{"podcast":{"title":"The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast","slug":"the-bible-difficulties-and-answers-podcast-6715880","podcast_index_feed_id":6715880,"rss_url":"https://feed.podbean.com/bibledifficultiesandanswers/feed.xml","website_url":"https://bibledifficultiesandanswers.podbean.com","image_url":"https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/17496768/New_Podcast_Logo_ey6s7t.jpg","author":"bibledifficultiesandanswers","episode_count":276,"summary":"I’m your host Lance Smith. Join us each week as we dive headfirst into the most perplexing, intriguing, and downright baffling passages of the Bible—from the chaotic beginnings in Genesis to the mind-bending visions of Revelation. We’re not just reading; we’re unraveling, exploring, and making sense of it all in a way that’s as entertaining as it is enlightening. Whether you’re a scripture novice or a seasoned theologian, get ready for a journey that promises to be anything but ordinary. Fasten your seatbelts; your scriptural adventure awaits!","last_synced_at":"2026-07-24T14:23:23.343816+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-bible-difficulties-and-answers-podcast-6715880"},"episode":{"title":"Numbers 31—How Can God's Judgment Against Midian Be Morally Right?","slug":"numbers-31-how-can-god-s-judgment-against-midian-be-morally-right","published_at":"2026-07-17T06:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-bible-difficulties-and-answers-podcast-6715880/numbers-31-how-can-god-s-judgment-against-midian-be-morally-right","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-bible-difficulties-and-answers-podcast-6715880","url":"https://bibledifficultiesandanswers.podbean.com/e/wrestling-with-numbers-31-how-can-this-be-right/","audio_url":"https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/a3hjxyt6ewsrcmku/Numbers_31_How_can_it_be_morally_right_for_the_Israelites_to_totally_destroy_the_Midianites7e7d5-dwe93d-Optimized.mp3","summary":"Numbers 31 contains one of the most difficult passages in the entire Old Testament. How could a holy and loving God command the destruction of the Midianites? In this episode, Lance Smith examines the historical and biblical context behind this challenging chapter, tracing the story back to Israel's rebellion at Baal Peor in Numbers 25. Along the way, he addresses common skeptical objections, explores what respected Christian scholars have said about the passage, and explains why Scripture presents these events as a unique act of divine judgment rather than arbitrary violence. If you've ever struggled with Numbers 31, or wondered how Christians should respond to questions about it, this episode offers a thoughtful, biblical perspective while ultimately pointing to God's justice, mercy, and redemption through Jesus 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: 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 “Why did God command the Israelites to completely destroy the Midianites in Numbers 31:17?” GotQuestions.org. Available at: https://www.gotquestions.org/Numbers-31-17-Midianites.html Guzik, David. “Numbers 31 – Vengeance on Midian.” Enduring Word Bible Commentary. Available at: https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/numbers-31/ “Numbers 31 Commentary.” Precept Austin (includes material from Gleason Archer). Available at: https://www.preceptaustin.org/numbers-31-commentary “The Killings of Numbers 31.” Apologetics Press. Available at: https://apologeticspress.org/th…","meta_description":"Numbers 31 contains one of the most difficult passages in the entire Old Testament. How could a holy and loving God command the destruction of the Midiani…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":714,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-bible-difficulties-and-answers-podcast-6715880/episodes/numbers-31-how-can-god-s-judgment-against-midian-be-morally-right/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-bible-difficulties-and-answers-podcast-6715880/numbers-31-how-can-god-s-judgment-against-midian-be-morally-right.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}