Podcasts about Barachel

Job 32: 1 - 8 So these three men ceased answering Job, because he wasrighteous in his own eyes. Then the wrath of Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was aroused against Job; his wrath was aroused because he justified himself rather than God. Also against his three friends his wrath was aroused, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. Now because they were years older than he, Elihu had waited to speak to Job. When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was aroused. So Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, answered and said: “I am young in years, and you are very old; Therefore I was afraid, And dared not declare my opinion to you. I said, ‘Age should speak, And multitude of years should teach wisdom.' But there is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding.

The devotion for today, Wednesday, October 16, 2024 was written by Hardy Haberman and is narrated by Adam Carter. Today's Words of Inspiration come from Job 32: 5-10But when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouths of these three men, he became angry. Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite answered:“I am young in years,    and you are aged;therefore I was timid and afraid    to declare my opinion to you. I said, ‘Let days speak    and many years teach wisdom.' But truly it is the spirit in a mortal,    the breath of the Almighty[b] that makes for understanding. It is not the old[c] who are wise    nor the aged who understand what is right.Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;    let me also declare my opinion.' Support the show

église AB Lausanne ; KJV Job 32 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God. Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he. When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled. And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion. I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom. But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment. Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion. ...

Psalms and Wisdom: Psalm 143 Psalm 143 (Listen) My Soul Thirsts for You A Psalm of David. 143   Hear my prayer, O LORD;    give ear to my pleas for mercy!    In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness!2   Enter not into judgment with your servant,    for no one living is righteous before you. 3   For the enemy has pursued my soul;    he has crushed my life to the ground;    he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead.4   Therefore my spirit faints within me;    my heart within me is appalled. 5   I remember the days of old;    I meditate on all that you have done;    I ponder the work of your hands.6   I stretch out my hands to you;    my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah 7   Answer me quickly, O LORD!    My spirit fails!  Hide not your face from me,    lest I be like those who go down to the pit.8   Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,    for in you I trust.  Make me know the way I should go,    for to you I lift up my soul. 9   Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD!    I have fled to you for refuge.110   Teach me to do your will,    for you are my God!  Let your good Spirit lead me    on level ground! 11   For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life!    In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!12   And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies,    and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul,    for I am your servant. Footnotes [1] 143:9 One Hebrew manuscript, Septuagint; most Hebrew manuscripts To you I have covered (ESV) Pentateuch and History: Job 32 Job 32 (Listen) Elihu Rebukes Job's Three Friends 32 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. 3 He burned with anger also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger. 6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:   “I am young in years,    and you are aged;  therefore I was timid and afraid    to declare my opinion to you.7   I said, ‘Let days speak,    and many years teach wisdom.'8   But it is the spirit in man,    the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.9   It is not the old1 who are wise,    nor the aged who understand what is right.10   Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;    let me also declare my opinion.' 11   “Behold, I waited for your words,    I listened for your wise sayings,    while you searched out what to say.12   I gave you my attention,    and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job    or who answered his words.13   Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom;    God may vanquish him, not a man.'14   He has not directed his words against me,    and I will not answer him with your speeches. 15   “They are dismayed; they answer no more;    they have not a word to say.16   And shall I wait, because they do not speak,    because they stand there, and answer no more?17   I also will answer with my share;    I also will declare my opinion.18   For I am full of words;    the spirit within me constrains me.19   Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent;    like new wineskins ready to burst.20   I must speak, that I may find relief;    I must open my lips and answer.21   I will not show partiality to any man    or use flattery toward any person.22   For I do not know how to flatter,    else my Maker would soon take me away. Footnotes [1] 32:9 Hebrew many [in years] (ESV) Chronicles and Prophets: Isaiah 55 Isaiah 55 (Listen) The Compassion of the Lord 55   “Come, everyone who thirsts,    come to the waters;  and he who has no money,    come, buy and eat!  Come, buy wine and milk    without money and without price.2   Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,    and your labor for that which does not satisfy?  Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,    and delight yourselves in rich food.3   Incline your ear, and come to me;    hear, that your soul may live;  and I will make with you an everlasting covenant,    my steadfast, sure love for David.4   Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples,    a leader and commander for the peoples.5   Behold, you shall call a nation that you do not know,    and a nation that did not know you shall run to you,  because of the LORD your God, and of the Holy One of Israel,    for he has glorified you. 6   “Seek the LORD while he may be found;    call upon him while he is near;7   let the wicked forsake his way,    and the unrighteous man his thoughts;  let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him,    and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.8   For my thoughts are not your thoughts,    neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.9   For as the heavens are higher than the earth,    so are my ways higher than your ways    and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10   “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven    and do not return there but water the earth,  making it bring forth and sprout,    giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,11   so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;    it shall not return to me empty,  but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,    and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. 12   “For you shall go out in joy    and be led forth in peace;  the mountains and the hills before you    shall break forth into singing,    and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.13   Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress;    instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle;  and it shall make a name for the LORD,    an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.” (ESV) Gospels and Epistles: Revelation 14 Revelation 14 (Listen) The Lamb and the 144,000 14 Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, 3 and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 4 It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb, 5 and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless. The Messages of the Three Angels 6 Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. 7 And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.” 8 Another angel, a second, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who made all nations drink the wine of the passion1 of her sexual immorality.” 9 And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he also will drink the wine of God's wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.” 12 Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.2 13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” The Harvest of the Earth 14 Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and seated on the cloud one like a son of man, with a golden crown on his head, and a sharp sickle in his hand. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, calling with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, “Put in your sickle, and reap, for the hour to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is fully ripe.” 16 So he who sat on the cloud swung his sickle across the earth, and the earth was reaped. 17 Then another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. 18 And another angel came out from the altar, the angel who has authority over the fire, and he called with a loud voice to the one who had the sharp sickle, “Put in your sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, for its grapes are ripe.” 19 So the angel swung his sickle across the earth and gathered the grape harvest of the earth and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and blood flowed from the winepress, as high as a horse's bridle, for 1,600 stadia.3 Footnotes [1] 14:8 Or wrath [2] 14:12 Greek and the faith of Jesus [3] 14:20 About 184 miles; a stadion was about 607 feet or 185 meters (ESV)

Devotional Prayer by Be Inspired by His Word © Good Morning Song by Tasha Cobb's Leonard For Your glory I will do anything Just to see You To behold You as my King For Your glory I will do anything Just to see you To behold You as my King I wanna be where You are Peace is where You are Joy is where You are And love is who You are And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; Wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion. I said, Days should speak, And multitude of years should teach wisdom. But there is a spirit in man: And the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. Great men are not always wise: Neither do the aged understand judgment. Job 32:6‭-‬9 KJV Prayer Ancient of days I glorify you and worship your holy name King of kings thank you for this beautiful new dawn and grace of life Lord thank you for the forgiveness of sin and your blood shed for my salvation Lord thank you for your word that inspires and directs me daily Lord thank you for your mercy that overshadows me and keeps me away from all judgement Lord give me grace to function according to your divine wisdom and not my understanding in Jesus name Lord teach me your word and help me to abide in your ways forever Lord eliminate whatever I am doing that is making me function according to flesh and not as your spirit directs me Lord arise this day and manifest yourself in all aspects of my life Abba destroy all evil emergencies and negative influences in and around my destiny Lord grant me the enablement to engage with people based on your spiritual leading Lord remove every assumption that makes me feel unwanted and open my eyes to see your love for me Lord remove every association that is sent from the pit of hell to confuse me and ridicule my faith in you Lord I commit my children unto you surround them with good companies and do not let them be vessels used by the workers of iniquity Lord henceforth I want to function in divine wisdom and understanding fill me afresh with your heavenly wisdom and understanding Lord concerning the vessel used for this daily prayers all impacted by it and our household manifest your power in our lives and destroy all negative influence that works against your will in our lives in Jesus name amen *Pray for children and youth worldwide* Thank you abba father for answered prayers in Jesus name amen *Confess Daily: Sin shall not have dominion over me, I am operating in the power of the word of God. I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus by faith as Jesus is so am I in this world. The word of God is perfecting all that concerns me. I am divine wisdom embodiment, the truth of Christ is alive in me always. The word of God is working wonders in my life. I will never be put to shame in Jesus name amen.* Today's Prayer by Be Inspired (by His Word) © 10th November 2023 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/be-inspired-by-his-word/message

DAY 36 (Job 32-34): Job and his three companions had reached an impasse. Job insisted that he had done nothing so wrong that it deserved the punishment he got, and none of his friends could pry out of him a confession of wrongdoing. Now a fifth person, named Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite, enters the debate, impressed by no one, and takes the argument in a new direction.

Upon hearing Job's latest impassioned defense, the three friends fall silent. The dialogue has gone as far as it can go.  The story then takes an unexpected turn -- Elihu, a new speaker with no articulated connection to Job, steps in.  Despite the mystery, Elihu is provided a genealogy -- son of Barachel the Buzite of the kindred of Ram.  One theory proffered by various scholars is that Elihu is a descendant from a brother of Abraham, Nahoor, who is referenced in Genesis 22. Nahoor was the father of “Buz,” who is thought to be patriarch of the Buzites.  There is controversy surrounding Elihu, whose name translates to “My God is He" or "God is Lord.”    Some scholars contend his lengthy speech is an addition to the Book of Job, as there is no mention of him in the beginning nor tail end - points the three comforters are referenced.  Estimates have this Book being created between the 4th and 6th centuries before Christ. Others consider Elihu a messianic figure whose outlook is most significant and serves as an avenue to reach God.  It is noteworthy that Job recently asked for someone to intercede on his behalf and in jumps Elihu, who provides the longest continuous speech in book. This chapter serves as Elihu's introduction to his own speech.   Elihu announces that while listening to the discussion, his wrath was kindled.  He endured the back-and-forth, where the comforters failed to teach Job a lesson. He continues: “I am young and ye are aged,” explaining holding his tongue out of respect, which the three friends, were not deserving of.  He highlights that it is the spirit of Shaddai that grants wisdom and comforters failed to showed sufficient discernment confronting Job.  Now he can't hold in his words in any longer and is ready to burst with his own perspective.  He expresses Job has been busy justifying himself and has not perceived God as the fair arbitrator of all things. Elihu expresses that the friends have effectively gave up – saying to themselves that God will confound Job since our words failed to reach him.  Elihu thinks he can do better and boasts he will not be redundant.  The friends are silenced and shocked by the young man's audacity. Elihu announces he will show no favor or flattery – as his maker, the Lord, would have it no other way.

Old Testament: Job 31–32 Job 31–32 (Listen) Job's Final Appeal 31   “I have made a covenant with my eyes;    how then could I gaze at a virgin?2   What would be my portion from God above    and my heritage from the Almighty on high?3   Is not calamity for the unrighteous,    and disaster for the workers of iniquity?4   Does not he see my ways    and number all my steps? 5   “If I have walked with falsehood    and my foot has hastened to deceit;6   (Let me be weighed in a just balance,    and let God know my integrity!)7   if my step has turned aside from the way    and my heart has gone after my eyes,    and if any spot has stuck to my hands,8   then let me sow, and another eat,    and let what grows for me1 be rooted out. 9   “If my heart has been enticed toward a woman,    and I have lain in wait at my neighbor's door,10   then let my wife grind for another,    and let others bow down on her.11   For that would be a heinous crime;    that would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges;12   for that would be a fire that consumes as far as Abaddon,    and it would burn to the root all my increase. 13   “If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or my maidservant,    when they brought a complaint against me,14   what then shall I do when God rises up?    When he makes inquiry, what shall I answer him?15   Did not he who made me in the womb make him?    And did not one fashion us in the womb? 16   “If I have withheld anything that the poor desired,    or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail,17   or have eaten my morsel alone,    and the fatherless has not eaten of it18   (for from my youth the fatherless2 grew up with me as with a father,    and from my mother's womb I guided the widow3),19   if I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing,    or the needy without covering,20   if his body has not blessed me,4    and if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep,21   if I have raised my hand against the fatherless,    because I saw my help in the gate,22   then let my shoulder blade fall from my shoulder,    and let my arm be broken from its socket.23   For I was in terror of calamity from God,    and I could not have faced his majesty. 24   “If I have made gold my trust    or called fine gold my confidence,25   if I have rejoiced because my wealth was abundant    or because my hand had found much,26   if I have looked at the sun5 when it shone,    or the moon moving in splendor,27   and my heart has been secretly enticed,    and my mouth has kissed my hand,28   this also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges,    for I would have been false to God above. 29   “If I have rejoiced at the ruin of him who hated me,    or exulted when evil overtook him30   (I have not let my mouth sin    by asking for his life with a curse),31   if the men of my tent have not said,    ‘Who is there that has not been filled with his meat?'32   (the sojourner has not lodged in the street;    I have opened my doors to the traveler),33   if I have concealed my transgressions as others do6    by hiding my iniquity in my heart,34   because I stood in great fear of the multitude,    and the contempt of families terrified me,    so that I kept silence, and did not go out of doors—35   Oh, that I had one to hear me!    (Here is my signature! Let the Almighty answer me!)    Oh, that I had the indictment written by my adversary!36   Surely I would carry it on my shoulder;    I would bind it on me as a crown;37   I would give him an account of all my steps;    like a prince I would approach him. 38   “If my land has cried out against me    and its furrows have wept together,39   if I have eaten its yield without payment    and made its owners breathe their last,40   let thorns grow instead of wheat,    and foul weeds instead of barley.” The words of Job are ended. Elihu Rebukes Job's Three Friends 32 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. 3 He burned with anger also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger. 6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:   “I am young in years,    and you are aged;  therefore I was timid and afraid    to declare my opinion to you.7   I said, ‘Let days speak,    and many years teach wisdom.'8   But it is the spirit in man,    the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.9   It is not the old7 who are wise,    nor the aged who understand what is right.10   Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;    let me also declare my opinion.' 11   “Behold, I waited for your words,    I listened for your wise sayings,    while you searched out what to say.12   I gave you my attention,    and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job    or who answered his words.13   Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom;    God may vanquish him, not a man.'14   He has not directed his words against me,    and I will not answer him with your speeches. 15   “They are dismayed; they answer no more;    they have not a word to say.16   And shall I wait, because they do not speak,    because they stand there, and answer no more?17   I also will answer with my share;    I also will declare my opinion.18   For I am full of words;    the spirit within me constrains me.19   Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent;    like new wineskins ready to burst.20   I must speak, that I may find relief;    I must open my lips and answer.21   I will not show partiality to any man    or use flattery toward any person.22   For I do not know how to flatter,    else my Maker would soon take me away. Footnotes [1] 31:8 Or let my descendants [2] 31:18 Hebrew he [3] 31:18 Hebrew her [4] 31:20 Hebrew if his loins have not blessed me [5] 31:26 Hebrew the light [6] 31:33 Or as Adam did [7] 32:9 Hebrew many [in years] (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 57 Psalm 57 (Listen) Let Your Glory Be over All the Earth To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam1 of David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave. 57   Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,    for in you my soul takes refuge;  in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,    till the storms of destruction pass by.2   I cry out to God Most High,    to God who fulfills his purpose for me.3   He will send from heaven and save me;    he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah  God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness! 4   My soul is in the midst of lions;    I lie down amid fiery beasts—  the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows,    whose tongues are sharp swords. 5   Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!    Let your glory be over all the earth! 6   They set a net for my steps;    my soul was bowed down.  They dug a pit in my way,    but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah7   My heart is steadfast, O God,    my heart is steadfast!  I will sing and make melody!8     Awake, my glory!2  Awake, O harp and lyre!    I will awake the dawn!9   I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;    I will sing praises to you among the nations.10   For your steadfast love is great to the heavens,    your faithfulness to the clouds. 11   Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!    Let your glory be over all the earth! Footnotes [1] 57:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term [2] 57:8 Or my whole being (ESV) New Testament: Luke 21 Luke 21 (Listen) The Widow's Offering 21 Jesus1 looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, 2 and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins.2 3 And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. 4 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” Jesus Foretells Destruction of the Temple 5 And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, 6 “As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” 7 And they asked him, “Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” 8 And he said, “See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!' and, ‘The time is at hand!' Do not go after them. 9 And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once.” Jesus Foretells Wars and Persecution 10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. 12 But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake. 13 This will be your opportunity to bear witness. 14 Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers3 and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. 17 You will be hated by all for my name's sake. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your lives. Jesus Foretells Destruction of Jerusalem 20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, 22 for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. 23 Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. The Coming of the Son of Man 25 “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” The Lesson of the Fig Tree 29 And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Watch Yourselves 34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” 37 And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet. 38 And early in the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him. Footnotes [1] 21:1 Greek He [2] 21:2 Greek two lepta; a lepton was a Jewish bronze or copper coin worth about 1/128 of a denarius (which was a day's wage for a laborer) [3] 21:16 Or parents and brothers and sisters (ESV)

Old Testament: Job 31–32 Job 31–32 (Listen) Job's Final Appeal 31   “I have made a covenant with my eyes;    how then could I gaze at a virgin?2   What would be my portion from God above    and my heritage from the Almighty on high?3   Is not calamity for the unrighteous,    and disaster for the workers of iniquity?4   Does not he see my ways    and number all my steps? 5   “If I have walked with falsehood    and my foot has hastened to deceit;6   (Let me be weighed in a just balance,    and let God know my integrity!)7   if my step has turned aside from the way    and my heart has gone after my eyes,    and if any spot has stuck to my hands,8   then let me sow, and another eat,    and let what grows for me1 be rooted out. 9   “If my heart has been enticed toward a woman,    and I have lain in wait at my neighbor's door,10   then let my wife grind for another,    and let others bow down on her.11   For that would be a heinous crime;    that would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges;12   for that would be a fire that consumes as far as Abaddon,    and it would burn to the root all my increase. 13   “If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or my maidservant,    when they brought a complaint against me,14   what then shall I do when God rises up?    When he makes inquiry, what shall I answer him?15   Did not he who made me in the womb make him?    And did not one fashion us in the womb? 16   “If I have withheld anything that the poor desired,    or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail,17   or have eaten my morsel alone,    and the fatherless has not eaten of it18   (for from my youth the fatherless2 grew up with me as with a father,    and from my mother's womb I guided the widow3),19   if I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing,    or the needy without covering,20   if his body has not blessed me,4    and if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep,21   if I have raised my hand against the fatherless,    because I saw my help in the gate,22   then let my shoulder blade fall from my shoulder,    and let my arm be broken from its socket.23   For I was in terror of calamity from God,    and I could not have faced his majesty. 24   “If I have made gold my trust    or called fine gold my confidence,25   if I have rejoiced because my wealth was abundant    or because my hand had found much,26   if I have looked at the sun5 when it shone,    or the moon moving in splendor,27   and my heart has been secretly enticed,    and my mouth has kissed my hand,28   this also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges,    for I would have been false to God above. 29   “If I have rejoiced at the ruin of him who hated me,    or exulted when evil overtook him30   (I have not let my mouth sin    by asking for his life with a curse),31   if the men of my tent have not said,    ‘Who is there that has not been filled with his meat?'32   (the sojourner has not lodged in the street;    I have opened my doors to the traveler),33   if I have concealed my transgressions as others do6    by hiding my iniquity in my heart,34   because I stood in great fear of the multitude,    and the contempt of families terrified me,    so that I kept silence, and did not go out of doors—35   Oh, that I had one to hear me!    (Here is my signature! Let the Almighty answer me!)    Oh, that I had the indictment written by my adversary!36   Surely I would carry it on my shoulder;    I would bind it on me as a crown;37   I would give him an account of all my steps;    like a prince I would approach him. 38   “If my land has cried out against me    and its furrows have wept together,39   if I have eaten its yield without payment    and made its owners breathe their last,40   let thorns grow instead of wheat,    and foul weeds instead of barley.” The words of Job are ended. Elihu Rebukes Job's Three Friends 32 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. 3 He burned with anger also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger. 6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:   “I am young in years,    and you are aged;  therefore I was timid and afraid    to declare my opinion to you.7   I said, ‘Let days speak,    and many years teach wisdom.'8   But it is the spirit in man,    the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.9   It is not the old7 who are wise,    nor the aged who understand what is right.10   Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;    let me also declare my opinion.' 11   “Behold, I waited for your words,    I listened for your wise sayings,    while you searched out what to say.12   I gave you my attention,    and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job    or who answered his words.13   Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom;    God may vanquish him, not a man.'14   He has not directed his words against me,    and I will not answer him with your speeches. 15   “They are dismayed; they answer no more;    they have not a word to say.16   And shall I wait, because they do not speak,    because they stand there, and answer no more?17   I also will answer with my share;    I also will declare my opinion.18   For I am full of words;    the spirit within me constrains me.19   Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent;    like new wineskins ready to burst.20   I must speak, that I may find relief;    I must open my lips and answer.21   I will not show partiality to any man    or use flattery toward any person.22   For I do not know how to flatter,    else my Maker would soon take me away. Footnotes [1] 31:8 Or let my descendants [2] 31:18 Hebrew he [3] 31:18 Hebrew her [4] 31:20 Hebrew if his loins have not blessed me [5] 31:26 Hebrew the light [6] 31:33 Or as Adam did [7] 32:9 Hebrew many [in years] (ESV) New Testament: 2 Thessalonians 2:1–12 2 Thessalonians 2:1–12 (Listen) The Man of Lawlessness 2 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers,1 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness2 is revealed, the son of destruction,3 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. 5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, 12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. Footnotes [1] 2:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 13, 15 [2] 2:3 Some manuscripts sin [3] 2:3 Greek the son of perdition (a Hebrew idiom) (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 57 Psalm 57 (Listen) Let Your Glory Be over All the Earth To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam1 of David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave. 57   Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,    for in you my soul takes refuge;  in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,    till the storms of destruction pass by.2   I cry out to God Most High,    to God who fulfills his purpose for me.3   He will send from heaven and save me;    he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah  God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness! 4   My soul is in the midst of lions;    I lie down amid fiery beasts—  the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows,    whose tongues are sharp swords. 5   Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!    Let your glory be over all the earth! 6   They set a net for my steps;    my soul was bowed down.  They dug a pit in my way,    but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah7   My heart is steadfast, O God,    my heart is steadfast!  I will sing and make melody!8     Awake, my glory!2  Awake, O harp and lyre!    I will awake the dawn!9   I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;    I will sing praises to you among the nations.10   For your steadfast love is great to the heavens,    your faithfulness to the clouds. 11   Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!    Let your glory be over all the earth! Footnotes [1] 57:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term [2] 57:8 Or my whole being (ESV) Proverb: Proverbs 22:16 Proverbs 22:16 (Listen) 16   Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth,    or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty. (ESV)

Morning: Job 31–32 Job 31–32 (Listen) Job's Final Appeal 31   “I have made a covenant with my eyes;    how then could I gaze at a virgin?2   What would be my portion from God above    and my heritage from the Almighty on high?3   Is not calamity for the unrighteous,    and disaster for the workers of iniquity?4   Does not he see my ways    and number all my steps? 5   “If I have walked with falsehood    and my foot has hastened to deceit;6   (Let me be weighed in a just balance,    and let God know my integrity!)7   if my step has turned aside from the way    and my heart has gone after my eyes,    and if any spot has stuck to my hands,8   then let me sow, and another eat,    and let what grows for me1 be rooted out. 9   “If my heart has been enticed toward a woman,    and I have lain in wait at my neighbor's door,10   then let my wife grind for another,    and let others bow down on her.11   For that would be a heinous crime;    that would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges;12   for that would be a fire that consumes as far as Abaddon,    and it would burn to the root all my increase. 13   “If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or my maidservant,    when they brought a complaint against me,14   what then shall I do when God rises up?    When he makes inquiry, what shall I answer him?15   Did not he who made me in the womb make him?    And did not one fashion us in the womb? 16   “If I have withheld anything that the poor desired,    or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail,17   or have eaten my morsel alone,    and the fatherless has not eaten of it18   (for from my youth the fatherless2 grew up with me as with a father,    and from my mother's womb I guided the widow3),19   if I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing,    or the needy without covering,20   if his body has not blessed me,4    and if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep,21   if I have raised my hand against the fatherless,    because I saw my help in the gate,22   then let my shoulder blade fall from my shoulder,    and let my arm be broken from its socket.23   For I was in terror of calamity from God,    and I could not have faced his majesty. 24   “If I have made gold my trust    or called fine gold my confidence,25   if I have rejoiced because my wealth was abundant    or because my hand had found much,26   if I have looked at the sun5 when it shone,    or the moon moving in splendor,27   and my heart has been secretly enticed,    and my mouth has kissed my hand,28   this also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges,    for I would have been false to God above. 29   “If I have rejoiced at the ruin of him who hated me,    or exulted when evil overtook him30   (I have not let my mouth sin    by asking for his life with a curse),31   if the men of my tent have not said,    ‘Who is there that has not been filled with his meat?'32   (the sojourner has not lodged in the street;    I have opened my doors to the traveler),33   if I have concealed my transgressions as others do6    by hiding my iniquity in my heart,34   because I stood in great fear of the multitude,    and the contempt of families terrified me,    so that I kept silence, and did not go out of doors—35   Oh, that I had one to hear me!    (Here is my signature! Let the Almighty answer me!)    Oh, that I had the indictment written by my adversary!36   Surely I would carry it on my shoulder;    I would bind it on me as a crown;37   I would give him an account of all my steps;    like a prince I would approach him. 38   “If my land has cried out against me    and its furrows have wept together,39   if I have eaten its yield without payment    and made its owners breathe their last,40   let thorns grow instead of wheat,    and foul weeds instead of barley.” The words of Job are ended. Elihu Rebukes Job's Three Friends 32 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. 3 He burned with anger also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger. 6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:   “I am young in years,    and you are aged;  therefore I was timid and afraid    to declare my opinion to you.7   I said, ‘Let days speak,    and many years teach wisdom.'8   But it is the spirit in man,    the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.9   It is not the old7 who are wise,    nor the aged who understand what is right.10   Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;    let me also declare my opinion.' 11   “Behold, I waited for your words,    I listened for your wise sayings,    while you searched out what to say.12   I gave you my attention,    and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job    or who answered his words.13   Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom;    God may vanquish him, not a man.'14   He has not directed his words against me,    and I will not answer him with your speeches. 15   “They are dismayed; they answer no more;    they have not a word to say.16   And shall I wait, because they do not speak,    because they stand there, and answer no more?17   I also will answer with my share;    I also will declare my opinion.18   For I am full of words;    the spirit within me constrains me.19   Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent;    like new wineskins ready to burst.20   I must speak, that I may find relief;    I must open my lips and answer.21   I will not show partiality to any man    or use flattery toward any person.22   For I do not know how to flatter,    else my Maker would soon take me away. Footnotes [1] 31:8 Or let my descendants [2] 31:18 Hebrew he [3] 31:18 Hebrew her [4] 31:20 Hebrew if his loins have not blessed me [5] 31:26 Hebrew the light [6] 31:33 Or as Adam did [7] 32:9 Hebrew many [in years] (ESV) Evening: Acts 13:1–23 Acts 13:1–23 (Listen) Barnabas and Saul Sent Off 13 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger,1 Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. Barnabas and Saul on Cyprus 4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them. 6 When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. 7 He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? 11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord. Paul and Barnabas at Antioch in Pisidia 13 Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem, 14 but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.” 16 So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: “Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen. 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. 18 And for about forty years he put up with2 them in the wilderness. 19 And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance. 20 All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. 21 Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.' 23 Of this man's offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised. Footnotes [1] 13:1 Niger is a Latin word meaning black, or dark [2] 13:18 Some manuscripts he carried (compare Deuteronomy 1:31) (ESV)

Job 32–34 Job 32–34 (Listen) Elihu Rebukes Job's Three Friends 32 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. 3 He burned with anger also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger. 6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:   “I am young in years,    and you are aged;  therefore I was timid and afraid    to declare my opinion to you.7   I said, ‘Let days speak,    and many years teach wisdom.'8   But it is the spirit in man,    the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.9   It is not the old1 who are wise,    nor the aged who understand what is right.10   Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;    let me also declare my opinion.' 11   “Behold, I waited for your words,    I listened for your wise sayings,    while you searched out what to say.12   I gave you my attention,    and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job    or who answered his words.13   Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom;    God may vanquish him, not a man.'14   He has not directed his words against me,    and I will not answer him with your speeches. 15   “They are dismayed; they answer no more;    they have not a word to say.16   And shall I wait, because they do not speak,    because they stand there, and answer no more?17   I also will answer with my share;    I also will declare my opinion.18   For I am full of words;    the spirit within me constrains me.19   Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent;    like new wineskins ready to burst.20   I must speak, that I may find relief;    I must open my lips and answer.21   I will not show partiality to any man    or use flattery toward any person.22   For I do not know how to flatter,    else my Maker would soon take me away. Elihu Rebukes Job 33   “But now, hear my speech, O Job,    and listen to all my words.2   Behold, I open my mouth;    the tongue in my mouth speaks.3   My words declare the uprightness of my heart,    and what my lips know they speak sincerely.4   The Spirit of God has made me,    and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.5   Answer me, if you can;    set your words in order before me; take your stand.6   Behold, I am toward God as you are;    I too was pinched off from a piece of clay.7   Behold, no fear of me need terrify you;    my pressure will not be heavy upon you. 8   “Surely you have spoken in my ears,    and I have heard the sound of your words.9   You say, ‘I am pure, without transgression;    I am clean, and there is no iniquity in me.10   Behold, he finds occasions against me,    he counts me as his enemy,11   he puts my feet in the stocks    and watches all my paths.' 12   “Behold, in this you are not right. I will answer you,    for God is greater than man.13   Why do you contend against him,    saying, ‘He will answer none of man's2 words'?314   For God speaks in one way,    and in two, though man does not perceive it.15   In a dream, in a vision of the night,    when deep sleep falls on men,    while they slumber on their beds,16   then he opens the ears of men    and terrifies4 them with warnings,17   that he may turn man aside from his deed    and conceal pride from a man;18   he keeps back his soul from the pit,    his life from perishing by the sword. 19   “Man is also rebuked with pain on his bed    and with continual strife in his bones,20   so that his life loathes bread,    and his appetite the choicest food.21   His flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen,    and his bones that were not seen stick out.22   His soul draws near the pit,    and his life to those who bring death.23   If there be for him an angel,    a mediator, one of the thousand,    to declare to man what is right for him,24   and he is merciful to him, and says,    ‘Deliver him from going down into the pit;    I have found a ransom;25   let his flesh become fresh with youth;    let him return to the days of his youthful vigor';26   then man5 prays to God, and he accepts him;    he sees his face with a shout of joy,  and he restores to man his righteousness.27     He sings before men and says:  ‘I sinned and perverted what was right,    and it was not repaid to me.28   He has redeemed my soul from going down into the pit,    and my life shall look upon the light.' 29   “Behold, God does all these things,    twice, three times, with a man,30   to bring back his soul from the pit,    that he may be lighted with the light of life.31   Pay attention, O Job, listen to me;    be silent, and I will speak.32   If you have any words, answer me;    speak, for I desire to justify you.33   If not, listen to me;    be silent, and I will teach you wisdom.” Elihu Asserts God's Justice 34 Then Elihu answered and said: 2   “Hear my words, you wise men,    and give ear to me, you who know;3   for the ear tests words    as the palate tastes food.4   Let us choose what is right;    let us know among ourselves what is good.5   For Job has said, ‘I am in the right,    and God has taken away my right;6   in spite of my right I am counted a liar;    my wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.'7   What man is like Job,    who drinks up scoffing like water,8   who travels in company with evildoers    and walks with wicked men?9   For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing    that he should take delight in God.' 10   “Therefore, hear me, you men of understanding:    far be it from God that he should do wickedness,    and from the Almighty that he should do wrong.11   For according to the work of a man he will repay him,    and according to his ways he will make it befall him.12   Of a truth, God will not do wickedly,    and the Almighty will not pervert justice.13   Who gave him charge over the earth,    and who laid on him6 the whole world?14   If he should set his heart to it    and gather to himself his spirit and his breath,15   all flesh would perish together,    and man would return to dust. 16   “If you have understanding, hear this;    listen to what I say.17   Shall one who hates justice govern?    Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty,18   who says to a king, ‘Worthless one,'    and to nobles, ‘Wicked man,'19   who shows no partiality to princes,    nor regards the rich more than the poor,    for they are all the work of his hands?20   In a moment they die;    at midnight the people are shaken and pass away,    and the mighty are taken away by no human hand. 21   “For his eyes are on the ways of a man,    and he sees all his steps.22   There is no gloom or deep darkness    where evildoers may hide themselves.23   For God7 has no need to consider a man further,    that he should go before God in judgment.24   He shatters the mighty without investigation    and sets others in their place.25   Thus, knowing their works,    he overturns them in the night, and they are crushed.26   He strikes them for their wickedness    in a place for all to see,27   because they turned aside from following him    and had no regard for any of his ways,28   so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him,    and he heard the cry of the afflicted—29   When he is quiet, who can condemn?    When he hides his face, who can behold him,    whether it be a nation or a man?—30   that a godless man should not reign,    that he should not ensnare the people. 31   “For has anyone said to God,    ‘I have borne punishment; I will not offend any more;32   teach me what I do not see;    if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more'?33   Will he then make repayment to suit you,    because you reject it?  For you must choose, and not I;    therefore declare what you know.834   Men of understanding will say to me,    and the wise man who hears me will say:35   ‘Job speaks without knowledge;    his words are without insight.'36   Would that Job were tried to the end,    because he answers like wicked men.37   For he adds rebellion to his sin;    he claps his hands among us    and multiplies his words against God.” Footnotes [1] 32:9 Hebrew many [in years] [2] 33:13 Hebrew his [3] 33:13 Or He will not answer for any of his own words [4] 33:16 Or seals [5] 33:26 Hebrew he [6] 34:13 Hebrew lacks on him [7] 34:23 Hebrew he [8] 34:33 The meaning of the Hebrew in verses 29–33 is uncertain (ESV)

