The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast

Episode 235 examines Numbers 12:3—"Now, Moses was very humble..."—asking whether this sounds like a boast or a divine assessment. Lance Smith walks through the context, Hebrew meaning, manuscript evidence, and scholarly views to show why the verse explains Moses' silence and humility rather than contradicting Mosaic authorship. Listeners will hear how the term ʿānāv can mean humble or afflicted, how Numbers 11–12 shape our understanding of Moses' character, and why ancient manuscripts and theological insight support the verse's reliability and purpose. References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following: buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page Email Address: [email protected] Geisler, Norman L., and Thomas Howe. The Big Book of Bible Difficulties. Baker Books, 1992. Available at: https://a.co/d/7shn4hI Dead Sea Scrolls Digital Library. Manuscript 4Q27 (4QNum^b). Accessed via https://www.deadseascrolls.org.il/explore-the-archive/manuscript/4Q27-1 Rogers, Cleon. “Moses: Meek or Miserable?” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 29/3 (1986): 257–263. Available at: https://etsjets.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/files_JETS-PDFs_29_29-3_29-3-pp257-263_JETS.pdf Dawes, Stephen B. “Numbers 12.3: What Was Special About Moses?” The Bible Translator 41, no. 3 (July 1990). Ward, Doug. “The Meanings of Moses’ Meekness.” http://graceandknowledge.faithweb.com/num12.html “How could Moses write this, if he was more humble than all men?” Evidence Unseen. https://evidenceunseen.com/old-testament/numbers/difficulties/how-could-moses-write-this-if-he-was-more-humble-than-all-men Butt, Kyle. “How Humble Could Moses Have Been?” Apologetics Press, 2002. https://apologeticspress.org/how-humble-could-moses-have-been-939/ Jeff. “How Can Moses Say He is the Most Humble Man on the Earth?” Anti-Itch Meditation, February 21, 2023. https://antiitchmeditation.wordpress.com/2023/02/21/how-can-moses-say-he-is-the-most-humble-man-on-the-earth/ Hamilton, Jim. “Failed Humblebrag? Mosaic Self-Promotion? Or True Humility?” September 14, 2011. https://jimhamilton.info/2011/09/14/failed-humblebrag-mosaic-self-promotion-or-true-humility/ “Evidence for Mosaic Authorship of the Torah.” Answers in Genesis. https://answersingenesis.org/bible-characters/moses/evidence-mosaic-authorship-of-torah/ Rashi, Commentary on Numbers 12:3. (See standard editions or Sefaria.org for English rendering: “ענו means, humble and patient.”)

In episode 234 Lance Smith examines Matthew 19:4–6 and the Genesis creation accounts to answer whether God originally made humans male and female. He contrasts Genesis 1’s overview with Genesis 2’s detailed account, shows how Jesus uses creation as the authority on marriage and gender, and argues that the Bible presents maleness and femaleness as God’s original design. The episode also addresses contemporary cultural challenges, urges churches to hold to Scripture’s teaching, and offers compassion and hope to listeners wrestling with gender questions. References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following: buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page Email Address: [email protected] Skeptics Annotated Bible: https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/male_and_female.html Troy Lacey, “Does Genesis 1:27 Mean That God Originally Created Adam with Both Genders?” Answers in Genesis, July 1, 2022. https://answersingenesis.org/family/gender/god-created-adam-both-genders/ Ryan Pauly, “Are Genesis 1 and 2 Contradictory Creation Accounts?” Think Well, January 2, 2018. https://think-well.org/2018/01/02/are-genesis-1-and-2-contradictory-creation-accounts/ Carey Griffel, “Are Genesis 1 and 2 Separate Creation Accounts? Comparing the Two Stories,” Genesis Marks the Spot. https://www.genesismarksthespot.com/blog/two-creation-accounts-in-genesis-1-2/ “What does the Bible mean by ‘male and female He created them’ (Genesis 1:27)?” GotQuestions.org. https://www.gotquestions.org/male-and-female-He-created-them.html “Male and Female Forever? Complementarity in the New Creation,” Desiring God. https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/male-and-female-forever Eikon: A Journal for Biblical Anthropology, Fall 2019 issue (Council on Biblical Manhood & Womanhood). Free PDF: https://cbmw.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/eikon_issue2_web_2.pdf

Join Lance Smith for a special Easter episode as he slows down to sit with the greatest moment in history: the empty tomb. He examines the differing Gospel details not as contradictions but as complementary eyewitness perspectives that deepen the story. More than a historical event, the resurrection is presented as a present, life-changing reality—proof that broken things can be restored and that hope defeats death. Lance offers a simple challenge: read Luke 24, reflect on the shift from confusion to joy, and invite the risen Jesus to renew your heart.

Join Lance Smith for a Good Friday special exploring the crucifixion across Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, showing how different perspectives converge on one redemptive event. He reflects on prophecy fulfilled, the personal cost of sin, and the hope of resurrection, inviting listeners to pause, read the accounts slowly, and let the cross speak into their lives.

