WEBVTT 00:00:00.020 --> 00:00:01.720 He's the smartest person in the room. 00:00:04.180 --> 00:00:04.880 That's not me. 00:00:05.980 --> 00:00:08.140 This is the Lifespring One Year Bible Rewind, 00:00:08.170 --> 00:00:10.120 and coming to you from Riverside, California, 00:00:10.780 --> 00:00:12.240 podcasting since 2004, 00:00:12.980 --> 00:00:14.940 I'm Steve Webb, your OG Godcaster. 00:00:15.800 --> 00:00:17.960 This is the podcast that comes to you every day, 00:00:18.300 --> 00:00:20.760 and we're reading the entire Bible together in a year. 00:00:21.340 --> 00:00:22.520 I'm so glad you're here. 00:00:22.950 --> 00:00:23.080 Welcome. 00:00:23.620 --> 00:00:24.500 You're looking good today. 00:00:24.890 --> 00:00:27.120 The website is Lifespringmedia.com. 00:00:27.780 --> 00:00:29.780 It's National Weather Persons Day, 00:00:29.940 --> 00:00:34.200 You know, when I was a kid, it was the weatherman, but today it's the National Weather Persons 00:00:34.370 --> 00:00:34.500 Day. 00:00:34.940 --> 00:00:38.100 Most of us consult the weather forecast on a daily basis, don't we? 00:00:38.420 --> 00:00:40.880 So thank your weatherman or weatherwoman today. 00:00:41.880 --> 00:00:44.460 This is also, and more importantly, Poetry Thursday. 00:00:44.850 --> 00:00:46.620 We'll read Job 31 and 32. 00:00:47.120 --> 00:00:47.540 Let's begin. 00:00:48.340 --> 00:00:52.100 Our Heavenly Father, we come to you now and we thank you for your word and we look forward 00:00:52.260 --> 00:00:54.280 to seeing what you have to say to us today. 00:00:54.570 --> 00:00:55.880 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:00:56.440 --> 00:00:56.660 Amen. 00:00:59.360 --> 00:01:06.080 Job chapter 31. I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust at a young woman. 00:01:06.900 --> 00:01:11.940 For what has God above chosen for us? What is our inheritance from the Almighty on high? 00:01:12.880 --> 00:01:16.360 Isn't it calamity for the wicked and misfortune for those who do evil? 00:01:17.320 --> 00:01:23.640 Doesn't he see everything I do and every step I take? Have I lied to anyone or deceived anyone? 00:01:24.280 --> 00:01:28.700 Let God weigh me on the scales of justice, for He knows my integrity. 00:01:29.750 --> 00:01:34.580 If I have strayed from His pathway, or if my heart has lusted for what my eyes have seen, 00:01:35.100 --> 00:01:40.220 or if I am guilty of any other sin, then let someone else eat the crops I have planted. 00:01:40.880 --> 00:01:42.700 Let all that I have planted be uprooted. 00:01:43.940 --> 00:01:48.380 If my heart has been seduced by a woman, or if I have lusted for my neighbor's wife, 00:01:48.940 --> 00:01:50.920 then let my wife serve another man. 00:01:51.600 --> 00:01:53.000 Let other men sleep with her. 00:01:53.700 --> 00:01:57.540 For lust is a shameful sin, a crime that should be punished. 00:01:58.240 --> 00:02:00.560 It is a fire that burns all the way to hell. 00:02:01.140 --> 00:02:03.240 It would wipe out everything I own. 00:02:04.020 --> 00:02:08.280 If I have been unfair to my male or female servants when they brought their complaints to me, 00:02:08.800 --> 00:02:09.940 how could I face God? 00:02:10.520 --> 00:02:12.280 What could I say when He questioned me? 00:02:12.960 --> 00:02:15.420 For God created both me and my servants. 00:02:15.930 --> 00:02:17.660 He created us both in the womb. 00:02:18.300 --> 00:02:22.640 Have I refused to help the poor or crushed the hopes of widows? 00:02:23.500 --> 00:02:27.060 Have I been stingy with my food and refused to share it with orphans? 00:02:27.900 --> 00:02:31.120 No, from childhood I have cared for orphans like a father, 00:02:31.740 --> 00:02:33.820 and all my life I have cared for widows. 00:02:34.640 --> 00:02:36.880 Whenever I saw the homeless without clothes, 00:02:37.400 --> 00:02:38.900 and the needy with nothing to wear, 00:02:39.340 --> 00:02:42.840 did they not praise me for providing wool clothing to keep them warm? 00:02:44.260 --> 00:02:46.160 If I raised my hand against an orphan, 00:02:46.660 --> 00:02:48.620 knowing the judges would take my side, 00:02:48.980 --> 00:02:51.400 then let my shoulder be wrenched out of place, 00:02:51.880 --> 00:02:56.800 Let my arm be torn from its socket. That would be better than facing God's judgment. 