The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast

Genesis 31:20 – Why God Blessed a Deceiver: Understanding Jacob's Story

In this episode of the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast, host Lance Smith unpacks the intriguing biblical question: How could God bless Jacob after he deceived Laban? Dive into a profound exploration of divine grace, human flaws, and the mysterious ways of God's plans through the narratives of Jacob and Laban. Discover how Jacob's character development, God's sovereign plan, and the fulfillment of covenant promises reveal the depth of God's grace and His ability to work through imperfect individuals. Join us in this compelling examination of one of Scripture's most challenging stories!
References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
https://a.co/d/7shn4hI (The Big Book of Bible Difficulties from Amazon)
https://christianindex.org/stories/bible-study-jacob-and-labans-relationship-was-based-on-deception,77521
https://thewisebeliever.com/lessons-we-can-learn-from-jacob-and-laban/
https://jonathansrock.com/deception-and-jacobs-blessing/ 
 

Tuesday Contradictions: Matthew 4:1 – Unpacking the Temptations of Jesus: Matthew vs. Luke

Welcome to another episode of the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast! In this episode, host Lance Smith delves into the fascinating topic of Jesus' temptations by the devil as recounted in the gospels of Matthew and Luke. While both accounts describe the same events, they differ in the order of the temptations—raising questions about potential contradictions or deeper meanings.
Join us as we explore why Matthew and Luke might have presented these temptations differently, considering their distinct theological focuses and the contexts of their narratives. Discover the significance of the sequence and what these gospel writers aimed to reveal about Jesus’ mission and identity.
By examining the devil's strategy and Jesus' unwavering reliance on Scripture, we uncover lessons about overcoming temptation in our own lives. This episode is sure to inspire and challenge your understanding of the Bible, whether you're a skeptic or a believer.
Don't forget to join our community on Facebook and reach out with your thoughts on this discussion. Subscribe, share, and enjoy this enlightening journey through Scripture!
References to items discussed on this podcast may found at the following:
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/first/contra2_list.html (The Skeptics Annotated Bible)
https://www.gotquestions.org/led-into-the-wilderness-to-be-tempted.html 
https://www.psephizo.com/biblical-studies/why-are-jesus-temptations-in-a-different-order-in-luke/ 

Genesis 30:31-43 - Unveiling the Mystery: Jacob's Genetic Breakthrough

Welcome to the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast! Join our host, Lance Smith, as we delve into the fascinating intersection between ancient biblical stories and modern scientific insights. In this episode, we tackle the puzzling account of Jacob's unconventional breeding strategy from Genesis 30, examining whether environmental influence and genetics played a role. Discover how science and divine providence may have worked together to produce Jacob's streaked, speckled, and spotted animals, and explore the intriguing possibilities of genetics and faith. Unearth the deeper spiritual and symbolic layers of this story, as we reflect on God's intervention, Jacob's faith, and the timeless truth that divine providence transcends human understanding.
References to items discussed on this podcast may be found at the following:
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
https://a.co/d/7shn4hI (The Big Book of Bible Difficulties from Amazon)
Modern Science and the Christian Faith, Scripture Press, 1950, page 70
https://comeandreason.com/science-proves-weird-bible-story-true/
https://creation.com/jacobs-sheep 
https://www.gotquestions.org/Jacob-speckled-spotted.html 

Sidebar Episode: Reflecting on a Year of Growth - Insights from 2024

Welcome to a special episode of the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast where host Lance Smith takes a look back at the journey throughout 2024. This episode marks a departure from the usual topics as we dive into the numbers, milestones, and the fascinating growth of the podcast over the past year.From humble beginnings with just 329 downloads for the first six episodes, the podcast has surged to a remarkable 8,476 downloads for the year. October's launch of the Tuesday Contradiction series was a turning point, doubling both the content output and audience engagement.Discover how listener feedback inspired innovative series ideas and how the community expanded across 41 states and 35 countries. Reflect on the most popular episodes and the listening habits that have shaped the year. Join us in celebrating the milestones and looking forward to even greater achievements in 2025.

Tuesday Contradictions: Matthew 3:17–Resolving the Mystery of Jesus' Baptism: Direct or Public Affirmation?