Episode 231: Lance Smith examines Numbers 11:31–34 to answer a stark question: why did God strike the Israelites after providing quail? Drawing on context, biblical commentary, and possible natural causes, he shows the issue was not the food but the people’s ungrateful, craving hearts and hoarding behavior. The episode contrasts God’s daily provision with Israel’s persistent grumbling, explains how the quail became a test and judgment, and applies the lesson to modern life by urging contentment in Christ. References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following: buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page Email Address: [email protected] Geisler, Norman L., and Thomas Howe. The Big Book of Bible Difficulties. Baker Books, 1992. Available at: https://a.co/d/7shn4hI Guzik, David. “Numbers 11.” Enduring Word Bible Commentary. https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/numbers-11/ Utley, Bob. “Numbers 11.” Free Bible Commentary. https://www.freebiblecommentary.org/old_testament_studies/VOL02COT/VOL02COT_11.html “What were the quail mentioned in the Bible?” GotQuestions.org. https://www.gotquestions.org/quail-in-the-Bible.html Wilkinson, John. “The Quail Epidemic of Numbers 11:31-34.” Evangelical Quarterly (1999). https://www.biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/eq/1999-3_195.pdf “Complaint and Judgment – Numbers 11.” Redeemed Mind (2022). https://redeemedmind.com/2022/12/16/complaint-and-judgment-numbers-11/

Episode 230 examines Matthew 19 and related passages to resolve skeptics' claims that the Bible contradicts itself about marriage. Lance Smith argues the Bible consistently presents marriage as a good, sacred, creational union while also affirming singleness as a legitimate calling for some. The episode explains Genesis, Jesus' teaching, Paul's guidance, and church history to show there is no contradiction—only two complementary callings designed by God. References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following: buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page Email Address: [email protected] Skeptics Annotated Bible: https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/marriage.html Oyeniyi, Oluseye David. “The Theology of Marriage in Matthew 19:1-12 as a Response to Marital Instability in African Christian Communities.” Pan-African Journal of Theology, Vol. 4, No. 2, 2025, pp. 1-20. https://doi.org/10.56893/pajot2025v04i02.01 Guzik, David. Enduring Word Bible Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7: https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/1-corinthians-7/ GotQuestions.org: • “Better to Marry Than to Burn”: https://www.gotquestions.org/better-to-marry-than-to-burn.html • “What Does the Bible Say About a Christian Staying Single?”: https://www.gotquestions.org/single-Christian.html “The Significance of Singleness: A Theological Vision for the Future of the Church” (Denver Journal, Denver Seminary): https://denverjournal.denverseminary.edu/the-denver-journal-article/the-significance-of-singleness-a-theological-vision-for-the-future-of-the-church/ “Singleness in the Bible” (Renew.org): https://renew.org/singleness-in-the-bible “What is the Gift of Singleness?” (Living Out): https://www.livingout.org/resources/articles/51/what-is-the-gift-of-singleness “When Did the Catholic Church Decide Priests Should Be Celibate?” (History News Network): https://www.historynewsnetwork.org/article/when-did-the-catholic-church-decide-priests-should-be-celibate

In this episode Lance Smith examines an apparent contradiction between Numbers 2 and Numbers 11 about whether the tabernacle was inside or outside Israel's camp. He explains the camp's arrangement—with the tabernacle at the center, Levites surrounding it, and the tribes camped in four groups—and why the phrase “Moses went out” refers to leaving a tribal section toward the center. The episode shows how that layout resolves the difficulty, highlights God’s presence in the midst of his people, and notes how the Spirit moved freely when 70 elders (and two who stayed back) began to prophesy. References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following: buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page Email Address: [email protected] Geisler, Norman L., and Thomas Howe. The Big Book of Bible Difficulties. Baker Books, 1992. Available at: https://a.co/d/7shn4hI Farber, Zev. “The Other Ohel Moed.” TheTorah.com. https://www.thetorah.com/article/the-other-ohel-moed Guzik, David. Enduring Word Bible Commentary on Numbers 11. Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/comm/guzik_david/study-guide/numbers/numbers-11.cfm Jeon, Jaeyoung. “Israel’s Wilderness Camp Modeled on the Persian Military Formation.” TheTorah.com. https://www.thetorah.com/article/israels-wilderness-camp-modeled-on-the-persian-military-formation “Tabernacle Camp of Israel.” Bible Discovery TV, June 9, 2021. https://biblediscoverytv.com/history/2021/tabernacle-camp-of-israel/ Tsegaw, Melak A. “An Inquiry into the Historicity of the Tabernacle in Ancient Israel.” American Journal of Biblical Theology, Volume 20 (03), January 20, 2019. https://www.biblicaltheology.com/Research/TsegawMA01.pdf

