Lord, and live as Christ would have us live. And I think we get that from chapter five, Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: We do. And verses, five through ten is about recompensing, or making restitution. Now, what's fascinating, God, told the children of Israel if someone commits a sin. very interesting. when a man or woman shall commit any sin that men commit to do a trespass against the Lord, and that person be guilty, then they shall confess their sin, which they have done, and he shall recompense and his trespass with the principle thereof, and add unto it the fifth part thereof, and give it to him against whom he hath trespassed. Okay, there's a lot in here, and there's a word I want to bring out. And by the way, Bert, in your translation, does it use the word recompense, like there in verse 8? To recompense to a kinsman?

>> Bert Harper: Restitution. Restitution, yes.

>> Alex McFarland: Now, for one thing, verse six. Any sin that men commit. So there's the acknowledgment that we fallen humans commit sin, but it says, a trespass against the Lord, ultimately the one before whom we sin and against whom we sin is ultimately God, even though now we should make restitution. you know, on the way into church today, I'm at Southside Baptist in Greensboro. There is a place, I've driven past it a week now, where apparently somebody's car ran over the curb and knocked down a part of a person's fence. And Angie and I drove by the other day, and I said, I wonder when they're going to fix that. And I saw some men looking at it, and I said, I bet one of those is an insurance adjuster. no doubt. Whoever ran over the curb and hit somebody's fence, they're going to have to make restitution. And it goes on here. Even though when we sin, it's ultimately against the Lord, and it says, add unto it a fifth part thereof. So there's not only making right what was done, but restitution. What's fascinating to me, though, Bert, guess what it says in verse 8. If the man have no kinsman to recompense the trespass, to let the trespass be recompensed unto the Lord, even to the priest. In other words, let's say that you did something against somebody, and I don't know, maybe they're dead and gone or maybe moved away and you can't physically make right with the person, at least go to the priest and make recompense. But here's the thing. Amazing. To me, the word recompense or restitution is very, very, very similar to the word circumcise. Now you say, well, wait a minute. I thought that was a Procedure done to the male babies. And it is. And, the male babies were circumcised to show that they were part of the Abrahamic covenant and they were being raised to be followers of God. Well, the word circumcise literally means to cut all the way around. So if you can circumcise what was a sinful deed, in other words, you, to the fullest extent possible, you're making that which was unholy, holy, just like a male baby, entering it into the covenant. Bert, isn't it amazing? I know we don't necessarily think or talk this way, but to circumcise a deed, in other words, to make right and then some, and bring it before the Lord for forgiveness and restitution, being right with man and with God. That's fascinating, use of that word.

>> Bert Harper: It really is. And when you add the 20%, now that's. I know you say fifth, but. And that registers with the 20%. Even registers more. The full amount repaid the price of that fence. Yes, I'll give that. But then you add to it just saying it was wrong the way it was. Then you'd say, if it costs, thousand dollars to repair that fence, you would add $200 to it in that. And it really. Two things, I think. This is not just making. Trying to make it right, but it makes you put. Okay, I better watch what I do. again, this is, yes, spiritual is awesome, but the practicality of it. Alex, would. Okay, I better not do that.

Alex: Luke's Gospel speaks about restitution and making right with God

Look what. How much it's going to cost me. And, you know, so these, these people are, are. God is preparing them to live together here, but also when they get into the land, they are to live together. And so this is relational in all of these ways. But, when that has been broken, you can make restitution. In other words, it can be made right. Made right with the individual you wronged, but also made right with God. Alex, I think it's an awesome illustration of what happens to us in Christ Jesus. Jesus paid our price and we, were set free.

>> Alex McFarland: You remember Zacchaeus?

>> Bert Harper: Yes.

>> Alex McFarland: And you and I, we talked through the book of Luke. He said, half my possessions I give to the poor, and anybody I cheated, I will repay fourfold. Zacchaeus said so. He understood, the law of recompense, didn't he?

>> Bert Harper: He really did. And now when you move on from there, we doubt if we have time. Verse 11. And look how much more space is given to this. In other words, verses one through four. is concerning the defilement of the body. Verses 5 through 10 is relation between neighbors or people. But verses 11 through 31 is difficulty with a husband and wife. Alex, it gets a lot more coverage, doesn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: You know, a man and a woman have an affair, and the woman's husband doesn't know it. Verse 13 says, and the deed be kept close. that the husband didn't know it, but then the spirit of jealousy comes upon him. I mean, for one thing, this thing about infidelity, jealousy, revenge. Bert, human nature just doesn't change, does it? I mean, this is 1450 B.C. and it's things that go on in the 21st century.

