The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast

Episode 294 examines the apparent tension between Deuteronomy 2:7—“you have lacked nothing”—and Israel’s complaints about their difficult wilderness experience recorded in Exodus and Numbers. Lance Smith looks at the context of Deuteronomy 2:7, the Hebrew wording, and several explanations for how Israel could experience hardship while still lacking nothing God needed to provide.
The episode concludes that Israel’s wilderness experience was certainly difficult, but difficulty does not mean divine abandonment. God provided for Israel throughout their journey, even when the circumstances were harsh. The passage reminds us that having what we need from God does not necessarily mean having an easy life.
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: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
Geisler, Norman L., and Thomas Howe. The Big Book of Bible Difficulties. Baker Books, 1992. Available at: https://a.co/d/7shn4hI 
“‘Lacked Nothing in the Wilderness’: Divine Sufficiency and the Verb חָסַר in Deuteronomy 2:7.” Biblical Hebrew. https://biblicalhebrew.org/lacked-nothing-in-wilderness-divine-sufficiency-and-verb-khasar-in-deuteronomy2-7.aspx
“Deuteronomy 2:2–7 – You Lacked Nothing.” Thinking Torah. https://thinkingtorah.com/deuteronomy-2-2-7-you-lacked-nothing/
Guzik, David. “Deuteronomy 2 – Moses Remembers the Wilderness.” Enduring Word. https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/deuteronomy-2/
DiMattei, Steven. Contradictions in the Bible. https://contradictionsinthebible.com/
“The Opening of Deuteronomy: A Recounting or Different Version of the Wilderness Experience?” TheTorah.com. https://www.thetorah.com/article/the-opening-of-devarim-a-recounting-or-different-version-of-the-wilderness-experience
Bruins, Hendrik J., and Johannes van der Plicht. “Radiocarbon Dating the ‘Wilderness of Zin.’” Radiocarbon 49, no. 2 (2007): 481–497. https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/7B5A0AD62D7137535957CB916F019AE6/S0033822200042417a.pdf/radiocarbon-dating-the-wilderness-of-zin.pdf
BibleInterp articles on archaeology, biblical research, and ancient Israel. https://bibleinterp.arizona.edu/articles/archaeology-biblical-research-and-ancient-israel

After concluding his three-part series on Matthew 10 and Matthew 24, host Lance Smith returns with a bonus episode reflecting on Dr. William Lane Craig's recent podcast addressing the same passages.
Smith explains that while Dr. Craig argues for a future, visible return of Christ distinct from the near-term judgment on Jerusalem in A.D. 70, that conclusion does not overturn the central point of the series: Jesus was speaking about multiple events, not making a failed prediction about the end of the world occurring within His disciples' lifetimes.
Along the way, Lance highlights the importance of careful exegesis, engaging opposing viewpoints fairly, and remembering that the real debate is one of interpretation—not whether Jesus proved to be a false prophet.
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: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
Craig, William Lane. "Q&A: Did Jesus Expect the End in His Generation?" Reasonable Faith Podcast (Spotify episode). https://open.spotify.com/episode/7zYYJBvec2KPXuVWCj7wCe
Craig, William Lane. Reasonable Faith. https://www.reasonablefaith.org
Carson, D. A. Matthew. In The Expositor's Bible Commentary, Vol. 8. Zondervan.
Schreiner, Thomas R. "Can We Hasten the Parousia?" Themelios. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/themelios/article/can-we-hasten-the-parousia/
Jackson, Wayne. "What Is the Meaning of Matthew 10:23?" Christian Courier. https://christiancourier.com/articles/what-is-the-meaning-of-matthew-10-23
McGowan, Sean. "Before the Son of Man Comes (Matthew 10:23)." Knowing Scripture. https://knowingscripture.com/articles/before-the-son-of-man-comes-matthew-10-23
Bowen, David, Ph.D. "Is Jesus Recorded as a Failed Apocalypticist?" Ehrman Project. https://ehrmanproject.com/is-jesus-recorded-as-a-failed-apocalypticist
France, R. T. The Gospel of Matthew. New International Commentary on the New Testament. Eerdmans.
Blomberg, Craig L. Matthew. New American Commentary. B&H Academic.
Keener, Craig S. A Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew. Eerdmans.

