CSE Blogs

From: Kent Hovind
Sent: April 1, 2009
To: Joseph, the husband of Mary

Kent Hovind (KH): Hey Lord?

God: Yes son.

KH: My niece Stephany broke her back almost 3 years ago and is in a wheelchair now for life. She doesn’t have an “outdate” like I do to look forward to. Joni Ericson Tada has been in one for over 40 years and doesn’t haven an outdate either. 300 of the men in the medium security prison next door have “deceased” as their outdate. I know that I shouldn’t complain about my situation. I’m really pretty free in here to read, write, witness and walk around, but…I didn’t want to come here and don’t want to be here. Can you at least show me a glimpse of why You allowed all this to happen to me and my family? Please? The legal system seems so slow, unfair, and even corrupt at times. Why would You allow Your servants to suffer?

God: Son, I love you and only give good and perfect gifts to My children (Jam 1:17). I gave hundreds of stories in My Word for examples to teach you lots of truth (1 Cor. 10:6,11). Let’s go visit Joseph and Mary in Egypt. He knows just how you feel and can help you understand (Mt. 2:13-16)…..

KH: Phew! This place stinks! Where are we Lord?

God: On a farm in Egypt, son. Go talk to that man with the hammer by the barn. That’s Joseph.

KH: Excuse me, sir, what’s going on here?

Joe: Oh, hi there. I’m fixing this gate. The cows broke it and the owner of the farm hired me to fix it. I’m a carpenter by trade up in Israel but down here I do odd jobs to make ends meet. These cows stink don’t they?

KH: It smells like a barnyard!

Joe: It is. Hey, watch where you step! How can I help you?

KH: God sent me here to talk with you. Who are you, and what are you doing here in Egypt?

Joe: I am Joseph of Nazareth and I’m only here because God told me in a dream to come. I hate it here!

KH: Why did God tell you to come all the way down here?

Joe: I’ve wondered that myself. I think it is for my family’s protection.

KH: From what?

Joe: King Herod back in Israel wants to kill my boy, Jesus.

KH: Oh yeah. I read that story in Matthew.

Joe: Who’s Matthew?

KH: Ah, that would take awhile to explain. Anyways….

Joe: There is no “s” in anyway.

KH: That’s right. My bad. Anyway, why does Herod want to kill your son? How old is he?

Joe: Well, Jesus is 4 years old. He’s not really my son. I married his mother, Mary, while she was pregnant, but that’s another story. Anyway, we had gone to Bethlehem to be registered for a tax and couldn’t find any rooms available, so a farmer let us sleep in his barn the night Jesus was born.

KH: Is that where the three wise men came to visit you?

Joe: The who?

KH: You know, the three wise men who brought you the gold, frankincense and myrrh. They are always in the nativity scene with the shepherds, sheep, and cows by the baby in the manger.

Joe: Boy are you mixed up! First, the shepherds came to visit us the night he was born but the wise men came two years later. Jesus was a young child and we were in a house by then (Mt. 2:10-11). Second, there were different gifts, not three wise men. A whole caravan of them came from the east to see the new king. They were following a star. It would be suicide for just three rich men to travel over 500 miles past scores of bands of robbers. Third, what’s a nativity scene?

KH: Ah…never mind. Anyway, why did the Lord tell you to come here?

Joe: Well, a few days after the caravan left, an angel of the Lord appeared to me in a dream and told me to take Mary and Jesus and come down here to Egypt (Mt. 2:12-13) so I did. Later I found out that Herod had sent soldiers to Bethlehem the next day and had all the babies 2 and under killed! Bethlehem is a small town, and my wife and I knew most of the families that lost sons. We got out of town just in time! It’s a good thing we listened to the Lord! It’s also a good thing we had the gold to pay for the trip and help us get established down here. God always provides.

KH: That’s for sure! So how do you like it here?

Joe: I hate it! God sent me here for my family’s safety, not our comfort. I was just getting enough work in Bethlehem to make ends meet and start saving to move back to Nazareth and live a normal life when, out of the blue, I end up down here in Egypt! This is the last place I want to be! The people here are dirty and godless. They speak a strange language, eat odd food, and have weird customs. I haven’t seen my friends or family for several years. It’s a good thing my dad taught me to do carpentry work. I can always make a living – even if it is fixing gates in a smelly barnyard.

KH: Wow! That’s quite a story. I hate where I am too, Joe. I know how you feel. Hey, if Herod wanted to kill Jesus, why would God make you go through the trouble of moving? Why didn’t he just kill Herod?

Joe: I’m sure He could have, and Herod certainly deserves it. He killed some of his own wives and sons! He is wicked! He’s an Edomite, and does not have God’s authority to rule the land. Actually I’m a direct descendent of King David (Mt. 1:6-16) and, if it weren’t for the sins of Jeconiah, my ancestor about 12 generations back, I would have the right to be king of Israel. God told Jeconiah that he would never have a descendant sit on David’s throne (Jer. 22:30). His dad, Jehoiakim, had cut out part of God’s Word (Jer. 36, Rev 22:19). Changing God’s Word in any way always makes God angry! But God has also promised that David would “never want a man to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel” (Jer. 33:17).

KH: That sounds like an impossible contradiction of God’s promises.

Joe: No problem for God. Mary is also a descendent of King David through a different son – Nathan (Lk. 3:31), and Jesus is the son of Mary. Anyway, even though Herod is wicked and has caused a lot of suffering for lots of families, including mine, God still loves him and wants him to be saved.
As I watched my wife and her son suffer on the trip down here I admit, I got some bitterness in my heart toward Herod. God had to work on me for a while about that.
You see Kent, God is longsuffering and not willing that any should perish (II Pt 3:9). So, even though in my flesh I want to ask God to send down fire from Heaven (II Kings 1:10,12; Lk 9:54) and kill all those that caused this pain and suffering for my family, I also realize that God may be giving Herod more time to repent and be saved. Or, maybe his sins are not yet full. God told Abraham that He would leave his descendents – my ancestors – in Egypt for four generations because the iniquity of the Amorites was not yet full (Gen. 15:16). He is a God of mercy (Ex. 33:19).

KH: I guess you are right, Joe. We already have God’s promise of eternal life in Heaven (Jn. 3:16) and tend to forget that God takes no pleasure when the wicked die and go to Hell (Ez 18:23). God is love (1 Jn 4:7-8), even to the wicked heathen that hurt us for no good reason.

Joe: I know. We tend to think that our sins are not as bad as others (Is 64:6), but God sees long term and knows how serious Hell is (Mk 9:44-48)! As much as I hate being in Egypt away from my family, it will be worth it all if Herod or some other souls are saved because of it. Maybe God can even reach some of those cruel Roman soldiers that killed the babies. They need the Lord too. Moses (Ex 2:12) and David (II Sam 11:15) were murderers and God forgave them.

KH: So, maybe God brought you to Egypt for your protection and to give Herod a chance to get saved. That’s a great way to look at it, Joe.

Joe: That’s the best reason I can think of. I know God loves me and will never give me more than I can handle (1 Cor. 10:13) so I’ll just try to learn to serve God here as best as I can until He calls me to go back to Israel. Hey Kent, hold the other end of that board up to that line for me, would you please? And watch your step! Cows live around here.

KH: I’d be glad to, Joe. And thanks for the insight into why God allows His children to go through problems. He sees a bigger picture than what we do. We should just trust Him to do right.