The continuation of our review of Netflix original series: Fubar. This series is a disappointment on a creative new metaphysical level. We only hope that the pain in our voices directly communicates to you just how profoundly sad and disappointed we are about this show. Enjoy!Instagram: @thirstyformorepresentsTwitter: @morethirstyJoin us on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/thirstyformoreand YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUyVV223fWcNenwcwugHfmA

Here it is folks. We did it because we had to. I'm sure this episode contains spoilers but I didn't really list that because spoilers are irrelevant when something is so bad. Our recommendation is: listen to us talk about it. Do not see this show. This is coming from 2 Schwartzy die hard fans. Don't say I didn't warn yeInstagram: @thirstyformorepresentsTwitter: @morethirstyJoin us on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/thirstyformoreand YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUyVV223fWcNenwcwugHfmA

Text: Job 32  So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. 3 He burned with anger also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger. 6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said: “I amyoung in years, and you are aged; therefore I was timid and afraid to declare my opinion to you. 7 I said, ‘Let days speak, and many years teach wisdom.' 8 But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand. 9 It is not the old who are wise, nor the aged who understand what is right. 10 Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; let me also declare my opinion.' -Job 32:1-10 ESV   A TIME TO LISTEN AND A TIME TO SPEAK UP Another friend, Elihu, has been silent, listening to their speeches, until here. He was exasperated to hear Job's arrogant claim of innocence and self-righteousness. He was also furious against Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar for their flimsy argument. He was burning inside so that he couldn't just listen anymore but speak.   He was ‘full of words'. He felt so pent up so that he said, ‘ For I am full of words; the spirit within me constrains me. 19 Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent; like new wineskins ready to burst. 20 I must speak, that I may find relief; I must open my lips and answer.'[v.18-20]   What does Elihu's actuation teach us?   There is a time to listen and a time to speak up. There is wisdom in waiting for the right time. Elihu spoke out of respect not out of outburst.[see v 6-7] As James said, “Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”[Jas 1:19,20] This is not easy when our hearts are burning with so much emotion. As Jesus has warned us, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”[Matt 12:34] ------------------------- Visit and FOLLOW Gospel Light Filipino on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram

Job 32–34 Job 32–34 (Listen) Elihu Rebukes Job's Three Friends 32 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. 3 He burned with anger also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger. 6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:   “I am young in years,    and you are aged;  therefore I was timid and afraid    to declare my opinion to you.7   I said, ‘Let days speak,    and many years teach wisdom.'8   But it is the spirit in man,    the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.9   It is not the old1 who are wise,    nor the aged who understand what is right.10   Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;    let me also declare my opinion.' 11   “Behold, I waited for your words,    I listened for your wise sayings,    while you searched out what to say.12   I gave you my attention,    and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job    or who answered his words.13   Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom;    God may vanquish him, not a man.'14   He has not directed his words against me,    and I will not answer him with your speeches. 15   “They are dismayed; they answer no more;    they have not a word to say.16   And shall I wait, because they do not speak,    because they stand there, and answer no more?17   I also will answer with my share;    I also will declare my opinion.18   For I am full of words;    the spirit within me constrains me.19   Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent;    like new wineskins ready to burst.20   I must speak, that I may find relief;    I must open my lips and answer.21   I will not show partiality to any man    or use flattery toward any person.22   For I do not know how to flatter,    else my Maker would soon take me away. Elihu Rebukes Job 33   “But now, hear my speech, O Job,    and listen to all my words.2   Behold, I open my mouth;    the tongue in my mouth speaks.3   My words declare the uprightness of my heart,    and what my lips know they speak sincerely.4   The Spirit of God has made me,    and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.5   Answer me, if you can;    set your words in order before me; take your stand.6   Behold, I am toward God as you are;    I too was pinched off from a piece of clay.7   Behold, no fear of me need terrify you;    my pressure will not be heavy upon you. 8   “Surely you have spoken in my ears,    and I have heard the sound of your words.9   You say, ‘I am pure, without transgression;    I am clean, and there is no iniquity in me.10   Behold, he finds occasions against me,    he counts me as his enemy,11   he puts my feet in the stocks    and watches all my paths.' 12   “Behold, in this you are not right. I will answer you,    for God is greater than man.13   Why do you contend against him,    saying, ‘He will answer none of man's2 words'?314   For God speaks in one way,    and in two, though man does not perceive it.15   In a dream, in a vision of the night,    when deep sleep falls on men,    while they slumber on their beds,16   then he opens the ears of men    and terrifies4 them with warnings,17   that he may turn man aside from his deed    and conceal pride from a man;18   he keeps back his soul from the pit,    his life from perishing by the sword. 19   “Man is also rebuked with pain on his bed    and with continual strife in his bones,20   so that his life loathes bread,    and his appetite the choicest food.21   His flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen,    and his bones that were not seen stick out.22   His soul draws near the pit,    and his life to those who bring death.23   If there be for him an angel,    a mediator, one of the thousand,    to declare to man what is right for him,24   and he is merciful to him, and says,    ‘Deliver him from going down into the pit;    I have found a ransom;25   let his flesh become fresh with youth;    let him return to the days of his youthful vigor';26   then man5 prays to God, and he accepts him;    he sees his face with a shout of joy,  and he restores to man his righteousness.27     He sings before men and says:  ‘I sinned and perverted what was right,    and it was not repaid to me.28   He has redeemed my soul from going down into the pit,    and my life shall look upon the light.' 29   “Behold, God does all these things,    twice, three times, with a man,30   to bring back his soul from the pit,    that he may be lighted with the light of life.31   Pay attention, O Job, listen to me;    be silent, and I will speak.32   If you have any words, answer me;    speak, for I desire to justify you.33   If not, listen to me;    be silent, and I will teach you wisdom.” Elihu Asserts God's Justice 34 Then Elihu answered and said: 2   “Hear my words, you wise men,    and give ear to me, you who know;3   for the ear tests words    as the palate tastes food.4   Let us choose what is right;    let us know among ourselves what is good.5   For Job has said, ‘I am in the right,    and God has taken away my right;6   in spite of my right I am counted a liar;    my wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.'7   What man is like Job,    who drinks up scoffing like water,8   who travels in company with evildoers    and walks with wicked men?9   For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing    that he should take delight in God.' 10   “Therefore, hear me, you men of understanding:    far be it from God that he should do wickedness,    and from the Almighty that he should do wrong.11   For according to the work of a man he will repay him,    and according to his ways he will make it befall him.12   Of a truth, God will not do wickedly,    and the Almighty will not pervert justice.13   Who gave him charge over the earth,    and who laid on him6 the whole world?14   If he should set his heart to it    and gather to himself his spirit and his breath,15   all flesh would perish together,    and man would return to dust. 16   “If you have understanding, hear this;    listen to what I say.17   Shall one who hates justice govern?    Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty,18   who says to a king, ‘Worthless one,'    and to nobles, ‘Wicked man,'19   who shows no partiality to princes,    nor regards the rich more than the poor,    for they are all the work of his hands?20   In a moment they die;    at midnight the people are shaken and pass away,    and the mighty are taken away by no human hand. 21   “For his eyes are on the ways of a man,    and he sees all his steps.22   There is no gloom or deep darkness    where evildoers may hide themselves.23   For God7 has no need to consider a man further,    that he should go before God in judgment.24   He shatters the mighty without investigation    and sets others in their place.25   Thus, knowing their works,    he overturns them in the night, and they are crushed.26   He strikes them for their wickedness    in a place for all to see,27   because they turned aside from following him    and had no regard for any of his ways,28   so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him,    and he heard the cry of the afflicted—29   When he is quiet, who can condemn?    When he hides his face, who can behold him,    whether it be a nation or a man?—30   that a godless man should not reign,    that he should not ensnare the people. 31   “For has anyone said to God,    ‘I have borne punishment; I will not offend any more;32   teach me what I do not see;    if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more'?33   Will he then make repayment to suit you,    because you reject it?  For you must choose, and not I;    therefore declare what you know.834   Men of understanding will say to me,    and the wise man who hears me will say:35   ‘Job speaks without knowledge;    his words are without insight.'36   Would that Job were tried to the end,    because he answers like wicked men.37   For he adds rebellion to his sin;    he claps his hands among us    and multiplies his words against God.” Footnotes [1] 32:9 Hebrew many [in years] [2] 33:13 Hebrew his [3] 33:13 Or He will not answer for any of his own words [4] 33:16 Or seals [5] 33:26 Hebrew he [6] 34:13 Hebrew lacks on him [7] 34:23 Hebrew he [8] 34:33 The meaning of the Hebrew in verses 29–33 is uncertain (ESV)

With family: Exodus 14; Luke 17 Exodus 14 (Listen) Crossing the Red Sea 14 Then the LORD said to Moses, 2 “Tell the people of Israel to turn back and encamp in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Baal-zephon; you shall encamp facing it, by the sea. 3 For Pharaoh will say of the people of Israel, ‘They are wandering in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.' 4 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD.” And they did so. 5 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, the mind of Pharaoh and his servants was changed toward the people, and they said, “What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” 6 So he made ready his chariot and took his army with him, 7 and took six hundred chosen chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them. 8 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the people of Israel while the people of Israel were going out defiantly. 9 The Egyptians pursued them, all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and his horsemen and his army, and overtook them encamped at the sea, by Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon. 10 When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the LORD. 11 They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians'? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” 13 And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” 15 The LORD said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. 16 Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground. 17 And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they shall go in after them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, his chariots, and his horsemen. 18 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.” 19 Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, 20 coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the night1 without one coming near the other all night. 21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22 And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 23 The Egyptians pursued and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. 24 And in the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down on the Egyptian forces and threw the Egyptian forces into a panic, 25 clogging2 their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily. And the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from before Israel, for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians.” 26 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.” 27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal course when the morning appeared. And as the Egyptians fled into it, the LORD threw3 the Egyptians into the midst of the sea. 28 The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen; of all the host of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea, not one of them remained. 29 But the people of Israel walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 30 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31 Israel saw the great power that the LORD used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses. Footnotes [1] 14:20 Septuagint and the night passed [2] 14:25 Or binding (compare Samaritan, Septuagint, Syriac); Hebrew removing [3] 14:27 Hebrew shook off (ESV) Luke 17 (Listen) Temptations to Sin 17 And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin1 are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin.2 3 Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, 4 and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,' you must forgive him.” Increase Our Faith 5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6 And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you. Unworthy Servants 7 “Will any one of you who has a servant3 plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table'? 8 Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly,4 and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink'? 9 Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? 10 So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants;5 we have only done what was our duty.'” Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers 11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers,6 who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”7 The Coming of the Kingdom 20 Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, 21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!' or ‘There!' for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”8 22 And he said to the disciples, “The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. 23 And they will say to you, ‘Look, there!' or ‘Look, here!' Do not go out or follow them. 24 For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day.9 25 But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. 26 Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. 27 They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot—they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, 29 but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all—30 so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed. 31 On that day, let the one who is on the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come down to take them away, and likewise let the one who is in the field not turn back. 32 Remember Lot's wife. 33 Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it. 34 I tell you, in that night there will be two in one bed. One will be taken and the other left. 35 There will be two women grinding together. One will be taken and the other left.”10 37 And they said to him, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the corpse11 is, there the vultures12 will gather.” Footnotes [1] 17:1 Greek Stumbling blocks [2] 17:2 Greek stumble [3] 17:7 Or bondservant; also verse 9 [4] 17:8 Greek gird yourself [5] 17:10 Or bondservants [6] 17:12 Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13 [7] 17:19 Or has saved you [8] 17:21 Or within you, or within your grasp [9] 17:24 Some manuscripts omit in his day [10] 17:35 Some manuscripts add verse 36: Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left [11] 17:37 Greek body [12] 17:37 Or eagles (ESV) In private: Job 32; 2 Corinthians 2 Job 32 (Listen) Elihu Rebukes Job's Three Friends 32 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. 3 He burned with anger also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger. 6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:   “I am young in years,    and you are aged;  therefore I was timid and afraid    to declare my opinion to you.7   I said, ‘Let days speak,    and many years teach wisdom.'8   But it is the spirit in man,    the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.9   It is not the old1 who are wise,    nor the aged who understand what is right.10   Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;    let me also declare my opinion.' 11   “Behold, I waited for your words,    I listened for your wise sayings,    while you searched out what to say.12   I gave you my attention,    and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job    or who answered his words.13   Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom;    God may vanquish him, not a man.'14   He has not directed his words against me,    and I will not answer him with your speeches. 15   “They are dismayed; they answer no more;    they have not a word to say.16   And shall I wait, because they do not speak,    because they stand there, and answer no more?17   I also will answer with my share;    I also will declare my opinion.18   For I am full of words;    the spirit within me constrains me.19   Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent;    like new wineskins ready to burst.20   I must speak, that I may find relief;    I must open my lips and answer.21   I will not show partiality to any man    or use flattery toward any person.22   For I do not know how to flatter,    else my Maker would soon take me away. Footnotes [1] 32:9 Hebrew many [in years] (ESV) 2 Corinthians 2 (Listen) 2 For I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you. 2 For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? 3 And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. 4 For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you. Forgive the Sinner 5 Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you. 6 For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, 7 so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. 9 For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything. 10 Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, 11 so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs. Triumph in Christ 12 When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, 13 my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia. 14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ. (ESV)

Psalms and Wisdom: Psalm 143 Psalm 143 (Listen) My Soul Thirsts for You A Psalm of David. 143   Hear my prayer, O LORD;    give ear to my pleas for mercy!    In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness!2   Enter not into judgment with your servant,    for no one living is righteous before you. 3   For the enemy has pursued my soul;    he has crushed my life to the ground;    he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead.4   Therefore my spirit faints within me;    my heart within me is appalled. 5   I remember the days of old;    I meditate on all that you have done;    I ponder the work of your hands.6   I stretch out my hands to you;    my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah 7   Answer me quickly, O LORD!    My spirit fails!  Hide not your face from me,    lest I be like those who go down to the pit.8   Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,    for in you I trust.  Make me know the way I should go,    for to you I lift up my soul. 9   Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD!    I have fled to you for refuge.110   Teach me to do your will,    for you are my God!  Let your good Spirit lead me    on level ground! 11   For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life!    In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!12   And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies,    and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul,    for I am your servant. Footnotes [1] 143:9 One Hebrew manuscript, Septuagint; most Hebrew manuscripts To you I have covered (ESV) Pentateuch and History: Job 32 Job 32 (Listen) Elihu Rebukes Job's Three Friends 32 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. 3 He burned with anger also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger. 6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:   “I am young in years,    and you are aged;  therefore I was timid and afraid    to declare my opinion to you.7   I said, ‘Let days speak,    and many years teach wisdom.'8   But it is the spirit in man,    the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.9   It is not the old1 who are wise,    nor the aged who understand what is right.10   Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;    let me also declare my opinion.' 11   “Behold, I waited for your words,    I listened for your wise sayings,    while you searched out what to say.12   I gave you my attention,    and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job    or who answered his words.13   Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom;    God may vanquish him, not a man.'14   He has not directed his words against me,    and I will not answer him with your speeches. 15   “They are dismayed; they answer no more;    they have not a word to say.16   And shall I wait, because they do not speak,    because they stand there, and answer no more?17   I also will answer with my share;    I also will declare my opinion.18   For I am full of words;    the spirit within me constrains me.19   Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent;    like new wineskins ready to burst.20   I must speak, that I may find relief;    I must open my lips and answer.21   I will not show partiality to any man    or use flattery toward any person.22   For I do not know how to flatter,    else my Maker would soon take me away. Footnotes [1] 32:9 Hebrew many [in years] (ESV) Chronicles and Prophets: Isaiah 55 Isaiah 55 (Listen) The Compassion of the Lord 55   “Come, everyone who thirsts,    come to the waters;  and he who has no money,    come, buy and eat!  Come, buy wine and milk    without money and without price.2   Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,    and your labor for that which does not satisfy?  Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,    and delight yourselves in rich food.3   Incline your ear, and come to me;    hear, that your soul may live;  and I will make with you an everlasting covenant,    my steadfast, sure love for David.4   Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples,    a leader and commander for the peoples.5   Behold, you shall call a nation that you do not know,    and a nation that did not know you shall run to you,  because of the LORD your God, and of the Holy One of Israel,    for he has glorified you. 6   “Seek the LORD while he may be found;    call upon him while he is near;7   let the wicked forsake his way,    and the unrighteous man his thoughts;  let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him,    and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.8   For my thoughts are not your thoughts,    neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.9   For as the heavens are higher than the earth,    so are my ways higher than your ways    and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10   “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven    and do not return there but water the earth,  making it bring forth and sprout,    giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,11   so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;    it shall not return to me empty,  but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,    and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. 12   “For you shall go out in joy    and be led forth in peace;  the mountains and the hills before you    shall break forth into singing,    and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.13   Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress;    instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle;  and it shall make a name for the LORD,    an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.” (ESV) Gospels and Epistles: Revelation 14 Revelation 14 (Listen) The Lamb and the 144,000 14 Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, 3 and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 4 It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb, 5 and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless. The Messages of the Three Angels 6 Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. 7 And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.” 8 Another angel, a second, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who made all nations drink the wine of the passion1 of her sexual immorality.” 9 And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he also will drink the wine of God's wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.” 12 Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.2 13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” The Harvest of the Earth 14 Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and seated on the cloud one like a son of man, with a golden crown on his head, and a sharp sickle in his hand. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, calling with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, “Put in your sickle, and reap, for the hour to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is fully ripe.” 16 So he who sat on the cloud swung his sickle across the earth, and the earth was reaped. 17 Then another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. 18 And another angel came out from the altar, the angel who has authority over the fire, and he called with a loud voice to the one who had the sharp sickle, “Put in your sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, for its grapes are ripe.” 19 So the angel swung his sickle across the earth and gathered the grape harvest of the earth and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and blood flowed from the winepress, as high as a horse's bridle, for 1,600 stadia.3 Footnotes [1] 14:8 Or wrath [2] 14:12 Greek and the faith of Jesus [3] 14:20 About 184 miles; a stadion was about 607 feet or 185 meters (ESV)

Welcome back to Reading with Ben! Let's continue the lecture on the book of Job. This is episode #17 chapters 31 and 32 Job Chapter 31, Job goes on, saying that he's made “a covenant with [his] eyes” not to look at a virgin. If he's done anything wrong—false, deceitful, or unclean—then others should reap and enjoy whatever he's sown. If other women have enticed him, then it would be only fair if his wife had sex with another man. If Job has ever dealt unjustly with his slaves, what will he do when God judges him? After all, God created both Job and his slaves alike. Job Chapter 32, Job's three companions stop answering him, because Job is “righteous in his own eyes.” Then, another man speaks up—Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite. Elihu is angry at Job for “justifying[] himself rather than God.” He's also mad at Job's three friends for failing to give Job a satisfactory answer. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/benlopezra/support

1 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. 3 He burned with anger also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger.

Proper 18 First Psalm: Psalm 41; Psalm 52 Psalm 41 (Listen) O Lord, Be Gracious to Me To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. 41   Blessed is the one who considers the poor!1    In the day of trouble the LORD delivers him;2   the LORD protects him and keeps him alive;    he is called blessed in the land;    you do not give him up to the will of his enemies.3   The LORD sustains him on his sickbed;    in his illness you restore him to full health.2 4   As for me, I said, “O LORD, be gracious to me;    heal me,3 for I have sinned against you!”5   My enemies say of me in malice,    “When will he die, and his name perish?”6   And when one comes to see me, he utters empty words,    while his heart gathers iniquity;    when he goes out, he tells it abroad.7   All who hate me whisper together about me;    they imagine the worst for me.4 8   They say, “A deadly thing is poured out5 on him;    he will not rise again from where he lies.”9   Even my close friend in whom I trusted,    who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.10   But you, O LORD, be gracious to me,    and raise me up, that I may repay them! 11   By this I know that you delight in me:    my enemy will not shout in triumph over me.12   But you have upheld me because of my integrity,    and set me in your presence forever. 13   Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,    from everlasting to everlasting!      Amen and Amen. Footnotes [1] 41:1 Or weak [2] 41:3 Hebrew you turn all his bed [3] 41:4 Hebrew my soul [4] 41:7 Or they devise evil against me [5] 41:8 Or has fastened (ESV) Psalm 52 (Listen) The Steadfast Love of God Endures To the choirmaster. A Maskil1 of David, when Doeg, the Edomite, came and told Saul, “David has come to the house of Ahimelech.” 52   Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man?    The steadfast love of God endures all the day.2   Your tongue plots destruction,    like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit.3   You love evil more than good,    and lying more than speaking what is right. Selah4   You love all words that devour,    O deceitful tongue. 5   But God will break you down forever;    he will snatch and tear you from your tent;    he will uproot you from the land of the living. Selah6   The righteous shall see and fear,    and shall laugh at him, saying,7   “See the man who would not make    God his refuge,  but trusted in the abundance of his riches    and sought refuge in his own destruction!”2 8   But I am like a green olive tree    in the house of God.  I trust in the steadfast love of God    forever and ever.9   I will thank you forever,    because you have done it.  I will wait for your name, for it is good,    in the presence of the godly. Footnotes [1] 52:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term [2] 52:7 Or in his work of destruction (ESV) Second Psalm: Psalm 44 Psalm 44 (Listen) Come to Our Help To the choirmaster. A Maskil1 of the Sons of Korah. 44   O God, we have heard with our ears,    our fathers have told us,  what deeds you performed in their days,    in the days of old:2   you with your own hand drove out the nations,    but them you planted;  you afflicted the peoples,    but them you set free;3   for not by their own sword did they win the land,    nor did their own arm save them,  but your right hand and your arm,    and the light of your face,    for you delighted in them. 4   You are my King, O God;    ordain salvation for Jacob!5   Through you we push down our foes;    through your name we tread down those who rise up against us.6   For not in my bow do I trust,    nor can my sword save me.7   But you have saved us from our foes    and have put to shame those who hate us.8   In God we have boasted continually,    and we will give thanks to your name forever. Selah 9   But you have rejected us and disgraced us    and have not gone out with our armies.10   You have made us turn back from the foe,    and those who hate us have gotten spoil.11   You have made us like sheep for slaughter    and have scattered us among the nations.12   You have sold your people for a trifle,    demanding no high price for them.13   You have made us the taunt of our neighbors,    the derision and scorn of those around us.14   You have made us a byword among the nations,    a laughingstock2 among the peoples.15   All day long my disgrace is before me,    and shame has covered my face16   at the sound of the taunter and reviler,    at the sight of the enemy and the avenger. 17   All this has come upon us,    though we have not forgotten you,    and we have not been false to your covenant.18   Our heart has not turned back,    nor have our steps departed from your way;19   yet you have broken us in the place of jackals    and covered us with the shadow of death.20   If we had forgotten the name of our God    or spread out our hands to a foreign god,21   would not God discover this?    For he knows the secrets of the heart.22   Yet for your sake we are killed all the day long;    we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. 23   Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord?    Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever!24   Why do you hide your face?    Why do you forget our affliction and oppression?25   For our soul is bowed down to the dust;    our belly clings to the ground.26   Rise up; come to our help!    Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love! Footnotes [1] 44:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term [2] 44:14 Hebrew a shaking of the head (ESV) Old Testament: Job 32:1–10; Job 32:19–33:1; Job 33:19–28 Job 32:1–10 (Listen) Elihu Rebukes Job's Three Friends 32 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. 3 He burned with anger also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger. 6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:   “I am young in years,    and you are aged;  therefore I was timid and afraid    to declare my opinion to you.7   I said, ‘Let days speak,    and many years teach wisdom.'8   But it is the spirit in man,    the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.9   It is not the old1 who are wise,    nor the aged who understand what is right.10   Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;    let me also declare my opinion.' Footnotes [1] 32:9 Hebrew many [in years] (ESV) Job 32:19–33:1 (Listen) 19   Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent;    like new wineskins ready to burst.20   I must speak, that I may find relief;    I must open my lips and answer.21   I will not show partiality to any man    or use flattery toward any person.22   For I do not know how to flatter,    else my Maker would soon take me away. Elihu Rebukes Job 33   “But now, hear my speech, O Job,    and listen to all my words. (ESV) Job 33:19–28 (Listen) 19   “Man is also rebuked with pain on his bed    and with continual strife in his bones,20   so that his life loathes bread,    and his appetite the choicest food.21   His flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen,    and his bones that were not seen stick out.22   His soul draws near the pit,    and his life to those who bring death.23   If there be for him an angel,    a mediator, one of the thousand,    to declare to man what is right for him,24   and he is merciful to him, and says,    ‘Deliver him from going down into the pit;    I have found a ransom;25   let his flesh become fresh with youth;    let him return to the days of his youthful vigor';26   then man1 prays to God, and he accepts him;    he sees his face with a shout of joy,  and he restores to man his righteousness.27     He sings before men and says:  ‘I sinned and perverted what was right,    and it was not repaid to me.28   He has redeemed my soul from going down into the pit,    and my life shall look upon the light.' Footnotes [1] 33:26 Hebrew he (ESV) New Testament: Acts 13:44–52 Acts 13:44–52 (Listen) 44 The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 But when the Jews1 saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. 46 And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us, saying,   “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,    that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'” 48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. 49 And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region. 50 But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. 51 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Footnotes [1] 13:45 Greek Ioudaioi probably refers here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, in that time; also verse 50 (ESV) Gospel: John 10:19–30 John 10:19–30 (Listen) 19 There was again a division among the Jews because of these words. 20 Many of them said, “He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?” 21 Others said, “These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?” I and the Father Are One 22 At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. 24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me,1 is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one.” Footnotes [1] 10:29 Some manuscripts What my Father has given to me (ESV)