In this episode of the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast, host Lance Smith delves into the intriguing differences in the gospel accounts of Jesus' baptism. Focusing on whether God's voice was meant for Jesus directly or for the crowd, Lance explores the significance behind these variations and how they highlight the affirmation of Jesus' divine identity and mission.
The discussion includes an analysis of passages from the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and sheds light on how seemingly contradictory details enrich our understanding of Scripture.
Tune in as we unlock the theological implications of this pivotal event, offering a fresh perspective on the Trinitarian presence during Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River.
References to items discussed on this podcast may found at the following:
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/first/contra2_list.html (The Skeptics Annotated Bible)
https://ncec.catholic.edu.au/faith/scripture-resources/commentaries/the-gospel-of-mark/jesus-baptism-mark-19-11/ 
https://www.bibleref.com/Matthew/3/Matthew-3-17.html
https://veritasdomain.wordpress.com/2017/01/09/bible-contradiction-at-his-baptism-did-god-address-jesus-directly/ 

Genesis 29:21-30 – The Deception of Jacob: Ancient Customs and Divine Plans

Welcome to the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast, where we tackle tough questions about Scripture and uncover profound lessons within its stories. In this episode, host Lance Smith delves into the intriguing and puzzling story of Jacob, Rachel, and Leah.
Explore the complexities behind when Rachel was given to Jacob as a wife, and how this narrative challenges us to consider themes of human deception, cultural customs, and divine providence. Discover the timeline of events as Jacob navigates through family traditions and faces the irony of being deceived himself.
This episode also reflects on the roles and experiences of women in ancient times and the overarching theme of God's plans unfolding despite human interference. Join us for an enlightening exploration of love, marriage, and familial duty as seen through the lens of Scripture.
References to items discussed on this podcast may be found at the following:
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
https://a.co/d/7shn4hI (The Big Book of Bible Difficulties from Amazon)
https://a.co/d/7tUbsiz (The MacArthur Study Bible Notes)
https://amazingbibletimeline.com/blog/rachel/
https://www.gotquestions.org/Jacob-Leah-Rachel.html 

Tuesday Contradictions: Matthew 3:11–Did Jesus Really Baptize? Untangling Biblical Contradictions

Welcome to another episode of the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast. In today's Contradictions episode, hosted by Lance Smith, we delve into the intriguing question of whether Jesus personally baptized anyone during his earthly ministry. We'll examine seemingly contradictory biblical passages and explore the context behind them.
Join us as we analyze verses from the Gospels and uncover insights into why Jesus may have chosen not to baptize personally. Discover how this decision aligns with His mission and message, emphasizing faith, spiritual growth, and the importance of baptism as a symbolic act led by His disciples.
If you're ready to deep dive into Scripture and uncover truths often overlooked, tune in as we discuss the fascinating perspectives that shed light on this biblical mystery. Don't forget to join the conversation on our Facebook page and share your thoughts with us!
References to items discussed on this podcast may found at the following:
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/first/contra2_list.html (The Skeptics Annotated Bible)
https://www.garbc.org/commentary/did-jesus-ever-baptize-anyone/ 
https://catholicphilly.com/2013/03/catholic-spirituality/did-jesus-baptize-anyone-lectors-and-the-shehe-problem/
https://www.gotquestions.org/did-Jesus-baptize.html 

Genesis 27:42-44 – Jacob's Dual Purpose: Escape and Marriage

In this episode of the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast, host Lance Smith explores the intriguing and often perplexing journey of Jacob from Genesis. Did Jacob leave home to flee from his brother Esau’s wrath or to find a wife as instructed by his father? Lance delves into the dual purposes of Jacob’s journey, revealing the intricate interplay of personal decisions, divine providence, and familial conflicts outlined in the Scriptures.
Lance takes listeners through the rugged and spiritually transformative journey Jacob embarked upon, uncovering its deeper meanings and consequences. With examples of biblical figures like Moses and Saul, he illustrates how the Bible presents multi-layered situations that mirror the complexities of human life.
Finally, Lance imparts three key lessons from Jacob’s story: the multifaceted nature of God’s plans, the consequences of deception, and the importance of faith in uncertainty. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on how God uses life’s challenges to shape our destinies.
References to items discussed on this podcast may be found at the following:
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
https://a.co/d/7shn4hI (The Big Book of Bible Difficulties from Amazon)
https://www.bibleref.com/Genesis/28/Genesis-28-10.html 
https://biblemapper.com/blog/index.php/2024/04/15/jacob-goes-to-paddan-aram/ 
https://bible.org/seriespage/13-jacob-flees-genesis-2741-3024 
https://gospelherald.org/jacobs-journeys-seeking-a-wife-and-family-finding-god/