>> Bert Harper: When he gave this, there's no record. And I knew I couldn't think of one. And I checked two or three sources and I said, there's no record of anybody, a husband bringing his wife before the, you know, the. The priest there to have this all done. If they don't know for sure, if there's no witnesses. let me say this. When you read all that, I understand what. There's no room for jealousy. There's room for trust. there's room for forgiveness. And when I read all of that, Alex, that was true then. It's still true today in a marriage relationship.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, amen. Amen.

Exploring the Word is in Numbers, chapter five

And, I know we've got a break coming up here in just a little bit, but if you're just tuning in, we're in Numbers, chapter five. It's fascinating. the only mention in the Bible, for holy water is in verse 17. It is if an accused woman comes forward. And there's. It's basically trying to, I guess cleanse the uncleanness of infidelity. Infidelity having taken place. Fascinating stuff. We're going to talk through it, plus get into chapter six. Plus take your calls and questions on this edition of Exploring the Word. We hope you'll stay with us as we continue in Numbers. And later on, we'll take your calls. Stay tuned.

The month of June has been hijacked by the anti Christian culture

>> Jeff Chamblee: The month of June has been hijacked by the anti Christian culture to show their pride in something God calls an abomination. When you support afr, you help us continue to stand for godly values and provide the resources for you to stay in the know about the enemy's tactics. To say thank you for your gift this month, we'll give you the booklet inside the LGBTQ push of the 1990s to help strengthen your convictions. Just go to afr.net afar offers afr uh.net offers.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Again.

>> Alex McFarland: You're worthy, God. You're worthy of all your promises.

>> Bert Harper: Never fail. Amen. He is worthy of all our praise. I hope you're praising the Lord. Listen, that is so important that we are to give him honor. He's the only one who is worthy of such honor. And in numbers, chapter five, we're finding out there's some things that God says is real important. Ah, it's important to be, pure and holy. He says, be ye holy, for I am holy. Then it's also important to live right with your neighbor, you know, and live peaceably with them. And it's also, According to verses 11, the rest of it here in chapter five, the relationship between a husband and a wife is just sacred. And, it is to be entered into very, very seriously. Not lightly, but seriously, to keep the vows that God has. And so God puts a premium on marriage, and that's what you get. And Alex, again, let me just say there's no room for this jealousy because it can build. And God has given away. Although it seems a little unusual, I admit that. but God finds. Gives, away saying, okay, I don't want this to remain. I don't want the marriage to be done away with. I want there to be peace in this marriage, to be good and sound. And so let's get rid of all the jealousy and the suspicion. Let's make it right. Alex, that's. That's pretty good Advice Even in 2025, isn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: Exactly, exactly. you know, it's fascinating. you've got in verse 17 a reference to holy water. And in verse 18 you've got a reference to bitter water. Now, the word, holy water simply means consecrated or set apart or even. It can mean saintly. And the word bitter water there can mean something that is, well, impure. So there's a ritual here. So there is a woman who has committed adultery on her husband. The husband is understandably very angry. So the priest prescribes this ritual and says, hey, drink this bitter water that's going to make your belly swell. and the woman shall say, amen, amen, verse 22. Now, it doesn't imply that the male, who was, complicit with this doesn't have some restitution, to make as well. But there seems to be here, and it talks about the jealousy offering that, they're trying to save a marriage here. Now this is. They didn't have Gary chapman in the five love languages. That's good. Alex, 3500 years ago. But it's a very, detailed ritual that they go through here. And let me just say this, not to allegorize too much, but the drinking of bitter water in the aftermath of a sin. I mean, you think about what adultery is. It's, you know, immoral. It's breaking of trust. It's betrayal of one's vows. That is bitter, isn't it? And I realize to our modern sensibilities, a long, ritual like this seems, you know, unusual. But the woman says amen, Amen. In other words, like, I admit it. And, we're going to repent from this. And then, at verse 31, then shall, the man be guiltless from iniquity. And this woman shall bear her iniquity. Really, the guilt that the man is to be absolved from here is the husband being jealous and, cursing and things like that. So there's the rebuilding of a relationship. But you know what? Let me just say this. This would have been true then. It certainly is true now. The best way to, solve something like this is to never let it happen in the first place.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Now, what happens if there had been a witness of such a, sin? It's different. This is where the woman, the husband, says it's happened or he thinks it's happened. And this is a way to find out, if. If she drinks that water and she. It doesn't leave, bring on all this physical ailments. Alex, then she was speaking truth. It was an amazing thing how this took place. And, so again, what God desires is a man and a woman married for life, faithfulness all the way through, and that's the way we should live. And, Alex, I love that idea that God says there's not room for this in a marriage. They should not be. And so let's, as believers and followers of Jesus Christ, we need to make our marriages a, priority. again, our relationship with God, in our relationship with our wife, as men and women with their relationship with their God, Jesus Christ. And then their relationship with their husband is priority. So that's. That's so important. And again, this is God getting his people ready to go into the land that he has given them. And he's saying, listen, from the very place where you live, in your home, we need this kind of harmony. We need this kind of relationship that is faithful and true. And so, Alex, again, these are given so they can live peaceably in the land among themselves that God has given them.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen.