Old Testament: Job 31–32 Job 31–32 (Listen) Job's Final Appeal 31   “I have made a covenant with my eyes;    how then could I gaze at a virgin?2   What would be my portion from God above    and my heritage from the Almighty on high?3   Is not calamity for the unrighteous,    and disaster for the workers of iniquity?4   Does not he see my ways    and number all my steps? 5   “If I have walked with falsehood    and my foot has hastened to deceit;6   (Let me be weighed in a just balance,    and let God know my integrity!)7   if my step has turned aside from the way    and my heart has gone after my eyes,    and if any spot has stuck to my hands,8   then let me sow, and another eat,    and let what grows for me1 be rooted out. 9   “If my heart has been enticed toward a woman,    and I have lain in wait at my neighbor's door,10   then let my wife grind for another,    and let others bow down on her.11   For that would be a heinous crime;    that would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges;12   for that would be a fire that consumes as far as Abaddon,    and it would burn to the root all my increase. 13   “If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or my maidservant,    when they brought a complaint against me,14   what then shall I do when God rises up?    When he makes inquiry, what shall I answer him?15   Did not he who made me in the womb make him?    And did not one fashion us in the womb? 16   “If I have withheld anything that the poor desired,    or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail,17   or have eaten my morsel alone,    and the fatherless has not eaten of it18   (for from my youth the fatherless2 grew up with me as with a father,    and from my mother's womb I guided the widow3),19   if I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing,    or the needy without covering,20   if his body has not blessed me,4    and if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep,21   if I have raised my hand against the fatherless,    because I saw my help in the gate,22   then let my shoulder blade fall from my shoulder,    and let my arm be broken from its socket.23   For I was in terror of calamity from God,    and I could not have faced his majesty. 24   “If I have made gold my trust    or called fine gold my confidence,25   if I have rejoiced because my wealth was abundant    or because my hand had found much,26   if I have looked at the sun5 when it shone,    or the moon moving in splendor,27   and my heart has been secretly enticed,    and my mouth has kissed my hand,28   this also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges,    for I would have been false to God above. 29   “If I have rejoiced at the ruin of him who hated me,    or exulted when evil overtook him30   (I have not let my mouth sin    by asking for his life with a curse),31   if the men of my tent have not said,    ‘Who is there that has not been filled with his meat?'32   (the sojourner has not lodged in the street;    I have opened my doors to the traveler),33   if I have concealed my transgressions as others do6    by hiding my iniquity in my heart,34   because I stood in great fear of the multitude,    and the contempt of families terrified me,    so that I kept silence, and did not go out of doors—35   Oh, that I had one to hear me!    (Here is my signature! Let the Almighty answer me!)    Oh, that I had the indictment written by my adversary!36   Surely I would carry it on my shoulder;    I would bind it on me as a crown;37   I would give him an account of all my steps;    like a prince I would approach him. 38   “If my land has cried out against me    and its furrows have wept together,39   if I have eaten its yield without payment    and made its owners breathe their last,40   let thorns grow instead of wheat,    and foul weeds instead of barley.” The words of Job are ended. Elihu Rebukes Job's Three Friends 32 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. 3 He burned with anger also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger. 6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:   “I am young in years,    and you are aged;  therefore I was timid and afraid    to declare my opinion to you.7   I said, ‘Let days speak,    and many years teach wisdom.'8   But it is the spirit in man,    the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.9   It is not the old7 who are wise,    nor the aged who understand what is right.10   Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;    let me also declare my opinion.' 11   “Behold, I waited for your words,    I listened for your wise sayings,    while you searched out what to say.12   I gave you my attention,    and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job    or who answered his words.13   Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom;    God may vanquish him, not a man.'14   He has not directed his words against me,    and I will not answer him with your speeches. 15   “They are dismayed; they answer no more;    they have not a word to say.16   And shall I wait, because they do not speak,    because they stand there, and answer no more?17   I also will answer with my share;    I also will declare my opinion.18   For I am full of words;    the spirit within me constrains me.19   Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent;    like new wineskins ready to burst.20   I must speak, that I may find relief;    I must open my lips and answer.21   I will not show partiality to any man    or use flattery toward any person.22   For I do not know how to flatter,    else my Maker would soon take me away. Footnotes [1] 31:8 Or let my descendants [2] 31:18 Hebrew he [3] 31:18 Hebrew her [4] 31:20 Hebrew if his loins have not blessed me [5] 31:26 Hebrew the light [6] 31:33 Or as Adam did [7] 32:9 Hebrew many [in years] (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 57 Psalm 57 (Listen) Let Your Glory Be over All the Earth To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam1 of David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave. 57   Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,    for in you my soul takes refuge;  in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,    till the storms of destruction pass by.2   I cry out to God Most High,    to God who fulfills his purpose for me.3   He will send from heaven and save me;    he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah  God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness! 4   My soul is in the midst of lions;    I lie down amid fiery beasts—  the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows,    whose tongues are sharp swords. 5   Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!    Let your glory be over all the earth! 6   They set a net for my steps;    my soul was bowed down.  They dug a pit in my way,    but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah7   My heart is steadfast, O God,    my heart is steadfast!  I will sing and make melody!8     Awake, my glory!2  Awake, O harp and lyre!    I will awake the dawn!9   I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;    I will sing praises to you among the nations.10   For your steadfast love is great to the heavens,    your faithfulness to the clouds. 11   Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!    Let your glory be over all the earth! Footnotes [1] 57:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term [2] 57:8 Or my whole being (ESV) New Testament: Luke 21 Luke 21 (Listen) The Widow's Offering 21 Jesus1 looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, 2 and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins.2 3 And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. 4 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” Jesus Foretells Destruction of the Temple 5 And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, 6 “As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” 7 And they asked him, “Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” 8 And he said, “See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!' and, ‘The time is at hand!' Do not go after them. 9 And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once.” Jesus Foretells Wars and Persecution 10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. 12 But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake. 13 This will be your opportunity to bear witness. 14 Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers3 and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. 17 You will be hated by all for my name's sake. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your lives. Jesus Foretells Destruction of Jerusalem 20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, 22 for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. 23 Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. The Coming of the Son of Man 25 “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” The Lesson of the Fig Tree 29 And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Watch Yourselves 34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” 37 And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet. 38 And early in the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him. Footnotes [1] 21:1 Greek He [2] 21:2 Greek two lepta; a lepton was a Jewish bronze or copper coin worth about 1/128 of a denarius (which was a day's wage for a laborer) [3] 21:16 Or parents and brothers and sisters (ESV)

Old Testament: Job 31–32 Job 31–32 (Listen) Job's Final Appeal 31   “I have made a covenant with my eyes;    how then could I gaze at a virgin?2   What would be my portion from God above    and my heritage from the Almighty on high?3   Is not calamity for the unrighteous,    and disaster for the workers of iniquity?4   Does not he see my ways    and number all my steps? 5   “If I have walked with falsehood    and my foot has hastened to deceit;6   (Let me be weighed in a just balance,    and let God know my integrity!)7   if my step has turned aside from the way    and my heart has gone after my eyes,    and if any spot has stuck to my hands,8   then let me sow, and another eat,    and let what grows for me1 be rooted out. 9   “If my heart has been enticed toward a woman,    and I have lain in wait at my neighbor's door,10   then let my wife grind for another,    and let others bow down on her.11   For that would be a heinous crime;    that would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges;12   for that would be a fire that consumes as far as Abaddon,    and it would burn to the root all my increase. 13   “If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or my maidservant,    when they brought a complaint against me,14   what then shall I do when God rises up?    When he makes inquiry, what shall I answer him?15   Did not he who made me in the womb make him?    And did not one fashion us in the womb? 16   “If I have withheld anything that the poor desired,    or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail,17   or have eaten my morsel alone,    and the fatherless has not eaten of it18   (for from my youth the fatherless2 grew up with me as with a father,    and from my mother's womb I guided the widow3),19   if I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing,    or the needy without covering,20   if his body has not blessed me,4    and if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep,21   if I have raised my hand against the fatherless,    because I saw my help in the gate,22   then let my shoulder blade fall from my shoulder,    and let my arm be broken from its socket.23   For I was in terror of calamity from God,    and I could not have faced his majesty. 24   “If I have made gold my trust    or called fine gold my confidence,25   if I have rejoiced because my wealth was abundant    or because my hand had found much,26   if I have looked at the sun5 when it shone,    or the moon moving in splendor,27   and my heart has been secretly enticed,    and my mouth has kissed my hand,28   this also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges,    for I would have been false to God above. 29   “If I have rejoiced at the ruin of him who hated me,    or exulted when evil overtook him30   (I have not let my mouth sin    by asking for his life with a curse),31   if the men of my tent have not said,    ‘Who is there that has not been filled with his meat?'32   (the sojourner has not lodged in the street;    I have opened my doors to the traveler),33   if I have concealed my transgressions as others do6    by hiding my iniquity in my heart,34   because I stood in great fear of the multitude,    and the contempt of families terrified me,    so that I kept silence, and did not go out of doors—35   Oh, that I had one to hear me!    (Here is my signature! Let the Almighty answer me!)    Oh, that I had the indictment written by my adversary!36   Surely I would carry it on my shoulder;    I would bind it on me as a crown;37   I would give him an account of all my steps;    like a prince I would approach him. 38   “If my land has cried out against me    and its furrows have wept together,39   if I have eaten its yield without payment    and made its owners breathe their last,40   let thorns grow instead of wheat,    and foul weeds instead of barley.” The words of Job are ended. Elihu Rebukes Job's Three Friends 32 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. 3 He burned with anger also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger. 6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:   “I am young in years,    and you are aged;  therefore I was timid and afraid    to declare my opinion to you.7   I said, ‘Let days speak,    and many years teach wisdom.'8   But it is the spirit in man,    the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.9   It is not the old7 who are wise,    nor the aged who understand what is right.10   Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;    let me also declare my opinion.' 11   “Behold, I waited for your words,    I listened for your wise sayings,    while you searched out what to say.12   I gave you my attention,    and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job    or who answered his words.13   Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom;    God may vanquish him, not a man.'14   He has not directed his words against me,    and I will not answer him with your speeches. 15   “They are dismayed; they answer no more;    they have not a word to say.16   And shall I wait, because they do not speak,    because they stand there, and answer no more?17   I also will answer with my share;    I also will declare my opinion.18   For I am full of words;    the spirit within me constrains me.19   Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent;    like new wineskins ready to burst.20   I must speak, that I may find relief;    I must open my lips and answer.21   I will not show partiality to any man    or use flattery toward any person.22   For I do not know how to flatter,    else my Maker would soon take me away. Footnotes [1] 31:8 Or let my descendants [2] 31:18 Hebrew he [3] 31:18 Hebrew her [4] 31:20 Hebrew if his loins have not blessed me [5] 31:26 Hebrew the light [6] 31:33 Or as Adam did [7] 32:9 Hebrew many [in years] (ESV) New Testament: 2 Thessalonians 2:1–12 2 Thessalonians 2:1–12 (Listen) The Man of Lawlessness 2 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers,1 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness2 is revealed, the son of destruction,3 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. 5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, 12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. Footnotes [1] 2:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 13, 15 [2] 2:3 Some manuscripts sin [3] 2:3 Greek the son of perdition (a Hebrew idiom) (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 57 Psalm 57 (Listen) Let Your Glory Be over All the Earth To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam1 of David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave. 57   Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,    for in you my soul takes refuge;  in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,    till the storms of destruction pass by.2   I cry out to God Most High,    to God who fulfills his purpose for me.3   He will send from heaven and save me;    he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah  God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness! 4   My soul is in the midst of lions;    I lie down amid fiery beasts—  the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows,    whose tongues are sharp swords. 5   Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!    Let your glory be over all the earth! 6   They set a net for my steps;    my soul was bowed down.  They dug a pit in my way,    but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah7   My heart is steadfast, O God,    my heart is steadfast!  I will sing and make melody!8     Awake, my glory!2  Awake, O harp and lyre!    I will awake the dawn!9   I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;    I will sing praises to you among the nations.10   For your steadfast love is great to the heavens,    your faithfulness to the clouds. 11   Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!    Let your glory be over all the earth! Footnotes [1] 57:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term [2] 57:8 Or my whole being (ESV) Proverb: Proverbs 22:16 Proverbs 22:16 (Listen) 16   Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth,    or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty. (ESV)

Morning: Job 31–32 Job 31–32 (Listen) Job's Final Appeal 31   “I have made a covenant with my eyes;    how then could I gaze at a virgin?2   What would be my portion from God above    and my heritage from the Almighty on high?3   Is not calamity for the unrighteous,    and disaster for the workers of iniquity?4   Does not he see my ways    and number all my steps? 5   “If I have walked with falsehood    and my foot has hastened to deceit;6   (Let me be weighed in a just balance,    and let God know my integrity!)7   if my step has turned aside from the way    and my heart has gone after my eyes,    and if any spot has stuck to my hands,8   then let me sow, and another eat,    and let what grows for me1 be rooted out. 9   “If my heart has been enticed toward a woman,    and I have lain in wait at my neighbor's door,10   then let my wife grind for another,    and let others bow down on her.11   For that would be a heinous crime;    that would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges;12   for that would be a fire that consumes as far as Abaddon,    and it would burn to the root all my increase. 13   “If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or my maidservant,    when they brought a complaint against me,14   what then shall I do when God rises up?    When he makes inquiry, what shall I answer him?15   Did not he who made me in the womb make him?    And did not one fashion us in the womb? 16   “If I have withheld anything that the poor desired,    or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail,17   or have eaten my morsel alone,    and the fatherless has not eaten of it18   (for from my youth the fatherless2 grew up with me as with a father,    and from my mother's womb I guided the widow3),19   if I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing,    or the needy without covering,20   if his body has not blessed me,4    and if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep,21   if I have raised my hand against the fatherless,    because I saw my help in the gate,22   then let my shoulder blade fall from my shoulder,    and let my arm be broken from its socket.23   For I was in terror of calamity from God,    and I could not have faced his majesty. 24   “If I have made gold my trust    or called fine gold my confidence,25   if I have rejoiced because my wealth was abundant    or because my hand had found much,26   if I have looked at the sun5 when it shone,    or the moon moving in splendor,27   and my heart has been secretly enticed,    and my mouth has kissed my hand,28   this also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges,    for I would have been false to God above. 29   “If I have rejoiced at the ruin of him who hated me,    or exulted when evil overtook him30   (I have not let my mouth sin    by asking for his life with a curse),31   if the men of my tent have not said,    ‘Who is there that has not been filled with his meat?'32   (the sojourner has not lodged in the street;    I have opened my doors to the traveler),33   if I have concealed my transgressions as others do6    by hiding my iniquity in my heart,34   because I stood in great fear of the multitude,    and the contempt of families terrified me,    so that I kept silence, and did not go out of doors—35   Oh, that I had one to hear me!    (Here is my signature! Let the Almighty answer me!)    Oh, that I had the indictment written by my adversary!36   Surely I would carry it on my shoulder;    I would bind it on me as a crown;37   I would give him an account of all my steps;    like a prince I would approach him. 38   “If my land has cried out against me    and its furrows have wept together,39   if I have eaten its yield without payment    and made its owners breathe their last,40   let thorns grow instead of wheat,    and foul weeds instead of barley.” The words of Job are ended. Elihu Rebukes Job's Three Friends 32 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. 3 He burned with anger also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger. 6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:   “I am young in years,    and you are aged;  therefore I was timid and afraid    to declare my opinion to you.7   I said, ‘Let days speak,    and many years teach wisdom.'8   But it is the spirit in man,    the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.9   It is not the old7 who are wise,    nor the aged who understand what is right.10   Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;    let me also declare my opinion.' 11   “Behold, I waited for your words,    I listened for your wise sayings,    while you searched out what to say.12   I gave you my attention,    and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job    or who answered his words.13   Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom;    God may vanquish him, not a man.'14   He has not directed his words against me,    and I will not answer him with your speeches. 15   “They are dismayed; they answer no more;    they have not a word to say.16   And shall I wait, because they do not speak,    because they stand there, and answer no more?17   I also will answer with my share;    I also will declare my opinion.18   For I am full of words;    the spirit within me constrains me.19   Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent;    like new wineskins ready to burst.20   I must speak, that I may find relief;    I must open my lips and answer.21   I will not show partiality to any man    or use flattery toward any person.22   For I do not know how to flatter,    else my Maker would soon take me away. Footnotes [1] 31:8 Or let my descendants [2] 31:18 Hebrew he [3] 31:18 Hebrew her [4] 31:20 Hebrew if his loins have not blessed me [5] 31:26 Hebrew the light [6] 31:33 Or as Adam did [7] 32:9 Hebrew many [in years] (ESV) Evening: Acts 13:1–23 Acts 13:1–23 (Listen) Barnabas and Saul Sent Off 13 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger,1 Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. Barnabas and Saul on Cyprus 4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them. 6 When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. 7 He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? 11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord. Paul and Barnabas at Antioch in Pisidia 13 Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem, 14 but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.” 16 So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: “Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen. 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. 18 And for about forty years he put up with2 them in the wilderness. 19 And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance. 20 All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. 21 Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.' 23 Of this man's offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised. Footnotes [1] 13:1 Niger is a Latin word meaning black, or dark [2] 13:18 Some manuscripts he carried (compare Deuteronomy 1:31) (ESV)

Job 32–34 Job 32–34 (Listen) Elihu Rebukes Job's Three Friends 32 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. 3 He burned with anger also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger. 6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:   “I am young in years,    and you are aged;  therefore I was timid and afraid    to declare my opinion to you.7   I said, ‘Let days speak,    and many years teach wisdom.'8   But it is the spirit in man,    the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.9   It is not the old1 who are wise,    nor the aged who understand what is right.10   Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;    let me also declare my opinion.' 11   “Behold, I waited for your words,    I listened for your wise sayings,    while you searched out what to say.12   I gave you my attention,    and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job    or who answered his words.13   Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom;    God may vanquish him, not a man.'14   He has not directed his words against me,    and I will not answer him with your speeches. 15   “They are dismayed; they answer no more;    they have not a word to say.16   And shall I wait, because they do not speak,    because they stand there, and answer no more?17   I also will answer with my share;    I also will declare my opinion.18   For I am full of words;    the spirit within me constrains me.19   Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent;    like new wineskins ready to burst.20   I must speak, that I may find relief;    I must open my lips and answer.21   I will not show partiality to any man    or use flattery toward any person.22   For I do not know how to flatter,    else my Maker would soon take me away. Elihu Rebukes Job 33   “But now, hear my speech, O Job,    and listen to all my words.2   Behold, I open my mouth;    the tongue in my mouth speaks.3   My words declare the uprightness of my heart,    and what my lips know they speak sincerely.4   The Spirit of God has made me,    and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.5   Answer me, if you can;    set your words in order before me; take your stand.6   Behold, I am toward God as you are;    I too was pinched off from a piece of clay.7   Behold, no fear of me need terrify you;    my pressure will not be heavy upon you. 8   “Surely you have spoken in my ears,    and I have heard the sound of your words.9   You say, ‘I am pure, without transgression;    I am clean, and there is no iniquity in me.10   Behold, he finds occasions against me,    he counts me as his enemy,11   he puts my feet in the stocks    and watches all my paths.' 12   “Behold, in this you are not right. I will answer you,    for God is greater than man.13   Why do you contend against him,    saying, ‘He will answer none of man's2 words'?314   For God speaks in one way,    and in two, though man does not perceive it.15   In a dream, in a vision of the night,    when deep sleep falls on men,    while they slumber on their beds,16   then he opens the ears of men    and terrifies4 them with warnings,17   that he may turn man aside from his deed    and conceal pride from a man;18   he keeps back his soul from the pit,    his life from perishing by the sword. 19   “Man is also rebuked with pain on his bed    and with continual strife in his bones,20   so that his life loathes bread,    and his appetite the choicest food.21   His flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen,    and his bones that were not seen stick out.22   His soul draws near the pit,    and his life to those who bring death.23   If there be for him an angel,    a mediator, one of the thousand,    to declare to man what is right for him,24   and he is merciful to him, and says,    ‘Deliver him from going down into the pit;    I have found a ransom;25   let his flesh become fresh with youth;    let him return to the days of his youthful vigor';26   then man5 prays to God, and he accepts him;    he sees his face with a shout of joy,  and he restores to man his righteousness.27     He sings before men and says:  ‘I sinned and perverted what was right,    and it was not repaid to me.28   He has redeemed my soul from going down into the pit,    and my life shall look upon the light.' 29   “Behold, God does all these things,    twice, three times, with a man,30   to bring back his soul from the pit,    that he may be lighted with the light of life.31   Pay attention, O Job, listen to me;    be silent, and I will speak.32   If you have any words, answer me;    speak, for I desire to justify you.33   If not, listen to me;    be silent, and I will teach you wisdom.” Elihu Asserts God's Justice 34 Then Elihu answered and said: 2   “Hear my words, you wise men,    and give ear to me, you who know;3   for the ear tests words    as the palate tastes food.4   Let us choose what is right;    let us know among ourselves what is good.5   For Job has said, ‘I am in the right,    and God has taken away my right;6   in spite of my right I am counted a liar;    my wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.'7   What man is like Job,    who drinks up scoffing like water,8   who travels in company with evildoers    and walks with wicked men?9   For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing    that he should take delight in God.' 10   “Therefore, hear me, you men of understanding:    far be it from God that he should do wickedness,    and from the Almighty that he should do wrong.11   For according to the work of a man he will repay him,    and according to his ways he will make it befall him.12   Of a truth, God will not do wickedly,    and the Almighty will not pervert justice.13   Who gave him charge over the earth,    and who laid on him6 the whole world?14   If he should set his heart to it    and gather to himself his spirit and his breath,15   all flesh would perish together,    and man would return to dust. 16   “If you have understanding, hear this;    listen to what I say.17   Shall one who hates justice govern?    Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty,18   who says to a king, ‘Worthless one,'    and to nobles, ‘Wicked man,'19   who shows no partiality to princes,    nor regards the rich more than the poor,    for they are all the work of his hands?20   In a moment they die;    at midnight the people are shaken and pass away,    and the mighty are taken away by no human hand. 21   “For his eyes are on the ways of a man,    and he sees all his steps.22   There is no gloom or deep darkness    where evildoers may hide themselves.23   For God7 has no need to consider a man further,    that he should go before God in judgment.24   He shatters the mighty without investigation    and sets others in their place.25   Thus, knowing their works,    he overturns them in the night, and they are crushed.26   He strikes them for their wickedness    in a place for all to see,27   because they turned aside from following him    and had no regard for any of his ways,28   so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him,    and he heard the cry of the afflicted—29   When he is quiet, who can condemn?    When he hides his face, who can behold him,    whether it be a nation or a man?—30   that a godless man should not reign,    that he should not ensnare the people. 31   “For has anyone said to God,    ‘I have borne punishment; I will not offend any more;32   teach me what I do not see;    if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more'?33   Will he then make repayment to suit you,    because you reject it?  For you must choose, and not I;    therefore declare what you know.834   Men of understanding will say to me,    and the wise man who hears me will say:35   ‘Job speaks without knowledge;    his words are without insight.'36   Would that Job were tried to the end,    because he answers like wicked men.37   For he adds rebellion to his sin;    he claps his hands among us    and multiplies his words against God.” Footnotes [1] 32:9 Hebrew many [in years] [2] 33:13 Hebrew his [3] 33:13 Or He will not answer for any of his own words [4] 33:16 Or seals [5] 33:26 Hebrew he [6] 34:13 Hebrew lacks on him [7] 34:23 Hebrew he [8] 34:33 The meaning of the Hebrew in verses 29–33 is uncertain (ESV)

Job 32–34 Job 32–34 (Listen) Elihu Rebukes Job's Three Friends 32 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. 3 He burned with anger also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger. 6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:   “I am young in years,    and you are aged;  therefore I was timid and afraid    to declare my opinion to you.7   I said, ‘Let days speak,    and many years teach wisdom.'8   But it is the spirit in man,    the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.9   It is not the old1 who are wise,    nor the aged who understand what is right.10   Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;    let me also declare my opinion.' 11   “Behold, I waited for your words,    I listened for your wise sayings,    while you searched out what to say.12   I gave you my attention,    and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job    or who answered his words.13   Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom;    God may vanquish him, not a man.'14   He has not directed his words against me,    and I will not answer him with your speeches. 15   “They are dismayed; they answer no more;    they have not a word to say.16   And shall I wait, because they do not speak,    because they stand there, and answer no more?17   I also will answer with my share;    I also will declare my opinion.18   For I am full of words;    the spirit within me constrains me.19   Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent;    like new wineskins ready to burst.20   I must speak, that I may find relief;    I must open my lips and answer.21   I will not show partiality to any man    or use flattery toward any person.22   For I do not know how to flatter,    else my Maker would soon take me away. Elihu Rebukes Job 33   “But now, hear my speech, O Job,    and listen to all my words.2   Behold, I open my mouth;    the tongue in my mouth speaks.3   My words declare the uprightness of my heart,    and what my lips know they speak sincerely.4   The Spirit of God has made me,    and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.5   Answer me, if you can;    set your words in order before me; take your stand.6   Behold, I am toward God as you are;    I too was pinched off from a piece of clay.7   Behold, no fear of me need terrify you;    my pressure will not be heavy upon you. 8   “Surely you have spoken in my ears,    and I have heard the sound of your words.9   You say, ‘I am pure, without transgression;    I am clean, and there is no iniquity in me.10   Behold, he finds occasions against me,    he counts me as his enemy,11   he puts my feet in the stocks    and watches all my paths.' 12   “Behold, in this you are not right. I will answer you,    for God is greater than man.13   Why do you contend against him,    saying, ‘He will answer none of man's2 words'?314   For God speaks in one way,    and in two, though man does not perceive it.15   In a dream, in a vision of the night,    when deep sleep falls on men,    while they slumber on their beds,16   then he opens the ears of men    and terrifies4 them with warnings,17   that he may turn man aside from his deed    and conceal pride from a man;18   he keeps back his soul from the pit,    his life from perishing by the sword. 19   “Man is also rebuked with pain on his bed    and with continual strife in his bones,20   so that his life loathes bread,    and his appetite the choicest food.21   His flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen,    and his bones that were not seen stick out.22   His soul draws near the pit,    and his life to those who bring death.23   If there be for him an angel,    a mediator, one of the thousand,    to declare to man what is right for him,24   and he is merciful to him, and says,    ‘Deliver him from going down into the pit;    I have found a ransom;25   let his flesh become fresh with youth;    let him return to the days of his youthful vigor';26   then man5 prays to God, and he accepts him;    he sees his face with a shout of joy,  and he restores to man his righteousness.27     He sings before men and says:  ‘I sinned and perverted what was right,    and it was not repaid to me.28   He has redeemed my soul from going down into the pit,    and my life shall look upon the light.' 29   “Behold, God does all these things,    twice, three times, with a man,30   to bring back his soul from the pit,    that he may be lighted with the light of life.31   Pay attention, O Job, listen to me;    be silent, and I will speak.32   If you have any words, answer me;    speak, for I desire to justify you.33   If not, listen to me;    be silent, and I will teach you wisdom.” Elihu Asserts God's Justice 34 Then Elihu answered and said: 2   “Hear my words, you wise men,    and give ear to me, you who know;3   for the ear tests words    as the palate tastes food.4   Let us choose what is right;    let us know among ourselves what is good.5   For Job has said, ‘I am in the right,    and God has taken away my right;6   in spite of my right I am counted a liar;    my wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.'7   What man is like Job,    who drinks up scoffing like water,8   who travels in company with evildoers    and walks with wicked men?9   For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing    that he should take delight in God.' 10   “Therefore, hear me, you men of understanding:    far be it from God that he should do wickedness,    and from the Almighty that he should do wrong.11   For according to the work of a man he will repay him,    and according to his ways he will make it befall him.12   Of a truth, God will not do wickedly,    and the Almighty will not pervert justice.13   Who gave him charge over the earth,    and who laid on him6 the whole world?14   If he should set his heart to it    and gather to himself his spirit and his breath,15   all flesh would perish together,    and man would return to dust. 16   “If you have understanding, hear this;    listen to what I say.17   Shall one who hates justice govern?    Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty,18   who says to a king, ‘Worthless one,'    and to nobles, ‘Wicked man,'19   who shows no partiality to princes,    nor regards the rich more than the poor,    for they are all the work of his hands?20   In a moment they die;    at midnight the people are shaken and pass away,    and the mighty are taken away by no human hand. 21   “For his eyes are on the ways of a man,    and he sees all his steps.22   There is no gloom or deep darkness    where evildoers may hide themselves.23   For God7 has no need to consider a man further,    that he should go before God in judgment.24   He shatters the mighty without investigation    and sets others in their place.25   Thus, knowing their works,    he overturns them in the night, and they are crushed.26   He strikes them for their wickedness    in a place for all to see,27   because they turned aside from following him    and had no regard for any of his ways,28   so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him,    and he heard the cry of the afflicted—29   When he is quiet, who can condemn?    When he hides his face, who can behold him,    whether it be a nation or a man?—30   that a godless man should not reign,    that he should not ensnare the people. 31   “For has anyone said to God,    ‘I have borne punishment; I will not offend any more;32   teach me what I do not see;    if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more'?33   Will he then make repayment to suit you,    because you reject it?  For you must choose, and not I;    therefore declare what you know.834   Men of understanding will say to me,    and the wise man who hears me will say:35   ‘Job speaks without knowledge;    his words are without insight.'36   Would that Job were tried to the end,    because he answers like wicked men.37   For he adds rebellion to his sin;    he claps his hands among us    and multiplies his words against God.” Footnotes [1] 32:9 Hebrew many [in years] [2] 33:13 Hebrew his [3] 33:13 Or He will not answer for any of his own words [4] 33:16 Or seals [5] 33:26 Hebrew he [6] 34:13 Hebrew lacks on him [7] 34:23 Hebrew he [8] 34:33 The meaning of the Hebrew in verses 29–33 is uncertain (ESV)

Rev. Scott Wright Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. He burned with anger also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. (Job 32:2–3 ESV)

With family: Exodus 14; Luke 17 Exodus 14 (Listen) Crossing the Red Sea 14 Then the LORD said to Moses, 2 “Tell the people of Israel to turn back and encamp in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Baal-zephon; you shall encamp facing it, by the sea. 3 For Pharaoh will say of the people of Israel, ‘They are wandering in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.' 4 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD.” And they did so. 5 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, the mind of Pharaoh and his servants was changed toward the people, and they said, “What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” 6 So he made ready his chariot and took his army with him, 7 and took six hundred chosen chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them. 8 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the people of Israel while the people of Israel were going out defiantly. 9 The Egyptians pursued them, all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and his horsemen and his army, and overtook them encamped at the sea, by Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon. 10 When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the LORD. 11 They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians'? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” 13 And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” 15 The LORD said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. 16 Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground. 17 And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they shall go in after them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, his chariots, and his horsemen. 18 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.” 19 Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, 20 coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the night1 without one coming near the other all night. 21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22 And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 23 The Egyptians pursued and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. 24 And in the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down on the Egyptian forces and threw the Egyptian forces into a panic, 25 clogging2 their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily. And the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from before Israel, for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians.” 26 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.” 27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal course when the morning appeared. And as the Egyptians fled into it, the LORD threw3 the Egyptians into the midst of the sea. 28 The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen; of all the host of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea, not one of them remained. 29 But the people of Israel walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 30 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31 Israel saw the great power that the LORD used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses. Footnotes [1] 14:20 Septuagint and the night passed [2] 14:25 Or binding (compare Samaritan, Septuagint, Syriac); Hebrew removing [3] 14:27 Hebrew shook off (ESV) Luke 17 (Listen) Temptations to Sin 17 And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin1 are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin.2 3 Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, 4 and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,' you must forgive him.” Increase Our Faith 5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6 And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you. Unworthy Servants 7 “Will any one of you who has a servant3 plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table'? 8 Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly,4 and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink'? 9 Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? 10 So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants;5 we have only done what was our duty.'” Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers 11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers,6 who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”7 The Coming of the Kingdom 20 Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, 21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!' or ‘There!' for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”8 22 And he said to the disciples, “The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. 23 And they will say to you, ‘Look, there!' or ‘Look, here!' Do not go out or follow them. 24 For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day.9 25 But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. 26 Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. 27 They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot—they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, 29 but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all—30 so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed. 31 On that day, let the one who is on the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come down to take them away, and likewise let the one who is in the field not turn back. 32 Remember Lot's wife. 33 Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it. 34 I tell you, in that night there will be two in one bed. One will be taken and the other left. 35 There will be two women grinding together. One will be taken and the other left.”10 37 And they said to him, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the corpse11 is, there the vultures12 will gather.” Footnotes [1] 17:1 Greek Stumbling blocks [2] 17:2 Greek stumble [3] 17:7 Or bondservant; also verse 9 [4] 17:8 Greek gird yourself [5] 17:10 Or bondservants [6] 17:12 Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13 [7] 17:19 Or has saved you [8] 17:21 Or within you, or within your grasp [9] 17:24 Some manuscripts omit in his day [10] 17:35 Some manuscripts add verse 36: Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left [11] 17:37 Greek body [12] 17:37 Or eagles (ESV) In private: Job 32; 2 Corinthians 2 Job 32 (Listen) Elihu Rebukes Job's Three Friends 32 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. 3 He burned with anger also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger. 6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:   “I am young in years,    and you are aged;  therefore I was timid and afraid    to declare my opinion to you.7   I said, ‘Let days speak,    and many years teach wisdom.'8   But it is the spirit in man,    the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.9   It is not the old1 who are wise,    nor the aged who understand what is right.10   Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;    let me also declare my opinion.' 11   “Behold, I waited for your words,    I listened for your wise sayings,    while you searched out what to say.12   I gave you my attention,    and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job    or who answered his words.13   Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom;    God may vanquish him, not a man.'14   He has not directed his words against me,    and I will not answer him with your speeches. 15   “They are dismayed; they answer no more;    they have not a word to say.16   And shall I wait, because they do not speak,    because they stand there, and answer no more?17   I also will answer with my share;    I also will declare my opinion.18   For I am full of words;    the spirit within me constrains me.19   Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent;    like new wineskins ready to burst.20   I must speak, that I may find relief;    I must open my lips and answer.21   I will not show partiality to any man    or use flattery toward any person.22   For I do not know how to flatter,    else my Maker would soon take me away. Footnotes [1] 32:9 Hebrew many [in years] (ESV) 2 Corinthians 2 (Listen) 2 For I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you. 2 For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? 3 And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. 4 For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you. Forgive the Sinner 5 Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you. 6 For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, 7 so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. 9 For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything. 10 Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, 11 so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs. Triumph in Christ 12 When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, 13 my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia. 14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ. (ESV)

