American Family Radio explores the Bible with answers to your Bible questions

>> 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. Welcome to Exploring the Word.

>> Bert Harper: This is Burt Harper and Alex McFarland will be joining us later on. Again, he is teaching some and he's going over a little bit, on the hour, but he'll be joining us if everything goes right later on in the first segment.

I'm always looking for repeated verses, repeated phrases in Isaiah 45

But we're in Isaiah 45 and, I just, you know, I'm always looking for repeated verses, repeated phrases, and Isaiah 45. It is awesome at that. Now, again, most of the time, those of you that teach and those of you that may give a devotion, or even pastors, repeated phrases in a certain section or like a chapter will probably give you a great outline to follow. And, I found that over the years and I tend to use that. I'm an outline guy because that helps me to. That's the skeleton kind of. And I put it together. But notice this, it's in chapter 45, verse 5, 6, 14, 18, 21 and 22. And you'll hear it as I read it. Verse 5, I'm the Lord, There is no other. There's no God besides me. And then the next verse it says, I, am the Lord and there is no other. All the way down into verse 14, you'll hear these words. It says, and there's no other. There's no other God. And then in verse 18, I am the Lord, and there is no other. Verse 21, there is no other God besides me. A, just God and a Savior. There is none beside me. And then in verse 22, look to me. And this is an awesome verse. This is one Charles Spurgeon really looked unto that spoke to his heart concerning salvation. Look to me and be saved all you ends of the earth. For I am, God and there is no other. I hope those of you who are listening have realized that and know that, there's idols. yes, they had them in the Old Testament. We have them today. they're not necessarily the same ones and different avenues, but yet anything that comes before God, tends to be that idol in our heart, in a person's heart and life. But here there's really no other God. All the other are false gods. They're like Dagon, they fall on their face, honestly. And so we want to do that and because God is God and we're made in his image. That's why, here at American Family Radio we really enjoy our partnership with PreBorn. Yesterday we had the privilege of having having the founder and president of PreBorn with us, the first segment, Dan Steiner. And by the way, I'll give a little promotion this weekend if you can listen to the other program that I'm a host of, Nathan, my son and I had the privilege of having Dan Steiner on just for a little bit.

For $28 you can help preborn save hundreds of unborn babies

And then Nathan and I talk about preborn and the evangelistic mission effort that it and it's biblical, so. But preborn is an awesome ministry. they're on the front lines, ah, trying to help, first the babies and the mothers, the babies that they'll be born and the mothers that they could be born again. And over these last 20 years, over 400,000 babies, lives have been saved. And during that time, over 100,000 women have surrendered their life to Jesus Christ. That's the ministry of preborn. A ultrasound is the secret there. When a woman comes in that is abortion minded, they ask her, could we have an ultrasound? And when that has happened and they see the ultrasound and hear the heartbeat, it doubles the chances of that baby being born and not being aborted. And for $28 you can make a difference. It might. It would be a baby saved and for his death and it would be the mother coming to know Jesus Christ as savior. Can you imagine up in heaven when they connect all the dots of the money and the prayers that someone comes up to you and says, thank you for giving to the Lord. That $28 made a difference in my life and it made a difference in my mother's life because she was born again. That is the opportunity you have when you call 877-616-2396. That's 877-616-2396 or donate [email protected] so I pray that you will do that. And remember they don't just stop after the baby's born. They continue with counseling and help. Diapers, car seats and so much more that would help that baby achieve, good health and a good family. So we're, we're part of preborn. I hope you will be a part of that.

