The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast

Episode 245 unpacks the apparent discrepancy between Leviticus 4 and Numbers 15, showing that Leviticus zooms in on the sin offering itself while Numbers presents the fuller communal response—burnt, grain, and drink offerings accompanying the single sin offering. The episode clarifies how the texts complement one another, draws out the crucial distinction between unintentional and deliberate sin,...

Episode 244 explores whether wealth is a sign of righteousness or wickedness by examining Old and New Testament passages. Lance Smith argues the Bible presents a nuanced view: wealth can be a blessing or a spiritual danger, and it reveals the condition of the heart rather than serving as a moral scoreboard. The episode highlights examples from Scripture, explains stewardship and dependence on God,...

In this episode, Lance Smith examines Numbers 14:29 and the common question of why archaeologists haven’t found mass graves for the Israelites who died during the 40 years in the wilderness. He reviews biblical, cultural, and archaeological explanations including nomadic burial practices, shallow or exposed interments, secondary bone collection, harsh desert conditions, and limited excavation. The...

Host Lance Smith examines apparent Bible conflicts about stealing—Rachel taking her fathers household idols and the Israelites leaving Egypt with silver and gold—by reviewing context, translations, and scholarship. The episode shows the Bible consistently condemns theft and explains the highlighted Old Testament cases as descriptive, cultural, or acts of divine justice rather than endorsements of...

In episode 241 Lance Smith examines an apparent contradiction in Numbers 14 about whether the Amalekites and Canaanites dwelt in the valley or the hills. He explains how the same people in the southern Negev could be described both ways depending on perspective and terrain, showing the verses are complementary rather than contradictory. The episode connects this close reading to a broader point ab...

Host Lance Smith examines Matthew 19:16–17 and parallel Gospel passages to explain why Jesus’ question, “Why callest thou me good?”, does not deny his goodness or divinity. The episode clarifies translation differences, context with the rich young man, Jesus’ teaching method, and how the passage exposes misplaced confidence while strengthening trust in Scripture. References to items discussed and/...

In episode 239 of Bible Difficulties and Answers, Lance Smith examines Numbers 13:32–33, contrasting the fearful report of ten spies with Joshua and Caleb's faith. He argues the conflict was not over facts about the land's fertility but over differing interpretations—fear versus faith. The episode explains the 'land devours its inhabitants' phrase as hyperbole driven by fear, explores the spies' e...

In this episode Lance Smith examines Matthew 19:17–19 alongside Mark 10 and Luke 18 to answer the skeptic’s claim that Jesus listed a different number of commandments. Using context, Jewish background, and gospel harmonization, he shows Matthew’s inclusion of “Love your neighbor” is a theological capstone, not a contradiction. Listeners will learn how the three accounts offer complementary perspec...

Episode 237 explores the apparent discrepancy between Exodus and Numbers where Moses seems to 'rename' Hosea as Joshua. Lance Smith explains how naming conventions, proleptic usage, and theological meaning resolve the difficulty, showing the change highlights Yahweh's role in salvation. Drawing on Jewish tradition and biblical scholarship, the episode argues the shift is clarifying and theological...

Episode 236 examines a skeptical claim that juxtaposes Matthew 19 and Deuteronomy 23 to argue the Bible prefers castrated men. Lance Smith walks through context, covenant differences, and historical background to show Jesus’ words address marriage and voluntary celibacy, while Deuteronomy regulated assembly and separation from pagan practices. The episode traces the biblical trajectory through Isa...

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, h...

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 c...

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...

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 ho...

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 cont...

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...

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. R...

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 an...

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 int...

In episode 225, Lance Smith examines an apparent tension in Numbers 10 — whether the Ark of the Covenant led Israel or remained in the center of the camp. He compares ancient Jewish interpretations, classical harmonizations, and critical scholarship, and argues that both images are complementary: God dwells in the midst and goes before his people in specific moments of guidance. Through careful re...

In episode 224 Lance Smith examines whether Jesus clearly predicted his death and resurrection by comparing repeated Gospel predictions with John 20:9, which says the disciples didn’t understand. He shows how the issue is not that Jesus failed to warn them but that they lacked the framework to connect his words with Scripture. The episode walks through key Gospel passages, cultural context, and sc...

Host Lance Smith examines Numbers 10:31 and the apparent tension between divine guidance (the pillar of cloud) and Moses inviting Hobab as a guide. The episode explains how God’s macro-direction and human practical wisdom work together, clarifies Hobab’s identity as Moses’ brother-in-law and his family’s integration into Israel, and applies the lesson: trusting God doesn’t exclude seeking wise hel...

Episode 222 examines an apparent contradiction: did Peter learn Jesus was the Messiah from his brother Andrew (John 1) or by revelation from the Father (Matthew 16)? The host explains these are two moments in Peter’s journey — an initial introduction by Andrew and a later, deeper revelation from God — and shows how the Gospels record the growth from hearing about Jesus to truly knowing him. The ep...

Host Lance Smith tackles an apparent contradiction between Numbers 6 and 1 Corinthians 11 about men’s long hair, showing that the Nazarite vow’s uncut hair was a temporary sign of consecration while Paul’s instruction addressed everyday worship practices in Corinth. By exploring cultural and textual context — including Paul’s own vow in Acts 18 — Smith explains there’s no contradiction, only diffe...