Psalms and Wisdom: Psalm 143 Psalm 143 (Listen) My Soul Thirsts for You A Psalm of David. 143   Hear my prayer, O LORD;    give ear to my pleas for mercy!    In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness!2   Enter not into judgment with your servant,    for no one living is righteous before you. 3   For the enemy has pursued my soul;    he has crushed my life to the ground;    he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead.4   Therefore my spirit faints within me;    my heart within me is appalled. 5   I remember the days of old;    I meditate on all that you have done;    I ponder the work of your hands.6   I stretch out my hands to you;    my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah 7   Answer me quickly, O LORD!    My spirit fails!  Hide not your face from me,    lest I be like those who go down to the pit.8   Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,    for in you I trust.  Make me know the way I should go,    for to you I lift up my soul. 9   Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD!    I have fled to you for refuge.110   Teach me to do your will,    for you are my God!  Let your good Spirit lead me    on level ground! 11   For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life!    In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!12   And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies,    and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul,    for I am your servant. Footnotes [1] 143:9 One Hebrew manuscript, Septuagint; most Hebrew manuscripts To you I have covered (ESV) Pentateuch and History: Job 32 Job 32 (Listen) Elihu Rebukes Job's Three Friends 32 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. 3 He burned with anger also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger. 6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:   “I am young in years,    and you are aged;  therefore I was timid and afraid    to declare my opinion to you.7   I said, ‘Let days speak,    and many years teach wisdom.'8   But it is the spirit in man,    the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.9   It is not the old1 who are wise,    nor the aged who understand what is right.10   Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;    let me also declare my opinion.' 11   “Behold, I waited for your words,    I listened for your wise sayings,    while you searched out what to say.12   I gave you my attention,    and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job    or who answered his words.13   Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom;    God may vanquish him, not a man.'14   He has not directed his words against me,    and I will not answer him with your speeches. 15   “They are dismayed; they answer no more;    they have not a word to say.16   And shall I wait, because they do not speak,    because they stand there, and answer no more?17   I also will answer with my share;    I also will declare my opinion.18   For I am full of words;    the spirit within me constrains me.19   Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent;    like new wineskins ready to burst.20   I must speak, that I may find relief;    I must open my lips and answer.21   I will not show partiality to any man    or use flattery toward any person.22   For I do not know how to flatter,    else my Maker would soon take me away. Footnotes [1] 32:9 Hebrew many [in years] (ESV) Chronicles and Prophets: Isaiah 55 Isaiah 55 (Listen) The Compassion of the Lord 55   “Come, everyone who thirsts,    come to the waters;  and he who has no money,    come, buy and eat!  Come, buy wine and milk    without money and without price.2   Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,    and your labor for that which does not satisfy?  Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,    and delight yourselves in rich food.3   Incline your ear, and come to me;    hear, that your soul may live;  and I will make with you an everlasting covenant,    my steadfast, sure love for David.4   Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples,    a leader and commander for the peoples.5   Behold, you shall call a nation that you do not know,    and a nation that did not know you shall run to you,  because of the LORD your God, and of the Holy One of Israel,    for he has glorified you. 6   “Seek the LORD while he may be found;    call upon him while he is near;7   let the wicked forsake his way,    and the unrighteous man his thoughts;  let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him,    and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.8   For my thoughts are not your thoughts,    neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.9   For as the heavens are higher than the earth,    so are my ways higher than your ways    and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10   “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven    and do not return there but water the earth,  making it bring forth and sprout,    giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,11   so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;    it shall not return to me empty,  but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,    and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. 12   “For you shall go out in joy    and be led forth in peace;  the mountains and the hills before you    shall break forth into singing,    and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.13   Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress;    instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle;  and it shall make a name for the LORD,    an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.” (ESV) Gospels and Epistles: Revelation 14 Revelation 14 (Listen) The Lamb and the 144,000 14 Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, 3 and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 4 It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb, 5 and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless. The Messages of the Three Angels 6 Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. 7 And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.” 8 Another angel, a second, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who made all nations drink the wine of the passion1 of her sexual immorality.” 9 And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he also will drink the wine of God's wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.” 12 Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.2 13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” The Harvest of the Earth 14 Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and seated on the cloud one like a son of man, with a golden crown on his head, and a sharp sickle in his hand. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, calling with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, “Put in your sickle, and reap, for the hour to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is fully ripe.” 16 So he who sat on the cloud swung his sickle across the earth, and the earth was reaped. 17 Then another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. 18 And another angel came out from the altar, the angel who has authority over the fire, and he called with a loud voice to the one who had the sharp sickle, “Put in your sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, for its grapes are ripe.” 19 So the angel swung his sickle across the earth and gathered the grape harvest of the earth and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and blood flowed from the winepress, as high as a horse's bridle, for 1,600 stadia.3 Footnotes [1] 14:8 Or wrath [2] 14:12 Greek and the faith of Jesus [3] 14:20 About 184 miles; a stadion was about 607 feet or 185 meters (ESV)

Ephesians 1:17NIV 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,(A) may give you the Spirit[a] of wisdom(B) and revelation, so that you may know him better. Ephesians 1:17 AMP [I always pray] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may grant you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation [that gives you a deep and personal and intimate insight] into the true knowledge of Him [for we know the Father through the Son]. Isaiah 11:1-3 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 2 And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; 3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: Job 32:6-9 So Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite spoke out and said, “I am young in years and you are old; Therefore I was shy and afraid to tell you what I think. “I thought age should speak, And increased years should teach wisdom. “But it is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding 1 Corinthians 12:8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit For offering or any support to this ministry, please use our website or Cach App: Cach App CachTag name is; christglobalgospel Web: www.christglobalgospel.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/christglobalgospel/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christglobalgospel/support

Isaiah 11:1-3 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 2 And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; 3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: Job 32:6-9 So Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite spoke out and said, “I am young in years and you are old; Therefore I was shy and afraid to tell you what I think. “I thought age should speak, And increased years should teach wisdom. “But it is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding For offering or any support to this ministry, please use our website or Cach App: Cach App CachTag name is; christglobalgospel Web: www.christglobalgospel.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/pastor-esther-birungi/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/pastor-esther-birungi/support

The Apostle Paul's letters to his younger disciple Timothy have been on my mind a lot in recent months. In this episode, I want to ponder and explore a selection from the first epistle to Timothy. 1 Timothy 4:12-16 reads, "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers." As for many young Christians, this passage has been an encouragement to me since my late teens and early twenties. And it reminds me of Elihu from the book of Job. In Job 32:1-6, we find this gem. "So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. He burned with anger also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger. And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered..." I would encourage you to read the totality of Elihu's remarks in Job. And see if you can find in what follows them when God steps into the narrative to answer Job any rebuke of Elihu for all of what he says or how he comports himself. I could not when I was a young Christian man, married with children in my early twenties a decade-and-a-half ago. That is why Lauren and I named our second son Elihu. Taken together with what Paul tells Timothy, we find that older men are not always wiser for their years. And younger men not only can serve as a good example to all - including older men. They ought to, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. This can lead to conflict. And sometimes when older men feel threatened or challenged by younger men - even just by their example - they act out in confusing and irrational ways. But this is all the more why we do well to heed the wisdom of Proverbs 22:1. "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold." --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/garrett-ashley-mullet/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/garrett-ashley-mullet/support