There's so much in Isaiah chapter 45 that you could deliver

Well, getting back to Isaiah, chapter 45, we find out that this passage, in verse, verse, and I want to say this for Alex, when he comes, he introduces someone that's also introduced in chapter 44 and it's Cyrus, He calls him a shepherd. And, verse, 28 of chapter 44 says, he shall perform all my pleasure, even saying to Jerusalem, you shall be built into the temple. Your foundation shall be laid. This is before Cyrus comes to be the king. So this is definitely prophetic voice. And here it is, cyrus in chapter 45, verse 1. To subdued nations before him to loose the armor of the kings so that the gates will not be shut. And notice it says, God says, I will go before you and make the crooked places straight. We've heard that before. John the Baptist kind of took that on. I will break in pieces the gates of bronze. Now, verse three sets it all up. And again, there's so much in chapter 45 that you could, deliver. Promises, devotions, Bible studies. Listen to verse three of chapter 45. I will give you the treasures of darkness in hidden riches of secret places. That you may know that I, the Lord, who call you by your name, am the God of Israel. Now, that is powerful. Not only the God of Israel, but for those of us who have been born, born again. He's our God. He is God. That you may know. When, you see those words that you may know, you can't help but go to First John. He says, I've written these things that you may know. And all dear, in the book of First John, there's five different times it says that you may know. And if you've done that, then you know it's not a hope. So, or maybe so salvation, as someone has said, it, is a no. So that we can know the Lord. And we can know that it doesn't set us free to do everything we and our carnal nature wants to do. No, we're not, a license, but it is a freedom to obey God and follow him and be his servant. Notice how many times that word is used in the whole book of Isaiah. servant. We have the servant songs. And here for Jacob, my servant sake. Israel was to be a servant of the Lord. They were to make known who God was. That's the reason they were placed in that strategic location that we know is Israel. Right? Basically close to where three continents meet. Where ocean going in that strategic area of, northern Africa and southern Europe. All the trade boats would come by their shores and probably dock there. And they would find out if you go there, there, if you buy, I'm using our language. A pound of, of anything, you're going to get it. And you're not. It's not going to be below that. You're going to get it? They trade. True. They're people who, keep their word. That's what they were to do there in that place. Now, the church today, we're spread everywhere, north, south, east, west. But they still should see our good works and glorify the Father who's in heaven. Our good works is helping others. It's ministering to them. It's making a difference. So we are to do what? We're a part of this. That you may know that others may know that the Lord, he is God. And so I hope that's taken place in your life. I remember growing up, this is when communism was really the threat. I, I remember doing the bomb drills and getting in the hallway, getting under your desk because never know when a, a bomb might fall on America. Now, that was a child's view. And, but we did do those, very important procedures so we would hopefully be safe. And so we grew up with that threat knowing that. And I remember hearing people say, if you were convicted, or, excuse me, if you were charged with being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? That always got my attention. I think it should get our attention today. is someone watching your life? Do they think, oh, he is a Christ follower? And here it is that you may know that I'm the Lord. Honestly, that's our job to know him and to make him known. I know that's a cliche, but it is still true. Those who call you by your name, God calls us by name. He knows our name. He knows our every thought. the hairs on our head are numbered. And God knows everything about us. For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel my elect. Now here it is again, verse four. I read it earlier. I have even called you by your name. I've named you, though you have not known me. I'm, the Lord. And there is no other. There's no God beside me. That's who God is. There's really no other God. the good question is, who are you depending upon? what are you trying to accomplish? What's taking place in your life? Listen, God's the only one that is sure. Everything else is going to come short.

Paul says God's grace is sufficient in every situation

Science, education, your finances, you're never going to have enough finances, you're never going to have enough health. but God, he is sufficient. And, what Paul found out about God's grace, that it is sufficient in every way. nothing short. When he was in prison, he said, I know how to abound, and I know how to be a Base. And his grace is sufficient in every situation, in every time. So I hope you have that kind of assurance. And I, think Alex is close to joining us.

Isaiah mentions that he is the Lord six times in chapter 45

Alex, we're in chapter 45, and I want to read this. And I say verse one, to talk about. With you here, about Cyrus, when this is, years before Cyrus had ever come to power. But I did want you. And you nearly take us out on it. In verse four, it says, I have even called you by your name. I have named you, though you have not known me. I, am the Lord. And there's no other. There's no God beside me. Alex. Isaiah, drives that home. In this chapter, he mentions it 40, in this 45 chapter, he mentions that he is the Lord. There is no God besides him. Six times. That's kind of the theme, isn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, it really is.