00:02:57.740 --> 00:03:03.480 For if the majesty of God opposes me, what hope is there? Have I put my trust in money, 00:03:04.000 --> 00:03:08.840 or felt secure because of my gold? Have I gloated about my wealth and all that I own? 00:03:09.900 --> 00:03:14.740 Have I looked at the sun shining in the skies, or the moon walking down its silver pathway, 00:03:15.340 --> 00:03:20.380 and been secretly enticed in my heart to throw kisses at them in worship? If so, 00:03:20.620 --> 00:03:24.960 I should be punished by the judges, for it would mean that I had denied the God of heaven. 00:03:25.980 --> 00:03:31.220 Have I ever rejoiced when disaster struck my enemies, or become excited when harm came their 00:03:31.340 --> 00:03:39.180 way? No, I have never sinned by cursing anyone, or by asking for revenge. My servants have never 00:03:39.360 --> 00:03:45.919 said, He let others go hungry. I have never turned away a stranger, but have opened my doors to 00:03:45.940 --> 00:03:52.320 everyone? Have I tried to hide my sins like other people do, concealing my guilt in my heart? 00:03:53.080 --> 00:03:57.920 Have I feared the crowd or the contempt of the masses so that I kept quiet and stayed indoors? 00:03:59.360 --> 00:04:04.100 If only someone would listen to me, look, I will sign my name to my defense. 00:04:05.340 --> 00:04:11.079 Let the Almighty answer me. Let my accuser write out the charges against me. I would face the 00:04:11.100 --> 00:04:16.840 accusation proudly. I would wear it like a crown, for I would tell him exactly what I have done. 00:04:17.400 --> 00:04:24.480 I would come before him like a prince. If my land accuses me, and all its furrows cry out together, 00:04:24.960 --> 00:04:30.160 or if I have stolen its crops or murdered its owners, then let thistles grow on that land 00:04:30.320 --> 00:04:35.220 instead of wheat, and weeds instead of barley. Job's words are ended. 00:04:39.040 --> 00:04:44.000 Job's three friends refused to reply further to him because he kept insisting on his innocence. 00:04:45.020 --> 00:04:51.160 Then Elihu, son of Barakal the Buzite, of the clan of Ram, became angry. He was angry because 00:04:51.440 --> 00:04:57.560 Job refused to admit that he had sinned and that God was right in punishing him. He was also angry 00:04:57.580 --> 00:05:02.519 with Job's three friends, for they made God appear to be wrong by their inability to answer 00:05:02.540 --> 00:05:08.520 Job's arguments. Elihu had waited for the others to speak to Job, because they were older than he, 00:05:09.060 --> 00:05:14.880 but when he saw that they had no further reply, he spoke out angrily. Elihu, son of Barakul the 00:05:15.020 --> 00:05:20.420 Buzite, said, I'm young, and you are old, so I held back from telling you what I think. 00:05:20.960 --> 00:05:26.660 I thought, those who are older should speak, for wisdom comes with age. But there is a spirit 00:05:26.820 --> 00:05:30.780 within people, the breath of the Almighty within them, that makes them intelligent. 00:05:31.740 --> 00:05:33.400 Sometimes the elders are not wise. 00:05:34.180 --> 00:05:36.820 Sometimes the aged do not understand justice. 00:05:37.620 --> 00:05:40.240 So listen to me and let me tell you what I think. 00:05:40.860 --> 00:05:44.300 I've waited all this time listening very carefully to your arguments, 00:05:45.040 --> 00:05:46.820 listening to you grope for words. 00:05:47.480 --> 00:05:51.720 I have listened, but not one of you has refuted Job or answered his arguments. 00:05:52.480 --> 00:05:54.940 And don't tell me he is too wise for us. 00:05:55.220 --> 00:05:56.520 Only God can convince him. 00:05:57.320 --> 00:06:01.240 If Job had been arguing with me, I would not answer with your kind of logic. 