Bert: Think about your commitment to Christ through the Nazarite vow

Well, in chapter six of Numbers, we're going to get into, the Nazarite vow. And that's not a Nazarene from the area of Nazareth, but Nazarite is very interesting. And as we get into this, think about this, think about your commitment to Christ because you know, God, remember he called the Levites to be, the priestly class. And yesterday in Numbers four we were talking about the, the sons of Kohath, K o h a t h that were looking after much of the equipment of the tabernacle and things like that. You know, as Christians, God was making a kingdom of priests. You know, now there is, and I'm talking about New Testament Christianity here, some are called to what we would name vocational ministry. That's Ephesians 4, 11, 12 that he gave pastors, teachers and evangelists. And let me say this, we're not saying that those called to full time ministry are somehow better or more deserving of God's favor or anything like that. You know, the ground is level at the foot of the cross, but really your level of commitment and consistency and the depth that ultimately is represented by your walk with the Lord. So much of that has got to be a choice within your own heart. and the Nazirite vow, Bert, what's interesting is I get the impression, like in verse 2 of Numbers 6, speak unto the children of Israel and saying to them, when either a man or a woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazirite to separate themselves unto the Lord, he shall separate himself. Now I want to talk about in what ways? But this is a non Levite. The Levites were called and the other assignments were given. But it seems like a Nazirite vow. Maybe one could take that on themselves. just like in Christianity, you can go as deeply with the Lord as you choose to go. In fact, you are as close to the Lord as you have chosen to go. Because if you want to get closer, go deeper, pray more, learn more, serve more, there's no limit. Now what's interesting is, an Nazi are Nazir or. Nazir is an Arabic word that means watcher or overseer. Now I'm going to say this and I'll throw it back to you, Bert. Just like the Nazarite, Samson took a Nazarite vow. you know, think about this. A priest. The Levitical priests were not supposed to drink alcohol before serving in the tabernacle. And that's Leviticus 10. But the Nazirites were forbidden to drink any alcohol whatsoever. For the time of their. I mean, it's almost like even though the one woman or man who made a Nazarite vow, Lord, I'm going to be a watcher, an overseer for you. I'm going to be holy for you. In a way, their, boundaries that they would voluntarily submit themselves to were even in some ways stricter than a Levite serving in the priesthood.

>> Bert Harper: Alex, you had three individuals in the Bible that we know were Nazarites for life. and you've mentioned one, you know, Samson, Samuel, and then John the Baptist. And again, those three things not to drink anything from the grapevine. That means the wine, the grapes themselves, the seed, it'd be raisins, let their hair grow. And usually it was for a season. but these were for life and not to touch a dead corpse, animal or human. And most what you see here would take a Nazirite vow for a time, not for life. The only ones that we know were life again, Samson, Samuel, and John the Baptist. And so during this period of time, if something happened and you did, something wrong, because you never know exactly. You, could touch something dead and not even know it. Now, Samson did it purposely. He knew what he was doing. But anyway, so some of these things could happen. Then you could start all over, and you'd shave your hair and you'd start all over. On eighth day, you would make recompense by an offering. So all of this is in chapter six. And so what you have here is starting over. And then at the end, after you've completed your vow, you cut your hair and it becomes a part of the offering. This is. I found that interesting now in the New Testament, Paul again, it doesn't say it was a Nazarite vow. But anyway, when he's on his missionary journey, and it's. I think it's the third one, he's determined to get back to Jerusalem. And he, he says something about a vow he has taken. so even today. Let me just share this. Now, it's not a Nazarite vow that I'm saying, but. But there may be period of time in a believer's life when they set aside a certain time. though, yes, you can fast food, but fast from food. And then you can say, okay, I'm going to take a news break for so much time. I'm going to, you know, do this. And it's a vow. Now what's. Its purpose is for God to do a work in your life. And so when you look at the three that were called for, Nazarites for life. listen, one was a judge, okay? The other was a priest and a prophet, Samuel. And the other was John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus Christ. Alex, each one of them had a lifetime calling as a Nazarite.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, they did.