Bert says Isaiah prophesied Cyrus would return Jews to their land

And, Bert, it's great to be with you, and I appreciate everybody in my coming, in a minute late here, but here's the thing. Cyrus was the founder of the Persian Empire, and he would, really. And this is in Ezra. It's also in Isaiah 44, 28 and Isaiah 45, 1:4. He would return the Jews to their land. And, Bert, this is one of the most amazing prophecies of scripture, isn't it? Cyrus is the servant of God, and hundreds of years before he rose to power, it's prophesied. Isaiah, was written probably about 750 BC, and I mean, this prophecy about the ascendancy and the life and actions of Cyrus, I mean, it is just a miracle prophecy, isn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It really is. And again, this is the reason a lot of folks says, this is not Isaiah. This is somebody else using that name and doing it afterwards. But no, this is if you know God, God notices. He knows them by name even before they're named. Okay, we'll come back and talk about that. This is exploring the Word on the American Family Radio Network. And we're going to continue in the book of Isaiah.

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>> Dr. Jessica Peck: Praise him for friends and family, for the very air we breathe.

>> Bert Harper: We breath.

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: For having everything we need. Won't somebody come praise the Lord with me?

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah.

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: Can I get a hallelujah? Someone say amen. Can I get a thank you, Jesus? Lord have mercy.

>> Alex McFarland: Praise. Amen. Amen. Welcome back. Yes, you can get a hallelujah from us and appraise Jesus. That's a good song, isn't it, Bert?

>> Bert Harper: It really is. We need. Listen, we need to praise the Lord, guys, sometimes when we get together, you know, as a worship, yeah, you got a lot of different things, but praise is a large part of it, Alex. We need to praise him for who he is.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen.

Bert says God wants us to know him and then serve him as servants

Well, we are in Isaiah, chapter 45 and there is a verse that we are going to get to. I want to read this. Then we will get to verses 5 and 6, which very much is reminiscent of Isaiah 43:11. But you know, God predicts the coming of Cyrus. And, he will, go before thee and make the crooked places straight. I will break in pieces the gates of brass and cut in sunder the bars of iron, and I will give thee the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places that thou may know that I, the Lord, which call thee by name, am the God of Israel. And, and so, you know, God is predicting that Cyrus is going to be raised up. And there's not only deliverance from this particular season of some of the Jews journey, but Cyrus himself is going to find out about the God of Israel that he didn't really know about. Isn't he, Bert?

>> Bert Harper: He really is. And God uses men and women, to carry out his purposes that are not in a personal relationship with him even today. And I'm not going to go into the ones I think I know, but they are those and God is using them. but here's what God's desire is, is for us to know him and then that we serve him as servants. And when you hear that word servant, I'm going to say it again. I think I said it every day this week. That's the highest calling in God's kingdom. And so to be a servant of the Lord Jesus. There's no higher calling, no matter what your profession might be. And so, Alex, verse five again. I am the Lord and there's no other. There's no God besides me. There really is none other, are there?

>> Alex McFarland: That's true. And I love this. That's why I've got it underlined in my Bible. You know, back Isaiah 43:11. I, even I am the Lord. Beside me there is no Savior. And then in Isaiah 45:5, I am the Lord. There is none else. There is no God beside me. I girded thee, though thou has not known me. That they may know from the rising of the sun and from the west that there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else. Let me just parenthetically say this. The God of Israel and Jesus Christ came. And Jesus said, if you've seen me, you've seen the Father. Jesus said, I and the Father are one. Jesus said that he is the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through Him. Okay, that being the case here, NewSong Testament and Old Testament, the biblical God claims to be the one and only. That being the case, the God of Islam is not God. Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, Shintoism, all of the isms of the world, there's this pantheon of Gods. But yet, according to his own testimony, the God of the Bible is in a category of one. He is, and he alone is God and Savior.

>> Bert Harper: And when Jesus was asked, we would see the Father God. Jesus says, have you not been so long with me that when you have seen me, you have seen the Father, Jesus Christ, the Redeemer. How many times have we used seen the word Redeemer in the book of Isaiah? Alex, again and again and again. This pictures God. And then when we find Jesus, incarnation of God's incarnation. God m the God, man. God with us, Emmanuel. We see that. That he is the Lord and there is no other. when he had forgive sin, they would say, who can forgive sin but God? They were right. But they were wrong.