God: Let’s go home, Son. Does that help answer your question?

KH: Yes, Lord. I understand it, but I don’t have to like it, do I?

God: No, Son, you don’t have to like it. Just be still and know that I am God (Ps. 46:10). You have a pile of mail to answer, Son. Go get started. I’ve got your back.

From: Kent Hovind
Sent: July 17, 2007
To: Naboth
First Read: 1 Kings 21

God:  Still amazed at how it all happened, aren’t you, Son?

KH:  Stunned would be a better word, Lord. What a system!

God:  Come with Me, Son. We will go visit some folks who know exactly how you feel…

KH:  Where are we, Lord?

God:  Ancient Israel, Son. Those two men talking are citizens of Jezreel. They are cousins. Just listen for a few minutes…

Athili (AT):  Hey, Jacob, did you hear about what happened to Naboth?

Jacob (JA):  No. What happened? He was fine last week when I saw him.

AT:  He was arrested, tried, and convicted of blasphemy against God and the king! He is being stoned this afternoon!

JA:  That’s not possible. I’ve known Naboth for years. He is a good man and always tries to obey the Lord and the Law. Where did you hear that story?

AT:  It’s in the Jezreel News Journal.  That’s a very conservative paper in his own town. I’m sure they wouldn’t print anything that was not true. They said there were two witnesses who testified that they heard him. He must be guilty! I can’t believe that I was fooled by him all these years, too.

JA:  I’m sorry, but I still don’t believe it. I’ve known him too long. Did he admit his guilt during his trial?

AT:  No. He didn’t even testify in his own defense! His son said that he was innocent and was framed by the king and queen, themselves! He says that his dad thought the entire trial was a sham proceeding and that for him to even say a word would make their “trial” seem legitimate. He said that under our system of laws the burden of proof was on the accuser to prove he was guilty, not the accused to prove his innocence.

JA:  Who were the witnesses against him?

AT:  They were known liars who were men of Belial, but the paper said their stories agreed they heard him blaspheme. It makes me wonder who else is a phony in the church.

JA:  I still think the paper is lying as well as the two witnesses. God told us not to bear false witness (Ex. 20:16) and that a false witness should be punished (Deut. 19:16-19).

AT:  There is no way the entire jury could be wrong. These jurors were all intelligent, respected members of the community. They heard all the evidence and voted that he was guilty.

JA:  They did not hear all the evidence! They never heard Naboth testify. They only heard what the king wanted them to hear. I still smell a rat. Do you know where Naboth’s vineyard is?

AT:  No. Where?

JA:  Right next door to the palace. I bet the king wanted it and Naboth wouldn’t sell, and the whole thing is a set up. Everyone fears wicked King Ahab and his extra wicked wife Jezebel. She is ruthless! I wonder if any of the town elders or jurors in the trial were threatened or intimidated by them somehow. Powerful politicians have been known to do that kind of thing, you know.

AT:  I can’t believe you would say that! We live in the greatest nation on earth. God Himself told Samuel to anoint King Saul and King David. The king’s heart is in the hands of the Lord (Pro. 21:1). There is no way God would let them do any wrong. I’m going to believe the system of justice God gave us. And I trust the paper.

JA:  I’m going to watch and see if they try to seize Naboth’s property next. That will reveal a lot to me!

Next Day

JA:  Hey Athili! Look at this memo I found in the trash last night.

AT:  What does it say?

JA:  It’s from Queen Jezebel to the elders of Jezreel:

To the esteemed elders of Jezreel: If you love your country now is the time to stand up! One of your very own respected citizens, a friend and neighbor to all of you, has committed a grievous sin that must be dealt with swiftly and severely. Naboth has blasphemed both God and the king in violation of Exodus 22:28. He must be dealt with publicly so all will fear God and the King. Naboth is one of those crazy patriots who believe we are still governed by God’s Law and the covenant made with King David and King Solomon. He has no respect for the authority of the current king that God has raised up to rule the land. We all know that the word and wishes of the king is the highest law. Naboth is a threat to our national security. Imagine the chaos if his wild ideas of old fashioned patriotism spread! I am sending two of my most trusted servants with this top secret memo. They will testify that they heard Naboth blaspheme with their own ears and saw him do it with their own eyes! Please receive them on my behalf, and be sure to point out Naboth to them when the trial starts.

Elder Caleb:  Dear Queen Jezebel, We received your note. We understand what you want and will certainly do as you say. We don’t want any trouble with the king or queen as the God ordained rulers of our land. We do have a minor concern though. If these men are to testify that they saw Naboth do this, why do we need to point him out to them?

Queen Jezebel:  I’m sorry, that was a slip on my part. Of course they know him, but we can’t be too cautious on matters like this. We need to be sure that we convict the right man. We certainly wouldn’t want to condemn an innocent man!

Elder:  Yes, Your Highness. Consider it done as you wish.

See! I told you I smelled a rat!

KH:  God, why do You allow this injustice to go on?

God:  I knew you would ask. Here is a copy of the note I gave Naboth as he sits in prison awaiting execution:

Dear Naboth, (1 Kings 21:1-26; 2 Kings 9:21-26)

I heard your prayer asking why all this happened to you. I know you are stunned by the great injustice that has been done. Please allow Me to explain a few things to help you.

1) You have done nothing wrong, Naboth. This is not a punishment for some secret sin as reported in the papers.
2) You did what was right. The vineyard was an inheritance and is for your family forever (Lev. 25:23-28). It was not to be sold.
3) Ahab has power as king. His wicked wife has power as queen. People need rulers. They are ordained by Me (Rom. 13). People in positions of power have a great temptation to become proud and corrupt. They are used to getting what they want when they want it. It is a sad fact of life that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
4) Ahab and Jezebel did the wrong. They coveted your property in violation of Exodus 20:17. They lied in violation of verse 16. Next they will commit murder in violation of verse 13. They willingly rejected your words that I had forbidden you to sell the land (1 Kings. 21:3).
5) I keep careful record, Naboth. I will deal with them severely (2 Kings. 9:26)!
6) You and your sons will suffer and die because of their sins.
7) Fear not. Millions of innocent people have and will suffer for the sins of others. You see it all through history from Abel, the prophets, Jesus, the 11 disciples, to people under Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot, Islam, the Inquisition and the list goes on for miles. Don’t worry, I will richly reward those who suffer for righteousness sake (Mt. 5:11). I have it all recorded. I know it looks unfair to the righteous now, but you haven’t seen it from My side yet. I’m working on a much bigger picture! All of this life is a job interview for the real life to come. Your earthly time is nothing compared to eternity (Rom. 8:18).
9) Ahab pouted when he could not get his way. All spoiled brats do that.
10) Jezebel had complete confidence that her corrupt political system could convict an innocent man (1 Kings. 21:7), and it did. You had no chance of winning in her court. She is one of those rulers that tried to rule without paying attention to My laws. I’ll take care of it, Naboth.
11) Rulers like Jezebel will lie, make up evidence, and intimidate to get their way. Winning is everything to them (1 Kings 21:8-10)…For now.
12) The average jury member will believe their own government officials rather than their own neighbors they have known for years. Few have the courage to stand up to the system.

Don’t be disheartened, Naboth. I have perfect records. Your name will be famous among billions for the next 2,800 years in My Word as well as in the 1,000 year kingdom and then on into eternity. You did what was right, Son. Rest in that. I’ve got your back.