>> Bert Harper: They did. And so now ours, we have a lifetime calling of being close to Christ. It doesn't mean we check off. I don't do this. I don't do that. But it does mean we draw close to him once we start with Christ, Alex, Draw near to God, and he'll draw near to you. That's what we need to do, isn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: That's. That's true.

Bert Harper: I was trying to figure out about the wave offering

And, Bert, let's talk for a minute, about the wave offering. Like, in 6:20, the priest shall wave a wave offering. W a V E. And you think, oh, waving like hello, waving your hand. I want to talk about this for a minute because, like, if the Nazirite, the one who takes a vow, and this was voluntary, could be a man or a woman, you know, lord, I'm going to serve you. And for the next 12 months, I'm going to pray every day and share the gospel every day. and you're right, Samson, John the Baptist in Samuel, were under a lifetime Nazirite vow. N A Z I R a watcher, an overseer. Now, there's another word very similar to this in verse 21 that means separation. I want to tell you what, I was trying to figure out about the wave offering. And you tell me if I'm on the right path. Because if they, during the time of their separation, they didn't keep their vow like you said, they would ritualistically go to the priest, make an offering, cut their hair, kind of start over. And the time of their separation, they would acknowledge, hey, I sinned. I didn't keep my commitment to the Lord. The priest shall wave a, wave offering for them before the Lord. This is holy for the priest with the wave, offering. Now, I looked up that word, and it means to move something back and forth, or to hold something up and shake it, or to move with a controlled movement. And I was thinking, what does this mean? Could it mean, Bert, the wave offering? because when you're holding something up, moving it back and forth, you're controlling it. And in a way, was the wave offering to symbolically say, with God's help, I've got control of this. That thing doesn't have control of me, you know, holding it up, too? Yes.

>> Bert Harper: You know what I mean? Not holding it down, holding it up. I think you're right, Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: I've said it before the Lord. I have control over this. With God's help and for God's glory. That thing doesn't have control of me. And to the time of separation, the word is N E Z E R A, form of nazer, just like the Nazirite was, consecrated. You're overseeing, and then you are separated. And I'll just say this, I'll throw it back to you. We are called out. We're to be sanctified, aren't we? We're in the world, and yet we're different from the world because our identity and our citizenship is different.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. A lot of verses Paul gave. We got just through with Romans, Romans 12:1. We're in the world, but not of the world. This, is the whole idea. And Alex, real quickly, let's do this. When we come back, we're going to take phone calls. And that number is 885-898-8410. 888-589-8840. You make your call now. And, we're going to come back in first, two or three minutes. Alex, let's look at the blessing. I just found it interesting. At the end of the instruction for the Nazarite vow, it was that Erin and his sons would speak a blessing over all of Israel for each and not just the, And so I think that means each individual Nazarite vow, there's blessings that passes on to others. Hey, we're going to come back. 885-89885. Give us a call.

>> Bert Harper: This Sanctity of Life month, we honor the over 66 million babies whose lives have been tragically ended through abortion since Roe. Sadly, with the abortion pill accounting for over 60% of all abortions, babies lives are at even greater risk now. But in the midst of this darkness, there's a light that shines, and that's preborn. Preborn's network of clinics have rescued over 300,000 babies from abortion and have prayed with over 80,000 women to come to Christ.

>> Alex McFarland: When I heard her heartbeat, I decided to keep her. And now my daughter's about to be three. I don't know where my life would be without her.

>> Bert Harper: An ultrasound doubles a baby's chance at life. This is Bert Harper asking you to join PreBorn in protecting life. One ultrasound session costs $28, and $140 will sponsor five ultrasounds. Any gift will help. $100, $200 $1,000. To donate, securely dial pound 250 and say the key word baby.

>> Bert Harper: That's pound 250, baby.