>> Alex McFarland: Mark, chapter two.

>> Bert Harper: That's it. But they were wrong in thinking, okay, he's not God. Yes, he is. So you want to get right with God and you do that through Jesus Christ.

Bertrand Russell: God does not create evil or sin

Alex, I couldn't help but look at verse seven. I formed the light and create darkness. God, okay? He sees as well in the darkness as he does in the light, you know, and there's no difference with him, is there?

>> Alex McFarland: That's true. And by the way, light and matter. let's talk about this a little bit. And let's say what verse seven isn't saying. God does not create evil or sin.

>> Bert Harper: Ah.

>> Alex McFarland: The Bible says that he is perfect and holy. and we've had this question a number of times. I form the light and, you know, photons. Light, you know, light is a very tangible thing and create Darkness. I make peace and create evil. It says in the King James. And Bert, I want to talk about this. Yahweh do these things. And I want to look up the word. It's really the word calamity.

>> Bert Harper: Right? It's that way in the new King James. It makes that understood. Go ahead.

>> Alex McFarland: And I think, and we've said this a number of times, I want to be clear about, caused versus allowed, because this word in the English, caused. We've got to be clear. God does not, do things that are cruel. God is not mean. God is not evil. God is not malicious. But he is the sovereign God. And there are things he causes that are good, and there are some things that he allows, you know. But, Bert, I really do. You know, the Bible talks about, that with every temptation, God will make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. there's a philosophy called determinism. And Albert Einstein, the physicist, he was a determinist. He rejected, very soundly rejected the idea that humans had free will. Well, if humans don't have free will, that means that evil, sinful things, people just. They were helpless against it. God caused it. I'm going to tell you something, Bert. We've done crusades in, I do not know how many jails and prisons last year, the year before. I've talked to a whole bunch of inmates, and they would say, I did this or that. And I mean, I'm just saying it. I've been to death row in Virginia, I think, four times. I've had men confess to me, and they said, I did this thing. And the Holy Spirit was practically shouting in my heart, don't do it. So God doesn't cause evil. Now, evil happens in a world of fallen sinners. I'm going to say this. I'm going to throw it back to Burt. We have free will, and God will do his utmost to try to steer us to the right way. But if we are bound and determined to commit sin, he doesn't twist our arm, really, does he?

>> Bert Harper: He does not. And honestly, to have love, you must have choice. God first loved us. He chose to love us. He chose to love us, Alex. He really did. He first loved us. We can love him. And this create calamity. we live in this fallen world and. Yes, but the good thing about that is God notice these two things together make peace and create calamity. Even in the calamity that happens, you and I and those who are listening can have peace through the Lord Jesus. Christ, that's what's amazing. You know, when Jesus calmed the storm, he just simply said, peace, be still. Now, again, this doesn't mean I'm exactly right, but I'm not sure that it every. All the storm it could have. But my vision is where they were. And where Jesus was, there was peace. Now, outside of that man, the storm in my. When I visualize it, and I could be wrong, I'm not saying exactly, but in my mind, the storm is still raging everywhere else, all around them. But where Jesus is with those apostles, Alex, there's peace. And that's a picture of what happens to us in this calamitous world that we live in. Even though everything around us may be crashing, the things going through it. You remember that we've already read this week. Through the waters, through the rivers, in the fire. He says, I'm with you. What does that mean? Right? In the midst of the calamity, there is that peace that passes understanding that God gives us. You catch one using those, using those two together, I, believe God was letting us see that, you know,

Bert: Let the skies pour down righteousness. Let righteousness spring up together