KH:  Thanks, Lord. I worry too much, don’t I?

God:  Yes, you do, Son. Relax. I’ll take care of it all.

From: Kent Hovind
Sent: June 8, 2008
To: Chris
Subject: What’s wrong with this?

Chris: Hey, Kent, have you read the book by Max Lucado called Six Hours One
Friday?

KH: No, what’s it about?

Chris: It’s awesome! I’d say it’s a good devotional to keep us focused on Christ’s death
on the cross and what it can do for us today.

KH: I love reading Max Lucado’s books. He’s a very gifted author, but I have some
serious cautions first.

Chris: Like what?

KH: Well, let’s start with the title. Jesus was crucified on Wednesday, not Friday (p.
20).

Chris: What? Everyone celebrates “Good Friday” before Easter when we celebrate
Jesus’ resurrection.

KH: You can’t die on Friday, spend three days and three nights in the tomb and be
gone when they arrive before sunup on Sunday morning. Do the math. Even my recently
departed good friend and hero, Henry Morris, falls for the Friday-crucifixion teaching in
his Luke 23:54 footnotes in the Defender’s Study Bible. I love Dr. Morris’ work and
really love, and even sell, the Defender’s Study Bible. I have used it for years and don’t
know of a better study Bible, but he can make mistakes. Max and millions of others
accepted the incorrect Catholic “Good Friday” stuff.

Chris: But the Bible says they had to get his body off of the cross because the next
day was the Sabbath (Mark 15:42, Luke 23:56). That means it is Friday.

KH: What day of the week is April 14?

Chris: What?

KH: Does April 14 fall on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or what?

Chris: It changes every year.

KH: Exactly. The Passover (Exodus 12) was April 14, which could be any day of the
week. The Jews have lots of “Sabbaths.” Their rest could be a day or a whole year
(Exodus. 23:11; Lev. 25:5), and some could fall on Monday or any other day. Jesus was
crucified on Wednesday. Thursday was a Sabbath connected with the Passover, then
Friday was a day of preparation (Matthew 27:62; John 19:42), so they were too busy
preparing for the Saturday Sabbath to go to the grave. They rested Saturday and went to
the grave before sunup on Sunday morning (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2; Luke 24:1; John
20:1). Do the math. He was in the grave Wednesday night, Thursday night, and Friday
night. That’s three. He was in the grave all day Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. That’s
three. He rose Saturday night and was gone when they arrived Sunday morning.

Chris: Wow, I guess I never checked it out before (Acts 17:11). What else should I
watch for in his books?

KH: Well, he’s Church of Christ, so he probably believes you must be baptized by a
Church of Christ preacher to be saved. Unless he disagrees with COC headquarters,
salvation is by faith plus baptism in his theology. I get along fine with Church of Christ
people, and I don’t question their sincerity or love of God for one second. I think some of
their doctrine is wrong on a few key issues like this, but that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy
and learn from books like this. I will know what false teaching to watch for. When I go to
the pantry to get green beans, I like all the cans to have labels. It’s the same with
churches. I like denomination labels. They tell me what is supposed to be inside and
help me know what to watch for.

Chris: Any other cautions?

KH: Well, he uses the NIV, Living Bibles, and The New Jerusalem Bible. All of those
are good translations of a bad book, the Alexandrian cult bible from Egypt. I don’t fight
people on the Bible version issue. I used others myself for many years, but I have been
dragged slowly, with mind and eyes wide open, into the KJV camp.

Chris: I use the NIV. What’s wrong with it?

KH: That would take hours to thoroughly explain, but I give a short explanation on
Seminar Part 7 and you can read lots about it in books like New Age Bible Versions
or other books we carry. There are real serious problems with your NIV. I’ll show you.
Read Acts 8:37 to me.

Chris: “As they traveled…”

KH: No, that’s verse thirty-six. Read thirty-seven, please.

Chris: I can’t! It’s gone!

KH: How about Mark 9:44?

Chris: That’s gone too.

KH: There are about two hundred verses and vital parts of hundreds more that are
gone. You can order a pamphlet listing many of them from CSE. Check the Lord’s
prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 in your version compared to my KJV.

Chris: The last half of verse thirteen is gone in mine! Why?

KH: It’s a good translation of a bad book. Check out www.avpublications.com for
more on that, but since Max uses the NIV, is Church of Christ, and fell for the Catholic lie
of the Friday crucifixion, I don’t get as excited as some about his books. I’ll still read it
though. I’m a “read-aholic.”

Chris: OK. Thanks…

KH: Thanks, Chris. There are some awesome stories in there. Several make me cry.
He has a gift for using words; I really enjoyed it. Some of his spiritual insights are also
amazing. I would encourage people to read it, but always be like the Berean believers,
Chris. Learn to eat the meat and spit out the bones, or you may choke on something.

Chris: Thanks. Good advice.

From: Kent Hovind
Sent: April 1, 2009
To: Zartha
First Read: Daniel 6:1-18

Kent Hovind (KH): Hey Lord, I need help understanding something.

God: Sure, son, I can help. I understand everything.

KH: Well, today is National Atheist’s Day – April 1.

God: Yes it is, son. A man who claims he does not believe in Me is a fool (Ps. 14:1; 53:1).

KH: I know that Lord, but based on all the stuff they post on the internet, they are sure rejoicing over my being in prison. Why do they seem to prosper and my wife and I languish in prison? It doesn’t seem fair! All we have tried to do is serve You for 40 years.

God: Oh My dear son! You haven’t seen the end yet (James 5:11; Ps. 73:12-20). Let’s go for a walk. I’d like you to talk with Zartha. He will help you understand…..

KH: Wow! This place is beautiful! Where are we, Lord?

God: This is the palace in ancient Persia, son. Today it is called Iran. There are a lot of top government officials having a victory celebration party in there now. Go talk to the man with all the gold rings. That’s Zartha (at Dan. 6:17).

KH: OK Lord,… Excuse me, sir. What’s going on here?

Zartha (ZA): Oh, it is so exciting! We are celebrating our great victory! Come join us. This is a great day for Persia!

KH: Well, thanks for the invitation. Who are you?

ZA: I’m Zartha, one of the 120 princes that rule over Persia.

KH: What are you celebrating?

ZA: We all came here along with 2 of the 3 Persian presidents to celebrate our great political victory over our enemy Daniel. It was a lot of work but we won! He’s dead!

KH: Wow! What did he do to you?

ZA: Well, it’s a long story. It is not so much what he did. It is more what he stood for.

KH: I’d love to hear it from the beginning if you don’t mind.

ZA: Oh, I don’t mind at all! This will be one of the great stories of history! It needs to be told to all generations. Millions will copy our example how to beat their political foes.
Let’s see, Cyrus, the king of the Persians (Dan. 10:1; II Chr. 36:22; Ezra 1:1; Isa. 44:28) had been the enemy of Nebuchadnezer king of Babylon for many years until he conquered him a few years ago. He took all the survivors captive. One captive was Daniel. He was about 90 years old and had been a high ranking official in Babylon noted for his great wisdom and loyalty to the king and his God.

KH: That sounds like a good thing.

ZA: I suppose it could be but he took it too far. Anyway, King Cyrus made his loyal general Darius the Mede king over the Chaldeans (Dan. 9:1; Ezra 4:5; Neh. 12:22). One of the first things Darius did was to divide the kingdom into 120 provinces and appoint a prince over each one.