>> Bert Harper: Or go to preborn.com. that's preborn.com afr that's preborn.com afr.

>> Alex McFarland: Right now. God, I'm looking for you, and I'm.

>> Bishop EW Jackson: Wondering where you are.

>> Alex McFarland: Welcome back to Exploring the Word. Hey, the number, if you want to call in with Bible question, it's 8885-898840-88589-8840.

Bert: The last few verses of chapter six are just precious

but before we go to the phone calls, Bert, the last few verses of numbers, chapter six are just precious. Would you walk us through those? Verse 22 to 27.

>> Bert Harper: And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, speak to Erin and his sons, saying, this is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them, the Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. So they shall put my name on the children of Israel. I will bless them. Now, Alex, again, I wanted to go over this because I didn't want to leave it hanging. Tomorrow we'll start in chapter seven. But I found it interesting that this, located where it is, right after what he's given to us in the last few, is how they're to travel, how they're to camp. then he gives how to stay, pure and stay healthy inside the camp, how to get along with one another, take care of that which is important. And then Nazarite vow, In other words, there needs to be some times in your life when you do draw aside that you commit your ways all to the Lord, that you discipline yourself by not doing some things and doing some other things, that he would bring up this blessing. I think this is it. Because, listen, we're to live our life. God wants to bless us. He desires to bless us. But when we go our own way, do our own thing, not get right with our neighbor, not be live right with our loved ones, our spouse, our children. Listen, we're not going to have that peace. But when we do that, and give him glory and follow him, the Lord bless you and keep you. He will. The Lord make his face shine upon you. He will. And be gracious to you. His grace is sufficient. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you. They can see Christ in you, the hope of glory. And then what happens? He gives his peace. Alex, I think this is a culmination of what God is saying, this is what I want to do for you. That was then. And I believe what this prayer is. This blessing was good for them. But I want to just tell you, this blessing is good for us when we are following him as well. Doesn't mean everything's going to be easy. Doesn't mean, oh, it's nothing going wrong. No, but we have that peace that passes understanding that he gives no matter what. Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Wow. Powerful, powerful. Verse 26. The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee peace. You know, Bert, did you ever know the great gospel singer Doug Oldham?

>> Bert Harper: Oh, yes. Yes.

>> Alex McFarland: He was great. He's been in heaven a long time. He had a song called He Saw Me, God Saw Me. And let me just say. And we're going to go to the phones, but God sees you. The countenance of God is upon you. listener. Jesus sees you. He loves you. He cares about you. We always say this. He's as close by as a prayer.

>> Bert Harper: Hallelujah.

>> Alex McFarland: God's countenance is toward us. Isn't that amazing?

>> Bert Harper: It is. It is. Hey. Those of you who are listening, if you're not right with God, get right with God now. If you're saved, ask him to come into your life, forgive you of your sin. Surrender to him. That's it. You can say all the words you want to, but surrender. Say, lord, you died for me. You rose again, overcoming sin and death. I'm surrendering my life to you, now and forever. Those of you that are saved, confess your sins, get right with God and ask him, and then just give him everything. That's our prayer for you today.

Barry in Texas wonders how one reconciles Jesus crucifixion and Stephen execution

Well, Alex, we got people online. Let's go to the line, see how many we can get today. Barry in Texas. Barry, thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Thank you once again for taking my call. yeah, I'm under the impression that under Roman jurisdiction, the Jews were not allowed to, execute anybody. and that is why they went to pilot. I don't have to get, ah, Jesus crucifixion validated. But then we come to Stephen, and he was stoned to death. M. And I'm just wondering how one sort of reconciles those two events.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, good question, Barry. Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Yes.

>> Bert Harper: When. When Jesus was doing this, they were wanting it not just for the people. They were wanting to make it a. A spectacle of Roman. You remember what they said? We have no king but Caesar. And, they. They're the ones that brought Jesus to. To Pilate. Because of that, and making it real with, Stephen, they just stoned him. The woman that was caught in the act of adultery, you know, they were ready to stone her and kill her as well. so there was a political avenue there with Jesus, wasn't there? Don't you think there was with, you.

>> Alex McFarland: Know, one of the, one of the best books for understanding the relationship between the semi autonomy of the Jewish nation as led by the Pharisees and the Sanhedrin and then what Rome's authority was, the overlap and the intersection of those. There is a man, we haven't had him on in a while, but he's definitely a friend of AFR. His name is Dr. Neil Maman. He's an Indian Christian. Bert, have you ever met Neil Mahmoud?