>> Alex McFarland: As big, big storms are being predicted even now. Isaiah 45. 8 is an interesting verse, Says, drop down ye heavens from above. Okay, God creates the rain. dropping down God's heavens bring rain in the natural sense. But then there's the spiritual. And let the skies pour down righteousness. Let the earth open. Let them bring forth salvation. Let righteousness spring up together. I, the Lord, have created it. You know, this natural world operates according to laws, the law of gravity. You know, there's really the law of sowing and reaping. But there are spiritual laws too, Bert, as you know. I mean, there's, the law of imputed righteousness. If you believe in Jesus, there's imputed unrighteousness of Adam and Eve. We need a savior, Bert. Just like I know what it is to pray for rain, I really, really do know what it is to pray for rain. Going 100 acres of corn every summer. we did pray for rain, but let the skies pour down righteousness, Bert. Could we in this natural world pray for, miracles in the spiritual realm and God rain down righteousness and send a Holy Spirit revival on this prodigal America? Would it be right for the church to begin to pray for a precipitation of righteousness to fall down?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, you remember that, the mercy drops are falling.

>> Alex McFarland: Oh, yeah.

>> Bert Harper: What was that song? Let me see.

>> Alex McFarland: Showers of blessings.

>> Bert Harper: Showers of blessings.

>> Alex McFarland: There shall be showers of blessings.

>> Bert Harper: So we are praying for showers of righteousness. And, yeah, mercy drops. We get those mercy drops. Every time, I open the word of God and see what God has done, there's a mercy drop. I understand that, but we're talking about rain down. We're talking about the righteousness of God pouring down on earth. And guess what happens? And the earth open and let it bring forth salvation. When that comes down, the others spring up. Alex, you know, you was talking about your corn. Why'd y' all want the rain? So the corn could, what, sprout up and come up. So when God brings down those that righteousness, out of that comes the springs of revival. Think about it. Every time. The first great awakening. The second great awakening, the great prayer revival, 1850s. Out of every one of those colleges, orphanages, ministries, Bible societies sprang up. You catch what I'm saying?

>> Alex McFarland: Yes.

>> Bert Harper: As God pours it down, God also has it. So, ministries will spring up.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. yes, Bert, there's a great book called Rediscovering Our Evangelical Heritage. And it's about how, the colleges, the hospitals, the schools helping relieve the human condition. And it's just a really great book. And it probably could even be updated. Because I think about Dan Steiner and PreBorn. You know, I think about Eight Days of Hope. I think about the Truth for Youth Bibles. By the way, that book was written by a guy named Donald Dayton. But, all of the things that yield to the betterment of the human condition, they've come out of the church, really, haven't they?

>> Bert Harper: They have again and again. The Ivy League schools, if I remember, all but one started by, Christians. And now they've left their foundation by far. But, Alex, that is true.

Bert says supporting preborn means investing in both life and eternity

We've got a few minutes left. I thought we'd get to 9 and 10. Yeah, 10. Is that all right? Please let me read it. And I had a lot of comments on the first segment. You make yours. Woe to him who strives with his Maker. Let the potridge, strive with the partridge of the earth. Shall the clay say to him who forms it, what are you making? Or shall your handiwork say, he has no hands. Woe to him who says to his fathers, what are you begetting? Or for the woman, what have you brought forth? It's quite a warning, isn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, it really is. And, you know, a potsherd. Imagine if you've got, like, a clay pot and it gets broken, and you've got. It's really. The word means, like, earthenware. And you Know flower pots. We've all seen one of those broken. Woe to him who strives or is going to argue with God. It says, let the potsherd strive with the potsherds. In other words, you might can argue amongst yourselves, but you're not really big enough to debate God. Little fragment, you know.

>> Bert Harper: That's good, Alex. That's great.

>> Alex McFarland: Shall the clay say to the Imagine you've seen a potter's wheel. Imagine the lump of clay says to the potter, now just what do you think you're making? In verse 10 I've counseled many families where the son says to the parents, you know, I didn't ask to be born. You know, father, what business did you have to bring me forth? And mom, what in the world were you doing giving birth to me? Listen, life is a gift. The wisest thing and the most godly thing. And there is blessing to humble ourselves and realize, look, I don't understand everything, but God gave me life. I'm alive. God entrusted me with life. He put me in a family might not have been perfect, but it's the family God gave me. And listen, that mother and dad, we need to love them and honor them. That's one of the ten commandments. And Almighty God who is the Lord and the leader, the wisest thing I can do is humbly follow as his disciple. It's true, isn't it Bert?