Elihu presents God’s kingly reign in ways that warn us against pride as well, but only God gives the answers to the problem of suffering - in Christ. - Sermon Transcript - Turn in your Bibles, as we continue in our study in Job, we're looking at chapters 34 and 35 today. A.W. Tozer in his classic, The Pursuit of God, said these words, "What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." It's an amazing statement. What comes into our minds when we think about God is our theology, our theology. And Tozer says this is the most important thing that can be said about any one person. What do they really think about God? Well, I would say if that's true, if that statement is true, it's especially true during suffering. In our time of suffering, what we think about God is vital to whether we will go through that suffering well or poorly. That seems to me to be one of the central points of the entire book of Job. To enable us to think exalted, majestic, true thoughts about God while we go through great suffering. Satan, as he did with Job, wants to use the suffering to put a wedge between us and God, so that in some way, we'll end up cursing God to his face, that we’ll be severed from our sincere and pure devotion to God and to Christ. That's what Satan wants to do in suffering. And God uses, therefore, the word of God to teach us instead, truth about God. That we would think about the unchanging nature of almighty God. And we come to Elihu for the second week. And Elihu is going to focus on Job's central and scandalous accusation that God has been unjust toward him, has dealt with him in injustice. Now God is going to clearly put Job in his place in due time. And we know that, and that's where we're heading. And no human being can ever do better than God at that kind of ministry, than God himself. But Elihu's arguments and his lofty words are extremely powerful and they help put us in our place as well. God can use this. My approach to Elihu, who, as I told you last time, since we have no statement from God about Elihu, we don't really know what to think about him. It seems to me best, hermeneutically, interpretatively, to just accept Elihu's speeches, these chapters, as we would any Old Testament wisdom literature. That we should just accept the statements, not find fault with them as many commentators do, to try to pick apart Elihu. But as we're going to see in a moment, Elihu urges us to sample words as a tongue tastes food. So we should do that with Elihu as well. And any Old Testament book, the author to Hebrews tells us is shadow, the reality is Christ. So we're going to find in Elihu some shadowy wisdom, some good sound things that will help us, but the reality is going to be ultimately in Christ. So we need to think about God and his justice. So we, all of us, think about God in too lowly a manner. We think too low thoughts about God, we struggle with conceiving of God's absolute sovereignty, we wrestle with how we feel about that. We tend to find fault with God in little ways and some of us at sometimes in very big ways, especially during suffering. At the back of our minds there's always some question that we have, it seems, about the justice of God. We see so many things wrong with the earth, we see so much suffering. Both suffering that comes from forces of nature and earthquakes and inanimate things, but how much more suffering that comes through human instrumentality. We see the wickedness of people, that people do to other people. And we see people getting away with murder it seems, and we wonder how God could actually be running a planet like this. How could a good and wise and loving and powerful God actually be in charge of a planet like this with all of these things going on? How can he be so silent when there's so much obviously wrong on earth? Now how much more would we be tempted to question the justice of God when some great tragedy may come into our lives, we have done it. We've been with other people who have done it. And it seems to be for this very purpose, the book of Job is written. Because we tend to break out at that point in complaints and murmurings against God, questionings. And it tends toward open assertions of doubt and unbelief and that's, I think, Satan's purpose. And yet none of us has ever had anything happen to us, even remotely close to what happened to Job, the instantaneous loss of all his wealth, the instantaneous loss of all 10 of his children, and then subsequently the loss of his health. And Job, yes, did indeed begin very well. In Job 1:22 it says, “In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.” And then later he said to his wife who urged him in words that should remind us eerily of what Satan said would happen. She urged him, "Curse God and die." And he replied to her, “’You are talking like a foolish woman, shall we accept good from God and not trouble?’ And in all this, Job did not sin in what he said.” Yet, as we've noted again and again, in this long book of Job, trials go on much longer than we want them to last. They wear on us, they wear us down, they break us down through their chronic nature. And so when Job's friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar begin pressing him with their theology, that Job was just suffering because he had committed some sin, God directly judges sins, and because of his suffering being so staggeringly great, then his sins must be staggeringly great as well. Well, anyway, when they did this, it tempted Job and it pressed him to begin complaining against God. It seems, as I've mentioned, that Job has accepted from time to time at least, their basic theological structure. That people suffer in this world as a direct retribution for the sins they have committed, it's a law of sowing and reaping. He accepts their basic premise, but he refutes the concept that he himself is wicked. He's a blameless man, he knows the truth. There is no great pattern of sin in his life. So accepting that premise, he then turns on God and accuses God of injustice. And yearns for his day in court when he can prove to God how righteous he is. Job 19:6 and following, "I know that God has wronged me and drawn his net around me. Though I cry, ‘I've been wronged!’ I get no response. Though I call for help, there is no justice. He has blocked my way so I cannot pass. He has shrouded my path in darkness." So Job concludes his words with his masterly defense of his own blamelessness, Job 31, and we walked through that. He goes into lengthy detail in the nature of his blamelessness, his righteousness. Which consisted of absolute sexual purity, commitment to sexual purity, wise and moral leadership of his own household, just and sacrificial dealings with the poor and the needy in his community, and many other things. Job 31, the portrait of a truly righteous, a blameless man walking through life. And amazingly, it's all true! It's all true. God himself had boasted about Job to Satan. Job 1:8, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him. He is blameless and upright, a man who fear God and shuns evil." So Job's friends, ultimately, became silent and could say nothing more because Job had bested them. He'd won the chess match. Job was utterly convinced of his own righteousness and that God had wronged him. Suddenly another man speaks up. Elihu, a man we didn't even know existed, didn't know he was there, but who it seems was listening to all the dialoguing between Job and his friends. And he was angry. He was righteously angry that the honor of God had been so impugned. Job 32:2-3, “Elihu the son Barachel, the Buzite to the family of Ram became very angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God. He was also angry with the three friends because they had found no way to refute Job and yet had condemned him.” So last week we looked at Elihu's introduction and then his first speech, Job 32 and then 33. His contribution last time brought a new perspective to the problem of suffering. A new angle on it, a different way to look at it. The basic concept that the only possible explanation for human suffering in the world is God's direct retribution for specific sins committed. That explanation is inadequate. It's partially true, but it doesn't cover everything. “There is another explanation,” says Elihu. Namely, that God uses suffering, including sickness to warn people ahead of time against committing sins and to protect them from the ultimate consequence of sin. Job, 33:16-18, “God may speak in their ears and terrify them with warnings. To turn man from wrongdoing and to keep him from pride, to preserve his soul from the pit and his life from perishing by the sword.” So that's a new angle, a new approach, and it's beneficial. It's helpful. Now, we're going to continue on studying Elihu. And then I'm going to say to you: while Elihu's words are majestic, while they're helpful and beneficial, we're still left wondering if he has missed some aspects of God's character. And at times it seems that Elihu takes the exact same approach to Job that the friends do. The law of sowing and reaping, you get what you deserve. And he doesn't seem aware of the uniqueness of Job's situation. He is a stunningly righteous man, singled out in a very unique way for a role in redemptive history. How could he know all that? And so sometimes Elihu will sound just like the friends. So as profound as Elihu often is, we're going to find that only God alone can give the full and final answers to the problem of suffering. And he doesn't do it through a Elihu, and he doesn't even do it in the book of Job. He does it ultimately in the person and the work of his son, Jesus Christ. And in Jesus Christ, in his life, his sinless life, his substitutionary death on the cross, his resurrection triumph over the grave, in that all of the questions are ultimately answered. Now I began this sermon quoting A.W. Tozer, that statement from The Pursuit of God, “What comes into your mind when you think about God is the most important thing about you.” Well, C.S. Lewis heard that statement. He read it when Tozer wrote it and he said, "By God, it is not the most important thing about a man." C.S. Lewis. "How God thinks of us is not only more important than how we think about God, but infinitely more so." So just ruminate on that while I preach the rest of the sermon, and I think both of them are true. I don't think Tozer would've refuted anything C.S. Lewis was saying there. And I think in the end, isn't it marvelous that even when we are... I don't know, temporarily insane in the midst of our suffering, God never loses his perspective, always knows what he's about, knows how to navigate us through it in Christ and bring us safely to the other side. Praise God for that. So I thank God for both A.W. Tozer and C.S. Lewis, they both help us. In the end, what God thinks about us, even in the midst of our suffering and what he has done for us in Christ is infinitely more important than what we think about God, however, it is pretty clear that 42 chapters in the book of Job are given to help us think well about God and rightly about God when we go through suffering. And that's important too. 1.Elihu Judges Job All right, let's dig in on this second section on Elihu. Elihu and his judgment of Job. And he's going to stand in judgment over Job. And he's going to begin or continue to demand to be heard. He's already spoken some, but now he has more to say. Job 34:1-2, "Then Elihu said, 'Hear my words, you wise men. Listen to me, you men of learning.'" So he is directly addressing not only Job, but the three friends whose failure to correct Job was so offensive to him. And through Elihu, the Holy Spirit is speaking to all of us, “All of you people listen now to the words that Elijah's going to say,” then he says, "The ear tests words." Look at verses 3-4, "The ear tests words as the tongue tastes food. Let us discern for ourselves what is right, let us learn together what is good." So we're going to sample the truth of the words, we're going to test them. Speech is a fundamental gift from the Lord to the human race. It is part of what separates the human race from animals. Part of what it means, I think, to be created in the image of God is the gift of speech, of language. But words, according to Elihu, have to be tested like food has to be tasted. Think of a master chef that runs a five star restaurant in Paris and he samples all of the sauces and the dressings and the bubbling concoctions that all of his sous chefs are making under his direction in the kitchen. He goes from one to the next with a spoon and tests them and samples them, his skillful tasting, his pallet, enables him to correct the heat at which the sauce is being heated or stirred in the sauce pan, or the exact blending of the spices in the dressings, or the exact makeup, the balance of the ingredients in the soufflé, he's doing this, he's sampling all of this. That is how we're supposed to come to words, especially philosophical words or theological words, significant words. We're going to sample them. We're going to weigh out arguments, we're going to use logic and reasoning and illustrations and applications. And with all of them, we are going to evaluate: is it true or false doctrine? Now in the book of Acts we meet the Bereans, who are noble minded, and they took everything Paul said and brought it back to scripture to see if what Paul said was true. And so that's what I want to do for each of you. I want each of you each, and you're already doing it, you're doing it right now, “Pastor, we're doing it. Trust us.” You're evaluating, you're listening, sampling to see if it's true or not. We need to do that with Elihu. And we need to do that in general, says Elihu. Helping us in the new covenant, helping us Christians is the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Isn't that marvelous? We have the indwelling Spirit who enables us to sample words and to come to right doctrine. He illuminates, he brings us to truth. Praise God for the ministry of the third person of the Trinity! It says in 1 John 2:20, "You have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you knows the truth. I don't write to you because you don't know the truth, but because you do know the truth.” And so the Holy Spirit enables us, when you hear something, even for the first time to say, "That's true. I just know it." Even if you've never heard that teaching before, you just know, you've got that anointing from the Holy Spirit, the indwelling Spirit helps you. Now, this sampling of words has been essential to the whole study of the book of Job. Where you have to sample, we're kind of in trouble a little bit in this book. When God pans, or rebukes Job for what he says, "Who is this that speaks words without knowledge?" It's like, “Well what do I do then with Job's words?" It's kind of tough. And then later he says that, “Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar have not spoken what is right about me as my servant Job has.” Oh, okay, so some of what Job says is true and some of it isn't. And some of what the friends say is true, and some of it... So we are sampling. And with Elihu, we're like, "I don't know, what do we do?" And so we have to take and evaluate everything Elihu says alongside the truths we have from other passages of scripture, we have to sample them. Then Elihu goes into Job's claim. He goes into the basic problem. The thing that stirs Elihu up, gets him angry. Job's claim of innocence, verse 5-6, “Job says, ‘I am innocent, but God has denied me justice. Although I am right, I am considered a liar. Although I am guiltless, his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.’” That's the basic problem. Job is claiming to be innocent and God is attacking him. And so he judges Job, verse 7-9, "What man is like Job, who drinks scorn like water? He keeps company with evildoers; he associates with wicked men. For he says, ‘It profits a man nothing when he tries to please God.’" Now it seems like Elihu is saying that in questioning God's justice, he is associating with wicked people in general who do that all the time. What wicked people do all the time is question God, whether he exists or not and whether he's good or not, or just or not. And when Job joins up with them he's just, it seems, hanging out with wicked people like they are, acting like them. Now, I'm not in entirely sure what it means, "What man is there like job who drinks scorn like water?" Maybe afterwards, one of you can come and tell me what you think that means. It's like, “It doesn't matter how much scorn you pour on this guy; he drinks it and just keeps on going. Nothing seems to change his mind.” I don't know, maybe that's what Elihu means. Then the things get even more challenging after that. Because Elihu digs in and speaks of a majestic God. A God whose righteousness and holiness and majesty soars so far beyond anything we can comprehend. And I think we need to hear these words, the perfect justice, the omniscience of God. And that is the foundation of God's righteous throne in heaven. We who live in 21st century America, we are staggeringly casual about God. We are familiar with God in ways that I think aren't helpful. We are informal. We're a casual people. And we need to not be that way with God. And Elihu's words can help. Elihu in verses 10-12 zeros in on God's perfect hatred of evil, "So listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do evil, from the Almighty to do wrong. He repays a man for what he has done. He brings upon him what his conduct deserves. It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice." so what he's saying is God hates evil at a level we can scarcely imagine. And this is the unified teaching of the Bible. God, 1 John 1:5, "God is light,” straight through his being. He is pure, “God is light, and in him there's no darkness at all.” There is no evil in God. So nothing God ever does is evil, he is pure light. So according to Elihu, anything that God has done to Job must be perfectly just, perfectly right, because God did it. Now in heaven, I do believe we will review all of God's actions in history. We'll review all of God's judgments and we'll find that God acted with perfect justice in every case. And that unrepentant sinners actually do ultimately get paid back in full. It says in Romans 2:6, “God will give to each person according to what he has done,” plain. So ultimately, Job, your sense that wicked people get away with murder and all that, we'll come back to that one. But everything that God does is right. And God deals justly with the wicked. "We who live in 21st century America, we are staggeringly casual about God. We are familiar with God in ways that I think aren't helpful. We are informal. We're a casual people. And we need to not be that way with God. " 2.Elihu Exalts God as Sovereign King God's authority as king, his right to rule is independent of his creatures. Look at verse 13, “Who appointed him,” God, “Who appointed him over the earth? Who put him in charge of the whole world?” God is king of the universe. Okay, who is the king maker? Was there a search process for that? Was there an electorate during that time? No, none of the above. God derives his being and his authority from himself. That's the aseity of God. Everything comes from God himself, nothing from the creature at all. So what that means is we never voted God into office and we can't impeach him, we have no power to vote him out. No creature gave God his throne. It is his by virtue of his person and his work in creating the universe. God the creator made this universe. It is his, he can do with it whatever he pleases. And he made it, and so therefore he can rule over it absolutely as king. God's absolute power also extends to life and death. Look at verses 14-15, and also in verse 20, "If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit and breath, all mankind would perish together and man would return to the dust." and again, verse 20, "They die in an instant in the middle of the night. The people are shaken and they pass away. The mighty are removed without human hand." So we exist through the will of God at every moment. It says in Acts 17:28, "In him, we live and move and have our being." whether we acknowledge him or not. God sustains the life of every human being at every moment. Hebrews 1:3 says concerning Jesus, "The Son sustains all things by his powerful word. He upholds the being of every creature." It is completely dependent on God's purpose and will whether any human being continues to exist or not for another second. And that's true, not just of humans, but of every creature that God ever made. Psalm 104:29 speaking of all creatures out in the fields, in the mountains and in the valleys, all of them out they're on planet earth: "When you hide your face, they're terrified when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust." That's true of humans; that's true of everything. God has therefore, as I've said before, created a needy universe. It needs him. Every atom of the universe needs God to continue to exist. I don't think we can think too much about this or too highly of this. If God wanted to kill a single individual, or if he wanted to kill a whole nation alike, he could do that with no preparation at all. He doesn't need any help to do that. As Moses said to Pharaoh in Exodus 9:15, at this point, they're well into multiple plagues and Pharaoh still doesn't get it. Remember how Pharaoh began that interview with Moses, in the exchange with Moses. "Who is the Lord? I don't know the Lord." Well, he is getting an education. And God said to Pharaoh through Moses in Exodus 9:15, "For by now, I could have stretched out my hand and struck you and your people with a plague that would've wiped you from the face of the earth." "Do you not know who I am? I have that kind of power." It says in verse 20, Elihu says, "The mighty are removed without a human hand." Meaning God doesn't need any allies at all if he wanted to kill anyone or even any nation, he doesn't need any help to do it. Verse 20. Jonathan Edwards in his famous sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”, zeroed in on this powerful ability of God to take life at any moment, without any preparation, without any equipment. I mean: nothing needs to get arranged. This is what Edward said: It is no security to wicked men for one moment that there are no visible means of death at hand. It is no security to a natural man that he is now in health, that he does not see which way he should now immediately go out of the world by any accident. That there is no visible danger in any respect in his circumstances, the manifold and continual experience of the world in all ages shows this is no evidence that a man is not actually on the brink, the very brink of eternity and that his next step will not be into another world. The unseen, unthought-of ways and means of persons going suddenly out of the world are innumerable and inconceivable. Unconverted men walk over the pit of hell on a rotten covering, and there are innumerable places in this covering so weak that they will not bear their weight. And these places are not seen by them. The arrows of death fly unsoon at noon day. The sharpest sight cannot discern them. God has so many different, unsearchable ways of taking wicked men out of this world and sending them to hell. This is an elaboration of the very thing Elihu is saying, when God takes away their breath, they die, and they go to the dust. It would be good for us to meditate on this as well. “In God I live and move and have my being.” It's the very same thing he said in James. “We should say, ‘If God wills, I will live and do this or that.’" Do not presume on the future. Do not presume you'll be alive tomorrow or a week from now. God also, according to Elihu is totally impartial. He's not impressed by people's positions. Look at verses 16-19: "If you have understanding, hear this, listen to what I say. Can he who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and the mighty One? Is not he, the One who says to kings, 'You are worthless.' And to nobles, 'You are wicked.' And shows no partiality to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of his hands. They die in an instant in the middle of the night, the people are shaken and they pass away, the mighty removed without a human hand." First of all, in that little section, Elihu says God could not rule as he does if he hated justice. Although human history is certainly marred by tyrants, who ruled with an iron fist and hated justice, God isn't like them. Actually, God's love for justice is the foundation of his throne. Psalm 89:14 says, "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Love and faithfulness go before you." God is so powerful and sovereign over the kings and princes of the earth that he has no trouble judging any of them, any time. He sees how many of the kings are actually worthless men and how many of the princes are wicked. And he shows no partiality to them at all, but he removes them in an instant. They die at night with no warning. That's true today. We look around at the heads of state, whether presidents or premieres or prime ministers or any of them, these words are still true. All of them. So Job's contention that God tolerates the wicked and that they die peacefully in their beds with their loving families around them and there's no retribution at all, Job 21, may occasionally be true. But the norm is that God is actually, as it says in Romans 9, “bearing with great patience the objects of his wrath.” That's what's happening, he's just putting up with them. And that at the right time, according to his wisdom, he brings the hammer down. Justice is served. Now in verses 21 through 28, Elihu speaks of God's perfect knowledge of all of the sins of all men. There's no hiding from God. Verses 21-28, "His eyes are on the ways of men. He sees their every step. There's no dark place, no deep shadow where evildoers can hide. God has no need to examine men further that they should come before him for judgment. Without inquiry, he shatters the mighty and sets up others in their place. Because he takes note of their deeds, he overthrows them in the night and they are crushed. He punishes them for their wickedness where everyone can see them because they turn from following him and had no regard for any of his ways. They caused the cry of the poor to come before him, so that he heard the cry of the needy." So God's judgments of all human beings are perfect. They're based on complete knowledge. Men in their sins, often deceive themselves into thinking that no one can see them. No one knows. Elihu reminds us all that there's never a moment in which God's omnipresent eye does not see everything that we do. Elihu says specifically, "God doesn't need anymore information to judge us. There's no need, Job, for a court trial. There's no need for witnesses to be called. He already knows what we are in our hearts and what we did with our bodies.” Do you remember that time when God showed up and told Abraham, "A year from now, Sarah would hold the child." Remember that? And they'd been a barren couple. Do you remember what Sarah did? Do you remember? She laughed in her tent. And then God said, "Why did Sarah laugh?" And she was afraid. So she lied and said, "I didn't laugh." And God said, "Oh yes, but you did laugh, period. Next paragraph." That's a little microcosm of judgment day. "Yes you did. Period. This is what you said. This is what you did. No witnesses are needed." And God knows our hearts. He knows the motive behind our words. He knows why we did everything that we did. So Job's longing for a hearing is not necessary. God already knows who Job is and what he's done. So if I can just stop and let me just reach ahead for an application and do it right now. Wouldn't it not be good for all of us to walk continually in the fear of the Lord? Isn't the fear of the Lord the beginning of wisdom? Isn't it right for us to see that there's no darkness with God? Even the night is day to him. Wouldn't it be good if there are patterns of sin in our lives, to put them to death immediately? To not act like no one will ever see, no one ever knows? Shouldn't these words move us to that kind of a holy fear? I think so. Let us not be trapped in our vain imaginations about God and think he doesn't see us. Let us not live a double life, whitewashed tombs that look good on the outside, but inside are full of corruption and dead men's bones and everything unclean. What other people wrongly think about us will not matter at all on judgment day. All that matters on judgment day is what God thinks about us. At the final judgment, the court will be seated, the books will be open and the dead will be judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. It's that clear. "Let us not be trapped in our vain imaginations about God and think he doesn't see us. Let us not live a double life, whitewashed tombs that look good on the outside, but inside are full of corruption and dead men's bones and everything unclean." Now it seems to me, the Holy Spirit has to say this kind of thing to us again and again, because our faith is so weak. Faith is the eyesight of the soul by which we see invisible, spiritual realities. Past, present, and future. We sin through unbelief, we forget that a holy God is watching us right now and will later call us to account. So the stronger our faith is, the stronger our eyesight of the invisible spiritual world is, the less we will sin. We need to lie openly under the word of God and let it search us and know us. Hebrews 4:12-13 says, "The word of God is living and active, sharper than any double edged sword. It penetrates even to the dividing of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything's uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we will give an account." We need to just let God's word do its work in us. Let it cut us open, let it do its surgery on us. Let it hurt us in order to heal us. That's what we need. So God works in us a clear view of judgment day and causes us to repent and make changes while there's still time. And it is by working in sinners, a deep conviction of sin that God saves us. This deep conviction of sin brings us to the cross of Christ. And then it continues, doesn't it? To serve us well the rest of our Christian lives. So that we are deeply convicted of sin the rest of our Christian lives. We should also remember that God is patient with us, gives us time to repent. He doesn't deal with us immediately, but we should not presume on that time. We don't know how long it will be. And we should realize that as soon as you're aware of sin in your life, put it to death by the Spirit. In verse 29-30, Elihu who speaks of God's freedom to rule as he sees fit: "But if he remains silent, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, who can see him? Yet, he is over man and nation alike to keep a godless man from ruling, from laying snares for the people." So Elihu speaks of the freedom that God has sometimes to speak powerfully in judgment, just like that. And other times to be silent and give the sinner more time. God can do whatever he wants. There's no telling. God alone can decide which of these he will do. Remember the story of Jonah? Where Jonah comes and preaches to Nineveh, and the king of Nineveh commands the whole city to repent and to humble themselves before the God of heaven? And then says these words, "Who knows God may be merciful to us?" Do you realize the theology of “who knows?” God can do what he want. He doesn't owe us another day. And so who knows? God may, in some cases, give more time. Other cases: done. Nebuchadnezzar, he gives him seven years, and Nebuchadnezzar repented. King Herod? Killed him immediately, instantly. God can do either one. Now, Elihu is speaking of God being over both man and nation alike. God is so powerful that he can bring judgment on a single man in and afternoon. And he can do the exact same thing to a nation. He can kill 185,000 of Assyrian troops in a single night. That's the power of God. III. Elihu Urges Job to Repent So, therefore in Job 34:31-37, Elihu urges Job to repent, “Suppose a man says to God, ‘I am guilty, but I will offend no more. Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.’ Should God then reward you on your terms, when you refuse to repent? You must decide, not I. So tell me what you know? Men of understanding declare, wise men who hear will say to me, 'Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight. Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost for answering like a wicked man. To his sin he adds rebellion; scornfully he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.'" So it's interesting, Elihu seems to write Job's script for him here: “Suppose a man says, ‘I am guilty, but I will offend no more. Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong I will not do so again." Effectively, he's saying, "Job, say that to God. Say it to God." "I will confess that I've sinned and I'm guilty, but I promise never to do it again. I yearn Lord for you to teach me the truth about my sins." The rest of this section, if I can be honest with you, brothers and sisters, I found extremely difficult to interpret. Some things are clearer than others. So I walked through this saying, “Okay, what am I going to say to the church about this?” And since I don't really know, I'm gonna just move on to the next section. IV. Elihu Exalts God as Independent of All Humanity There's so many things in this book that I don't fully understand. And so in chapter 35:1-8, Elihu exalts God as independent of all humanity: “Then Elihu said: ‘Do you think this is just? You say, 'I will be cleared by God.’ Yet you ask him, ‘What profit is it to me, and what do I gain by not sinning?' I would like to reply to you and to your friends with you. Look up to the heavens and see; gaze at the clouds so high above you. If you sin, how does that affect him? If your sins are many, what does that do to him? If you are righteous, what do you give to him, or what does he receive from your hand? Your wickedness affects only a man like yourself, and your righteousness only the sons of men.’" So Elihu is giving a sense of the infinite transcendence of God. And we spoke of that earlier in the book of Job. God is not benefited by us in any way. God doesn't need us. We don't make God feel better. We don't help God with his program. Does that make sense? He isn't served by us as if he needed anything. He doesn't need anything. We spoke of this earlier. God is higher above us than the clouds, or even the most distant stars. He is lofty and exalted; you're not going to affect God in himself at all by how you live. So if Job says, "What benefit is it to me to avoid sinning?" Then you need to know your sins are only hurting yourself and the people around you. You're not hurting God or affecting his throne at all. Elihu then in verses 9-13; cries out against the oppression of the poor by the powerful. Look at these verses: "Men cry out under a load of oppression; they plead for relief from the arm of the powerful. But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night, who teaches more to us than the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds of the air?’ He does not answer when men cry out because of the arrogance of the wicked. Indeed, god does not listen to their empty plea; the Almighty pays no attention to it." So all four men, Job and his three friends, have spoken passionately about their concern for what we call social justice. For the poor and needy, Elihu adds his voice to theirs. Here however, Elihu says that even the poor oppressed, themselves are sinners. They do not think of God often in the midst of their afflictions, they are poor. It's true. They are suffering. They are socioeconomically disadvantaged, but they're still sinners. And in the midst of their sorrows they do not think properly about God. They suffer, but they wickedly forget God and they don't cry out to him. And when they do, God does not listen because they do not pray properly in faith and repentance. V. Elihu Again Judges Job And then in verses 14-16, Elihu ends again by judging Job. "How much less, then, will he listen when you say that you do not see him, that your case is before him and that you must wait for him, and further that his anger never punishes and that he does not take the least notice of wickedness. So Job opens his mouth with empty talk and without knowledge, he multiplies words.” So bottom line, no human being ever, no matter what they're going through can rightly accuse God of wrongdoing, ever. Not Job, not the poor, not the mighty, no one. "So bottom line, no human being ever, no matter what they're going through can rightly accuse God of wrongdoing, ever. Not Job, not the poor, not the mighty, no one." VI. Lessons All right. So what lessons can we draw from this? Well, I've already given you one of the main lessons and that is that we should walk wisely and circumspectly in the fear of the Lord. An omniscient God, a holy God who sees us at every moment. Now, I already told you that was the foundation of Job's righteousness. Wasn't it? It was the foundation of his piety. That's how he lives such a holy life. He never forgot that God saw him all the time, and we need to do that as well. Now the primary benefit of that meditation, by far, is to drive us to the cross of Christ. We are guilty. We have violated God's holy laws. We have no hope in and of ourselves. In our own righteousness, we have no hope. But we understand that the only righteousness that will survive judgment day is a perfect righteousness and that was only ever found in one man, Jesus Christ. And God in his goodness offers that freely to all of us, every generation, he cries out before us and holds out his own, Jesus holds out his own righteousness and offers it to you as a gift. And he offers to take all of your wickedness and all of your rebellion and take it on himself and suffer and die under the wrath of God on the cross that we might be free from guilt on judgment day. Christ is our righteousness on judgment day. And in Christ’s imputed righteousness, we will shine like the sun forever. So if you are walking in grief and sorrow now, you're going through trials; you're burdened by that; come to Christ. If you are a sinner and up to this point you have never trusted in Christ as your Lord and savior, come to Christ. Even if you're a Christian and you've walked with the Lord for many years and are in no particular pattern of suffering right now, come again and again, develop a strong habit of coming to Christ in any and every situation because you know, likely maybe even very soon, you're going to be suffering your own version of Job's trials. And so Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Close with me in prayer. Father, we thank you for this time with Elihu. These words are deep, they're complicated, they're not easy to understand. Pray that you would guide us, Lord. Help us to have a majestic vision of God, that our hearts and our minds would soar as far as these words imply. So that we see that God is above the heavens, even the highest heavens, which cannot contain you. And that we would draw near to our mediator, our savior Jesus, and find in him full forgiveness and find in him strength for the trials that we're going through. And we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Elihu made some significant contributions to the topic of human suffering and the character and plans and purposes of God. And in this, his first of four speeches, he will say that God uses suffering to benefit his people. - Sermon Transcript - Turn in your Bibles to Job chapter 32. We'll be looking at 32 and 33 today. The night before Jesus was crucified, he had some time with his disciples, his apostles. And he spoke many words to them to get them ready for what was about to come upon them and all of them, all of them underestimated what that would be. They didn't really understand what was going to happen that very night and they didn't know how hard it would be. And beyond that, even beyond the joy that would come after his death and then his resurrection, they- all of them underestimated how difficult their lives would be as apostles of Christ, all of the persecutions and the sufferings that they would most certainly follow. And so Jesus warned them ahead of time what was going to come. And he said very plainly, "I'm telling you this ahead of time so that when it comes on you, you will believe that I am he." So the words got out ahead of the challenge, the words prepared their hearts for what was going to come, to the end that they would continue to believe in Jesus. Now you would think, "Well, I know I'm going to keep believing in Jesus no matter what happens." Don't underestimate the power of the world, the flesh and the devil assaulting your faith. You must have supply from heaven, you must have resources flowing into your soul from heaven and part of what we're going to do today is to give you some of those resources to get you ready for what's going to come. And at the end of that teaching time, Jesus said in John 16:33, "I have told you these things so that in me, you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble but take heart. I have overcome the world." Behind all of that is, it very much matters how you go through the trials that are going to come on you. It matters a lot. It matters a lot whether, in the midst of those trials, in Christ you have peace or not. It matters very much whether you take heart in Christ's ultimate victory or not. That you would have peace in Christ and that you would take heart in Christ. That was the end of John 13:16. I would say it's the end of all scripture. Everything that was written in the past was written to instruct us, Paul tells us in Romans 15. So that through the endurance and the encouragement of the scriptures, you may have hope. Well, what is hope? But a strong feeling in the heart that the future is bright. We're going to a world where there'll be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain. Where you as a Christian man or woman, you're going to shine like the sun forever in the kingdom of your Father. All of the pain of this life is temporary, all of it. And yet it also has a purpose. God is going to bring it on you. So you should have a sober mind as you listen to the book of Job and today the chapters 32-33. The Holy Spirit is going to use Elihu and some mysterious way to get you ready for what God is intending to bring in your life and it's not going to be nothing. He is going to bring things that you will find hard in your life. You need to get ready, and hopefully this sermon will help you do that. So as we come to Job 32-33, we come to a mysterious character in the Bible. A man of mystery, Elihu, who we didn't even know was there. Who is this guy? It's like he kind of parachutes into the story and says a bunch of things and then leaves. And no one even in the text says, "Who is that?" But in he comes. Now, you need to realize in all the billions that even the trillions of words, that humans have spoken in all of redemptive history only a very select set made it into the Bible by the wisdom of God. And God chose that every generation of his believing people would listen to the words of Elihu and read them and deal with them. Now, what makes Elihu hard is first of all, we don't know who he is. Oh, we're told in verse two, he is the son of Barachel the Buzite of the family of Ram. Does that help any of you? It didn't help me, I don't know any of those guys. So that's your genealogical address, it doesn't help me much. And up to this point, we didn't even know he was there. He wasn't listed in the list of friends, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar. He has five chapters assigned to him by the Holy Spirit, that's a lot. Four speeches that he makes. And after he's done speaking, God shows up and speaks out of a whirlwind to Job and then after that speaks directly to the three friends, God says nothing about Elihu at all. Furthermore, there's no dialogue; no one talks to him. There's no back and forth. Nobody comes back on him and says anything, he just drops in there. So for me I have to say, look honestly in the end none of that matters to me, it doesn't. All scripture's God breathed and useful. And I know the book of Job has some hermeneutical- some interpretive challenges like when God says about Job's words, "Who is this that darkens counsel by speaking words without knowledge?" So God gives to Job's words: a thumbs down. So what am I supposed to do with Job's words? And then at the end, He does the same thing to the three friends. He rebukes them because; "They have not spoken what is right about me as my servant Job has." So Job said some good things and not good things and then Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar they are panned by God, they're rejected. So, now I as an interpreter, I am like, "What do I do?" And then we saw the apostle Paul quoting Eliphaz, just quoting him in I Corinthians, an inspired scripture. So that means some of what the friend said was true. So we've been dealing with those hermeneutical challenges all along and now along it comes Elihu and we don't have either thumbs up or thumbs down at all. So basically, I think we should approach Elihu's statements, these chapters, as we do all the scriptures. We do the book of Ecclesiastes, as we do the book of Proverbs, as we do the minor prophets, we just come at it as holy scripture. And we read and wherever it seems to be off, just don't think it's off just take it as truth and accept it. On no other basis would we have to reject Elihu's words, we're just going to sit under them and let God speak. But having said that, I find in the end that Elihu's wisdom is helpful but shadowy, the reality is Christ. So we in the end are going to get a better, clearer word from the New Testament and from the apostles and from Jesus himself on suffering. But Elihu can still help us, that's the approach that I'm going to take to Elihu. If you have a different approach to Elihu, come afterwards and tell me and I'll be happy to listen and we'll continue to turn through the mystery of these chapters. But in the meantime, we want to hear what Elihu has to say. And Elihu does make some significant contributions to our understanding of God's purpose in suffering. I. Elihu Prepares to Speak Now in chapter 32, he just gets ready to speak. That's the whole chapter. So that whole chapter is given to Elihu, stepping in, introducing himself and saying why he had waited so long and that he really has a lot to say and he wants to say something. That's what chapter 32, so let's see it. He begins angry, he's an angry man as he steps up, he's an angry man as he begins to speak, look at verses 1-5: “So these three men stopped answering Job because he was righteous in his own eyes but Elihu, son of Barachel the Buzite of the family of Ram became very angry with Job for justifying himself, rather than God. He was also angry with the three friends because they had found no way to refute Job and had condemned him. Now, Elihu had waited before speaking to Job because they were older than he. But when he saw that the three men had nothing more to say, his anger was aroused.” So this begins right away as an example of holy anger, righteous indignation. We'll talk more about that at the end of the message, somewhat. But he is offended that Job sees himself as righteous and God as unjust, that angers Elihu. Job, it seemed according to Elihu, was more certain of his own righteousness than he was of God's justice. Think about that. More certain of his own righteousness than of God's justice, I think that's true that he felt that way, that Job felt that way. And that's what made Elihu very angry. He was also, the text tells us, angry at the friends. They should have done one of two things. Either they should have brought evidence of Job's wickedness and shut him up, shut him down, or they should have stopped condemning Job. One or the other, but what they did according to Elihu was wrong, and so he was angry. Now, why did he wait to speak? Why has it taken this long to hear from Elihu? Well, he explains that, verse 4, "Elihu had waited before speaking to Job because they were older than he." He's a young man. Verse 6 and 7, "So Elihu son Barachel the Buzite said, 'I am young in years and you are old, that's why I was fearful not daring to tell you what I know. I thought, ‘Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom.'" Well, I think this is an important message for our culture. Our culture tends to revere the young, and beautiful, and strong and energetic. Other cultures tend to revere and esteem wisdom and experience, especially, let's say, oriental cultures. Scripture says, "Rise in the presence of the aged." There's a sense of honor that comes to people who have lived and have experienced. And we should know as Christians, there're just some lessons that take time to learn. And we have to be immersed in them and it takes a while and people who have been walking with the Lord a long time have some wisdom to teach those who haven't been walking as long. And so I think that's commendable, but the time for Elihu's silence has now come to an end. He is compelled to speak and why is that? Well first of all, God gives understanding to everyone. Every man, every person has something worth listening to. Look at verses 8-10, "It is the spirit in a man the breath of the almighty that gives him understanding. It is not only the old who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right. Therefore I say: Listen to me and I too will tell you what I know." So all true wisdom comes from God and every human being is created in the image of God and so therefore, every human being has the capacity to speak wisdom and truth. We should listen to people, we should listen even if they're young, we should be willing to listen and so God can speak through young people. There are some people that come to remarkable levels of wisdom very early in life. Jonathan Edwards, for example, was a spiritual prodigy somewhat like Mozart was musically, Edwards was spiritually. Wrote out a bunch of incredibly deep perceptive resolutions at age 19. Oh that every 19 year old young man had that level of wisdom, it was remarkable. And not just him, but Spurgeon was preaching as a teenager and preaching very deep perceptive sermons. So it can happen. So even though Elihu was a young man, he still has some things worth listening to. Also, he's compelled to speak because Job's friends were wrong to give up, to wave the white flag on this whole thing. So they seem to be done, they've spent what they have and now nobody's talking, somebody needs to step up. Look at verses 12-16, "Not one of you has proved Job wrong, none of you has answered his arguments. Do not say, ‘We have found wisdom, let God refute him not man.’ But Job has not marshaled his words against me and I will not answer him with your arguments. They are dismayed and have no more to say, words have failed them. Must I wait now that they're silent? Now that they stand there with no reply." So he's gotten frustrated with these friends. So they're older than him, it's true but they seem to be done. And there's more to say here. "I need to defend God, I need to defend the honor and the glory of God, I need to speak up." "Seems like you men are just waiting for God to show up and rebuke Job," which is exactly what's about to happen. But no one knew that and he says, "Look in the absence of that I need to speak, I need to speak up. Now t's my turn." Look at verse 17, "I too will have my say, I too will tell what I know and I can't hold back any longer." Versus 18-20 he said, "I am full of words and the spirit within me compels me. Inside I'm like bottled up wine, like new wine skins ready to burst. I must speak and find relief, I must open my lips and reply." Have you ever felt like that? Yeah, the last time you interrupted someone. Interruption is a sin. We're struggling with that sometimes. We think, "All right, it's time for me to speak. I know the other person's not done yet but I'm going to rudely break in because I can't help myself." And now you have great verses to prove it, you can just quote Elihu, "I'm like wine ready to burst; I'm like a volcanic eruption I can't hold back." But there are times that the prophet of God is like that. I think about Jeremiah and he had a very, very difficult ministry, didn't he? Very tough ministry. And God's word brought him reproach and rebuke all day long. No one wanted to hear what Jeremiah had to say. And he said, "All right, I'm done. I don't want to be a prophet anymore." But that didn't work, why? He says in Jeremiah 20:9, "If I say I will not mention God or speak anymore in his name, his word is in my heart like a fire. A fire shut up in my bones, I am weary of holding it in. Indeed, I cannot." So hopefully the best way to put a spin on what Elihu is saying here, “God has something he wants me to say and I need to say it.” And as he says it, he said, "I am committed to not flattering anyone." Verse 21, 22 he says, "I will show partiality to no one, nor will I flatter any man. If I was skilled in flattery, my maker would soon take me away." So Elihu's zeal for the glory of God means he's not going to be using flattery. What is flattery? It's self-serving verbal techniques in which you're trying to do something but it's not genuine praise, it's not healthy encouragement. It's really a lie. You're saying encouraging things but your real motive is something else. And frequently that happens with wealthy, powerful, influential people. You try to ingratiate yourself, you go into the King's presence and say, "Oh, king live forever." That kind of thing. When you don't really want him to live forever, you don't like him that kind of thing, but it's just using flattery. He said, "I'm not going to do that." Yes, Job is a wealthy, powerful man but God is more important than him and I'm just not going to use flattery in this case. Then we go onto chapter 33, Elihu then addresses Job directly and he asks him for a hearing. Job 33:1-2 he says, "But now, Job, listen to my words; pay attention to everything I say. I'm about to open my mouth; my words are on the tip of my tongue." And he promises Job that he's upright in heart. Verse 3, "My words come from an upright heart; my lips sincerely speak what I know.” “God's spirit is at work in me." he says, "the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” “So I'm ready to talk and God's spirit is moving and I have something I need to say to you." And he says, "I'm just a man like you are before God. I've been taken from clay I'm just a human being, so you should not be afraid of me like you would be if God showed up. If God comes and God speaks, you would fear. But you have no reason to fear me, I'm just a man like you are." So verse 5, "Answer me then if you can prepare yourself and confront me." All right, so that's all preface. It's all introduction to Elihu speaking; chapter 32 on into chapter 33:7, this is preparation. Now he says what he wants to say and he begins by criticizing Job. II. Elihu’s Criticism of Job (Job 33:8-16) Now, why does he criticize him? Because it seems to me that both Job's friends and Job himself are operating out of the same basic theological construction on the issue of suffering, human suffering. Both of them feel that the best explanation for Job's sufferings from God are God's righteous justice against specific sins committed. You sin; you get crushed by God. That's just what happens, it's the law of sewing and reaping. And ironically, both the three friends and Job are operating out of that same structure, basically. Now the friends are saying, "Your wickedness must be secret and hidden but it must be very great. Because only that would explain the magnitude of your sufferings, the reason you suffer is because of specific sins you have committed. And so your suffering is great, therefore, your sins must be great. We haven't seen it but it must be happening." Job accepts, it seems that premise, but he said, the wickedness doesn't occur. "I've not done those wicked things." Job 31, his whole defense for his righteousness. "Therefore, God must be unjust. God's wrong about me in bringing all of this." And so Elihu says that whole structure is wrong. Sometimes it's right and sometimes God does punish people for their sins, it's true but that's not the only possible explanation here, so Elihu speaks up. Verse 8-11, Chapter 33:8-11 says, "But you have said in my hearing- I have heard the very words- ‘I am pure and without sin; I am clean and free from guilt. Yet God has found fault with me; he considers me his enemy. He fastens my feet in shackles’ he keeps close watch on all my paths.’" So Elihu has a different perspective on the reason for Job's suffering and he's angry that Job claims to be pure and that God is unjust. So then he elevates Job's mind and all of our minds on the person of God, the majesty of the glory and the holiness of God. God is infinitely majestic so all accusations of God's wrongdoing are themselves very wrong. Verse 12, "I tell you in this you are not right, for God is greater than man." This is one of the greatest lessons that we've taken from the book of Job. It is always wrong for the suffering to accuse God of wrongdoing. It's never okay to do that. You may be going through great suffering. In the future, God may choose to bring suffering into your life. It will never help you, it is not therapeutic, it will not heal you. And it's just not true that God has wronged you and God has been unjust or saying any harsh, wrong things about God. Don't do it. That's one of the main lessons of the book of Job. You don't need to go through all of that to get to the point Job gets at the end of the book where he puts his hand over his mouth and doesn't accuse God anymore of wrongdoing. So just get to that point, that's what he's saying. Now Job's two great accusations are that God is unjust and not only that, he's silent. "As I cry out to God, he gives me no answer." Look at verse 13, "Why do you complain to him, to God that he answers none of man's words." So Elihu takes that up, "Why do you say God doesn't speak?" "It is always wrong for the suffering [person] to accuse God of wrongdoing." Job has repeatedly charged God with silence. Isn't it true that when we go through great suffering, one of the worst things that people say is that, "I pray but God doesn't say anything to me. He doesn't answer me, I don't feel close to God through all of this?" Very great trial. And so Job said it. Job 19:7, "Though I cry I've been wronged, I get no response." And then Job 30:20, "I cry out to you oh God, but you do not answer.” “You've left me on my own God." But Elihu asserts, God is not silent. Look at verse 14-16, "For God does speak. Now one way now another though man may not perceive it in a dream and a vision of the night when deep sleep falls on men, as they slumber in their beds, he may speak in their ears and terrify them with warnings." "So God is there and is not silent," as Francis Shafer said. He actually fills the world with communication. He speaks all the time through creation and we're going to see the beauty of natural theology when God speaks, basically all that God does. "Look at my creation, do you not see the greatness of my power and my wisdom and love?" So that's natural theology. God does that. Psalm 19:1, "The heavens declare the glory of God. The skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day, they pour forth speech." You just look around at creation and you can see God talking to you. But that's not really what Elihu talks about; he also speaks directly to the hearts and ears of human beings. Something pops into man's mind and it was God speaking to him, sometimes he speaks by dreams even when people are sleeping. III. Elihu’s New Insight: God Uses Suffering to Save His People (Job 33:16-33) And why does God speak? Well here it's time for Elihu's powerful contribution on this whole theology of suffering. Elihu's new insights is that God uses suffering to save his people, God uses suffering to save or benefit his people. Job and his friends are operating from that paradigm that God in suffering is just pounding on people, he's bringing justice for their sins, it's retribution. But Elihu sees a different possibility, a more redemptive answer, I would say a more therapeutic answer. God brings suffering into the lives of his people to help them ultimately, to benefit them, to bring them to a better place in life. First of all, he uses warnings. Look at verses 15-16, "In a dream, in a vision of the night when deep sleep falls on men as they slumber in their beds, he may speak in their ears and terrify them with warnings." And he does this, verse 17, "To turn them from wrongdoing.” And also in verse 17, "To keep them from pride." So turn them away from sin and to turn them away from pride, that's why God does this. Ultimately salvation from the pit: verse 18, "To preserve his soul from the pit," ultimate judgment. So God steps in ahead of time, in dreams, warns you about the course of action, humbles you about himself and about yourself and preserves you from going down to the pit. That's what God does. "God brings suffering into the lives of his people to help them ultimately, to benefit them, to bring them to a better place in life." So he does this so that people will not continue in evil courses. Very good example of this in the book of Genesis. Do you remember Genesis 20? When Abraham and Sarah were in Gerar and Abraham lied about Sarah, you remember this? He said, "She's my sister," very bad. I mean because Isaac's about to be conceived and born, it'd be very clear that it was Abraham the father, you could get into that whole thing, but it was very important that they not mess up with Sarah here. And this lie put Sarah in tremendous jeopardy. Well, what ended up happening? Well, what happened was Abimelek, the king of Gerar, is about to take Sarah as his wife remember, and God speaks to him in a terrifying dream. And this is what Abimelek heard, "You are a dead man because the woman you're about to marry is a married woman." He was like, "What did I do? I didn't do anything. I didn't know. I'm innocent. I'm an innocent man." Then God answers him in the dream, "Yes, I know that you did this with a clear conscience so I have kept you from sinning against me. That's why I did not let you touch her. Now return the man's wife for he is a prophet and he will pray for you and you will live." Wow. "But if you do not return her, you may be sure that you and all of yours will die." Wow. What do you think Abimelek did when he woke up from that dream? What would you do? So that's a clear example of what Elihu who says, "God will step in and use dreams and warn people." And it's amazing in the Muslim world how often God has used dreams to save people's souls. He'll lead Muslim people to certain cities where they'll hear a messenger even identified in the dream and they hear the gospel, and they're saved. This is a recurring theme in Muslim conversions; it's remarkable how God uses dreams. Now, Elihu doesn't mention the clearest way God speaks wisdom. Much clearer than natural theology and much clearer than dreams. And that is the written word of God; he doesn't mention scripture at all. It's for this reason that many scholars think that the book of Job is so old maybe the oldest book because it predates all other scriptures. We don't know it's an argument from silence, he just doesn't mention it. But the word of God is a clearer word to us, isn't it? As again Psalm 19 continues, beyond natural theology, Psalm 19:7-8 says, "The law of the Lord is perfect reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right giving joy to the heart, the commands of the Lord are radiant giving light to the eyes." So light, clear light, comes from God's word, the precepts. God also says- Elihu uses sickness. He turns to the terrible sickness that Job has experienced- experiencing and he says that God uses sickness to help his people, to humble them, to chastise them for their sins. But to the end of bringing them to a deeper, sweeter, more intimate relationship with God. So he describes his sickness verse 19-22, "Or a man may be chastened on a bed of pain with constant distress in his bones so that his very being finds food repulsive and his soul loathes the choicest meal. His flesh wastes away to nothing and his bones once hidden now stick out. His soul draws near to the pit and his life to the messengers of death." That's almost exactly describing Job. God uses dread sicknesses to bring people to that level. And yet God can heal using, interestingly, an angel as a mediator. Scripture is deep and complex, isn't it? Where'd this angel mediator come from? I find this interesting. He says at verse 23-24, "Yet, if there's an angel on his side as a mediator one out of a thousand to tell a man what is right for him, to be gracious to him and say, ‘Spare him from going down to the pit I've found a ransom for him.’” So there's an intercessor, a mediator, and he's speaking to the suffering man, the sick man, but also to speak on his behalf to God, “Be gracious to him; heal him. I found a ransom for him.” Friends, all of that points me to Christ our mediator, doesn't it? I can't help but go and say, who would that be other than Jesus? Speaking on our behalf, speaking wisdom to us, speaking to God on our behalf saying, “Spare him.” Then the healing comes. Verse 25, "His flesh is renewed like a child, it's restored as in days of youth." He does this through prayer. So the sick person on the sick bed prays. They cry out to God, they lose that aloof independent attitude that we all walk in. That's our natural sinful state, “I don't need God,” but now when you're sick, what are you doing? You're praying, "Heal me, God. Heal me, I'm hurting. Heal me." “He prays to God,” verse 26, “and finds favor with him,” and look at the final end, "he sees God's face and shouts for joy; he is restored by God to his righteous state.” He's in a better place after the sickness than he was before it. He's closer to God, more intimate and thanks God, really, for the affliction. And then he gets to have a powerful ministry to other people, "So let me tell you about what happened to me. Let me tell you how God was gracious to me." Verse 27-28, “Then he comes to men and says, ‘I sinned, I perverted what was right but I did not get what I deserve,’” God did not treat me as my sins deserve, “‘He redeemed my soul from going down to the pit and I will live to enjoy the light.’” So God does this to save His people. It's kind of a summary, verse 29-30: “God does all these things to a man twice, even three times to turn back his soul from the pit that the light of life may shine on him.” Then in verses 31-33, he warns us all, and Job too, "I have a lot more to say." So we're going to have a couple more sermons on Elihu, he just has more to talk about, "Pay attention Job and listen to me, be silent and I will speak. If you have anything to say answer me, speak up for I want you to be cleared. But if not, then listen to me be silent and I will teach you wisdom." And on we go into the next chapter. So Elihu has brought powerful and helpful perspective on God's purpose and suffering. God's purpose is to warn people of their sins, to turn them away from passive sin that will lead to the pit, eternal judgment, or to the sword, temporal judgments. In this, God is very kind. He warns us ahead of time to repent lest we perish. God also uses sickness to humble us and chastise us for our sins and then he heals us in answer to prayer. He restores us to full health, to an even greater closeness and intimacy with God than we ever had before. This is exactly what will happen to Job, though Elihu doesn't know it yet. IV. God’s People Humbled and Healed in Christ Now I must stop having summarized basically everything Elihu has said and go directly to the cross. Always as we read the Old Testament, we should think, how does this make me wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus? How is the testimony of Christ the spirit of all prophecy? How does everything in God's word bring us to Christ? All roads lead to the cross. Well first of all, Elihu as an Old Testament voice of wisdom is what I would call a shadow. Its shadowy wisdom. The reality is found in Christ. The author to Hebrews gives us that shadow reality image, Old Testament shadow, New Testament reality. So Elihu's speaking truth but it's not the clearest light of day, it's not everything we could say. However, it is helpful. Now God does speak in dreams, he does whisper in our ears but how do you know it's God? How do you know that dream was God? Angels speak in dreams and so therefore also demons can speak in dreams. I don't know, how do I interpret? What's the standard of truth? Friends, it's God's word and so God speaks a clearer word through the prophets, through Moses, through Isaiah, and Jeremiah, and Ezekiel and Daniel, and then even more clearly and finally he speaks to us in Christ. So in Hebrews 1:1-3 it says, "In the past, God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways. But in these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son whom he appointed heir of all things and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being sustaining all things by his powerful word. And after he had provided purification for sin, he sat down at the right hand of the majesty in heaven." that's Jesus Christ, God's final word to the human race, God's clearest word to the human race, Jesus Christ. And Christ sufferings teach us about all suffering. Suffering wouldn't even be in the world if it weren't for Adam's sin. Adam's sin brought in death and suffering into the world. Therefore, Jesus had to die on the cross to redeem us from all of this. And so Jesus' suffering and Jesus' death is of an order different than anything we could ever experience. It was in our place, he suffered in our place. He died under the wrath of God, the death we deserve for our sins. As Isaiah saw, very clear, Isaiah 53:4-6, speaking of Christ, "Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows. Yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our inequities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him and by his wounds, we are healed. We all like sheep have gone astray. Each of us has turned to his own way and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” So when you are going through your sufferings, you're going through afflictions, remember the three categories that were assaulted in Job's life, his possessions, his loved ones, his family and his health. You, dear friend, are vulnerable in all three areas. You're vulnerable. Vulnerable. And when you get hit in one or more of those areas, when you are hurting in one or more of those areas, you should go to God where that in general pain and suffering is in the world because of sin. It may well be that you are specifically being chastised for your own sins or maybe not. "Jesus' suffering and Jesus' death is of an order different than anything we could ever experience. It was in our place, he suffered in our place." But in any case, there is a strong connection between sin and suffering and death. That meditation should lead you to the cross, “Jesus died in my place. I know I'm a sinner, I know I deserve the pit, I deserve to be condemned but because Jesus died from me, I am freed from the pit, I will spend eternity with God in heaven.” And so all suffering should lead us to the cross and then we realize that all of our suffering as Christians then is redemptive. God is a loving father and Elihu's themes come in then, we're sick, we're hurting, we can pray and God's going to use it to bring us close to him. He's going to heal us of sin, ultimately. 1 Peter 2:24-25 has this therapeutic model of the cross, therapeutic, speaking of Jesus, "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree that we might die to sin and live for righteousness, by his wounds you have been healed." You hear that? Healed. Healed from what? “For you are like sheep going astray.” Healed from that. From sin. “You are like sheep going astray but now you have returned to the shepherd and overseer of your soul.” So whenever you're hurting or ever you're in grief and sorrow, go quickly to Christ, to the cross, to the empty tomb and find joy in that. If you're not a Christian yet, if you came here today, you don't usually go to church, maybe you're going through some suffering right now, maybe you're afraid you will, you're waiting for the other shoe to drop in your life, you're afraid of it. I'm just saying, thank you, thank God that you're here. I'm glad you're here. You have heard the gospel this morning; you've heard of a substitute of God's Son dying in your place, trust in him. Trust in him and your sins will be forgiven. V. Timeless Lessons from Elihu Now I want to finish with just a couple more lessons from Elihu and we'll be done. I want to talk about the reality and limitations of righteous rage. Righteous rage. We're told in James, “everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and,” what? “Slow to become angry,” why? Why slow to become angry? "For man's anger does not bring about the righteousness of God. Therefore, get rid of all,” listen to this, “moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you which can save you." Wow, James is hard on anger, very hard. Calls it moral filth. Most of our anger, let's be honest, is unrighteous, isn't it? Unrighteous. It's based on pride or inconvenience. That'll take care of 95% of your unrighteous anger right there. Your pride was hurt and so you get angry, you're inconvenienced in some way, by some other drivers let's say, and you get angry. But you say: “Yet, however, there are still examples of righteous rage in the Bible!” That is true, there are. But be careful; be careful. So Elihu is righteously angry about God's honor being impugned, and that's going to happen. We're going to get angry about things, there are issues, moral injustices in this world that we should be angry about. Wickedness that humans do to each other like abortion, like racism, like economic exploitation, sex trafficking, child abuse. And it is right for us to look at those or hear accounts of that and feel anger about it. It's right. But we have to be careful. Our hearts are corrupt. We shouldn't trust ourselves so much. I think the year 2020, looking back, was a full display of so-called righteous rage in America. People were angry about lots and lots of stuff and many of them believed they had righteous reasons behind that. Whether it was the righteous rage when they rioted after George Floyd's death, or when others storm the Capitol Building after the election. If you read all the- you see all the rage in social media, do you see some of the anger in social media? The current- hottest current events of the day, like Black Lives Matter, COVID, masks, election, all of these topics, racism, sex abuse, Me Too. And many of those that are enraged in no way claim to be Christians, they just have a moral structure that's offended and they're, I think it seems in many cases, proud of their anger, proud of it. There's problems when we get righteously angry, it really could be a proud thing like you’re virtue signaling. Saying to everyone, "I don't like that stuff. Therefore, see how righteous I am." And even if the issue itself is clear and the actions are clear, we still should be distrustful of our own reactions and be more humble about it. But there is a place for righteous rage. Look at Jesus, John 2, he goes and sees all the people buying and selling in the temple courts. You remember that? And he sat down and took the time to weave together a long whip. I don't know how long that took, but it took a while. And then what did he do with the whip? Well you know what he did with the whip. He drove out all who were buying and selling in his Father's temple, “Get out of here,” he said, "This house will be called a house of prayer for all nations and you have made it a den of thieves." And his disciples remembered, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” So I think there's a place for it, but just be careful. Secondly, God both wounds and heals. See the activity of God in all of this, it's not an accident when you get sick. Deuteronomy 32:39 says, "See now that I, myself am he. There is no God besides me, I put to death and I bring to life. I have wounded and I will heal." So Elihu rightly sees God's hand, God's wise, loving hand and his purpose in sickness and it's helpful for us. And one of the purposes of God is to humble us. Sickness humbles you, doesn't it? You're powerless, what can you do to get well? And wasn't that the case with the apostle Paul? God showed him amazing things. He caught him up to the third heaven, to paradise. He saw God with his own eyes in heaven. And then he says in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, "To keep me from becoming conceded because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan who torment me. Three times, I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me but he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you for my strength is made perfect in weakness.’” That sickness, that pain that got brought into Paul's life, he said, "Was to keep me from being conceited, to humble me and keep me low before the hand of God." But encourage yourself with this: all sickness, all pain is temporary. It's temporary. You're going to a world where there be no more death, mourning, crying and pain. And where it says in Revelation 22:2, "the leaves of the tree of life are there for the healing of the nations.” And the river of the water of life is flowing through and under that tree. And we're going to be drinking from the river of the water of life and we're going to be feeding from the tree of life. And it's a continual renewal of the health and energy and strength of the resurrection body. You won't know any sickness in heaven, so look forward to that. And finally, when God disciplines us for sin and we repent of that sin and then God heals us, then we are able or even if there's no known sin but there’s just suffering in our lives, we're able then to have a powerful ministry to others, we're able to minister the comfort that we receive when we went through that painful time. 2 Corinthians 1:4, "God comforts us in all our trouble so that we may comfort others in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." Close with me in prayer. Lord, we thank you for the things we've learned from your word today. So much to know. We pray, Lord, that you would please sustain and strengthen each one of us in them. Lord, thank you for your wisdom in bringing sorrow and pain into our lives. You don't give us more than we can bear but you are good and loving when you do it. I pray that you would strengthen those that are going through acute suffering right now. If there are any, even that are here, that are suffering and struggling, just speak a word of comfort and consolation to them. Lord, we thank you for this time in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Old Testament: Job 31–32 Job 31–32 (Listen) Job's Final Appeal 31   “I have made a covenant with my eyes;    how then could I gaze at a virgin?2   What would be my portion from God above    and my heritage from the Almighty on high?3   Is not calamity for the unrighteous,    and disaster for the workers of iniquity?4   Does not he see my ways    and number all my steps? 5   “If I have walked with falsehood    and my foot has hastened to deceit;6   (Let me be weighed in a just balance,    and let God know my integrity!)7   if my step has turned aside from the way    and my heart has gone after my eyes,    and if any spot has stuck to my hands,8   then let me sow, and another eat,    and let what grows for me1 be rooted out. 9   “If my heart has been enticed toward a woman,    and I have lain in wait at my neighbor's door,10   then let my wife grind for another,    and let others bow down on her.11   For that would be a heinous crime;    that would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges;12   for that would be a fire that consumes as far as Abaddon,    and it would burn to the root all my increase. 13   “If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or my maidservant,    when they brought a complaint against me,14   what then shall I do when God rises up?    When he makes inquiry, what shall I answer him?15   Did not he who made me in the womb make him?    And did not one fashion us in the womb? 16   “If I have withheld anything that the poor desired,    or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail,17   or have eaten my morsel alone,    and the fatherless has not eaten of it18   (for from my youth the fatherless2 grew up with me as with a father,    and from my mother's womb I guided the widow3),19   if I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing,    or the needy without covering,20   if his body has not blessed me,4    and if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep,21   if I have raised my hand against the fatherless,    because I saw my help in the gate,22   then let my shoulder blade fall from my shoulder,    and let my arm be broken from its socket.23   For I was in terror of calamity from God,    and I could not have faced his majesty. 24   “If I have made gold my trust    or called fine gold my confidence,25   if I have rejoiced because my wealth was abundant    or because my hand had found much,26   if I have looked at the sun5 when it shone,    or the moon moving in splendor,27   and my heart has been secretly enticed,    and my mouth has kissed my hand,28   this also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges,    for I would have been false to God above. 29   “If I have rejoiced at the ruin of him who hated me,    or exulted when evil overtook him30   (I have not let my mouth sin    by asking for his life with a curse),31   if the men of my tent have not said,    ‘Who is there that has not been filled with his meat?'32   (the sojourner has not lodged in the street;    I have opened my doors to the traveler),33   if I have concealed my transgressions as others do6    by hiding my iniquity in my heart,34   because I stood in great fear of the multitude,    and the contempt of families terrified me,    so that I kept silence, and did not go out of doors—35   Oh, that I had one to hear me!    (Here is my signature! Let the Almighty answer me!)    Oh, that I had the indictment written by my adversary!36   Surely I would carry it on my shoulder;    I would bind it on me as a crown;37   I would give him an account of all my steps;    like a prince I would approach him. 38   “If my land has cried out against me    and its furrows have wept together,39   if I have eaten its yield without payment    and made its owners breathe their last,40   let thorns grow instead of wheat,    and foul weeds instead of barley.” The words of Job are ended. Elihu Rebukes Job's Three Friends 32 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. 3 He burned with anger also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger. 6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:   “I am young in years,    and you are aged;  therefore I was timid and afraid    to declare my opinion to you.7   I said, ‘Let days speak,    and many years teach wisdom.'8   But it is the spirit in man,    the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.9   It is not the old7 who are wise,    nor the aged who understand what is right.10   Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;    let me also declare my opinion.' 11   “Behold, I waited for your words,    I listened for your wise sayings,    while you searched out what to say.12   I gave you my attention,    and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job    or who answered his words.13   Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom;    God may vanquish him, not a man.'14   He has not directed his words against me,    and I will not answer him with your speeches. 15   “They are dismayed; they answer no more;    they have not a word to say.16   And shall I wait, because they do not speak,    because they stand there, and answer no more?17   I also will answer with my share;    I also will declare my opinion.18   For I am full of words;    the spirit within me constrains me.19   Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent;    like new wineskins ready to burst.20   I must speak, that I may find relief;    I must open my lips and answer.21   I will not show partiality to any man    or use flattery toward any person.22   For I do not know how to flatter,    else my Maker would soon take me away. Footnotes [1] 31:8 Or let my descendants [2] 31:18 Hebrew he [3] 31:18 Hebrew her [4] 31:20 Hebrew if his loins have not blessed me [5] 31:26 Hebrew the light [6] 31:33 Or as Adam did [7] 32:9 Hebrew many [in years] (ESV) New Testament: 2 Thessalonians 2:1–12 2 Thessalonians 2:1–12 (Listen) The Man of Lawlessness 2 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers,1 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness2 is revealed, the son of destruction,3 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. 5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, 12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. Footnotes [1] 2:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 13, 15 [2] 2:3 Some manuscripts sin [3] 2:3 Greek the son of perdition (a Hebrew idiom) (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 57 Psalm 57 (Listen) Let Your Glory Be over All the Earth To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam1 of David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave. 57   Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,    for in you my soul takes refuge;  in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,    till the storms of destruction pass by.2   I cry out to God Most High,    to God who fulfills his purpose for me.3   He will send from heaven and save me;    he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah  God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness! 4   My soul is in the midst of lions;    I lie down amid fiery beasts—  the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows,    whose tongues are sharp swords. 5   Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!    Let your glory be over all the earth! 6   They set a net for my steps;    my soul was bowed down.  They dug a pit in my way,    but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah7   My heart is steadfast, O God,    my heart is steadfast!  I will sing and make melody!8     Awake, my glory!2  Awake, O harp and lyre!    I will awake the dawn!9   I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;    I will sing praises to you among the nations.10   For your steadfast love is great to the heavens,    your faithfulness to the clouds. 11   Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!    Let your glory be over all the earth! Footnotes [1] 57:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term [2] 57:8 Or my whole being (ESV) Proverb: Proverbs 22:16 Proverbs 22:16 (Listen) 16   Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth,    or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty. (ESV)