KH: One of whom would be you, right?

ZA: Right. Then, to keep us honest, he set three presidents over the princes so the king would not have any damage (Dan. 6:1-2).

KH: That sounds like a wise way to structure a kingdom that is culturally diverse to be sure things run smoothly.

ZA: It was all working fine till the king thought to make old Daniel head over everything (Dan. 6:3).

KH: What’s wrong with that?

ZA: What’s wrong with that! He’s a stickler for details. He thinks everyone should obey the law, even us! He kept track of every penny! We knew we would not be able to continue our long standing practice of skimming money off the top to support our life style (1 Tim. 6:10) so we had to find a way to take him out (Dan. 6:4).

KH: Honest politicians don’t last long in my country either. So, how did you get him?

ZA: We understood the rule “know your enemy” so we studied him for a long time. We couldn’t find any dirt on him (Dan. 6:4). Then, in a flash of inspiration, one of the princes noticed his inflexible devotion to his God and the king’s great vanity for himself and suggested we use the two to trap Daniel. It was brilliant and simple. We wrote up a law for the king to sign and told him that “all the presidents of the kingdom” and all other rulers agreed that it was a good law to honor him. He fell for it!

KH: If Daniel was one of the presidents, it was a lie to say that “all the presidents” agreed wasn’t it?

ZA: Sometimes, in politics, it is necessary to lie to get laws passed and accomplish political goals or, like in this case, to get rid of enemies.

KH: They do the same in science books to get kids to believe in evolution in my country. Corrupt and jealous politicians used lies and the law to convict and kill Socrates too.

ZA: Who?

KH: Oh, that’s right. He won’t be born for about 100 years in Greece. My bad. Anyway, once you knew you had trapped a Godly innocent man with a corrupt law what did you do?

ZA: We hid outside his window before his regular prayer time and waited. Right on schedule, he opened the window and prayed to his God (Dan. 6:10). We told the king and had him arrested. The king was upset! He tried to figure out a way to release him (Dan. 6:14) but we know how to write laws to eliminate our enemies that stand in our way. There was no way out for the king. So, about an hour ago he was thrown into a den of lions. I can almost hear the bones crunching now! What a glorious night this is for Persia! Let’s go join the party.

KH: Thanks but I need to go now. Enjoy your party.

ZA: Oh, we will!

God: Well, son, you know how the story turns out. But, tonight Zartha and his friends are having a party, King Darius will be up all night regretting what he did (Dan. 6:18) and Daniel is trying to rest in a smelly den of lions. I’m using this to reach everyone involved and will use this story to reach the entire world.

KH: How is that, Lord?

God: Well, Zartha and his friends don’t know it yet but I keep track of every sin everyone commits. When I get fed up, I pull the plug. I was giving them this one last chance to repent of their evil ways and do right – they missed their chance. The lions will eat well in the morning (Dan. 6:20-24). King Darius will be a much more humble and cautious leader for years to come because of this. He will have a great respect for Me and help cause the wall and the temple to be rebuilt in Jerusalem (Ezra, Nehemiah). Millions will read this story for generations and will reflect on their actions. Even some of your enemies that rejoice in your situation are quietly searching their souls over what they did to you or have said about you. Some will repent and some will not (Act 17:32-34). You have read about the gnashing of teeth that awaits them haven’t you (Mt. 8:12; 13:42; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30; Lk 13:28)?

KH: Yes, Lord.

God: This story is My written warning to any who make or enforce laws anywhere on earth. I will be the final Judge and I don’t miss a thing! Politicians, judges, lawyers, and prosecutors will read this story and search their souls to see how they measure up. Some will choose short term “victory” over their enemies and use lies to condemn the just (James 5:6), some will repent and do right.

KH: What if they don’t read it, Lord?

God: Ignorance of the law is no excuse, son. I gave the law and a great company published it all over the world (Ps. 68:11). Your situation will all work out for My glory like Daniel’s did. Take a nap, son. I’ve got your back.

From: Kent Hovind
Sent: April 25, 2009
To: Meshach
First read: Daniel 3:30 – “Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.”

KH: Hey Lord, do You have a minute?

GOD: Son, I have all the minutes. I created time. It has no effect on me (Gen 1:1). I’m eternal (Dt. 33:27; Isa 57:15; 1 Tim 1:17). Plus, I already know what you want to ask Me (Isa 65:24; Mk. 2:8).

KH: You do?

GOD: Yes, Son. You want to ask Me what went wrong in Richard’s court case.

KH: Yes, Lord. He was convicted of making a bad bank loan even though it was made 16 months after he quit working at the bank! It’s crazy! Everyone on the case knew he was not guilty, yet the judge sentenced him, and the 11th circuit refused to overturn it on appeal, and didn’t even give a reason. Now he must spend a fortune to appeal it to the Supreme Court where they only decide to hear about 1% of the cases that are presented to them, and they don’t have to give a reason for declining the other 99% either.

The issues don’t matter. Guilt or innocence doesn’t matter. Has the world gone crazy? Has truth fallen in the streets in America, too (Isa. 59:14)?

GOD: It has, Son, but this case is not about Richard. He is My son and has my promise of eternal life (Jn. 3:3-16). His case is all about Me trying to reach some of the judges and prosecutors involved in his case. I love them and want them to be saved too.

You need to talk to Meshach. He can help you understand this from a whole new angle. Let’s go for a walk, Son…That’s him, Son, go talk with him.

KH: Wow! Lord, this looks like a palace and he looks like a powerful prince of some kind.

GOD: He is a mighty prince of Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar, the most powerful king (and one who did not fear Me) on earth. Meshach wasn’t always a prince though, Son. He will explain it all.

KH: OK, Lord…Excuse me, Mr. Meshach, sir. May I ask you a few questions?

Prince Meshach (PM): Sure, Kent, go ahead,

KH: Can you explain what happened to make you a prince?

PM: Well, it’s a long story.

KH: I’d love to hear it if you don’t mind.

PM: Oh, I love to tell what God has done for me! I was born and raised in Israel. When I was a teen, our king was wicked so God gave our entire nation into the hand of King Nebuchadnezzar here in Babylon (II Kn. 24-25; 1 Chron. 6:15; Jer. 27-39; Dan. 1:1-6). Several of us Hebrews decided we would not defile ourselves with the king’s meat so we requested a diet of vegetables and water (Dan. 1:12).

KH: Like the Garden of Eden diet (Gen 1:29)?

PM: Exactly. Anyway, God honored our desire to not defile ourselves and we were the best looking slaves of the bunch after just 10 days (Dan. 1:12-21). We were in training to be wise men of Babylon when the king had a strange dream that no one could interpret so he decided to kill all the wise men – including us – in the land.

KH: Sounds like the king gets upset when he doesn’t get his way!

PM: That’s for sure! We prayed with Daniel (Dan 2:17-18, 23) and God revealed the dream to Daniel. He was promoted to Vice-King and asked for us three friends to be promoted as well. We went from slave to prince in a flash.

KH: That must have felt weird.

PM: God is good at that stuff. He did the same for Joseph in Egypt (Gen. 41) and for the entire nation of Israel (Exodus 12). Everything was going along fine until the king got this bright idea that he was a god and we all needed to bow down and worship a statue he set up. We refused (Dan. 3) and boy did he get angry! People who get the idea that they are God are not good people to make angry!