>> Bert Harper: It really is. And those of us who had those godly parents, I want to tell you we need to go to God and thank him. Those of you that missed out on that, I want to tell you. Jesus says I'm the God says I'm the father to the father to the he is that good. He really is. We're going to take phone calls. That number 888-589-8840 call us and give us your Bible question.

>> Derek: Hi, this is Derek from South Carolina. I donate to preborn because I've seen firsthand how one decision can change generations. My mother was a teenager when she became pregnant with me. She was young, scared and faced with an incredibly hard decision. But she chose life. Because of that choice. She now has the blessing of three beautiful grandchildren. Lives that would not exist if she hadn't chosen. If she had chosen differently. That's why I support preborn.

>> Alex McFarland: They meet women at one of the.

>> Derek: Most vulnerable moments of their lives and provide Christ centered counseling, resources and compassionate support so they're not facing that decision alone. Preborn walks with women before, during and after they give birth. They don't just help save physical lives. They help lead women to hope, healing, and ultimately the saving of souls. Supporting preborn means investing in both life and eternity.

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: He is my love, my strength, my song.

>> Alex McFarland: This cornerstone, this solid ground firm through the fiercest drought in storm.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. What a song. every time we start certain ones, I want to hear all of it, and that's one of them. Thank God for that. Great In Christ alone. Well, you heard that testimony of why he supports preborn. That's enough reason for you to. And if you want to be a part of the preborn family, helping mothers make wise decisions and letting that mother hear the good news of Jesus Christ. Because at these preborn clinics, they not only get their ultrasound and the heartbeat of the baby, which doubles the opportunity for them to say yes to. To birth. They also hear the good news of Jesus Christ. And since preborn has been ministering in the last 20 years, over 100,000 women have surrendered their lives to Christ. And 400,000 babies have been saved over that. So you can be a part of that. For $28, you can make that commitment or above and help these ladies have that ultrasound free at these clinics. The number is 877-616-2396-877661-62396 or donate [email protected] so we want to promote that and say, be a part of it. Alex, you ready to go to the phone lines?

>> Alex McFarland: Let's do it. The number, folks. 888-589-8840. Your Bible questions, we welcome. And Bert, where shall we begin?

Let's go to Illinois and talk to William. William recently married a younger wife

>> Bert Harper: Let's go to Illinois and talk to William. William, thank you. For us here on Exploring the Word.

>> Caroline: Good day to you both, brothers.

>> Bert Harper: Yes, sir.

>> Caroline: I recently married. I recently married a younger wife. About two years ago, my wife passed away after 54 years, and we're getting acquainted. And I told her, beginning of the year, I said, I'm making a NewSong Year's resolution. She said, what's that? I said, I'm going to try to be completely weaned from the world, the flesh and the devil. And later on lately, I told her, I said, there's another thing. We used to sing this old song, who is on the Lord's side among you? I said, when I go out that door, I'm going to be on the Lord's side. I don't care what this world is doing. I want to stay and be on his side.

>> Bert Harper: Amen, William. Amen. No turning back. No turning back. You remember that. I've decided to follow Jesus. And then when we get to that term, no turn turning back. Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

>> Bert Harper: It's not a 20. 26 is not a year to turn back. William. Keep. Keep going, man. and out that door. Loving Jesus, Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Anything that is really great. and may God hold you to that commitment, and may all of us make that commitment.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Let's go to Arkansas. Linne, thank you for calling today.

>> Caroline: Thank you.

Some denominations get head covering in worship, and different reasons for it

Yeah, I wanted to know, where the head, in the Bible, some denominations get head covering, and, I want to know if different denominations have different reasons for it.