>> Bert Harper: I have. Yes, I know Neil. Yes.

>> Alex McFarland: Brilliant. Oh my goodness. This man, he loves the Lord, but he wrote a book, I'm going to say it was about probably 10 years ago, called Jesus is Involved in Politics. And some people might not like that title, but I assure you it is a great book and in quite a bit of depth. Neil Maman documents that part of the reason that they had to appeal to Herod and Rome when they wanted to crucify Jesus was because while even at the time of Christ, Israel had its own police force. They had like temple police, but they could not, without Roman authority, execute somebody. Now in the case of the stoning of Stephen, I think Paul was a part of that. And ah, Saul of Tarsus as a Roman citizen had orders and legal authority to persecute the church. So I do think that the stoning of Stephen as vigilante, ah, and heinous as it was, Paul, Saul of Tarsus, I should say, had tried to go through the legal means to justify that, although it was unjustifiable. And when he saw the blinding light on the Damascus road, I think one of the things that he was very convicted about was that martyrdom that he had consented to.

>> Bert Harper: I agree. Barry, great question. Thank you.

Marcia from Arkansas says biblical feasts foreshadow Christ's return

Let's go to Marsha in Arkansas. Marcia, go right ahead.

>> Caroline: Yes, we've been reading in numbers, my husband and I recently and where the section about all the sacrifices, especially chapter 29, it talks about all the offerings, the Feast of Trumpets and the Feast of Booths. And I was wondering if, if y' all have ever done a study to figure out how these particular sacrifices shadow the New Testament Jesus, how many, you know, like the seven lambs, the one ram, the two bulls, you know, and then on the m. Feast of the first day, second day, Third day, it keeps going down. So have you ever did a correlation, figured out how that relates and what the significance of those are?

>> Bert Harper: Marcia, you're exactly right. It does. And it points to Christ. Alex, it would take too long for us. Give Marcia an overview of that, if you can.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, and by the way, Rose Publishing R O S E has an incredibly good chart on this. Well, you know, I think about the Feast of Trumpets and Rosh Hashanah. That is going to really, foretell and hearken to the return of Christ. And I think about Yom Kippur, the day of Atonement. And, of course, Christ is our atonement. And so all of these feasts, you know, the Bible says these things were a shadow or a foretelling of that which was to come. And, Bert, you know, how we've talked about, how it says the law was a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. the foreshadowings, in the feast are just so beautiful, whether it's tabernacles and, you know, the. Well, Jesus said, search the scriptures. They testify of me. And they do, don't they? I mean, all these pictures I'm listening for. And I'll say this about Rosh Hashanah, many scholars have felt like Christ would return during that Feast of Trumpets. I tend to agree.

>> Bert Harper: Amen, Marcia. I hope that helps. Does any. I got this. I got to do it. Marsha, does anybody ever come up to you and say, marcia, Marcia, Marcia?

>> Caroline: Yes, And I tell people when I introduce myself, that's how they can remember me.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, I'm sorry I brought that up, but I could not pass it. Thank you for calling. Have a beautiful day.

>> Alex McFarland: A Brady Bunch reference.

>> Bert Harper: That's it. Okay, Lori from Virginia. Thank you for calling. Lori.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Hi. Hello to both of you. I enjoy your show. I love apr.

Alex: Psalm 66 says how awesome are God's works

my question is, Psalm 66, verse three and also verse five. I'm not quite understanding those two. I enjoy reading my Bible. I, just became a Christian. I leave three years this August. And, could you all help me out with the Psalm 66, verse 3 and verse 5, please?

>> Bert Harper: Let me read it. Alex, again, how say to God how awesome are your works. Through the greatness of your power, your enemies shall submit themselves to you. I'm going to read verse four as well. All the earth shall worship you and sing praises to you. They shall sing praises to your name. Selah, come and see the works of God. He is awesome in his doing toward the sons of men.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, some Translations say how terrible are their works. The King James, Psalm 66, 3 and 5. how terrible are thy works? Terrible in his doing. But the word really does mean awesome. Awe. Ah, inspiring. It doesn't mean terrible as in some heinous bad thing, but it means how awesome are the works of God in his greatness. And so, I think that would clarify that, quite a bit.

>> Bert Harper: That's the reason, you know, again, some new versions, with words like that that meant something different, and six, you know, 16, 11, how they're changed. It does help. And this is one of, them.