KH: That’s for sure! So what did he do?

PM: He offered us a chance to change our minds but we refused. He was so angry that his face changed. He ordered the furnace to be heated 7 times hotter than normal and for us to be tied up and thrown in. The heat was so great that it killed the huge soldiers that threw us in (Dan. 3:22).

KH: Wow! What did it feel like?

PM: It was strange. We knew God could protect us if He wanted to, but sort of expected to be burned alive that day. Even though we were thrown in, we didn’t even feel the heat or the fall. In a matter of seconds our ropes burned off and Jesus was in there helping us stand up. We walked around the furnace and talked with Him.

KH: What did he say to you?

PM: He said, “Thanks for trusting Me, guys. I know this was a little scary for you to go through but I really love King Nebuchadnezzar and want to reach his hard heart before he dies. Some people like him are especially hard to reach. Their position of power goes to their head. The same thing happened to Lucifer (Ez. 28). Then he used the lie on Eve that she could become like God (Gen. 3:5), and she fell for it too.”

KH: We are still paying for that one!

PM: Amen! Anyway, Jesus explained to us that He was using us to reach the hard-hearted king. He has come quite a ways since we first met him. In chapter 1 he saw that we were different. In chapter 2 he saw that God was with us to give us wisdom. In chapter 3 he saw that we loved and feared God more than him or his furnace. It really shook him up when we didn’t burn or even get hurt by the fire. He could see Jesus walking in the furnace and knew right away who it was (Dan. 3:25).

KH: Most of the new Bible versions claim he called him “a son of the gods.”

PM: That’s crazy! I was there and heard it all. He said, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” You better not trust those other versions.

KH: Oh, I don’t! But it is hard to tell that to some people in my neighborhood. So, what happened next?

PM: Jesus showed us around inside the furnace. He said, “See children, I can protect you from the very worse the world has to offer. No one else can say they have seen the inside of a furnace like this. We walked to every corner just to show the king that Jesus has control of all of it, not him, and to show us that He can handle anything!

KH: So what did the king do?

PM: He looked into the furnace and called out our three names and asked us to come out (Dan. 3:26).

KH: Didn’t he invite Jesus to come out?

PM: Ha! No. He specifically did not invite Him to come out into his kingdom!

KH: Many people have a healthy respect for Jesus at a distance like that, but do not want Him in their little kingdom either. Nothing has changed.

PM: He is getting closer though. He at least recognizes that we are servants of “the most high God” (Dan 3:26). That’s a long ways from where he was a few years ago. I don’t think he is ready to admit that He is the ONLY God yet.

KH: I think one more encounter with God will do that (Dan. 4)!

PM: I hope so. God must really love that man. He lets us suffer to reach him.

KH: Well, I guess God sees a bigger picture. You guys already have eternal life so little pains and problems down here don’t really matter much in the grand scheme of things (Rom. 8:18).

PM: I agree. I’d do it all again if I had to. We changed the king’s word. That had never been done before (Dan. 3:28). Plus we moved him a little closer to accepting God. That’s worth a lot!

KH: It sure is. Thanks for the update Meshach. I hope you like your new position as prince of Babylon.

PM: Thanks, I’m sure I will. Life is funny sometimes. I went from happy child to slave to important officer to condemned criminal to prince. I think that’s enough for one lifetime. I’m ready to relax and enjoy life for awhile. Even though the king isn’t saved yet, he at least stopped everyone from talking against God (Dan. 3:29).

GOD: Let’s go home, Son…Did that answer your question?

KH: Yes, Lord. I hate to see Richard suffer longer, but if this all works to bring his judges or prosecutors closer to You, it is worth it.

GOD: Yes, Son. I’m not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (II Peter 3:9). Even though it may look from the outside that their heart is hard when they do things that are evil and wrong to My children, I see the hearts and know what is really going on inside them. When you suffer wrong, just patiently take it for My sake, Son. I’m using you as part of a bigger plan (Mt. 5:11-12). Go play some volleyball now. I’ll take care of Richard’s case and yours. I’ve got your back.

From: Kent Hovind
Sent: October 28, 2008
To: Who is Jesus?
Subject: Deity of Christ

GOD: Good morning, Son.

KH: Good morning, Lord.

GOD: You still don’t get it, Son. Let’s go for a walk (Genesis 5:24). I’d like for you to meet a few people. Maybe they can explain it where you will understand…Go talk with King Herod other there, Son. Don’t stay too long. He’s pretty angry (Proverbs 22:24).

KH: Excuse me, Mr. Herod. What has made you so angry?

Herod: Those guys lied to me (Matthew 1:1-12)!

KH: What guys?

Herod: There was a group of wise men from the East that came here a few days ago. They said they were looking for a new king who had been born around here two years ago. I told them to find him and come back to tell me so I could worship him too. They never came back. They lied.

KH: Did you really want to worship him?

Herod: Of course not! I lied to them. But it’s OK for me to lie. I’m the king here.

KH: That new baby would be Jesus. Do you know who He is?

Herod: Of course I do! He’s a threat to my throne! There is only room for one king – me. OK soldiers, let’s head down to Bethlehem and pay this Jesus kid a visit…

GOD: He never got it, Son. Let’s go visit some common folk on a hillside…

KH: Excuse me, folks. You look flabbergasted (Matthew 7:28)! What happened?

Commoner: We just spent the last two hours listening to a man named Jesus teach about God’s kingdom (Matthew 5-7). We are shocked, stunned, amazed, and awed by what we have heard!

KH: Who is this Jesus?

Commoner: I don’t know anything about him, but he’s the greatest teacher I’ve ever heard! He talks like he has real authority (Matthew 7:29)!

GOD: They got a little bit of the picture, Son. Let’s go to the temple (Matthew 8:4).

KH: Excuse me, fellows. You sure look puzzled as you study that scroll. What are you searching for?

Priest: We are searching Leviticus, chapters 13 – 14, to be sure we do this right. This man was just healed of leprosy. He wants to bring the sacrifice Moses commanded.

KH: Why would you need to study that? You priests do this full time and have for centuries. Don’t you know what to do by heart?

Priest: Since Moses gave the law fourteen hundred years ago, we don’t have record of anyone being cured of leprosy, except Naaman (2 Kings 5:1-19). He was not an Israelite, so he didn’t follow Leviticus. None of us priests have ever handled a case like this before. It’s pretty exciting!

KH: How did he get healed?

Priest: He claims some guy named Jesus just said five words to him (Matthew 8:3) and he was instantly and completely cleansed.

KH: Who is this Jesus?

Priest: I don’t know, but he’s not a normal man!

GOD: Let’s go to Gergesa, Son (Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-17; Luke 8:26-40).

KH: Excuse me, sir. You look excited!

Former Maniac: I’m free (Luke 8:39)! I’ve been possessed with devils for years (Luke 8:27). Jesus cast them out! I’m free! I’m telling everyone what Jesus did for me.

KH: Didn’t he tell you to shew the things God did for you (Luke 8:39)?

FM: Yes, he did. He must be God to have that kind of power!

GOD: He’s getting it, Son. Now turn around.

KH: Excuse me, sir. You look pretty upset. What’s wrong?

Mayor of Gergesa: I am upset! I can’t believe that Jesus guy would come into my town – uninvited by the way – and nearly destroy our economy. I told him to leave (Matthew 8:34; Mark 5:17; Luke 8:37).