00:06:01.980 --> 00:06:07.520 You sit there baffled with nothing more to say. Should I continue to wait now that you are silent? 00:06:08.180 --> 00:06:14.840 Must I also remain silent? No, I will say my piece, I will speak my mind. For I am full of 00:06:15.000 --> 00:06:21.080 pent-up words, and the spirit within me urges me on. I am like a cask of wine without a vent, 00:06:21.390 --> 00:06:27.520 like a new wineskin ready to burst. I must speak to find relief, so let me give my answers. 00:06:27.840 --> 00:06:33.660 I won't play favorites or try to flatter anyone. For if I tried flattery, my Creator would soon 00:06:33.840 --> 00:06:40.840 destroy me. Well, chapter 31 is the last chapter that records Job's words to his accusers. 00:06:41.380 --> 00:06:45.620 In this chapter, Job lists many different sins that a person could be accused of, 00:06:45.620 --> 00:06:51.500 and he tells how he is not guilty of any of them. He starts with one of a man's most common sins, 00:06:51.780 --> 00:06:56.340 looking with lust at a young woman. Now, how many men can say that they've not done that? 00:06:57.040 --> 00:07:02.560 He says that he made a covenant with his eyes not to do that. I remember reading that Billy Graham, 00:07:02.710 --> 00:07:07.860 in all his travels, made a similar covenant with his eyes. He would always avert his eyes to the 00:07:08.000 --> 00:07:12.560 ground when he was in a place where a pretty woman was around. That's a great strategy. 00:07:13.560 --> 00:07:18.880 And then Job asks if he's lied or deceived anyone. And when he's said all that he can in his own 00:07:18.990 --> 00:07:25.799 defense, when he's laid out his case, he challenges God to answer him. I think maybe Job took it a 00:07:25.820 --> 00:07:31.560 step too far, don't you? And then, beginning with chapter 32 and ending with chapter 37, 00:07:31.900 --> 00:07:37.940 we hear from Elihu. Chapter 32 is the first time Elihu shows up in the entire book of Job. 00:07:38.480 --> 00:07:43.760 And from the context of his speeches, he appears to be much younger than Job, or Job's accusers, 00:07:43.820 --> 00:07:47.880 or friends, whatever you want to call them, though we don't know Elihu's exact age. 00:07:48.600 --> 00:07:52.720 His speech here in this chapter doesn't really need much explaining, except to say that, 00:07:52.860 --> 00:07:57.720 Like many young men, he obviously does not have the experience to know what he does not know. 00:07:58.280 --> 00:08:00.960 In his mind, he's the smartest person in the room. 00:08:01.400 --> 00:08:02.860 I've known a few people like that. 00:08:03.420 --> 00:08:06.680 Kind of reminds me a little bit of Cliff Clavin from the old Cheers show. 00:08:07.980 --> 00:08:10.220 I like what Bible commentator Elmer Smick said. 00:08:10.900 --> 00:08:15.460 Almost all modern interpreters have found Elihu to be insufferably wordy. 00:08:15.920 --> 00:08:19.900 It takes some 24 verses to say, look out, I'm going to speak. 00:08:21.260 --> 00:08:22.980 Yep, I've known people like that. 00:08:23.700 --> 00:08:24.400 What are your thoughts? 00:08:25.020 --> 00:08:27.600 Tomorrow we're going to read Jeremiah 17 to 21. 00:08:28.480 --> 00:08:30.720 Here's the verse of the day. 00:08:33.320 --> 00:08:35.940 Well, today's verse of the day is James 1.5. 00:08:36.360 --> 00:08:41.900 And I chose this since neither Job nor Elihu exhibited much wisdom. 00:08:42.340 --> 00:08:44.960 I thought maybe we should be reminded what James said about it. 00:08:45.440 --> 00:08:45.980 Here it is. 00:08:46.560 --> 00:08:49.700 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, 00:08:49.940 --> 00:08:54.040 who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 00:08:54.640 --> 00:08:56.920 That's James 1, 5, something to keep in mind. 00:09:05.920 --> 00:09:09.360 Chase Jacobson came in today with his monthly $20 donation, 00:09:09.670 --> 00:09:11.480 which makes him today's associate producer. 00:09:11.940 --> 00:09:13.820 Thank you, Chase. God bless you. Much appreciated. 00:09:14.940 --> 00:09:16.000 You know, there's room for more. 00:09:16.360 --> 00:09:19.260 You can be an associate producer for as little as $20 a month. 