>> Bert Harper: Okay. Alex, it's in the Old Testament, isn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: well, yeah. You know, in Genesis 24:65, Rebecca wore a veil when she saw Isaac. And, you know, in numbers, it talks about, a shame covering one's head for sin, really. In numbers, chapter five, it's like a wife would cover her head if she was suspected of infidelity. But the NewSong Testament passage, that is really the core passage in First Corinthians 11, 2, 16. And I want to listen carefully because I want to differentiate between cultural custom and really soteriological necessity. And that means salvation. But Paul says men should not cover their heads when praying in, church, but women should. Explaining. He, says it's a sign of authority because Christ is over the angels and the church. And a woman covering her head in worship reflects really the order of creation. There's God, Christ, the angelic world. Man, woman, husband. All right, Bert. I've been in churches to preach, and I've had many, many people come out, and women of certain denominations. And one, if I recall, is probably, like, Grace Brethren or maybe some of the Amish. and I mean, I've been up in, like, Ohio, and there'll be Amish people come out, the women will cover their head. It's fine if somebody wants to do that, but it's also fine if somebody doesn't want to do that, because I really don't think, for one thing, Corinth was a city.

>> Bert Harper: That was the issue, wasn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: Yes. I mean, Corinth needed, some godly restraint inserted, didn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It really did. And it talks about shorn hair or cut hair and, the temple prostitutes would, you know, cut their hair. And the whole idea, and this is my interpretation, Alex, you can disagree, is identity.

>> Alex McFarland: Yes.

>> Bert Harper: What you want to do, not just in worship, but in public, you identify with Christ. That's why certain, dress is inappropriate for men or women. you know, you want to Keep your identity plain. I'm a follower of Christ. And doing anything that would be contradictory to that is something we need to do our best. And I think that was the issue in Corinth.

>> Alex McFarland: one last thing. This is a great question, Linne. I appreciate you bringing it up. About 150 A.D, there was a man named Clement. He was an early Christian leader. And because there had been, you know, prostitution and really pagan temple prostitution, he viewed women's head covering as a symbol of modesty. It was like, look, I'm not one of those, you know, and in that culture, you know, it was a way to differentiate oneself, you know, from a virtuous woman to a non virtuous woman. and I know people do that today. And I would surmise, wouldn't you, Bert, that it probably is, a way to show humility and modesty.

>> Bert Harper: It would, it would be. And listen, there's freedom in Christ in that, Linne. And, so praise the Lord. I hate. Can't I remember women wearing most, a lot of the women wearing hats. Now, it wasn't like a covering. It was the style back kind of at Easter. Yeah, man, put on your Easter bonnet, you know, and so a lot of things were cultural. Okay. The issue in Corinth now, the principle is always true, which is humility, which is identity with Christ. But that was one of the areas that was concern. Just like eating meat, offered to idols. I haven't had to deal with that in my life yet. But the principle is there. You catch what I'm saying? That, listen, I'm going to stick with Christ all the way and identify with him. Thank you, Linne. Let's go to Ohio and it's William. Welcome to Exploring the Word, William.

>> Caroline: Thanks for having me.

>> Bert Harper: Go right ahead, man.

William: Where in the Old Testament are there hints that Messiah is coming

>> Caroline: yes, sir, I had a question about, y' all were alluding to the doctrine of the Trinity earlier. First Christ, being God. I had a question about, where in the Old Testament are there places that hint or give a fairly clear view that the Messiah coming. Messiah would be human, would be a man in the flesh, would be God in the flesh. Because remember the Pharisees, Pharisees, claim Jesus was blaspheming by him being a man claiming to be God. So I know the Jews were expecting the Messiah, but were they expecting a human, God, man?