KH: What did he do?

MG: I’m not sure how he did it, but two thousand of our pigs (Mark 5:13) just ran down a hill into a lake trying to get away from him. They all drowned. Two thousand hogs cost a lot of money! That’s a serious blow to our economy here.

KH: Aren’t you Jewish?

MG: Yes, we all are around here.

KH: Aren’t pigs unclean (Leviticus 11:7)? What are you doing allowing pigs in your town? Maybe Jesus did you a favor.

MG: I don’t know who Jesus is, but he upset our economy, so he can’t stay here (1 Timothy 6:10)! He’s too expensive to keep around.

GOD: They never got it, Son. Let’s go on…

KH: Excuse me, fellas, what’s this meeting about?

Pharisee: We are holding a council to figure out how to kill Jesus.

KH: Why?

Pharisee: He just healed a man on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:9-13).

KH: What’s wrong with that?

Pharisee: Moses gave us God’s law about resting on the Sabbath (Exodus 20:10). As the religious rulers of the people, we have added lots of our own rules to God’s laws over the years. Jesus doesn’t respect our rules at all. If we let him go on like this, then our jobs, our power, and our prestige are all at stake. We feel it is best to kill him. He’s a threat to our system.

GOD: They didn’t get it, Son. Let’s go meet one more group of men…

KH: Excuse me, fellas. I just saw that man lift right off the ground and go up through that cloud (Acts 1:9-10). I know you all saw him, too. Who on earth was that?

Peter: I’ve been asking myself that same question for three and a half years now.

John: Me, too, Kent. I’ve been real close to him for the whole time, and I’ve see him do scores of miracles. He has healed the sick, fed the hungry, and raised the dead! That was Jesus.

Andrew: He has also walked on water (Matthew 14:25), walked through closed doors (Luke 24:36), predicted his own death and resurrection (Luke 9:22), and did so many things, the world itself couldn’t hold all the books if everything was recorded (John 21:25). He just went about doing good (Acts 10:38).

KH: So, who on earth was that?

Thomas: I didn’t believe it for a long time, but I do now. That was God Himself come down in the flesh.

All the Disciples: I agree.

GOD: It took them a while, Son, but they got it. Now it’s your turn, Son. You have known Me for forty years. When are you going to learn to quit worrying and trust Me? I know all about your situation. I’ve got everything under control. I’m God. Go walk the track. I’ve got your back.

From: Kent Hovind
Sent: September 27, 2008
To: Nahshon
Subject: Why did God allow it?
First Read: Exodus 5:11-14 — “Go ye, get you straw where ye can find it: yet not ought of your work shall be diminished. So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw. And the taskmasters hasted them, saying, Fulfill your works, your daily tasks, as when there was straw. And the officers of the children of Israel, which Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and demanded, Wherefore have ye not fulfilled your task in making brick both yesterday and today, as heretofore?”

GOD: Good morning, Son.

KH: Lord, it’s 4:30 a.m. This is not morning!

GOD: I’m answering your prayer, Son.

KH: Which prayer, Lord?

GOD: Your wife is suffering right now. Your family is suffering right now. Your staff is suffering right now. You are suffering and want to go home. You asked me to show you why I am allowing this, didn’t you?

KH: Yes, Lord, I did.

GOD: I answer prayers for wisdom, Son (James 1:5). Get your pen and paper and come with me to ancient Egypt…What do you see, Son?

KH: It looks like a lady and her children gathered around a man on a bed. They are crying and trying to wash his back and comfort him. He looks like he’s in a lot of pain. What happened, Lord?

GOD: Go talk to him, Son. His name is Nahshon.

KH: Excuse me, sir. You look like you are in a lot of pain. What happened to your back?

Nahshon: Pharaoh’s taskmasters beat me with a whip (Exodus 5:14).

KH: Why?

Nah: I don’t know if I should blame Pharaoh, Moses, the taskmasters, or God for this. All I know is, I’m hurting really bad right now and I don’t understand why God would allow this to happen to me. I’m one of the officers in charge of making bricks for Pharaoh’s latest construction project. I didn’t ask for this leadership job—they made me take it (Exodus 5:14). We have been slaves here in Egypt for several hundred years. I’ve been praying for God to send a deliverer to get us out of here. All of us have been praying and crying out for deliverance (Exodus 2:23).

Last week Moses and Aaron came to meet with the elders of Israel (Exodus 4:29). I was one of them from the tribe of Judah (Numbers 1:7). They told us God was going to deliver us from bondage and take us to a “land flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:8). We believed him. The only honey I’ve seen is right there on the table. My wife is putting it on the cuts on my back now.

KH: That’s good. Honey is a great antiseptic to prevent infection.

Nah: It’s a what?

KH: I’m sorry, never mind. That word won’t be invented for a few thousand years. Anyway, I still don’t understand why they beat you.

Nah: Well, when Moses told Pharaoh that God said, “Let My people go to sacrifice to Me in the wilderness (Exodus 3:18; 5:1-3), Pharaoh laughed and said he didn’t know the Lord and would not let the people go (Exodus 5:2). Then he said we must not have enough work to keep us busy, so he said we had to get our own straw (Exodus 5:7-9) and still produce the same number of bricks. That’s not possible! We tried, but we couldn’t meet the quota; so, his taskmasters beat us (Exodus 5:14), and here I am.

KH: Why would God allow this to happen to you?

Nah: Ah, that is a great question. Ouch! Go easy on that one, dear. Please. Why would God allow this? I don’t know for sure. He must be using all this for a much bigger purpose. My great-great-great grandfather was Judah (Matthew 1:2-4; Luke 3:32-33). His name means “praise” (Genesis 29:35). I try to praise the Lord even if I don’t like or understand what He is doing. Today, it’s a little bit hard to do. Ouch! Easy with the water there, son.

KH: Thanks for talking with me, Nahshon. I sure hope your back gets better and God gets you all out of Egypt soon.

KH: God, why did you allow this man to be beaten like this?

GOD: Here, son. I’m going to let you borrow this for a few minutes to answer that question. Do you know what this is?

KH: It looks like a TV remote control

GOD: Well, sort of. I’m in all places at all times, at the same time. I’m eternal (Deuteronomy 33:27; Isaiah 57:15; Romans 1:20; 1 Timothy 1:17). You can’t do that, Son. With this remote you can rewind, fast forward, pause, and even zoom in and zoom out.

KH: Wow! There have been many times in my life when I could have used this! Oh, just to rewind a few seconds would have been awesome some times.

GOD: Don’t get too excited, Son. You can’t keep it. I just want to answer your question today. This will only work for Nahshon’s life. Push rewind to Exodus 2:23.

KH: OK, Lord…Is that Nahshon over there?

GOD: Yes, Son. This is before the beating. He is a good, natural leader of men. Their crew produces lots of brick for Pharaoh each day but each night they cry out to Me to deliver them from Egypt. They want to go home.

KH: I do, too, Lord.

GOD: I know, Son. Press zoom out.

KH: Wow! This is cool, Lord! I can see Egypt, the Red Sea, and the Sinai Peninsula all at the same time!

GOD: It’s really not the Sinai Peninsula, Son. Those map makers need to read their Bible. Mount Sinai is east of the Gulf of Agaba in Saudi Arabia (Galatians 4:25). Anyway, zoom in on Jabal al Larvz in the mountains just east of Aqaba. That’s Mount Sinai.