Old Testament: Job 31–32 Job 31–32 (Listen) Job's Final Appeal 31   “I have made a covenant with my eyes;    how then could I gaze at a virgin?2   What would be my portion from God above    and my heritage from the Almighty on high?3   Is not calamity for the unrighteous,    and disaster for the workers of iniquity?4   Does not he see my ways    and number all my steps? 5   “If I have walked with falsehood    and my foot has hastened to deceit;6   (Let me be weighed in a just balance,    and let God know my integrity!)7   if my step has turned aside from the way    and my heart has gone after my eyes,    and if any spot has stuck to my hands,8   then let me sow, and another eat,    and let what grows for me1 be rooted out. 9   “If my heart has been enticed toward a woman,    and I have lain in wait at my neighbor's door,10   then let my wife grind for another,    and let others bow down on her.11   For that would be a heinous crime;    that would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges;12   for that would be a fire that consumes as far as Abaddon,    and it would burn to the root all my increase. 13   “If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or my maidservant,    when they brought a complaint against me,14   what then shall I do when God rises up?    When he makes inquiry, what shall I answer him?15   Did not he who made me in the womb make him?    And did not one fashion us in the womb? 16   “If I have withheld anything that the poor desired,    or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail,17   or have eaten my morsel alone,    and the fatherless has not eaten of it18   (for from my youth the fatherless2 grew up with me as with a father,    and from my mother's womb I guided the widow3),19   if I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing,    or the needy without covering,20   if his body has not blessed me,4    and if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep,21   if I have raised my hand against the fatherless,    because I saw my help in the gate,22   then let my shoulder blade fall from my shoulder,    and let my arm be broken from its socket.23   For I was in terror of calamity from God,    and I could not have faced his majesty. 24   “If I have made gold my trust    or called fine gold my confidence,25   if I have rejoiced because my wealth was abundant    or because my hand had found much,26   if I have looked at the sun5 when it shone,    or the moon moving in splendor,27   and my heart has been secretly enticed,    and my mouth has kissed my hand,28   this also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges,    for I would have been false to God above. 29   “If I have rejoiced at the ruin of him who hated me,    or exulted when evil overtook him30   (I have not let my mouth sin    by asking for his life with a curse),31   if the men of my tent have not said,    ‘Who is there that has not been filled with his meat?'32   (the sojourner has not lodged in the street;    I have opened my doors to the traveler),33   if I have concealed my transgressions as others do6    by hiding my iniquity in my heart,34   because I stood in great fear of the multitude,    and the contempt of families terrified me,    so that I kept silence, and did not go out of doors—35   Oh, that I had one to hear me!    (Here is my signature! Let the Almighty answer me!)    Oh, that I had the indictment written by my adversary!36   Surely I would carry it on my shoulder;    I would bind it on me as a crown;37   I would give him an account of all my steps;    like a prince I would approach him. 38   “If my land has cried out against me    and its furrows have wept together,39   if I have eaten its yield without payment    and made its owners breathe their last,40   let thorns grow instead of wheat,    and foul weeds instead of barley.” The words of Job are ended. Elihu Rebukes Job's Three Friends 32 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. 3 He burned with anger also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger. 6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:   “I am young in years,    and you are aged;  therefore I was timid and afraid    to declare my opinion to you.7   I said, ‘Let days speak,    and many years teach wisdom.'8   But it is the spirit in man,    the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.9   It is not the old7 who are wise,    nor the aged who understand what is right.10   Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;    let me also declare my opinion.' 11   “Behold, I waited for your words,    I listened for your wise sayings,    while you searched out what to say.12   I gave you my attention,    and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job    or who answered his words.13   Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom;    God may vanquish him, not a man.'14   He has not directed his words against me,    and I will not answer him with your speeches. 15   “They are dismayed; they answer no more;    they have not a word to say.16   And shall I wait, because they do not speak,    because they stand there, and answer no more?17   I also will answer with my share;    I also will declare my opinion.18   For I am full of words;    the spirit within me constrains me.19   Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent;    like new wineskins ready to burst.20   I must speak, that I may find relief;    I must open my lips and answer.21   I will not show partiality to any man    or use flattery toward any person.22   For I do not know how to flatter,    else my Maker would soon take me away. Footnotes [1] 31:8 Or let my descendants [2] 31:18 Hebrew he [3] 31:18 Hebrew her [4] 31:20 Hebrew if his loins have not blessed me [5] 31:26 Hebrew the light [6] 31:33 Or as Adam did [7] 32:9 Hebrew many [in years] (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 57 Psalm 57 (Listen) Let Your Glory Be over All the Earth To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam1 of David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave. 57   Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,    for in you my soul takes refuge;  in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,    till the storms of destruction pass by.2   I cry out to God Most High,    to God who fulfills his purpose for me.3   He will send from heaven and save me;    he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah  God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness! 4   My soul is in the midst of lions;    I lie down amid fiery beasts—  the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows,    whose tongues are sharp swords. 5   Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!    Let your glory be over all the earth! 6   They set a net for my steps;    my soul was bowed down.  They dug a pit in my way,    but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah7   My heart is steadfast, O God,    my heart is steadfast!  I will sing and make melody!8     Awake, my glory!2  Awake, O harp and lyre!    I will awake the dawn!9   I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;    I will sing praises to you among the nations.10   For your steadfast love is great to the heavens,    your faithfulness to the clouds. 11   Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!    Let your glory be over all the earth! Footnotes [1] 57:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term [2] 57:8 Or my whole being (ESV) New Testament: Luke 21 Luke 21 (Listen) The Widow's Offering 21 Jesus1 looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, 2 and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins.2 3 And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. 4 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” Jesus Foretells Destruction of the Temple 5 And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, 6 “As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” 7 And they asked him, “Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” 8 And he said, “See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!' and, ‘The time is at hand!' Do not go after them. 9 And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once.” Jesus Foretells Wars and Persecution 10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. 12 But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake. 13 This will be your opportunity to bear witness. 14 Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers3 and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. 17 You will be hated by all for my name's sake. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your lives. Jesus Foretells Destruction of Jerusalem 20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, 22 for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. 23 Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. The Coming of the Son of Man 25 “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” The Lesson of the Fig Tree 29 And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Watch Yourselves 34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” 37 And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet. 38 And early in the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him. Footnotes [1] 21:1 Greek He [2] 21:2 Greek two lepta; a lepton was a Jewish bronze or copper coin worth about 1/128 of a denarius (which was a day's wage for a laborer) [3] 21:16 Or parents and brothers and sisters (ESV)

Morning: Job 31–32 Job 31–32 (Listen) Job's Final Appeal 31   “I have made a covenant with my eyes;    how then could I gaze at a virgin?2   What would be my portion from God above    and my heritage from the Almighty on high?3   Is not calamity for the unrighteous,    and disaster for the workers of iniquity?4   Does not he see my ways    and number all my steps? 5   “If I have walked with falsehood    and my foot has hastened to deceit;6   (Let me be weighed in a just balance,    and let God know my integrity!)7   if my step has turned aside from the way    and my heart has gone after my eyes,    and if any spot has stuck to my hands,8   then let me sow, and another eat,    and let what grows for me1 be rooted out. 9   “If my heart has been enticed toward a woman,    and I have lain in wait at my neighbor's door,10   then let my wife grind for another,    and let others bow down on her.11   For that would be a heinous crime;    that would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges;12   for that would be a fire that consumes as far as Abaddon,    and it would burn to the root all my increase. 13   “If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or my maidservant,    when they brought a complaint against me,14   what then shall I do when God rises up?    When he makes inquiry, what shall I answer him?15   Did not he who made me in the womb make him?    And did not one fashion us in the womb? 16   “If I have withheld anything that the poor desired,    or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail,17   or have eaten my morsel alone,    and the fatherless has not eaten of it18   (for from my youth the fatherless2 grew up with me as with a father,    and from my mother's womb I guided the widow3),19   if I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing,    or the needy without covering,20   if his body has not blessed me,4    and if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep,21   if I have raised my hand against the fatherless,    because I saw my help in the gate,22   then let my shoulder blade fall from my shoulder,    and let my arm be broken from its socket.23   For I was in terror of calamity from God,    and I could not have faced his majesty. 24   “If I have made gold my trust    or called fine gold my confidence,25   if I have rejoiced because my wealth was abundant    or because my hand had found much,26   if I have looked at the sun5 when it shone,    or the moon moving in splendor,27   and my heart has been secretly enticed,    and my mouth has kissed my hand,28   this also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges,    for I would have been false to God above. 29   “If I have rejoiced at the ruin of him who hated me,    or exulted when evil overtook him30   (I have not let my mouth sin    by asking for his life with a curse),31   if the men of my tent have not said,    ‘Who is there that has not been filled with his meat?'32   (the sojourner has not lodged in the street;    I have opened my doors to the traveler),33   if I have concealed my transgressions as others do6    by hiding my iniquity in my heart,34   because I stood in great fear of the multitude,    and the contempt of families terrified me,    so that I kept silence, and did not go out of doors—35   Oh, that I had one to hear me!    (Here is my signature! Let the Almighty answer me!)    Oh, that I had the indictment written by my adversary!36   Surely I would carry it on my shoulder;    I would bind it on me as a crown;37   I would give him an account of all my steps;    like a prince I would approach him. 38   “If my land has cried out against me    and its furrows have wept together,39   if I have eaten its yield without payment    and made its owners breathe their last,40   let thorns grow instead of wheat,    and foul weeds instead of barley.” The words of Job are ended. Elihu Rebukes Job's Three Friends 32 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. 3 He burned with anger also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger. 6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:   “I am young in years,    and you are aged;  therefore I was timid and afraid    to declare my opinion to you.7   I said, ‘Let days speak,    and many years teach wisdom.'8   But it is the spirit in man,    the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.9   It is not the old7 who are wise,    nor the aged who understand what is right.10   Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;    let me also declare my opinion.' 11   “Behold, I waited for your words,    I listened for your wise sayings,    while you searched out what to say.12   I gave you my attention,    and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job    or who answered his words.13   Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom;    God may vanquish him, not a man.'14   He has not directed his words against me,    and I will not answer him with your speeches. 15   “They are dismayed; they answer no more;    they have not a word to say.16   And shall I wait, because they do not speak,    because they stand there, and answer no more?17   I also will answer with my share;    I also will declare my opinion.18   For I am full of words;    the spirit within me constrains me.19   Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent;    like new wineskins ready to burst.20   I must speak, that I may find relief;    I must open my lips and answer.21   I will not show partiality to any man    or use flattery toward any person.22   For I do not know how to flatter,    else my Maker would soon take me away. Footnotes [1] 31:8 Or let my descendants [2] 31:18 Hebrew he [3] 31:18 Hebrew her [4] 31:20 Hebrew if his loins have not blessed me [5] 31:26 Hebrew the light [6] 31:33 Or as Adam did [7] 32:9 Hebrew many [in years] (ESV) Evening: Acts 13:1–23 Acts 13:1–23 (Listen) Barnabas and Saul Sent Off 13 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger,1 Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. Barnabas and Saul on Cyprus 4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them. 6 When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. 7 He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? 11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord. Paul and Barnabas at Antioch in Pisidia 13 Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem, 14 but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.” 16 So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: “Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen. 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. 18 And for about forty years he put up with2 them in the wilderness. 19 And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance. 20 All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. 21 Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.' 23 Of this man's offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised. Footnotes [1] 13:1 Niger is a Latin word meaning black, or dark [2] 13:18 Some manuscripts he carried (compare Deuteronomy 1:31) (ESV)

Job 32–34 Job 32–34 (Listen) Elihu Rebukes Job's Three Friends 32 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. 3 He burned with anger also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger. 6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:   “I am young in years,    and you are aged;  therefore I was timid and afraid    to declare my opinion to you.7   I said, ‘Let days speak,    and many years teach wisdom.'8   But it is the spirit in man,    the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.9   It is not the old1 who are wise,    nor the aged who understand what is right.10   Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;    let me also declare my opinion.' 11   “Behold, I waited for your words,    I listened for your wise sayings,    while you searched out what to say.12   I gave you my attention,    and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job    or who answered his words.13   Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom;    God may vanquish him, not a man.'14   He has not directed his words against me,    and I will not answer him with your speeches. 15   “They are dismayed; they answer no more;    they have not a word to say.16   And shall I wait, because they do not speak,    because they stand there, and answer no more?17   I also will answer with my share;    I also will declare my opinion.18   For I am full of words;    the spirit within me constrains me.19   Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent;    like new wineskins ready to burst.20   I must speak, that I may find relief;    I must open my lips and answer.21   I will not show partiality to any man    or use flattery toward any person.22   For I do not know how to flatter,    else my Maker would soon take me away. Elihu Rebukes Job 33   “But now, hear my speech, O Job,    and listen to all my words.2   Behold, I open my mouth;    the tongue in my mouth speaks.3   My words declare the uprightness of my heart,    and what my lips know they speak sincerely.4   The Spirit of God has made me,    and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.5   Answer me, if you can;    set your words in order before me; take your stand.6   Behold, I am toward God as you are;    I too was pinched off from a piece of clay.7   Behold, no fear of me need terrify you;    my pressure will not be heavy upon you. 8   “Surely you have spoken in my ears,    and I have heard the sound of your words.9   You say, ‘I am pure, without transgression;    I am clean, and there is no iniquity in me.10   Behold, he finds occasions against me,    he counts me as his enemy,11   he puts my feet in the stocks    and watches all my paths.' 12   “Behold, in this you are not right. I will answer you,    for God is greater than man.13   Why do you contend against him,    saying, ‘He will answer none of man's2 words'?314   For God speaks in one way,    and in two, though man does not perceive it.15   In a dream, in a vision of the night,    when deep sleep falls on men,    while they slumber on their beds,16   then he opens the ears of men    and terrifies4 them with warnings,17   that he may turn man aside from his deed    and conceal pride from a man;18   he keeps back his soul from the pit,    his life from perishing by the sword. 19   “Man is also rebuked with pain on his bed    and with continual strife in his bones,20   so that his life loathes bread,    and his appetite the choicest food.21   His flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen,    and his bones that were not seen stick out.22   His soul draws near the pit,    and his life to those who bring death.23   If there be for him an angel,    a mediator, one of the thousand,    to declare to man what is right for him,24   and he is merciful to him, and says,    ‘Deliver him from going down into the pit;    I have found a ransom;25   let his flesh become fresh with youth;    let him return to the days of his youthful vigor';26   then man5 prays to God, and he accepts him;    he sees his face with a shout of joy,  and he restores to man his righteousness.27     He sings before men and says:  ‘I sinned and perverted what was right,    and it was not repaid to me.28   He has redeemed my soul from going down into the pit,    and my life shall look upon the light.' 29   “Behold, God does all these things,    twice, three times, with a man,30   to bring back his soul from the pit,    that he may be lighted with the light of life.31   Pay attention, O Job, listen to me;    be silent, and I will speak.32   If you have any words, answer me;    speak, for I desire to justify you.33   If not, listen to me;    be silent, and I will teach you wisdom.” Elihu Asserts God's Justice 34 Then Elihu answered and said: 2   “Hear my words, you wise men,    and give ear to me, you who know;3   for the ear tests words    as the palate tastes food.4   Let us choose what is right;    let us know among ourselves what is good.5   For Job has said, ‘I am in the right,    and God has taken away my right;6   in spite of my right I am counted a liar;    my wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.'7   What man is like Job,    who drinks up scoffing like water,8   who travels in company with evildoers    and walks with wicked men?9   For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing    that he should take delight in God.' 10   “Therefore, hear me, you men of understanding:    far be it from God that he should do wickedness,    and from the Almighty that he should do wrong.11   For according to the work of a man he will repay him,    and according to his ways he will make it befall him.12   Of a truth, God will not do wickedly,    and the Almighty will not pervert justice.13   Who gave him charge over the earth,    and who laid on him6 the whole world?14   If he should set his heart to it    and gather to himself his spirit and his breath,15   all flesh would perish together,    and man would return to dust. 16   “If you have understanding, hear this;    listen to what I say.17   Shall one who hates justice govern?    Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty,18   who says to a king, ‘Worthless one,'    and to nobles, ‘Wicked man,'19   who shows no partiality to princes,    nor regards the rich more than the poor,    for they are all the work of his hands?20   In a moment they die;    at midnight the people are shaken and pass away,    and the mighty are taken away by no human hand. 21   “For his eyes are on the ways of a man,    and he sees all his steps.22   There is no gloom or deep darkness    where evildoers may hide themselves.23   For God7 has no need to consider a man further,    that he should go before God in judgment.24   He shatters the mighty without investigation    and sets others in their place.25   Thus, knowing their works,    he overturns them in the night, and they are crushed.26   He strikes them for their wickedness    in a place for all to see,27   because they turned aside from following him    and had no regard for any of his ways,28   so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him,    and he heard the cry of the afflicted—29   When he is quiet, who can condemn?    When he hides his face, who can behold him,    whether it be a nation or a man?—30   that a godless man should not reign,    that he should not ensnare the people. 31   “For has anyone said to God,    ‘I have borne punishment; I will not offend any more;32   teach me what I do not see;    if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more'?33   Will he then make repayment to suit you,    because you reject it?  For you must choose, and not I;    therefore declare what you know.834   Men of understanding will say to me,    and the wise man who hears me will say:35   ‘Job speaks without knowledge;    his words are without insight.'36   Would that Job were tried to the end,    because he answers like wicked men.37   For he adds rebellion to his sin;    he claps his hands among us    and multiplies his words against God.” Footnotes [1] 32:9 Hebrew many [in years] [2] 33:13 Hebrew his [3] 33:13 Or He will not answer for any of his own words [4] 33:16 Or seals [5] 33:26 Hebrew he [6] 34:13 Hebrew lacks on him [7] 34:23 Hebrew he [8] 34:33 The meaning of the Hebrew in verses 29–33 is uncertain (ESV)