In episode 292 Lance Smith walks through C.S. Lewis’ chapter "Morality and Psychoanalysis," explaining the difference between psychological healing and moral choice. Lewis argues psychoanalysis repairs damaged instincts, while morality is what we do with the material we’re given.
Key points: bad psychological traits are illnesses, not sins; each choice shapes the kind of person we become; growing closer to God increases awareness of our need for grace.
Join Lance as he ties Lewis’ insights back to Scripture and invites listeners to keep asking honest questions about spiritual growth.
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: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com
Lewis, C.S. Mere Christianity. HarperOne, 2001. Available at: https://a.co/d/0eXcvERk

Did Moses choose Israel’s judges, or did the people?
Deuteronomy 1 tells the Israelites to choose qualified men from their tribes, while Exodus 18 says that Moses chose able men and appointed them as leaders. At first glance, it looks like a contradiction.
But when we read Deuteronomy 1:13–15 carefully, we get a fuller picture: the people selected the men, and Moses formally appointed them. Both passages can therefore describe different parts of the same process.
In Episode 291, we examine the qualifications given for these leaders, compare the process with the selection and appointment of the seven in Acts 6, and consider how critical scholars understand the differences between Exodus 18 and Deuteronomy 1.
So, is this a contradiction—or simply two passages emphasizing different parts of the same event?
Join me as we take a closer look at Deuteronomy 1:13 and see how the apparent difficulty can be resolved.
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: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
Geisler, Norman L., and Thomas Howe. The Big Book of Bible Difficulties. Baker Books, 1992. Available at: https://a.co/d/7shn4hI 
DiMattei, Steven. “Who Initiates the Proposal to Appoint Judges: Moses or Jethro?” Contradictions in the Bible. https://contradictionsinthebible.com/who-initiates-the-proposal-to-appoint-judges-moses-or-jethro/
Farber, Zev. “The Opening of Devarim: A Recounting or Different Version of the Wilderness Experience?” TheTorah.com. https://www.thetorah.com/article/the-opening-of-devarim-a-recounting-or-different-version-of-the-wilderness-experience
Levinson, Bernard M. “The Founding of Israel’s Judicial System.” TheTorah.com. https://www.thetorah.com/article/the-founding-of-israels-judicial-system
Bible Outlines. “Deuteronomy 1:9-18 – Preparing for Conquest by Establishing Delegated Leadership Structure.” https://www.bibleoutlines.com/deuteronomy-19-18-preparing-for-conquest-by-establishing-shared-leadership/

Did Jesus predict the end of the world during His disciples' lifetimes?
In Episode 290, Lance Smith concludes his three-part examination of one of the New Testament's most debated passages by exploring Matthew 24 in its historical and prophetic context.
Examining Jesus' Olivet Discourse alongside the work of D. A. Carson, Thomas Schreiner, R. T. France, Craig Blomberg, and others, Lance explains why many evangelical scholars understand Jesus to be speaking of both the near-term judgment on Jerusalem and His future visible return.
Rather than demonstrating a failed prophecy, the episode argues that the Skeptic's Annotated Bible assumes all of Jesus' references to His "coming" describe the same event—an assumption many biblical scholars reject. By paying careful attention to context, prophecy, and first-century language, Lance concludes that the claim Jesus falsely predicted the end within His disciples' lifetimes is not supported.
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: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
Skeptic’s Annotated Bible – “When will the end of the world come?” https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/end.html 
Jackson, Wayne. "What Is the Meaning of Matthew 10:23?" Christian Courier.https://christiancourier.com/articles/what-is-the-meaning-of-matthew-10-23
McGowan, Sean. "Before the Son of Man Comes (Matthew 10:23)." Knowing Scripture.https://knowingscripture.com/articles/before-the-son-of-man-comes-matthew-10-23
Schreiner, Thomas R. "Can We Hasten the Parousia?" Themelios.https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/themelios/article/can-we-hasten-the-parousia/
"Bible Prophecy: What Matthew 24 Tells Us About 'The End.'" Grace Communion International.https://www.gci.org/articles/what-matthew-24-tells-us-about-the-end/
Bowen, David, Ph.D. "Is Jesus Recorded as a Failed Apocalypticist?" Ehrman Project.https://ehrmanproject.com/is-jesus-recorded-as-a-failed-apocalypticist
O'Neill, Tim. "Jesus the Apocalyptic Prophet." History for Atheists.https://historyforatheists.com/2018/12/jesus-apocalyptic-prophet/ 
Additional Recommended Reading
Carson, D. A. Matthew. In The Expositor's Bible Commentary, Vol. 8. Zondervan.
France, R. T. The Gospel of Matthew. New International Commentary on the New Testament. Eerdmans.
Blomberg, Craig L. Matthew. New American Commentary. B&H Academic.
Keener, Craig S. A Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew. Eerdmans.