KH: OK, Lord. Wow! This remote is really cool! Is that Moses by the burning bush?

GOD: Yes, Son. You know the story (Exodus 3:1-12); so, I want to show you something else today. While Nahshon and the people are suffering and asking Me to help, I am working on a plan to deliver them right here in the desert. Nahshon has no clue why he is suffering—and, as you saw, it will get worse in a few weeks when he is whipped. But it’s all part of a much bigger picture that I see. I will use this situation to free My people, eliminate their enemies, get glory for My name, and do it in such a way that billions of people will hear about it and talk about it for thousands of years.

As I explained to Moses, I’m God (Exodus 3:6). I see everything (Proverbs 15:3). I see the oppression of Nahshon and My people (Exodus 3:7, 9) two hundred and fifty miles away while I talk to Moses, and run everything else in the universe. Secondly, I know their sorrows (Exodus 3:7). Thirdly, I am going to deliver them out of Egypt and bring them into the promised land (Exodus 3:8). I keep my promises, Son (Deuteronomy 1:11; Hebrews 6:12; 11:17, 33).

Now zoom over to Egypt and fast forward a few weeks.

KH: It looks like Nahshon is better. It’s pretty dark out. Who is that boy Nahshon is hugging (Exodus 12:33-36)?

GOD: Go talk with him, Son.

KH: Excuse me, Nahshon, who is this boy and why is everyone out so late? Is there a party or something?

Nah: Oh, it’s wonderful! A few hours ago the death angel came through the land and killed the firstborn of every house except those with the blood on the door. This is my son, Salmon (Ruth 4:20; Matthew 1:4; Luke 3:32). He’s alive! We trusted God and applied the blood. Praise God! We are free! Pharaoh ordered all of us to leave. Now! Tonight! So everyone is excited. We are headed to the Promised Land! Praise God!

KH: How’s your back?

Nah: Oh, a little sore and scarred but it will be fine. I don’t notice it now. I’m free! Let’s go, everyone! Follow Moses!

GOD: Fast forward a few months, Son.

KH: Hey there, Nahshon. Why are all of your elders up here on Mount Sinai?

Nah: I can’t believe it!

KH: What?

Nah: We just had supper with God (Exodus 24:9-11)! Moses went up further to talk with God some more. This is history in the making!

KH: How’s your back?

Nah: What? Oh, it’s fine. I never even think about it now. It’s funny how God works. If I hadn’t been chosen to be an elder I wouldn’t have been beaten, but I also wouldn’t be here today. This is worth what I went through a thousand times over (Romans 8:18)! I guess a little pain comes with being chosen. That’s OK with me. The kids always ask to see my scars. They love for me to tell stories about what it was like in Egypt. I’m actually glad God let it all happen now, even though I didn’t understand it at the time. I can comfort others who are in pain (2 Corinthians 1).

GOD: Let’s go home, Son, and…I’ll need that remote back.

KH: Oh, Lord, can’t I just use it to see how my case turns out?

GOD: I thought you wanted to please Me, Son.

KH: Oh, I do, Lord.

GOD: Then trust Me, Son. Without faith it is impossible to please me (Hebrews 11:6). While Nahshon was suffering and calling out for help, I was answering two hundred and fifty miles away. I’m working on your situation, Son. You will see and be amazed. Just suffer a little longer. It will be worth it all. You’ll see. I’ve got your back.

From: Kent Hovind
Sent: February 13, 2009
To: Puah
First Read: Exodus 1: 15-22 and I Corinthians 10: 6, 11

God: Good morning, Son!

KH: Good morning, Lord.

God: Still confused, aren’t you Son?

KH: Yes, Lord. I’ve read Foxe’s Book of Martyrs twice, nearly all of Richard Wurmbrand’s books, seen three videos about the life of Deitrich Bonhoeffer, and read a lot about the coming tribulation times. I’m still hoping for pre-trib rapture, but if your children must live under evil rulers who order disobedience to things (such as taking the mark of the beast – Rev. 13:16) that are clearly spelled out in your Word, how far do we go along with them?

God: Let’s go for a walk, Son. Puah can help you. She faced a similar question 3,500 years ago. Do you see that nice house by the Nile River?

KH: Yes, Lord.

God: Go and talk with the lady in the yard. That’s Puah.

KH: Excuse me ma’am, this is a beautiful house you have!

Puah: Thanks. God gave it to me (vs. 21).

KH: Why?

Puah: My friend, Shiprah, and I are the midwives for the Hebrews. We deliver all their babies.

KH: They must pay really well to be able to afford a nice house like this!

Puah: Oh no! The Hebrew women we work with are all slaves. They can’t pay us at all. God provides for us.

KH: Why would God provide for you in the midst of a nation of slaves?

Puah: I guess He is pleased that we fear and obey Him more than Pharaoh.

KH: But I thought God commanded His people to always obey the authority over them (Rom 13:1-7; Heb. 13:17). Why would God bless you with a house for disobeying?

Puah: It is normally true about obeying the authority, and we do, but if the authority orders us to disobey God’s laws or clear commands, we can’t comply (Acts 4:19). That’s what happened in this case. Pharaoh ordered us to kill all the baby boys (vs. 16). We knew that would be a sin, so we disobeyed (vs. 17).

KH: Did Pharaoh get angry?

Puah: Oh yeah! He called us in to find out why we had not followed his orders.

KH: What did you tell him?

Puah: We lied to him (vs. 19)! We told him that the Hebrew women delivered before we got there.

KH: But I thought lying was a sin (Ex. 20:16; Pro. 6:16-19).

Puah: It is, under normal situations, but God makes exceptions for certain situations like war time.

KH: I guess you are right. Rahab lied to her own leaders to protect the spies (Joshua 2) and God protected her (Joshua 6:17) and even let her be in the genealogy of King David and Jesus (Mt. 1:5)!

Puah: Who is Rahab?

KH: Oh, that’s right. She’s 120 some years in the future. My bad.

Puah: And who is Jesus?

KH: Well, He’s way in the future – sort of. Anyway, did you feel bad about disobeying and lying?

Puah: No way! We fear God above all. As long as Pharaoh’s laws don’t violate God’s laws, we follow them to the letter. But, we keep our eyes and ears on God’s laws first.
Plus, who knows what these baby boys we are sparing will turn out to be? Maybe one of them will be the one to deliver us out of Egyptian bondage into our promised land! We all pray for that day!

KH: That’s for sure! Oh, by the way, Amram wants me to tell you that his wife, Jochebed, is in labor. He needs you there right away (Ex. 2:1-2; 6:20). Thanks for letting me talk with you and answering my questions. And…God bless you for your work.

Puah: Oh, he does! Thanks.

Currently, there is an important bill in Congress that we are asking for your help with:
H.R. 1475 (click here for full text of the bill), which amends Title 18, United States Code, to restore the former system of “good time” allowances toward federal prison sentences. It will accomplish these two objectives:

1. The increased deduction of “good time” allowance to be provided to those inmates who are deserving of it. This is based on the inmates’ institutional conduct. This will eliminate the undeserving from increased “good time” allowances.
2. The “good time” allowance increases reasonable increments based upon the length of a given sentence. This eliminates the possibility of an inmate serving less than a reasonable portion of their sentence.