Bird: If a Christian sins, do they still go to heaven

Thank you, Lori. Let's go to Ohio. Charles. Thank you for calling.

>> Bishop EW Jackson: Hey, guys, I want to say real quick, Alex, you come across as so kind, knowledgeable and, you know, patient and humble. I just wanted to let you all know. And Burt, how you doing today?

>> Alex McFarland: Hey, God be the glory.

>> Bert Harper: After I said Marsha, Marsha Marshall. I'm open game, Charles. Go ahead, man.

>> Bishop EW Jackson: Exactly. I thought, man, he just walked into that one for me. But no, seriously, Bird, I feel like if I was half the Christian you are, I'd have double the chance of getting a seat with the Lord in heaven. Anyway, so I appreciate you guys, my kind. I know this is a gray area question, but I just want to hear your thoughts on the, the whole once saved, always saved thing. My take on it is the Lord's not going to depart from me. So therefore, yes, if I'm once saved, I'm always saved because he's not going to leave me. If I choose to not serve him and quote, unquote, kind of walk away from serving him, then maybe I was as saved as I didn't give as much of my heart as maybe I thought I did. You know, I don't know if that makes sense.

>> Bert Harper: Oh, it does, Charles. Thank you. Let me, someone. I can't take this. Alex's Bert Harper coming up with it. I think it was somebody on the radio said, you know, it says once saved, always saved. Said if you'll change the work the first once to if. If you're truly saved, you're always saved. And that really, goes in with what Charles just asked, I think. Go ahead.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, well, I've said this a number of times, and by the way, thank you for that call and the kind sentiments to God be the glory. I think the definitive book on this is by Charles Stanley, the late, great Charles Stanley. He wrote a book called Eternal Security. Can you be sure? And I do, I believe in what we call the eternal security of the believer. You know, Ephesians 4:30 says, we are sealed to the day of redemption by the Holy spirit. Hebrews, 13 says, Jesus will never leave us or forsake us. John 10:28, Jesus says, regarding the believer, I give to them eternal life, and they will never perish. Now, if there are two passages, though, that seem to imply salvation could be lost, it would be. One would be Hebrews 6, and the other would be like, 1 John 2:19, 21. Now, here's the thing. I believe in eternal security, and it's not a license to sin. Paul addresses that. But I think our security in Christ is more about the faithfulness of God and less about the foibles and failures of man. Right. even a Christian can sin, Bert. Here at our camp in Georgia this week, I had several youth ask me, if a Christian sins, do they still go to heaven? So salvation, there's the experience of being born again, but then there's the lifelong journey of growing in the Lord. And sometimes we are very obedient and our fellowship is close, and then other times we might backslide, but positionally, we're in Christ. but let me say, just because we're secure in Christ doesn't mean we should be lax and not deal seriously and honestly with sin and, a hard heart, does it?

>> Bert Harper: It does not. The Bible says be holy. That doesn't mean perfect. But our direction is toward God. Positionally, we're in Christ practically. We need to practice holiness. And, not that we'd ever measure up completely, but we can be more and more like Christ.

Joseph in Mississippi praises American Family Association for putting on Activate summit

We got a minute left, so I'm going to go to Joseph in Mississippi. I noticed you got a comment about the Activate summit, Joseph. Do it quickly, brother. Go ahead.

>> Speaker J: I just wanted to. Yeah, thank you for taking my call. And I just want to. Want to compliment, you know, AFA for putting on a summit. And it was just so heartfelt. You know, you got a lot of these conferences and stuff, and this figure comes up and then they run off the stage. And it was just so heartfelt that all the speakers. Alex, I got to meet you. And Jenna Ellis. Everybody just kind of hung around and spoke with all the, viewers. And it was just so heartfelt to see that.

>> Alex McFarland: I, want to say thank you for attending.

>> Bert Harper: Amen, Joseph. Thank you, brother. We appreciate that. Alex. we're going to start, chapter. Is it seven tomorrow? Yeah, seven and eight. Read ahead. And I think you'll be blessed by it. So hope you have a great, great day. Keep, studying the word of God. Tell someone about exploring the word in American Family Radio. But more importantly, tell them about Jesus. The views and opinions expressed in this.

>> Alex McFarland: Broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of.

>> Bishop EW Jackson: The American Family association or American Family Radio.

Numbers 5 & 6: God's Blessing for His People