Episode 289 continues our Sunday Series through C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity with Chapter 3 of Book 3, Social Morality. Lance Smith explores Lewis' argument that Christianity applies not only to individual lives but also to society as a whole. Lewis begins with two foundational ideas: Christianity doesn't invent a new social morality but calls us back to the Golden Rule, and it cannot be reduced to the platform of any political party.
Lewis then sketches what a genuinely Christian society might look like—one marked by honest work, humility instead of vanity, generosity instead of selfishness, respect for rightful authority, and genuine courtesy. Such a society, Lewis argues, would challenge both the political Left and the Right. He also raises historical questions about lending money at interest, not to settle the debate, but to encourage Christians to think carefully about assumptions our culture often takes for granted.
The episode closes with Lewis' challenging call to generosity: Christian charity should cost us something. Ultimately, lasting social change begins not with politics, but with transformed hearts that love and obey God. Christianity is not a political ally to be enlisted—it is a Master to be followed.
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: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com
Lewis, C.S. Mere Christianity. HarperOne, 2001. Available at: https://a.co/d/0eXcvERk

This episode examines the apparent contradiction between Numbers and Deuteronomy over whether the first generation of Israelites died in the wilderness. Lance Smith walks through the biblical texts and scholarly views to clarify what the Bible actually says.
Key points: the age-based judgment in Numbers, exceptions like Joshua and Caleb, the Levites and women, inherited memory, and Moses’ corporate language. The episode argues that the passages can be reconciled without forcing a contradiction.
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: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
Geisler, Norman L., and Thomas Howe. The Big Book of Bible Difficulties. Baker Books, 1992. Available at: https://a.co/d/7shn4hI 
Kugler, Gili. “Did the Exodus Generation Die in the Wilderness or Enter Canaan?” TheTorah.com. https://www.thetorah.com/article/did-the-exodus-generation-die-in-the-wilderness-or-enter-canaan
Himmelfarb, Martha. “Who Is Deuteronomy’s Audience?” TheTorah.com. https://www.thetorah.com/article/who-is-deuteronomys-audience
Ingram, Chaim. “RE’EH: You have seen….” Times of Israel Blogs. https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/reeh-you-have-seen/
Carpenter, Eugene E. “Literary Structure and Unbelief: A Study of Deuteronomy 1:6–46.” The Asbury Theological Journal 42, no. 1 (1987): 77–84. https://place.asburyseminary.edu/asburyjournal/vol42/iss1/6
Schnittjer, Gary Edward. “Kadesh Infidelity of Deuteronomy 1 and Its Synoptic Implications.” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 63, no. 1 (2020): 95–120.
DiMattei, Steven. “Bible Contradiction #280. Where are the 1st generation Israelites killed off?” Contradictions in the Bible. https://contradictionsinthebible.com/1st-generation-die-where/

In Episode 287 (Part 2), Lance Smith turns to Matthew 10:23, examining the skeptical claim that Jesus wrongly predicted His return within His disciples' lifetime. By exploring the passage's immediate context, the significance of the title "Son of Man," and several major evangelical interpretations, he shows that the central debate is not whether Jesus made a failed prophecy, but which event Jesus had in view.
Drawing on scholars including Wayne Jackson, Sean McGowan, David Guzik, and others, Smith explains why some interpreters connect the passage to the judgment on Jerusalem in A.D. 70, others to the inauguration of Christ's kingdom, and still others to different near-term fulfillments. He concludes by previewing Part 3, where Matthew 24 takes center stage and the discussion turns to "the end," "all nations," and whether Jesus' Olivet Discourse predicts one event or several.
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: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
Skeptic’s Annotated Bible – “When will the end of the world come?” https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/end.html 
Jackson, Wayne. "What Is the Meaning of Matthew 10:23?" Christian Courier.https://christiancourier.com/articles/what-is-the-meaning-of-matthew-10-23
McGowan, Sean. "Before the Son of Man Comes (Matthew 10:23)." Knowing Scripture.https://knowingscripture.com/articles/before-the-son-of-man-comes-matthew-10-23
Brown, Austin. "Wrestling With Matthew 10:23." Gentle Reformation. https://gentlereformation.com/2011/03/31/wrestling-with-matthew-1023/
Guzik, David. Matthew 10 Commentary. Enduring Word.https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/matthew-10/ 
Stallard, Michael D. Matthew 10:23 and the Coming of the Son of Man. Liberty University Digital Commons. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1095&context=pretrib_arch
Bowen, David, Ph.D. "Is Jesus Recorded as a Failed Apocalypticist?" Ehrman Project. https://ehrmanproject.com/is-jesus-recorded-as-a-failed-apocalypticist 
O'Neill, Tim. "Jesus the Apocalyptic Prophet." History for Atheists.https://historyforatheists.com/2018/12/jesus-apocalyptic-prophet/