Dear Readers: As Mr. Graham is now quite elderly and in poor health, he is occasionally given to strange ideas, blunt language, and suggestions from his Interns that may seem uncharacteristic. Please forgive him, as God undoubtedly has. —The Mooseclean’s Editors |
Q: Numbers 31:32 states that: “These were the spoils which remained of the plunder taken by the fighting men: 675,000 sheep, 72,000 cattle, 61,000 donkeys, and as for persons, 32,000 young women who had had no intercourse with a man.” Does this suggest that the 800,000 livestock had experienced intercourse with a man, or, like the 32,000 women, they had not had intercourse with a man? — S.C.
A: If I had a nickel for each time I’d wondered about this myself . . .
That is to say, you are not alone in your confusion over this particular verse. Over the years, many fine and gentle Christian people have asked me: “What is it with all the bestiality in the Bible?”
But in this matter, as in all things, God has the answer. Love one another. The Book of John, in particular, repeatedly implores us to do just this. John doesn’t specify a gender, or a race, or even a species, but instead echoes a call to love all of God’s creation. And as the prophet Gary Cherone once reminded us, we should do so with “more than words.”
Sayin’ I love you
Is not the words I want to hear from you
It’s not that I want you
Not to say it, but if you only knew
How easy it would be to show me how you feel
More than words is all you have to do to make it real
Pure poetry. My children, John 3:18 teaches, “let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” and there is no greater deed and tangible truth than the touch of flesh against flesh.
Love is where you find it. Be not afraid of the apparent limits of colour and culture and creed, nor size or species or breed. Take to the streets and the fields and find fulfillment.
And remember — God loves you, and life’s greatest joy comes from knowing Him. Open your heart and life to Jesus Christ today.
Send your queries to “My Answer,” c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Corporation, 101 Billy Graham Boulevard, Charlotte, N.C., 28202; call 1-(888) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Corporation: www.billygraham.biz. |
For complaints on factual and editorial matters, write to Dr. Graham’s Intern: Jim Bakker, c/o Morningside Church, PO Box 7330, Branson, MO 65615 |