>> Bert Harper: Well, let me set this. Alex, you get ready to do this. But they were expecting a messiah different than Jesus. They skipped over the suffering servant. They wanted the conquering king. So if Jesus had come in and said, okay, you Jews, you can get behind me. Going to reign in my kingdom. but Jesus said, my kingdom is not of this earth. Their problem was, yes, Jesus, but also the way he came into the world as the Messiah, Emmanuel, God with us. Alex, it was quite different than what they wanted, wasn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: yeah. And this is wonderful. And William, I'm glad you're bringing this up. Jesus is God incarnate. God enfleshed himself. And in the Old Testament, for example, let me just start out with this. In Hebrews, chapter 10, verses 5 through 7, it quotes Psalm 40, verse 6, and very famously it says, sacrifice and offering, thou wouldest not, but a body you have prepared for me. So this is in Psalm 40, but it's quoted in Hebrews 10, 5, 10. Now let me also give you, like Psalm 16:10. And this was quoted of Jesus, Thou will not leave my soul in hell, nor will allow the Holy One to see corruption. So if the Holy One, this Messiah that would come, would not decompose in the grave, it must mean that he has a body of some sort. But let me even go back a little bit further, bert. In Genesis 3:15, which is the first gospel, the proto evangelium, the first coming of the Redeemer, the seed of the woman. Okay, seed is always about conception of a baby. So I would argue that even Genesis 3:15, alludes to a physical incarnation. In the Davidic covenant of 2 Samuel 7, God promised an eternal kingdom that would come through the lineage of David. And, this descendant of King David would be the ultimate king, God Himself. Isaiah 7:14, of course, predicts, the virgin birth. And then finally, Bert, I would say really all of the, what are called theophanies, the Old Testament appearances of God, where it says the captain of the Lord's host or the angel of God, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, all experienced a tangible appearance of the pre incarnate Christ. So, in Old Testament and NewSong, we get the Savior who would tangibly, and by that I mean physically come into this world. Would you agree with that?

>> Bert Harper: I agree with you fully. Great answer, Alex. And I appreciate you doing out. Those are the areas, William, and, praise the Lord for those Old Testament. And it made it clearer in the NewSong Testament. Thank you.

A lot of people are saying that reason is superior than faith

We want to go to the great state of North Carolina, Alex's home state, and talk to Deborah. Deborah, thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Oh, you're welcome, sir. thank you guys for talking about the philosophers. I have a question on reason and faith, reason. a lot of people are saying that reason is superior than faith. So I was asking a question. so was Jesus. Was he in the garden of Gethsemane? Was he in reason or. And then his faith clicked in when he said, not my will, but thy will be done. So could you, just enlighten me a little bit? Because I want to make sure I'm on the right track. Because everybody is saying that reason is higher than faith, and I don't believe that.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Deborah, Alex, do you have to lay down your faith, apart from reason or honest reason increases your faith? What would you say?

>> Alex McFarland: This is a profound question, Deborah, and I really. You get an A for the day, for a great, great, great question. In Isaiah 1:18, it says, Come now, let us reason together. And the wording there, the Hebrew word is. I'm not going to try to pronounce it, but, it means to think through something and talk through something together. And one of the beautiful things about the Christian faith is that God does not tell us to switch off our brain. Now, the word faith literally means trust. Reason, is a response to God's revelation. And, Bert, I would say it's really two sides of the same coin.

>> Bert Harper: Yes, it is.

>> Alex McFarland: I mean, you know, we know. I mean, God has revealed himself in many, many, many ways. Creation, conscience, scripture, savior, the spirit of God. In fact, Psalm 19:3, it says there is no speech or language where God's voice hasn't been heard. And so we reason the light bulb comes on. I'm accountable to God, you know, I need to. I need to get straight with God. We realize that. Then we put our faith in Jesus and maybe even Bert. There might even be somebody listening right now. And, friend, today is your day. You know, about God. But now it's time to have a relationship with God.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: And you put your trust. So, our faith is reasonable all day long. Absolutely. But faith or belief is when you put your trust in Jesus and say, dear Jesus, I believe in you. Please forgive me, save me. Fill me with your spirit. I'm going to follow you. It's both and isn't it, Bert?

>> Bert Harper: It really is. I want to do this real quickly. designed leads me to believe there is a designer. You cannot find anything in this world that has design that did not have a designer creation. We see man, two eyes with a nose in between a mouth. Aren't you glad we were made with a face like that? That leads me to logic. Okay, there's got to be a designer. And then when I consider all the options, my logic leads me to there's a God. And then when I look at the God's quote, the little ones, but then the God, my faith kicks in. Alex, that reasoning leads me to great faith. It really does. Hey, we're praying for all those folks that send the winter storm. Please. Yes, we do. And, so we want to remember you and know that you can let listen to afr. We'll have programming on. If you're stuck and you got a battery and no electricity, you can still listen. Hey. Thank you for listening to Exploring the Word.

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

Isaiah 45:1-10: Our Maker And Redeemer