Job 32–34 Job 32–34 (Listen) Elihu Rebukes Job’s Three Friends 32 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. 3 He burned with anger also at Job’s three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger. 6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:   “I am young in years,    and you are aged;  therefore I was timid and afraid    to declare my opinion to you.7   I said, ‘Let days speak,    and many years teach wisdom.’8   But it is the spirit in man,    the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.9   It is not the old1 who are wise,    nor the aged who understand what is right.10   Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;    let me also declare my opinion.’ 11   “Behold, I waited for your words,    I listened for your wise sayings,    while you searched out what to say.12   I gave you my attention,    and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job    or who answered his words.13   Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom;    God may vanquish him, not a man.’14   He has not directed his words against me,    and I will not answer him with your speeches. 15   “They are dismayed; they answer no more;    they have not a word to say.16   And shall I wait, because they do not speak,    because they stand there, and answer no more?17   I also will answer with my share;    I also will declare my opinion.18   For I am full of words;    the spirit within me constrains me.19   Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent;    like new wineskins ready to burst.20   I must speak, that I may find relief;    I must open my lips and answer.21   I will not show partiality to any man    or use flattery toward any person.22   For I do not know how to flatter,    else my Maker would soon take me away. Elihu Rebukes Job 33   “But now, hear my speech, O Job,    and listen to all my words.2   Behold, I open my mouth;    the tongue in my mouth speaks.3   My words declare the uprightness of my heart,    and what my lips know they speak sincerely.4   The Spirit of God has made me,    and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.5   Answer me, if you can;    set your words in order before me; take your stand.6   Behold, I am toward God as you are;    I too was pinched off from a piece of clay.7   Behold, no fear of me need terrify you;    my pressure will not be heavy upon you. 8   “Surely you have spoken in my ears,    and I have heard the sound of your words.9   You say, ‘I am pure, without transgression;    I am clean, and there is no iniquity in me.10   Behold, he finds occasions against me,    he counts me as his enemy,11   he puts my feet in the stocks    and watches all my paths.’ 12   “Behold, in this you are not right. I will answer you,    for God is greater than man.13   Why do you contend against him,    saying, ‘He will answer none of man’s2 words’?314   For God speaks in one way,    and in two, though man does not perceive it.15   In a dream, in a vision of the night,    when deep sleep falls on men,    while they slumber on their beds,16   then he opens the ears of men    and terrifies4 them with warnings,17   that he may turn man aside from his deed    and conceal pride from a man;18   he keeps back his soul from the pit,    his life from perishing by the sword. 19   “Man is also rebuked with pain on his bed    and with continual strife in his bones,20   so that his life loathes bread,    and his appetite the choicest food.21   His flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen,    and his bones that were not seen stick out.22   His soul draws near the pit,    and his life to those who bring death.23   If there be for him an angel,    a mediator, one of the thousand,    to declare to man what is right for him,24   and he is merciful to him, and says,    ‘Deliver him from going down into the pit;    I have found a ransom;25   let his flesh become fresh with youth;    let him return to the days of his youthful vigor’;26   then man5 prays to God, and he accepts him;    he sees his face with a shout of joy,  and he restores to man his righteousness.27     He sings before men and says:  ‘I sinned and perverted what was right,    and it was not repaid to me.28   He has redeemed my soul from going down into the pit,    and my life shall look upon the light.’ 29   “Behold, God does all these things,    twice, three times, with a man,30   to bring back his soul from the pit,    that he may be lighted with the light of life.31   Pay attention, O Job, listen to me;    be silent, and I will speak.32   If you have any words, answer me;    speak, for I desire to justify you.33   If not, listen to me;    be silent, and I will teach you wisdom.” Elihu Asserts God’s Justice 34 Then Elihu answered and said: 2   “Hear my words, you wise men,    and give ear to me, you who know;3   for the ear tests words    as the palate tastes food.4   Let us choose what is right;    let us know among ourselves what is good.5   For Job has said, ‘I am in the right,    and God has taken away my right;6   in spite of my right I am counted a liar;    my wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’7   What man is like Job,    who drinks up scoffing like water,8   who travels in company with evildoers    and walks with wicked men?9   For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing    that he should take delight in God.’ 10   “Therefore, hear me, you men of understanding:    far be it from God that he should do wickedness,    and from the Almighty that he should do wrong.11   For according to the work of a man he will repay him,    and according to his ways he will make it befall him.12   Of a truth, God will not do wickedly,    and the Almighty will not pervert justice.13   Who gave him charge over the earth,    and who laid on him6 the whole world?14   If he should set his heart to it    and gather to himself his spirit and his breath,15   all flesh would perish together,    and man would return to dust. 16   “If you have understanding, hear this;    listen to what I say.17   Shall one who hates justice govern?    Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty,18   who says to a king, ‘Worthless one,’    and to nobles, ‘Wicked man,’19   who shows no partiality to princes,    nor regards the rich more than the poor,    for they are all the work of his hands?20   In a moment they die;    at midnight the people are shaken and pass away,    and the mighty are taken away by no human hand. 21   “For his eyes are on the ways of a man,    and he sees all his steps.22   There is no gloom or deep darkness    where evildoers may hide themselves.23   For God7 has no need to consider a man further,    that he should go before God in judgment.24   He shatters the mighty without investigation    and sets others in their place.25   Thus, knowing their works,    he overturns them in the night, and they are crushed.26   He strikes them for their wickedness    in a place for all to see,27   because they turned aside from following him    and had no regard for any of his ways,28   so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him,    and he heard the cry of the afflicted—29   When he is quiet, who can condemn?    When he hides his face, who can behold him,    whether it be a nation or a man?—30   that a godless man should not reign,    that he should not ensnare the people. 31   “For has anyone said to God,    ‘I have borne punishment; I will not offend any more;32   teach me what I do not see;    if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more’?33   Will he then make repayment to suit you,    because you reject it?  For you must choose, and not I;    therefore declare what you know.834   Men of understanding will say to me,    and the wise man who hears me will say:35   ‘Job speaks without knowledge;    his words are without insight.’36   Would that Job were tried to the end,    because he answers like wicked men.37   For he adds rebellion to his sin;    he claps his hands among us    and multiplies his words against God.” Footnotes [1] 32:9 Hebrew many [in years] [2] 33:13 Hebrew his [3] 33:13 Or He will not answer for any of his own words [4] 33:16 Or seals [5] 33:26 Hebrew he [6] 34:13 Hebrew lacks on him [7] 34:23 Hebrew he [8] 34:33 The meaning of the Hebrew in verses 29–33 is uncertain (ESV)

Job 32:1-2 "So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God." This sermon from Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the tenth in the series on the Book of Job, The Introduction of Elihu: Job 32 introduces Elihu, the one who speaks on God's Behalf: "Elihu is the only individual whose message Job does not refute, the only individual who could silence Job’s critics, and the only human character in the book whom God does not reprove and correct. This alone should draw our attention to this relatively obscure biblical figure. Perhaps Elihu was exactly who he claimed to be—one sent to speak on God’s behalf. "Job could not be persuaded of his guilt, nor have his conscience convict him of sin, because he was righteous in his own eyes. Yet when men are righteous in their own sight and claim innocence before God, He will often send a minister. This is repeated throughout human history. The blindness of men requires physical messengers led by the Holy Spirit to help open men’s ears so they can hear the great lessons critical for their deliverance, like that personal righteousness is never more than God’s and that it is always a sin against Heaven to justify the self more than God. Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, was chosen to introduce these lessons to Job to prepare his heart for the entrance of Jehovah. Elihu’s ministry was purposed to prepare for a much greater ministry to follow, the ministry of God Himself. As John the Baptist prepared the world for Christ, Elihu does the same in preparing Job for God. Thus, for five uninterrupted chapters, Elihu speaks, and Job offers no retort nor disagreement with any of his words, though he had previously done so with his other accusers. While Job resisted his friends’ harsh reasoning before, once Elihu begins his address, he remains silent. "This is the impact when a man filled with God’s Holy Spirit brings forth prophecy from the Lord—the power of God’s Spirit ultimately brings men to the conviction of sin. Hence, by God’s own holy Word, produced by the inspiration of the Spirit, sinners will be brought to their knees to both worship and acknowledge God as He should be. "Immediately we see the effectiveness of Elihu’s spiritually inspired words, as Job’s three friends were amazed and stopped speaking. This teaches us that when prophecy hits its mark, it will often produce silence and amazement. When men come to understand that it is truly the Lord speaking to them and they find themselves unable to defend themselves against His righteous words, their mouths will cease speaking." This sermon was preached live at Castle Grace in the At the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 32:1-15, Job 42:1-6. Broadcast live from Castle Grace 03/21/2021

With family: Exodus 14; Luke 17 Exodus 14 (Listen) Crossing the Red Sea 14 Then the LORD said to Moses, 2 “Tell the people of Israel to turn back and encamp in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Baal-zephon; you shall encamp facing it, by the sea. 3 For Pharaoh will say of the people of Israel, ‘They are wandering in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.’ 4 And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD.” And they did so. 5 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, the mind of Pharaoh and his servants was changed toward the people, and they said, “What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” 6 So he made ready his chariot and took his army with him, 7 and took six hundred chosen chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them. 8 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the people of Israel while the people of Israel were going out defiantly. 9 The Egyptians pursued them, all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and his horsemen and his army, and overtook them encamped at the sea, by Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon. 10 When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the LORD. 11 They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” 13 And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” 15 The LORD said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. 16 Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground. 17 And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they shall go in after them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, his chariots, and his horsemen. 18 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.” 19 Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, 20 coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the night1 without one coming near the other all night. 21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22 And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 23 The Egyptians pursued and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. 24 And in the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down on the Egyptian forces and threw the Egyptian forces into a panic, 25 clogging2 their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily. And the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from before Israel, for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians.” 26 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.” 27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal course when the morning appeared. And as the Egyptians fled into it, the LORD threw3 the Egyptians into the midst of the sea. 28 The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen; of all the host of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea, not one of them remained. 29 But the people of Israel walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 30 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31 Israel saw the great power that the LORD used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses. Footnotes [1] 14:20 Septuagint and the night passed [2] 14:25 Or binding (compare Samaritan, Septuagint, Syriac); Hebrew removing [3] 14:27 Hebrew shook off (ESV) Luke 17 (Listen) Temptations to Sin 17 And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin1 are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin.2 3 Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, 4 and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” Increase Our Faith 5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6 And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. Unworthy Servants 7 “Will any one of you who has a servant3 plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? 8 Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly,4 and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? 10 So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants;5 we have only done what was our duty.’” Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers 11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers,6 who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”7 The Coming of the Kingdom 20 Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, 21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”8 22 And he said to the disciples, “The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. 23 And they will say to you, ‘Look, there!’ or ‘Look, here!’ Do not go out or follow them. 24 For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day.9 25 But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. 26 Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. 27 They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot—they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, 29 but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all—30 so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed. 31 On that day, let the one who is on the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come down to take them away, and likewise let the one who is in the field not turn back. 32 Remember Lot’s wife. 33 Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it. 34 I tell you, in that night there will be two in one bed. One will be taken and the other left. 35 There will be two women grinding together. One will be taken and the other left.”10 37 And they said to him, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the corpse11 is, there the vultures12 will gather.” Footnotes [1] 17:1 Greek Stumbling blocks [2] 17:2 Greek stumble [3] 17:7 Or bondservant; also verse 9 [4] 17:8 Greek gird yourself [5] 17:10 Or bondservants [6] 17:12 Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13 [7] 17:19 Or has saved you [8] 17:21 Or within you, or within your grasp [9] 17:24 Some manuscripts omit in his day [10] 17:35 Some manuscripts add verse 36: Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left [11] 17:37 Greek body [12] 17:37 Or eagles (ESV) In private: Job 32; 2 Corinthians 2 Job 32 (Listen) Elihu Rebukes Job’s Three Friends 32 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. 3 He burned with anger also at Job’s three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger. 6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:   “I am young in years,    and you are aged;  therefore I was timid and afraid    to declare my opinion to you.7   I said, ‘Let days speak,    and many years teach wisdom.’8   But it is the spirit in man,    the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.9   It is not the old1 who are wise,    nor the aged who understand what is right.10   Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;    let me also declare my opinion.’ 11   “Behold, I waited for your words,    I listened for your wise sayings,    while you searched out what to say.12   I gave you my attention,    and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job    or who answered his words.13   Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom;    God may vanquish him, not a man.’14   He has not directed his words against me,    and I will not answer him with your speeches. 15   “They are dismayed; they answer no more;    they have not a word to say.16   And shall I wait, because they do not speak,    because they stand there, and answer no more?17   I also will answer with my share;    I also will declare my opinion.18   For I am full of words;    the spirit within me constrains me.19   Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent;    like new wineskins ready to burst.20   I must speak, that I may find relief;    I must open my lips and answer.21   I will not show partiality to any man    or use flattery toward any person.22   For I do not know how to flatter,    else my Maker would soon take me away. Footnotes [1] 32:9 Hebrew many [in years] (ESV) 2 Corinthians 2 (Listen) 2 For I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you. 2 For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? 3 And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. 4 For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you. Forgive the Sinner 5 Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you. 6 For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, 7 so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. 9 For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything. 10 Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, 11 so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs. Triumph in Christ 12 When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, 13 my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia. 14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ. (ESV)

Psalms and Wisdom: Psalm 143 Psalm 143 (Listen) My Soul Thirsts for You A Psalm of David. 143   Hear my prayer, O LORD;    give ear to my pleas for mercy!    In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness!2   Enter not into judgment with your servant,    for no one living is righteous before you. 3   For the enemy has pursued my soul;    he has crushed my life to the ground;    he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead.4   Therefore my spirit faints within me;    my heart within me is appalled. 5   I remember the days of old;    I meditate on all that you have done;    I ponder the work of your hands.6   I stretch out my hands to you;    my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah 7   Answer me quickly, O LORD!    My spirit fails!  Hide not your face from me,    lest I be like those who go down to the pit.8   Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,    for in you I trust.  Make me know the way I should go,    for to you I lift up my soul. 9   Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD!    I have fled to you for refuge.110   Teach me to do your will,    for you are my God!  Let your good Spirit lead me    on level ground! 11   For your name’s sake, O LORD, preserve my life!    In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!12   And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies,    and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul,    for I am your servant. Footnotes [1] 143:9 One Hebrew manuscript, Septuagint; most Hebrew manuscripts To you I have covered (ESV) Pentateuch and History: Job 32 Job 32 (Listen) Elihu Rebukes Job’s Three Friends 32 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. 3 He burned with anger also at Job’s three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger. 6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:   “I am young in years,    and you are aged;  therefore I was timid and afraid    to declare my opinion to you.7   I said, ‘Let days speak,    and many years teach wisdom.’8   But it is the spirit in man,    the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.9   It is not the old1 who are wise,    nor the aged who understand what is right.10   Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;    let me also declare my opinion.’ 11   “Behold, I waited for your words,    I listened for your wise sayings,    while you searched out what to say.12   I gave you my attention,    and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job    or who answered his words.13   Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom;    God may vanquish him, not a man.’14   He has not directed his words against me,    and I will not answer him with your speeches. 15   “They are dismayed; they answer no more;    they have not a word to say.16   And shall I wait, because they do not speak,    because they stand there, and answer no more?17   I also will answer with my share;    I also will declare my opinion.18   For I am full of words;    the spirit within me constrains me.19   Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent;    like new wineskins ready to burst.20   I must speak, that I may find relief;    I must open my lips and answer.21   I will not show partiality to any man    or use flattery toward any person.22   For I do not know how to flatter,    else my Maker would soon take me away. Footnotes [1] 32:9 Hebrew many [in years] (ESV) Chronicles and Prophets: Isaiah 55 Isaiah 55 (Listen) The Compassion of the Lord 55   “Come, everyone who thirsts,    come to the waters;  and he who has no money,    come, buy and eat!  Come, buy wine and milk    without money and without price.2   Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,    and your labor for that which does not satisfy?  Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,    and delight yourselves in rich food.3   Incline your ear, and come to me;    hear, that your soul may live;  and I will make with you an everlasting covenant,    my steadfast, sure love for David.4   Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples,    a leader and commander for the peoples.5   Behold, you shall call a nation that you do not know,    and a nation that did not know you shall run to you,  because of the LORD your God, and of the Holy One of Israel,    for he has glorified you. 6   “Seek the LORD while he may be found;    call upon him while he is near;7   let the wicked forsake his way,    and the unrighteous man his thoughts;  let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him,    and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.8   For my thoughts are not your thoughts,    neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.9   For as the heavens are higher than the earth,    so are my ways higher than your ways    and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10   “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven    and do not return there but water the earth,  making it bring forth and sprout,    giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,11   so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;    it shall not return to me empty,  but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,    and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. 12   “For you shall go out in joy    and be led forth in peace;  the mountains and the hills before you    shall break forth into singing,    and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.13   Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress;    instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle;  and it shall make a name for the LORD,    an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.” (ESV) Gospels and Epistles: Revelation 14 Revelation 14 (Listen) The Lamb and the 144,000 14 Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, 3 and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 4 It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb, 5 and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless. The Messages of the Three Angels 6 Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. 7 And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.” 8 Another angel, a second, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who made all nations drink the wine of the passion1 of her sexual immorality.” 9 And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.” 12 Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.2 13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” The Harvest of the Earth 14 Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and seated on the cloud one like a son of man, with a golden crown on his head, and a sharp sickle in his hand. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, calling with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, “Put in your sickle, and reap, for the hour to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is fully ripe.” 16 So he who sat on the cloud swung his sickle across the earth, and the earth was reaped. 17 Then another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. 18 And another angel came out from the altar, the angel who has authority over the fire, and he called with a loud voice to the one who had the sharp sickle, “Put in your sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, for its grapes are ripe.” 19 So the angel swung his sickle across the earth and gathered the grape harvest of the earth and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and blood flowed from the winepress, as high as a horse’s bridle, for 1,600 stadia.3 Footnotes [1] 14:8 Or wrath [2] 14:12 Greek and the faith of Jesus [3] 14:20 About 184 miles; a stadion was about 607 feet or 185 meters (ESV)

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Proper 18 First Psalm: Psalm 41; Psalm 52 Psalm 41 (Listen) O Lord, Be Gracious to Me To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. 41   Blessed is the one who considers the poor!1    In the day of trouble the LORD delivers him;2   the LORD protects him and keeps him alive;    he is called blessed in the land;    you do not give him up to the will of his enemies.3   The LORD sustains him on his sickbed;    in his illness you restore him to full health.2 4   As for me, I said, “O LORD, be gracious to me;    heal me,3 for I have sinned against you!”5   My enemies say of me in malice,    “When will he die, and his name perish?”6   And when one comes to see me, he utters empty words,    while his heart gathers iniquity;    when he goes out, he tells it abroad.7   All who hate me whisper together about me;    they imagine the worst for me.4 8   They say, “A deadly thing is poured out5 on him;    he will not rise again from where he lies.”9   Even my close friend in whom I trusted,    who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.10   But you, O LORD, be gracious to me,    and raise me up, that I may repay them! 11   By this I know that you delight in me:    my enemy will not shout in triumph over me.12   But you have upheld me because of my integrity,    and set me in your presence forever. 13   Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,    from everlasting to everlasting!      Amen and Amen. Footnotes [1] 41:1 Or weak [2] 41:3 Hebrew you turn all his bed [3] 41:4 Hebrew my soul [4] 41:7 Or they devise evil against me [5] 41:8 Or has fastened (ESV) Psalm 52 (Listen) The Steadfast Love of God Endures To the choirmaster. A Maskil1 of David, when Doeg, the Edomite, came and told Saul, “David has come to the house of Ahimelech.” 52   Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man?    The steadfast love of God endures all the day.2   Your tongue plots destruction,    like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit.3   You love evil more than good,    and lying more than speaking what is right. Selah4   You love all words that devour,    O deceitful tongue. 5   But God will break you down forever;    he will snatch and tear you from your tent;    he will uproot you from the land of the living. Selah6   The righteous shall see and fear,    and shall laugh at him, saying,7   “See the man who would not make    God his refuge,  but trusted in the abundance of his riches    and sought refuge in his own destruction!”2 8   But I am like a green olive tree    in the house of God.  I trust in the steadfast love of God    forever and ever.9   I will thank you forever,    because you have done it.  I will wait for your name, for it is good,    in the presence of the godly. Footnotes [1] 52:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term [2] 52:7 Or in his work of destruction (ESV) Second Psalm: Psalm 44 Psalm 44 (Listen) Come to Our Help To the choirmaster. A Maskil1 of the Sons of Korah. 44   O God, we have heard with our ears,    our fathers have told us,  what deeds you performed in their days,    in the days of old:2   you with your own hand drove out the nations,    but them you planted;  you afflicted the peoples,    but them you set free;3   for not by their own sword did they win the land,    nor did their own arm save them,  but your right hand and your arm,    and the light of your face,    for you delighted in them. 4   You are my King, O God;    ordain salvation for Jacob!5   Through you we push down our foes;    through your name we tread down those who rise up against us.6   For not in my bow do I trust,    nor can my sword save me.7   But you have saved us from our foes    and have put to shame those who hate us.8   In God we have boasted continually,    and we will give thanks to your name forever. Selah 9   But you have rejected us and disgraced us    and have not gone out with our armies.10   You have made us turn back from the foe,    and those who hate us have gotten spoil.11   You have made us like sheep for slaughter    and have scattered us among the nations.12   You have sold your people for a trifle,    demanding no high price for them.13   You have made us the taunt of our neighbors,    the derision and scorn of those around us.14   You have made us a byword among the nations,    a laughingstock2 among the peoples.15   All day long my disgrace is before me,    and shame has covered my face16   at the sound of the taunter and reviler,    at the sight of the enemy and the avenger. 17   All this has come upon us,    though we have not forgotten you,    and we have not been false to your covenant.18   Our heart has not turned back,    nor have our steps departed from your way;19   yet you have broken us in the place of jackals    and covered us with the shadow of death.20   If we had forgotten the name of our God    or spread out our hands to a foreign god,21   would not God discover this?    For he knows the secrets of the heart.22   Yet for your sake we are killed all the day long;    we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. 23   Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord?    Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever!24   Why do you hide your face?    Why do you forget our affliction and oppression?25   For our soul is bowed down to the dust;    our belly clings to the ground.26   Rise up; come to our help!    Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love! Footnotes [1] 44:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term [2] 44:14 Hebrew a shaking of the head (ESV) Old Testament: Job 32:1–10; Job 32:19–33:1; Job 33:19–28 Job 32:1–10 (Listen) Elihu Rebukes Job’s Three Friends 32 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. 3 He burned with anger also at Job’s three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger. 6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:   “I am young in years,    and you are aged;  therefore I was timid and afraid    to declare my opinion to you.7   I said, ‘Let days speak,    and many years teach wisdom.’8   But it is the spirit in man,    the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.9   It is not the old1 who are wise,    nor the aged who understand what is right.10   Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;    let me also declare my opinion.’ Footnotes [1] 32:9 Hebrew many [in years] (ESV) Job 32:19–33:1 (Listen) 19   Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent;    like new wineskins ready to burst.20   I must speak, that I may find relief;    I must open my lips and answer.21   I will not show partiality to any man    or use flattery toward any person.22   For I do not know how to flatter,    else my Maker would soon take me away. Elihu Rebukes Job 33   “But now, hear my speech, O Job,    and listen to all my words. (ESV) Job 33:19–28 (Listen) 19   “Man is also rebuked with pain on his bed    and with continual strife in his bones,20   so that his life loathes bread,    and his appetite the choicest food.21   His flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen,    and his bones that were not seen stick out.22   His soul draws near the pit,    and his life to those who bring death.23   If there be for him an angel,    a mediator, one of the thousand,    to declare to man what is right for him,24   and he is merciful to him, and says,    ‘Deliver him from going down into the pit;    I have found a ransom;25   let his flesh become fresh with youth;    let him return to the days of his youthful vigor’;26   then man1 prays to God, and he accepts him;    he sees his face with a shout of joy,  and he restores to man his righteousness.27     He sings before men and says:  ‘I sinned and perverted what was right,    and it was not repaid to me.28   He has redeemed my soul from going down into the pit,    and my life shall look upon the light.’ Footnotes [1] 33:26 Hebrew he (ESV) New Testament: Acts 13:44–52 Acts 13:44–52 (Listen) 44 The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 But when the Jews1 saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. 46 And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us, saying,   “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,    that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” 48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. 49 And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region. 50 But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. 51 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Footnotes [1] 13:45 Greek Ioudaioi probably refers here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, in that time; also verse 50 (ESV) Gospel: John 10:19–30 John 10:19–30 (Listen) 19 There was again a division among the Jews because of these words. 20 Many of them said, “He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?” 21 Others said, “These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?” I and the Father Are One 22 At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. 24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me,1 is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.” Footnotes [1] 10:29 Some manuscripts What my Father has given to me (ESV)

Old Testament: Job 31–32 Job 31–32 (Listen) Job’s Final Appeal 31   “I have made a covenant with my eyes;    how then could I gaze at a virgin?2   What would be my portion from God above    and my heritage from the Almighty on high?3   Is not calamity for the unrighteous,    and disaster for the workers of iniquity?4   Does not he see my ways    and number all my steps? 5   “If I have walked with falsehood    and my foot has hastened to deceit;6   (Let me be weighed in a just balance,    and let God know my integrity!)7   if my step has turned aside from the way    and my heart has gone after my eyes,    and if any spot has stuck to my hands,8   then let me sow, and another eat,    and let what grows for me1 be rooted out. 9   “If my heart has been enticed toward a woman,    and I have lain in wait at my neighbor’s door,10   then let my wife grind for another,    and let others bow down on her.11   For that would be a heinous crime;    that would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges;12   for that would be a fire that consumes as far as Abaddon,    and it would burn to the root all my increase. 13   “If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or my maidservant,    when they brought a complaint against me,14   what then shall I do when God rises up?    When he makes inquiry, what shall I answer him?15   Did not he who made me in the womb make him?    And did not one fashion us in the womb? 16   “If I have withheld anything that the poor desired,    or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail,17   or have eaten my morsel alone,    and the fatherless has not eaten of it18   (for from my youth the fatherless2 grew up with me as with a father,    and from my mother’s womb I guided the widow3),19   if I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing,    or the needy without covering,20   if his body has not blessed me,4    and if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep,21   if I have raised my hand against the fatherless,    because I saw my help in the gate,22   then let my shoulder blade fall from my shoulder,    and let my arm be broken from its socket.23   For I was in terror of calamity from God,    and I could not have faced his majesty. 24   “If I have made gold my trust    or called fine gold my confidence,25   if I have rejoiced because my wealth was abundant    or because my hand had found much,26   if I have looked at the sun5 when it shone,    or the moon moving in splendor,27   and my heart has been secretly enticed,    and my mouth has kissed my hand,28   this also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges,    for I would have been false to God above. 29   “If I have rejoiced at the ruin of him who hated me,    or exulted when evil overtook him30   (I have not let my mouth sin    by asking for his life with a curse),31   if the men of my tent have not said,    ‘Who is there that has not been filled with his meat?’32   (the sojourner has not lodged in the street;    I have opened my doors to the traveler),33   if I have concealed my transgressions as others do6    by hiding my iniquity in my heart,34   because I stood in great fear of the multitude,    and the contempt of families terrified me,    so that I kept silence, and did not go out of doors—35   Oh, that I had one to hear me!    (Here is my signature! Let the Almighty answer me!)    Oh, that I had the indictment written by my adversary!36   Surely I would carry it on my shoulder;    I would bind it on me as a crown;37   I would give him an account of all my steps;    like a prince I would approach him. 38   “If my land has cried out against me    and its furrows have wept together,39   if I have eaten its yield without payment    and made its owners breathe their last,40   let thorns grow instead of wheat,    and foul weeds instead of barley.” The words of Job are ended. Elihu Rebukes Job’s Three Friends 32 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. 3 He burned with anger also at Job’s three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger. 6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:   “I am young in years,    and you are aged;  therefore I was timid and afraid    to declare my opinion to you.7   I said, ‘Let days speak,    and many years teach wisdom.’8   But it is the spirit in man,    the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.9   It is not the old7 who are wise,    nor the aged who understand what is right.10   Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;    let me also declare my opinion.’ 11   “Behold, I waited for your words,    I listened for your wise sayings,    while you searched out what to say.12   I gave you my attention,    and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job    or who answered his words.13   Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom;    God may vanquish him, not a man.’14   He has not directed his words against me,    and I will not answer him with your speeches. 15   “They are dismayed; they answer no more;    they have not a word to say.16   And shall I wait, because they do not speak,    because they stand there, and answer no more?17   I also will answer with my share;    I also will declare my opinion.18   For I am full of words;    the spirit within me constrains me.19   Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent;    like new wineskins ready to burst.20   I must speak, that I may find relief;    I must open my lips and answer.21   I will not show partiality to any man    or use flattery toward any person.22   For I do not know how to flatter,    else my Maker would soon take me away. Footnotes [1] 31:8 Or let my descendants [2] 31:18 Hebrew he [3] 31:18 Hebrew her [4] 31:20 Hebrew if his loins have not blessed me [5] 31:26 Hebrew the light [6] 31:33 Or as Adam did [7] 32:9 Hebrew many [in years] (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 57 Psalm 57 (Listen) Let Your Glory Be over All the Earth To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam1 of David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave. 57   Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,    for in you my soul takes refuge;  in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,    till the storms of destruction pass by.2   I cry out to God Most High,    to God who fulfills his purpose for me.3   He will send from heaven and save me;    he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah  God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness! 4   My soul is in the midst of lions;    I lie down amid fiery beasts—  the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows,    whose tongues are sharp swords. 5   Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!    Let your glory be over all the earth! 6   They set a net for my steps;    my soul was bowed down.  They dug a pit in my way,    but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah7   My heart is steadfast, O God,    my heart is steadfast!  I will sing and make melody!8     Awake, my glory!2  Awake, O harp and lyre!    I will awake the dawn!9   I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;    I will sing praises to you among the nations.10   For your steadfast love is great to the heavens,    your faithfulness to the clouds. 11   Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!    Let your glory be over all the earth! Footnotes [1] 57:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term [2] 57:8 Or my whole being (ESV) New Testament: Luke 21 Luke 21 (Listen) The Widow’s Offering 21 Jesus1 looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, 2 and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins.2 3 And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. 4 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” Jesus Foretells Destruction of the Temple 5 And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, 6 “As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” 7 And they asked him, “Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” 8 And he said, “See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them. 9 And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once.” Jesus Foretells Wars and Persecution 10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. 12 But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. 13 This will be your opportunity to bear witness. 14 Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers3 and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. 17 You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your lives. Jesus Foretells Destruction of Jerusalem 20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, 22 for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. 23 Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. The Coming of the Son of Man 25 “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” The Lesson of the Fig Tree 29 And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Watch Yourselves 34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” 37 And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet. 38 And early in the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him. Footnotes [1] 21:1 Greek He [2] 21:2 Greek two lepta; a lepton was a Jewish bronze or copper coin worth about 1/128 of a denarius (which was a day’s wage for a laborer) [3] 21:16 Or parents and brothers and sisters (ESV)