00:09:19.480 --> 00:09:24.100 And there's lots of other possibilities for you over at LifespringMedia.com support. 00:09:25.060 --> 00:09:25.780 Why should you donate? 00:09:26.460 --> 00:09:28.760 Well, maybe because you receive value from the show. 00:09:29.130 --> 00:09:30.340 And if you don't, why are you listening? 00:09:30.860 --> 00:09:35.780 If you do find value, then returning value to the show is what helps to sustain it. 00:09:36.420 --> 00:09:41.020 Just this week, I had to pay nearly $500 in expenses related to the show. 00:09:41.420 --> 00:09:45.080 That money has to come from somewhere, preferably not out of my personal finances. 00:09:45.860 --> 00:09:50.220 Listen, this show takes about three hours every day to produce for you. 00:09:50.700 --> 00:09:55.300 Yes, even though part of the show is rewind or reruns, the other part is brand new. 00:09:55.560 --> 00:10:05.500 And it has to be planned, researched, written, produced, edited, uploaded to the server, show notes written, the episode page at lifespringmedia.com updated, 00:10:05.940 --> 00:10:13.360 the podcasting 2.0 chapters for the episode written and uploaded to the server with the proper timestamps and chapter artwork included, 00:10:13.900 --> 00:10:16.220 the transcripts created and uploaded to the server. 00:10:16.820 --> 00:10:19.060 Then all the source files, both written and audio, 00:10:19.480 --> 00:10:21.600 have to be archived here at Lifespring Central. 00:10:22.440 --> 00:10:24.020 All of that for each episode. 00:10:24.720 --> 00:10:26.340 And no, there is no staff there. 00:10:26.620 --> 00:10:27.660 It's just little old me. 00:10:28.140 --> 00:10:30.580 So yeah, that's all a daily thing. 00:10:30.820 --> 00:10:33.320 So if you receive any value from the show, 00:10:33.640 --> 00:10:36.100 maybe you might return some value right here. 00:10:45.900 --> 00:10:48.620 On this date in church history, February 5th. 00:10:49.180 --> 00:10:52.260 In 1597, on a hill in Nagasaki, Japan, 00:10:53.030 --> 00:10:57.360 the landscape of a global church was forever marked by the blood of martyrs. 00:10:57.800 --> 00:11:02.580 26 Christians, including local Japanese laypeople and European missionaries, 00:11:03.020 --> 00:11:09.080 were executed by crucifixion under the orders of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Among them were teenagers 00:11:09.380 --> 00:11:14.120 and seasoned preachers alike who reportedly sang hymns of praise as they were led to their deaths. 00:11:14.760 --> 00:11:20.260 This moment began a period of intense persecution, yet the underground church in Japan endured for 00:11:20.440 --> 00:11:27.359 centuries, proving that the gospel cannot be bound by political edict. Now we fast forward to 1723 00:11:27.380 --> 00:11:33.440 across the globe in Scotland. John Witherspoon was born. He became a Presbyterian minister who 00:11:33.640 --> 00:11:38.780 eventually moved to the American colonies to lead Princeton University, then the College of New 00:11:38.940 --> 00:11:44.700 Jersey. He bridged the gap between the pulpit and the halls of power. As the only active clergyman 00:11:44.860 --> 00:11:50.759 to sign the Declaration of Independence, he taught generations of founders that liberty is not merely 00:11:50.820 --> 00:11:56.740 a political right, but a gift from God that requires a virtuous and educated citizenry 00:11:56.960 --> 00:12:00.540 to maintain. Yes, it does. We need to make some changes. 00:12:09.340 --> 00:12:13.740 Well, beloved, that about does it for today. Until tomorrow, may God bless you richly. 00:12:14.120 --> 00:12:17.840 Thank you so much for being here. My name is Steve Webb. Bye. 00:12:19.400 --> 00:12:25.240 All the programs in the Lifespring Media family are made possible by your value-for-value support. 00:12:25.980 --> 00:12:26.280 Thank you. 00:12:28.220 --> 00:12:35.600 The Lifespring One Year Bible Rewind is a Lifespring Media production hosted by Steve Webb, the OG Godcaster, since 2004.