Since 1987, the federal prison system has seen a tremendous growth with no end in sight. Nearly three-fourths of the federal prison population is of non-violent offenders. More than one-fourth is of first time, offenders. It costs taxpayers $30,000 – $40,000 per inmate per year. This cost is greatly increased for the aging prison population due to the increase in medical cost. Non-violent, federal inmates deserve a second chance at life. Passing this bill will decrease the warehousing of mothers, fathers, and grandparents.

To help reward these non-violent inmates for good behavior, and to give them credit in the form of a reduction of time served, please write your representative, encouraging them to support H.R. 1475. The following may be considered as a model to follow in writing your letter:

To the Honorable Representative _____________________

As a constituent deeply concerned with the federal penal system, I urge you to fully support H.R. 1475: To amend title 18, United States Code, to restore the former system of good time allowances toward service of Federal prison terms. It is time we give non-violent inmates a chance to reduce their time in federal prison based on their appropriate behavior and demonstration of virtue.

Please vote YES on H.R. 1475!

Sincerely,

_____________________________ (Full name)

_____________________________ (City and State)

Thank you for your continued support,
The Team at CSE

From: Kent Hovind
Sent: January 5, 2009
First Read: Genesis 39-41 and I Corinthians 10:6,11

KH: Hey Lord? Are you still watching my case down here?

God: Yes son, every detail. I’m working on people you would never dream through this. Let’s go for a walk. I’ll give you a glimpse…

KH: Wow! This looks like the palace in Egypt!

God: It is, son. Go talk to that soldier coming out of the door.

KH: Excuse me, sir; you look shocked, stunned, and perplexed. What is going on here?

Potiphar (POT): Well, I am very stunned and relieved. I just had lunch with Joseph. He’s the new vice-pharaoh in Egypt. I got a memo yesterday to come meet him today. He just got promoted a few weeks ago. I have been terrified that he was going to kill me for what I had done to him, but we just had lunch and I’m still alive – and shocked! This has never happened in my country before.

KH: Wow! What happened? What had you done to him?

POT: It’s a long story and I’m pretty embarrassed about what I did.

KH: I’d love to hear it if you don’t mind.

POT: Okay, let us sit down over here and I’ll tell you. As you can see by my uniform, I’m a really high-ranking officer of Pharaoh’s. I’m the captain of his guard. Thirteen years ago my wife asked me to get another slave to help her around the house. I went to the slave market in town to find one for her. A Midianite caravan had just come in with slaves to sell (Gen. 37:36). They looked a little rough after their long walk, but one teen boy looked strong and handsome, even after walking from Dothan, Israel with chains on.

KH: How far is Dothan?

POT: About 300 miles.

KH: Wow! That is a long walk – especially in a desert!

POT: That’s for sure. Anyway, I bought him. My hunch was right. He turned out to be a very smart boy and a hard worker. Once he learned to speak our language, I asked him how he came to be a slave. He told me his own brothers had sold him. Can you believe they would do that? He wanted me to get a message back to his dad that he was still alive. He claimed his dad was a wealthy sheep rancher in Israel and would pay good money to get him back.
 I could tell there was a special blessing of the gods on this boy. Everything he did was blessed. He made a lot of money for me, so I never pursued the idea of getting a message to his dad. I didn’t want to sell him for any price (Gen. 39:1-5).
 I eventually made him overseer of all my property and businesses (vs. 6).

KH: Isn’t it risky to give a slave too much power and freedom? Couldn’t he run off?

POT: Not this slave. He was everything a master could want in a slave. He was strong, handsome, intelligent, hard working, and honest.

KH: What does all that have to do with lunch today?

POT: I’m getting there – hold on.

KH: Okay, I’m sorry. Go ahead.

POT: Well, I came home from work one day to find my wife screaming hysterically and holding the slave’s coat (Gen. 39: 14-19). She claimed that he had tried to rape her, but when she screamed, he left his coat and ran out. I got really angry and threw him in the prison in my basement. As captain of the guard, I keep all the high level prisoners (Gen. 37:36; 39:20; 40:3-4).

KH: You had doubts about his guilt, didn’t you?

POT: Oh…why do you say that?

KH: Well, if you really thought he tried to rape your wife you would have killed him, not put him in prison.

POT: Ah…you are right. I suspected my wife had been eyeing him for some time and may have tried to seduce him (Gen. 39:7). I know my wife well enough to not always trust her.

KH: The coat and screaming scene might have been a Hollywood act.

POT: A what?

KH: Never mind. So what happened next?

POT: I left him in prison, but even there he kept a good spirit and maintained his innocence (Gen. 40:15; Job 2:3; 27:55; 31:6; Acts 23:3; 25:10)
 I was in a real bind! If I let him out of prison, it would be saying to the world that I thought my wife was lying. It was easier for me just to leave him in prison.

KH: Wow! You left an innocent man in prison just to cover up your wife’s lie?! Didn’t that bother you?

POT: Oh yeah! Especially since he was in my own basement! He had done nothing but good to me and for me. Even in prison he didn’t get angry at me. He kept a good attitude and worked hard. The gods seemed to bless him even there. My prison keeper made him the trustee and let him run the whole prison (Gen. 39:21-23). Other than delivering new prisoners to him once in a while (Gen 40:4), I pretty much felt embarrassed and avoided him.
 Everything was going along smoothly for years – until a few weeks ago, that is.

KH: What happened a few weeks ago?

POT: Pharaoh had a strange dream and my former slave was called out of prison to interpret it for him (Gen. 41). Before the end of the day, my former slave, Joseph, had been promoted to the second in command of the entire kingdom (Gen. 41:40-45)!

KH: Oh! Now I see why you were so worried when you got the memo! He became your master, didn’t he?

POT: Yes. I know that I had wrongfully taken away years from his life to cover up for my wife’s lie. I was worried he would take revenge on me for the wrong I had done to him.
 He was really busy with matters of state for a while. I hoped that he forgot the past, till I got the memo yesterday. I had spent every day and night worried that my sin would find me out (Num. 32:23; Gal. 6:7). Then, yesterday, when I got the memo to meet him today, I thought I was going to die.

KH: What did your wife think?

POT: She felt even worse than me. She knew this was all her fault. We were both scared to death! We couldn’t sleep all night.
 When I arrived at the palace this morning, I was totally shocked to see Joseph smiling at me! He shook my hand and invited me to lunch with him in the palace! I fell on my knees to beg for his forgiveness, but he stopped me and said, “It’s okay, Potiphar. My God forgave me long ago, and I forgive you and your wife (Gen. 50:20; Mt. 6:12).
 I’ve never heard of anything like this happening in Egypt before.

KH: How do you feel now?

Pot: I’m stunned, relieved, and amazed all at the same time. This makes me want to learn more about this God Joseph serves. He’s not like any of the gods of Egypt.

KH: That’s for sure! I’ve known, studied, and loved that same God for forty years now. His forgiveness amazes me every day.
 So what are you going to do now?

POT: I’m going home to review all the prisoners’ records. I think it’s time for lots of them to be forgiven and to go home to be with their families.

KH: Great idea! God bless you, Potiphar.

POT: Thanks.

God: Hey son?

KH: Yes Lord?

God: I’m using your case to work on people you would never dream, and in ways you would never imagine. Relax and trust Me, son, I’ve got your back. Go to the Bible Study (Rom. 8:28).