Host Lance Smith examines Matthew 18:3 and the apparent tension with Paul's admonition to "put away childish things." The episode explains the crucial distinction between childish immaturity and childlike trust, drawing on Gospel contexts and Luke's emphasis on Jesus welcoming children. Listeners receive practical applications: grow in spiritual maturity while embracing humble dependence on God. References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following: buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page Email Address: [email protected] Skeptics Annotated Bible: https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/childish.html Abera Abay, “Children in the Gospel of Luke” (African Theological Journal for Church and Society, vol. 2, no. 2, 2021) BibleRef, “Matthew 18:3 – Meaning and Commentary”: https://www.bibleref.com/Matthew/18/Matthew-18-3.html Answers in Genesis, “Act Like a Child?”: https://answersingenesis.org/contradictions-in-the-bible/act-like-a-child/ GotQuestions.org, “Does the Bible instruct us to have childlike faith?”: https://www.gotquestions.org/childlike-faith.html The Gospel Coalition, “Childlike Faith Is Not Childish”: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/childlike-faith-is-not-childish/ Harvest.org (Greg Laurie), “Childlike, Not Childish”: https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/childlike-not-childish/ Redeeming God, “What is childlike faith? (Matthew 18:3)”: https://redeeminggod.com/childlike-faith-matthew-18-3/ Enduring Word Commentary (David Guzik), “Matthew 18”: https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/matthew-18/ A.L. Allen, “For Theirs is the Kingdom: (Re)membering Young Children in the Gospel of Luke” (Doctoral Thesis, Vanderbilt University): https://digitalcommons.du.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1886&context=etd

Episode 227 examines the apparent discrepancy between Exodus 16 and Numbers 11 about the taste of manna. Lance Smith reads the verses, consults scholars and rabbinic traditions, and shows how raw versus prepared manna and overlapping flavors (honey and oil) harmonize the accounts. The episode also reflects on how the changing descriptions mirror Israel’s shifting attitude toward God’s provision and invites listeners to see depth rather than contradiction in Scripture. References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following: buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page Email Address: [email protected] Geisler, Norman L., and Thomas Howe. The Big Book of Bible Difficulties. Baker Books, 1992. Available at: https://a.co/d/7shn4hI The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha, Third Edition, New Revised Standard Version. Oxford University Press, 2007. BibleRef.com, "What does Exodus 16:31 mean?" https://www.bibleref.com/Exodus/16/Exodus-16-31.html Enduring Word Bible Commentary, Exodus 16, by David Guzik. https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/exodus-16/ "Manna from Heaven: What Could Be Better?" by Rabbi Laura Geller, Reform Judaism.org. https://reformjudaism.org/learning/torah-study/torah-commentary/manna-heaven-what-could-be-better "What Was the Bread From Heaven That Saved God's People?" by Jack Zavada, LearnReligions.com. https://www.learnreligions.com/what-is-manna-700742

Host Lance Smith examines the apparent discrepancy in the Gospel accounts of the Transfiguration — Matthew and Mark’s “six days” versus Luke’s “about eight.” He explains how inclusive reckoning, Jewish timekeeping, and theological symbolism reconcile the wording without contradiction. The episode shows how different expressions convey the same event, highlights Sinai parallels and early church interpretation, and presents the apologetic significance of harmony among independent Gospel witnesses. References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following: buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page Email Address: [email protected] Skeptics Annotated Bible: https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/transfig.html Eric Lyons, "Six or Eight Days?" (Apologetics Press): https://apologeticspress.org/six-or-eight-days-757/ Kermit Zarley, "When Jesus First Predicted His Death, Was He Transfigured Six Or Eight Days Later?" (Patheos): https://www.patheos.com/blogs/kermitzarleyblog/2017/07/jesus-first-predicted-death-transfigured-six-eight-days-later/ Stephen N. Williams, "The Transfiguration of Jesus Christ" (The Gospel Coalition / Themelios): https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/themelios/article/the-transfiguration-of-jesus-christ Berean Insights, "Bible Gem 913 - Eight Days after These Sayings (Luke 9:28)": https://www.bereaninsights.org/bible-gem-913-8-days-after-these-sayings-luke-928/ Robert Clifton Robinson, "The Transfiguration: Is There A Contradiction Between Matthew, Mark, And Luke?": https://robertcliftonrobinson.com/bible-contradictions-and-difficulties/the-transfiguration-is-there-a-contradiction-between-matthew-mark-and-luke/ Ad Fontes Journal, "The Transfiguration and the Church Fathers": https://adfontesjournal.com/church-history/the-transfiguration-and-the-church-fathers/ Jeff Riddle, "Did the transfiguration take place about eight days after...": http://www.jeffriddle.net/2013/03/did-transfiguration-take-place-about.html Veritas Domain, "Bible Contradiction? When did the transfiguration occur?": https://veritasdomain.wordpress.com/2018/08/10/bible-contradiction-when-did-the-transfiguration-occur/