Old Testament: Job 31–32 Job 31–32 (Listen) Job’s Final Appeal 31   “I have made a covenant with my eyes;    how then could I gaze at a virgin?2   What would be my portion from God above    and my heritage from the Almighty on high?3   Is not calamity for the unrighteous,    and disaster for the workers of iniquity?4   Does not he see my ways    and number all my steps? 5   “If I have walked with falsehood    and my foot has hastened to deceit;6   (Let me be weighed in a just balance,    and let God know my integrity!)7   if my step has turned aside from the way    and my heart has gone after my eyes,    and if any spot has stuck to my hands,8   then let me sow, and another eat,    and let what grows for me1 be rooted out. 9   “If my heart has been enticed toward a woman,    and I have lain in wait at my neighbor’s door,10   then let my wife grind for another,    and let others bow down on her.11   For that would be a heinous crime;    that would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges;12   for that would be a fire that consumes as far as Abaddon,    and it would burn to the root all my increase. 13   “If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or my maidservant,    when they brought a complaint against me,14   what then shall I do when God rises up?    When he makes inquiry, what shall I answer him?15   Did not he who made me in the womb make him?    And did not one fashion us in the womb? 16   “If I have withheld anything that the poor desired,    or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail,17   or have eaten my morsel alone,    and the fatherless has not eaten of it18   (for from my youth the fatherless2 grew up with me as with a father,    and from my mother’s womb I guided the widow3),19   if I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing,    or the needy without covering,20   if his body has not blessed me,4    and if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep,21   if I have raised my hand against the fatherless,    because I saw my help in the gate,22   then let my shoulder blade fall from my shoulder,    and let my arm be broken from its socket.23   For I was in terror of calamity from God,    and I could not have faced his majesty. 24   “If I have made gold my trust    or called fine gold my confidence,25   if I have rejoiced because my wealth was abundant    or because my hand had found much,26   if I have looked at the sun5 when it shone,    or the moon moving in splendor,27   and my heart has been secretly enticed,    and my mouth has kissed my hand,28   this also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges,    for I would have been false to God above. 29   “If I have rejoiced at the ruin of him who hated me,    or exulted when evil overtook him30   (I have not let my mouth sin    by asking for his life with a curse),31   if the men of my tent have not said,    ‘Who is there that has not been filled with his meat?’32   (the sojourner has not lodged in the street;    I have opened my doors to the traveler),33   if I have concealed my transgressions as others do6    by hiding my iniquity in my heart,34   because I stood in great fear of the multitude,    and the contempt of families terrified me,    so that I kept silence, and did not go out of doors—35   Oh, that I had one to hear me!    (Here is my signature! Let the Almighty answer me!)    Oh, that I had the indictment written by my adversary!36   Surely I would carry it on my shoulder;    I would bind it on me as a crown;37   I would give him an account of all my steps;    like a prince I would approach him. 38   “If my land has cried out against me    and its furrows have wept together,39   if I have eaten its yield without payment    and made its owners breathe their last,40   let thorns grow instead of wheat,    and foul weeds instead of barley.” The words of Job are ended. Elihu Rebukes Job’s Three Friends 32 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. 3 He burned with anger also at Job’s three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger. 6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:   “I am young in years,    and you are aged;  therefore I was timid and afraid    to declare my opinion to you.7   I said, ‘Let days speak,    and many years teach wisdom.’8   But it is the spirit in man,    the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.9   It is not the old7 who are wise,    nor the aged who understand what is right.10   Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;    let me also declare my opinion.’ 11   “Behold, I waited for your words,    I listened for your wise sayings,    while you searched out what to say.12   I gave you my attention,    and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job    or who answered his words.13   Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom;    God may vanquish him, not a man.’14   He has not directed his words against me,    and I will not answer him with your speeches. 15   “They are dismayed; they answer no more;    they have not a word to say.16   And shall I wait, because they do not speak,    because they stand there, and answer no more?17   I also will answer with my share;    I also will declare my opinion.18   For I am full of words;    the spirit within me constrains me.19   Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent;    like new wineskins ready to burst.20   I must speak, that I may find relief;    I must open my lips and answer.21   I will not show partiality to any man    or use flattery toward any person.22   For I do not know how to flatter,    else my Maker would soon take me away. Footnotes [1] 31:8 Or let my descendants [2] 31:18 Hebrew he [3] 31:18 Hebrew her [4] 31:20 Hebrew if his loins have not blessed me [5] 31:26 Hebrew the light [6] 31:33 Or as Adam did [7] 32:9 Hebrew many [in years] (ESV) New Testament: 2 Thessalonians 2:1–12 2 Thessalonians 2:1–12 (Listen) The Man of Lawlessness 2 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers,1 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness2 is revealed, the son of destruction,3 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. 5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, 12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. Footnotes [1] 2:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 13, 15 [2] 2:3 Some manuscripts sin [3] 2:3 Greek the son of perdition (a Hebrew idiom) (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 57 Psalm 57 (Listen) Let Your Glory Be over All the Earth To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam1 of David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave. 57   Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,    for in you my soul takes refuge;  in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,    till the storms of destruction pass by.2   I cry out to God Most High,    to God who fulfills his purpose for me.3   He will send from heaven and save me;    he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah  God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness! 4   My soul is in the midst of lions;    I lie down amid fiery beasts—  the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows,    whose tongues are sharp swords. 5   Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!    Let your glory be over all the earth! 6   They set a net for my steps;    my soul was bowed down.  They dug a pit in my way,    but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah7   My heart is steadfast, O God,    my heart is steadfast!  I will sing and make melody!8     Awake, my glory!2  Awake, O harp and lyre!    I will awake the dawn!9   I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;    I will sing praises to you among the nations.10   For your steadfast love is great to the heavens,    your faithfulness to the clouds. 11   Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!    Let your glory be over all the earth! Footnotes [1] 57:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term [2] 57:8 Or my whole being (ESV) Proverb: Proverbs 22:16 Proverbs 22:16 (Listen) 16   Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth,    or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty. (ESV)

Listen to me! Job 32-37 by William Klock One of the worst pieces of pastoral advice that I’ve ever heard is that it’s okay to be angry with God.  I’ve heard it over and over.  I talk to people who have been through something difficult and often they’re struggling with faith and eventually they tell me that some pastor or counsellor told them that it was okay to be angry with God.  The other version of this bad advice is that they’ve been told that they need to forgive God for some bad thing he’s caused to happen.  And when I hear this, it’s no wonder these folks are struggling in their faith.  Brothers and Sisters, will God ever do something that is wrong?  Will God ever sin against you?  Will God ever do something for which he needs to be forgiven?  The answer is “No”.  This is why the author of the book of Job has told us that wisdom is to fear—to trust in—the Lord.  He is good, he is faithful, and ultimately he is wise.  He is wise in ways we, as finite beings, will not and cannot ever fathom.  And so we’re called to trust in him.  That’s what human wisdom looks like.  But can you fear a God, can you trust a God whom you believe has it in for you or who needs to be forgiven for having wronged you?  This is why it’s such bad pastoral advice.  It might help a person resolve a difficult situation in the short term.  It is good advice to forgive someone who’s wrong you.  But God isn’t your friend or your mom or dad or any other human being from your past.  God is not a fallen sinner who makes mistakes or commits sins.  God is God and anything that undermines that truth will also undermine our faith. This gets at one of the key points Elihu makes in Chapters 32-37 of Job.  In Chapter 32 this newcomer, Elihu, son of Barachel the Buzite suddenly appears in the story.  He really pops out of nowhere.  So far it’s been Job and his three friends, but now suddenly we find that a fourth younger friend has been sitting by and listening and now he interjects.  Job has thrown down the gauntlet and asserted his innocence before God.  At this point we’re expecting that either the divine silence will continue—which is what Job expects—or that God will, actually, finally speak.  Job’s got us on the edge of our seats waiting for the resolution.  And suddenly this new fourth friend pushes us back into our seats and declares that he’s got something important to say. So who is Elihu?  Whereas the other three friends are clearly not Jewish, but represent various flavours of the great wisdom of the East, Elihu is closer to the Jewish audience.  His name is Hebrew for “He is my God”.  He’s not Jewish, but he’s close.  He’s a Buzite—a descendant of Abraham’s nephew, Buz.  And that illustrates the careful way that Elihu’s ideas are brought to the table.  He rebukes Job and his friends.  Their ideas about God are wrong.  And Elihu is right in most of what he says, but he’s not quite all the way there—just like one of Abraham’s nephews: so close to the covenant community, but still on the outside. But Elihu’s also really annoying.  He’s not only long-winded—but yes, we’ll get through his whole speech today—but he’s also kind of a twit, who comes across as a disrespectful know-it-all.  Look at Job 32:1-5. So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.  Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger.  He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God.  He burned with anger also at Job’s three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong.  Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he.  And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger.   We usually say that wisdom comes with age and Elihu would hope that, but Elihu also isn’t afraid to point out that sometimes age just causes us to become entrenched in our foolish thinking.  He goes on: “I am young in years,          and you are aged; therefore I was timid and afraid          to declare my opinion to you. I said, ‘Let days speak,          and many years teach wisdom.’ But it is the spirit in man,          the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand. It is not the old who are wise,          nor the aged who understand what is right. Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;          let me also declare my opinion.’  (Job 32:6-10) Elihu has done his best to show respect for his elders.  He has deferred to them, but in the end their wisdom wasn’t very wise.  They’re saying things about God that are offensive.  In particular, he will spend most of his time taking Job to task.  And he says that at the end of the day, wisdom doesn’t come from age; wisdom comes from God.  God made human beings from the dust and animated them, enlivened them with his breath.  And Elihu says, wisdom comes from God in a similar way.  One would hope that with age one would have greater opportunity to understand the wisdom that comes from God, but not everyone bothers—and Job and his friends have apparently wasted their years.  But Elihu will get them sorted out.  (See, I said that even when he’s right, he’s an annoying twit.)  The rest of Chapter 32 is Elihu’s rather long-winded explanation.  He’s “full of words” and he can’t hold his tongue anymore or he’ll burst like a wineskin and promises in verse 22 that he doesn’t know how to flatter.  (And, we’ll see, that’s no lie!) But before Elihu raised his beef with Job, he’s got just a few words for Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar.  Look at 32:12-14. I gave you my attention,          and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job          or who answered his words. Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom;          God may vanquish him, not a man.’ He has not directed his words against me,          and I will not answer him with your speeches.   They think they’ve told Job what’s what, but Eliphaz rebukes them.  If they really knew what’s what, they would have refuted Job, but instead, Job has shut them all up.  Zophar didn’t even have a response to Job’s second speech.  But Elihu is much wiser.  No one’s yet raised the points he’s about to raise. So, first, Elihu sums up Job’s argument.  Look at 33:9-11. You say, ‘I am pure, without transgression;          I am clean, and there is no iniquity in me. Behold, he finds occasions against me,          he counts me as his enemy, he puts my feet in the stocks          and watches all my paths.’   Elihu doesn’t use Job’s exact words, but I think Job would agree that this is a fair summary of his argument.  Job has insisted that he is innocent and his complaint is that rather than treating him as his friend, God is treating him as his enemy.  And in verse 12 Elihu makes the central point of his argument against Job: “Behold, in this you are not right. I will answer you,          for God is greater than man.   Basically, Elihu is rebuking Job for thinking that he can out-God God—for thinking that he knows better than God does.  Remember the triangle I’ve talked about to help us understand the dialogue in Job.  At one corner you’ve got God’s righteousness or justice, at another you’ve got Job’s righteousness, and at the third you’ve got the Retribution Principle.  Well, Elihu is going to stand very firmly at the point representing God’s righteousness and justice.  That’s what he’s going to defend and he’s very rightly noted that this is the point that Job has attacked or called into question.  Job was wrong and Elihu is right.  And at this point, we can agree with Elihu. Job’s other complaint is that God has been silent.  Elihu rebukes that, too, in verse 13: Why do you contend against him,          saying, ‘He will answer none of man’s words’?   God has spoken, Elihu goes on to argue in the following verses.  Those horrible dreams that Job has had, that was God trying to get his attention.  The Hebrew in Chapter 33 is difficult and I don’t think the ESV captures it very well, but Elihu’s point in the verses that follow is that he is essentially the answer to Job’s prayers.  Job wants an advocate.  Well, here’s Elihu.  God has sent him to speak to Job, but Elihu casts his role as more of a mediator.  With his help, Job will recover his health and be reconciled with God after he makes a public confession of his wrongdoing and of God’s grace.  In verses 31-33 he says: Pay attention, O Job, listen to me;          be silent, and I will speak. If you have any words, answer me;          speak, for I desire to justify you. If not, listen to me;          be silent, and I will teach you wisdom.”   I told you he’s a twit.  He’s not wrong, but he is pretty full of himself. In Chapter 34 Elihu defends the justice of God.  We can’t read the whole chapter, but verses 10-15 are a good summary: “Therefore, hear me, you men of understanding:          far be it from God that he should do wickedness,          and from the Almighty that he should do wrong. For according to the work of a man he will repay him,          and according to his ways he will make it befall him. Of a truth, God will not do wickedly,          and the Almighty will not pervert justice. Who gave him charge over the earth,          and who laid on him the whole world? If he should set his heart to it          and gather to himself his spirit and his breath, all flesh would perish together,          and man would return to dust.   The point is that Job has no right to be angry with God or to say that God has wronged him.  God does no wrong and he does not pervert justice.  And then he points his finger at Job and says in verse 17: Shall one who hates justice govern?          Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty.   Without God’s creative and sustaining presence all creation would return to dust.  Who are you, Job, to condemn him who sustains creation with his justice?  This, Elihu eventually concludes, is Job’s offense.  Verses 36-37: Would that Job were tried to the end,          because he answers like wicked men. For he adds rebellion to his sin;          he claps his hands among us          and multiplies his words against God.”   So, Elihu thinks, Job isn’t being punished because of something he did.  No, what’s happened is that God has put Job in the press to test him and Job has failed the test.  Elihu affirms the Retribution Principle, but he puts a different spin on it than Job’s friends.  They assume that Job has sinned.  Elihu’s point is that sometimes God’s punishment or affliction isn’t in response to some past sin, but is meant to sort of expose and root out future sin—and that that’s just what happened to Job.  Everything was fine, but God put Job to the test and that test has exposed Job’s wrong thoughts about God.  The good news, from Elihu’s perspective, is that all Job has to do is confess and repent and God will make him whole again.  Of course, this is where Elihu makes the same mistake the other friends did.  He’s assuming Job’s pursuit of righteousness is for the material benefits. So, again, Elihu understands justice in terms of the Retribution Principle.  He puts a bit of a different spin on it, but it’s still the Retribution Principle.  And since this is his basis for understanding justice, just like Job’s other friends, he also assumes that Job’s in it for the stuff.  That’s kind of the only way the Retribution Principle makes sense.  And so, in 35:3 he accuses Job: “[Y]ou ask, ‘What advantage have I?          How am I better off than if I had sinned?’   But now Elihu has put words in Job’s mouth—and they’re wrong—Job has proved that he’s not in it for the stuff—Elihu proceeds to explain why this reasoning is wrong.  But the thing is that even though Elihu is misreading Job, what he says about God is actually true.  He begins in 35:5 by reminding Job of his place: Look at the heavens, and see;          and behold the clouds, which are higher than you.   Basically, “God made the heavens.  Who do you think you are questioning him?”  And, more important, “What could possibly make you think that God needs your righteousness?”  In verse 7: If you are righteous, what do you give to him?          Or what does he receive from your hand?   God desire for us live righteously, but he doesn’t “need” it from us.  Remember how ancient pagan religion worked.  The gods had needs and when humans met those needs, it put the gods in their debt.  That’s how you got what you wanted from the gods.  Elihu has falsely assumed that this is the basis for Job’s righteousness.  He’s wrong about that.  But he’s spot-on about God. Then he addresses Job’s angry cries for God to speak and to justify his actions against him.  “Everyone cries out to God thinking that God has done them wrong,” says Elihu.  And in verses 10-11: But none says, ‘Where is God my Maker,          who gives songs in the night, who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth          and makes us wiser than the birds of the heavens?’   People act like God is at their beck and call or they think they can demand an account of him and are then angry when he doesn’t respond.  Maybe, instead, they’d actually get a response from God if they pursued him not in anger, but in trust.  Maybe they’d actually hear from God if, instead of demanding answers from him, they sought him in humility to learn the ways of his wisdom. Elihu’s big point here is that he thinks that in his self-righteousness, Job has exalted himself over God.  He overstates his case, but this is in fact what Job has done.  He thinks that God is taking too great an interest in him—as if he’s micromanaging him—and he thinks that he can hold God to account by making demands of him. And so in Chapters 36 and 37 Elihu waxes eloquent about the nature of God.  It’s one of the highlights of the book of Job, but it’s too long to read here this morning.  Elihu affirms the mightiness of God, but also that God is not arbitrary.  He has “strength of heart”—a literal rendering of 36:5—which has the sense of commitment to his purposes.  God has a wise plan and he’s seeing it through.  Elihu affirms the justice of God.  He does indeed punish the wicked and reward the righteous.  And that’s just what’s happened to Job, says Elihu.  Again, Job isn’t being punished for the sin he committed in the past, but pre-emptively for this self-righteous attitude he’s taken towards God in the midst of testing.  So Elihu is right about God in some important ways.  God is indeed transcendent.  God is indeed just.  Elihu goes on at length with some wonderful poetry about God’s work creating and sustaining the cosmos.  He causes the rain and snow to fall, he directs the clouds and the thunder.  And yet no one can understand it.  As Jesus will say, “The rain falls on both the just and the unjust”.  Why?  Who knows?  Elihu would say that God knows, but his ways and his purposes are beyond our understanding.  But that doesn’t mean his creation isn’t ordered—or as Elihu puts it, his ordering of creation is just and reveals God’s justice.  Again, Elihu is right on all these points.  But that doesn’t mean he isn’t also wrong.  He affirms that God punishes the wicked and rewards the righteous, but he oversimplifies this—as if you can make a simple equation out of it.  He rightly affirms God’s transcendence, but he takes it too far.  Elihu’s God is beyond human reach.  But what we’ll see next week is that while God is transcendent and beyond human reach, he is also immanent.  He does, in fact, condescend to us; he does stoop down to our level to speak.  So Elihu brings some needed correction to the dialogue, he adds some nuance to the ideas the others have already expressed, but ultimately Elihu fails.  He said he'd provide the answers that the others were grasping for, but in the end he falls into the same error.  Why?  Because like the others, Elihu is trying to make sense of the cosmos and to make sense of God’s actions by holding God to a human-conceived concept of justice.  This was the mistake that Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar have all made and it’s the mistake that Job himself has made.  Somehow we have to get past that, but for that to happen, we’re going to have to hear from God himself.  That’s what comes next. So in the end Elihu has an important part to play in Job.  If we’re tempted to idealise Job—which a lot of people have done—Elihu is right in pointing out Job’s self-righteousness as it relates to God.  Yes, Job is righteous.  Even God affirms that.  But Job has no business thinking he can question the justice of God or demand an accounting of him.  Brothers and Sisters, this part of Elihu’s message needs to stick with us.  It’s a perennial human error to think that if we were somehow in God’s position, we’d make better or wiser or more merciful decisions.  I can’t help but think of the movie Bruce Almighty.  Bruce has a great life, but he can’t see all his blessings.  He gets angry with God.  He’s like an impious Job with first world problems.  On the one hand he thinks that God is petty and punishing him unfairly and on the other that God is ignoring him and won’t make an accounting of himself.  And so Bruce is suddenly visited by God who hands over his powers for a week.  If Bruce thinks he can out-God God, here’s his chance.  And what happens?  Bruce proves to be petty and selfish.  He gives himself all the things he wants, but leaves a wake of destruction behind himself. We forget that the problems of the world—whether it’s the little problems in our own lives or the big ones we see in the newspaper—are the result of human fallenness.  Instead, we think more highly of ourselves than we should and try to blame God for all these things.  We dream up simplistic solutions that ignore the complexities of the real situations.  We forget that the only real solution is the elimination of sin and for God to make all things new.  And, again, we even think of that in overly simplistic ways.  Why can’t God just put an end to evil, we think.  But we forget that to do that would mean putting an end to us—to all of us.  We forget that it would mean cutting short his redemptive plans for the human race and for Creation.  We forget that each of us, in our own way, contributes to the problem, because each of us is fallen.  And yet we persist in thinking that, given the chance, we could manage the world better.  Elihu gives us a much-needed reminder that we can’t.  God is the one perfectly just, perfectly merciful, perfectly wise, not us. Second, I think we can learn something from Elihu’s insistence that Job would be wise to seek God for what he might teach rather than demanding that God speak and explain or account for his actions.  Elihu is right.  God is wholly other.  He isn’t working customer service.  That said, Elihu goes too far.  He suggests that the way we need to view God is as the wise God who is busy running the cosmos.  We can and should trust in his just governance of everything—he’s right on that point—but that we have no business bothering him with our petty concerns.  That’s where Elihu is wrong.  The fact is that for all his transcendence, God has also drawn near to his people—particularly and most dramatically in Jesus.  God does, in fact, invite our prayers.  St. Peter tells us to cast all our anxieties on him, for he cares for us.  But, again, as much as prayer gives us access to God, Elihu has a point.  The purpose of prayer is not to question God, manipulate him, or try to influence him.  More than anything else, prayer should be a means by which we humbly approach the God who created and maintains the cosmos in wisdom and in goodness.  Prayer should be a means of expressing our trust in him. Finally, what about Elihu’s assertion to Job that his pain and suffering have been God’s means of speaking and that he’s been using them to try to communicate to Job that he’s guilty?  I think we often think the same way when we’re faced with pain and suffering.  What did I do wrong?, we often think.  When we see some kind of mass or global tragedy, there are always Christians quick to point out that it’s a message from God or an act of his judgement.  Just look at some of the pronouncements that have been made about the current pandemic.  Is Elihu right?  Well, again, yes and no.  In The Problem of Pain, C. S. Lewis wrote, “Pain insists on being attended to.  God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts to us in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”[1]  Lewis was right.  There’s no ignoring pain.  It shouts at us and it can’t be ignored.  And the Bible does teach us that God sometimes uses pain to get our attention—and often as a response to sin.  God does afflict the wicked.  But Job’s friends, as they try to reduce this down to a simple formula, remind us that things aren’t that simple.  God rarely, if ever, fits our generalisations.  Sometimes God does use pain to shout at us and to get our attention.  God does punish the wicked—sometimes to death and other times bringing them to repentance.  But there, overshadowing any attempt we might make to generalise about God’s involvement in our pain and suffering, is the cross.  There hangs Jesus, mocked, beaten, scourged, nails through his hands and feet, dying.  There hangs Jesus the bearing pain and suffering—and even the death—that we deserve.  There hangs Jesus bearing it on our behalf.  It defies any formula we might think up.  And yet, Brothers and Sisters, from the cross pain does indeed shout at us.  It shouts to the world.  It shouts to the world that this God who is transcendent, who is wholly other, who has created and governs the cosmos with wisdom far beyond our understanding, this God who does indeed punish wickedness and will on day wipe every last trace of it from his Creation, also draws near in love, in mercy, and in grace.  This God who is so big and other, has also become one with us in Jesus, sharing our smallness and knowing our curse of death, that we might once again truly know his greatness and fear him as we were meant to. Let us pray: Father, we thank you this morning for your word, even when its words are hard as they are in the book of Job.  Thank you for reminding us that you have created and sustain the cosmos in wisdom and justice, thank you for the reminder of your greatness.  But thank you, too, that you do not leave us hanging with the words of Elihu or even with your final speech to Job.  Thank you for the words of the Psalmist and the words of the Prophets that remind us that you are just as near to us as you are far away from us, that for all your transcendence, you are also immanent, that you are also close by.  And thank you, most of all, Jesus in whom you have shared our humanity, our smallness, and even our death that we might live.  As we think on these things, teach us the balance between your greatness and your smallness, your being so far away and yet your being so near, your hatred of sin but also your redeeming love of your sinful people.  Through Jesus we pray.  Amen. [1] (New York: Macmillan, 1977), page 81.

Morning: Job 31–32 Job 31–32 (Listen) Job's Final Appeal 31   “I have made a covenant with my eyes;    how then could I gaze at a virgin?2   What would be my portion from God above    and my heritage from the Almighty on high?3   Is not calamity for the unrighteous,    and disaster for the workers of iniquity?4   Does not he see my ways    and number all my steps? 5   “If I have walked with falsehood    and my foot has hastened to deceit;6   (Let me be weighed in a just balance,    and let God know my integrity!)7   if my step has turned aside from the way    and my heart has gone after my eyes,    and if any spot has stuck to my hands,8   then let me sow, and another eat,    and let what grows for me1 be rooted out. 9   “If my heart has been enticed toward a woman,    and I have lain in wait at my neighbor's door,10   then let my wife grind for another,    and let others bow down on her.11   For that would be a heinous crime;    that would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges;12   for that would be a fire that consumes as far as Abaddon,    and it would burn to the root all my increase. 13   “If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or my maidservant,    when they brought a complaint against me,14   what then shall I do when God rises up?    When he makes inquiry, what shall I answer him?15   Did not he who made me in the womb make him?    And did not one fashion us in the womb? 16   “If I have withheld anything that the poor desired,    or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail,17   or have eaten my morsel alone,    and the fatherless has not eaten of it18   (for from my youth the fatherless2 grew up with me as with a father,    and from my mother's womb I guided the widow3),19   if I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing,    or the needy without covering,20   if his body has not blessed me,4    and if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep,21   if I have raised my hand against the fatherless,    because I saw my help in the gate,22   then let my shoulder blade fall from my shoulder,    and let my arm be broken from its socket.23   For I was in terror of calamity from God,    and I could not have faced his majesty. 24   “If I have made gold my trust    or called fine gold my confidence,25   if I have rejoiced because my wealth was abundant    or because my hand had found much,26   if I have looked at the sun5 when it shone,    or the moon moving in splendor,27   and my heart has been secretly enticed,    and my mouth has kissed my hand,28   this also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges,    for I would have been false to God above. 29   “If I have rejoiced at the ruin of him who hated me,    or exulted when evil overtook him30   (I have not let my mouth sin    by asking for his life with a curse),31   if the men of my tent have not said,    ‘Who is there that has not been filled with his meat?’32   (the sojourner has not lodged in the street;    I have opened my doors to the traveler),33   if I have concealed my transgressions as others do6    by hiding my iniquity in my heart,34   because I stood in great fear of the multitude,    and the contempt of families terrified me,    so that I kept silence, and did not go out of doors—35   Oh, that I had one to hear me!    (Here is my signature! Let the Almighty answer me!)    Oh, that I had the indictment written by my adversary!36   Surely I would carry it on my shoulder;    I would bind it on me as a crown;37   I would give him an account of all my steps;    like a prince I would approach him. 38   “If my land has cried out against me    and its furrows have wept together,39   if I have eaten its yield without payment    and made its owners breathe their last,40   let thorns grow instead of wheat,    and foul weeds instead of barley.” The words of Job are ended. Elihu Rebukes Job's Three Friends 32 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. 3 He burned with anger also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger. 6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:   “I am young in years,    and you are aged;  therefore I was timid and afraid    to declare my opinion to you.7   I said, ‘Let days speak,    and many years teach wisdom.’8   But it is the spirit in man,    the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.9   It is not the old7 who are wise,    nor the aged who understand what is right.10   Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;    let me also declare my opinion.’ 11   “Behold, I waited for your words,    I listened for your wise sayings,    while you searched out what to say.12   I gave you my attention,    and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job    or who answered his words.13   Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom;    God may vanquish him, not a man.’14   He has not directed his words against me,    and I will not answer him with your speeches. 15   “They are dismayed; they answer no more;    they have not a word to say.16   And shall I wait, because they do not speak,    because they stand there, and answer no more?17   I also will answer with my share;    I also will declare my opinion.18   For I am full of words;    the spirit within me constrains me.19   Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent;    like new wineskins ready to burst.20   I must speak, that I may find relief;    I must open my lips and answer.21   I will not show partiality to any man    or use flattery toward any person.22   For I do not know how to flatter,    else my Maker would soon take me away. Footnotes [1] 31:8 Or let my descendants [2] 31:18 Hebrew he [3] 31:18 Hebrew her [4] 31:20 Hebrew if his loins have not blessed me [5] 31:26 Hebrew the light [6] 31:33 Or as Adam did [7] 32:9 Hebrew many [in years] (ESV) Evening: Acts 13:1–23 Acts 13:1–23 (Listen) Barnabas and Saul Sent Off 13 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger,1 Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. Barnabas and Saul on Cyprus 4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them. 6 When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. 7 He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? 11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord. Paul and Barnabas at Antioch in Pisidia 13 Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem, 14 but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.” 16 So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: “Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen. 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. 18 And for about forty years he put up with2 them in the wilderness. 19 And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance. 20 All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. 21 Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’ 23 Of this man's offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised. Footnotes [1] 13:1 Niger is a Latin word meaning black, or dark [2] 13:18 Some manuscripts he carried (compare Deuteronomy 1:31) (ESV)

Job 32–34 Job 32–34 (Listen) Elihu Rebukes Job's Three Friends 32 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. 3 He burned with anger also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger. 6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:   “I am young in years,    and you are aged;  therefore I was timid and afraid    to declare my opinion to you.7   I said, ‘Let days speak,    and many years teach wisdom.’8   But it is the spirit in man,    the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.9   It is not the old1 who are wise,    nor the aged who understand what is right.10   Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;    let me also declare my opinion.’ 11   “Behold, I waited for your words,    I listened for your wise sayings,    while you searched out what to say.12   I gave you my attention,    and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job    or who answered his words.13   Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom;    God may vanquish him, not a man.’14   He has not directed his words against me,    and I will not answer him with your speeches. 15   “They are dismayed; they answer no more;    they have not a word to say.16   And shall I wait, because they do not speak,    because they stand there, and answer no more?17   I also will answer with my share;    I also will declare my opinion.18   For I am full of words;    the spirit within me constrains me.19   Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent;    like new wineskins ready to burst.20   I must speak, that I may find relief;    I must open my lips and answer.21   I will not show partiality to any man    or use flattery toward any person.22   For I do not know how to flatter,    else my Maker would soon take me away. Elihu Rebukes Job 33   “But now, hear my speech, O Job,    and listen to all my words.2   Behold, I open my mouth;    the tongue in my mouth speaks.3   My words declare the uprightness of my heart,    and what my lips know they speak sincerely.4   The Spirit of God has made me,    and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.5   Answer me, if you can;    set your words in order before me; take your stand.6   Behold, I am toward God as you are;    I too was pinched off from a piece of clay.7   Behold, no fear of me need terrify you;    my pressure will not be heavy upon you. 8   “Surely you have spoken in my ears,    and I have heard the sound of your words.9   You say, ‘I am pure, without transgression;    I am clean, and there is no iniquity in me.10   Behold, he finds occasions against me,    he counts me as his enemy,11   he puts my feet in the stocks    and watches all my paths.’ 12   “Behold, in this you are not right. I will answer you,    for God is greater than man.13   Why do you contend against him,    saying, ‘He will answer none of man's2 words’?314   For God speaks in one way,    and in two, though man does not perceive it.15   In a dream, in a vision of the night,    when deep sleep falls on men,    while they slumber on their beds,16   then he opens the ears of men    and terrifies4 them with warnings,17   that he may turn man aside from his deed    and conceal pride from a man;18   he keeps back his soul from the pit,    his life from perishing by the sword. 19   “Man is also rebuked with pain on his bed    and with continual strife in his bones,20   so that his life loathes bread,    and his appetite the choicest food.21   His flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen,    and his bones that were not seen stick out.22   His soul draws near the pit,    and his life to those who bring death.23   If there be for him an angel,    a mediator, one of the thousand,    to declare to man what is right for him,24   and he is merciful to him, and says,    ‘Deliver him from going down into the pit;    I have found a ransom;25   let his flesh become fresh with youth;    let him return to the days of his youthful vigor’;26   then man5 prays to God, and he accepts him;    he sees his face with a shout of joy,  and he restores to man his righteousness.27     He sings before men and says:  ‘I sinned and perverted what was right,    and it was not repaid to me.28   He has redeemed my soul from going down into the pit,    and my life shall look upon the light.’ 29   “Behold, God does all these things,    twice, three times, with a man,30   to bring back his soul from the pit,    that he may be lighted with the light of life.31   Pay attention, O Job, listen to me;    be silent, and I will speak.32   If you have any words, answer me;    speak, for I desire to justify you.33   If not, listen to me;    be silent, and I will teach you wisdom.” Elihu Asserts God's Justice 34 Then Elihu answered and said: 2   “Hear my words, you wise men,    and give ear to me, you who know;3   for the ear tests words    as the palate tastes food.4   Let us choose what is right;    let us know among ourselves what is good.5   For Job has said, ‘I am in the right,    and God has taken away my right;6   in spite of my right I am counted a liar;    my wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’7   What man is like Job,    who drinks up scoffing like water,8   who travels in company with evildoers    and walks with wicked men?9   For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing    that he should take delight in God.’ 10   “Therefore, hear me, you men of understanding:    far be it from God that he should do wickedness,    and from the Almighty that he should do wrong.11   For according to the work of a man he will repay him,    and according to his ways he will make it befall him.12   Of a truth, God will not do wickedly,    and the Almighty will not pervert justice.13   Who gave him charge over the earth,    and who laid on him6 the whole world?14   If he should set his heart to it    and gather to himself his spirit and his breath,15   all flesh would perish together,    and man would return to dust. 16   “If you have understanding, hear this;    listen to what I say.17   Shall one who hates justice govern?    Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty,18   who says to a king, ‘Worthless one,’    and to nobles, ‘Wicked man,’19   who shows no partiality to princes,    nor regards the rich more than the poor,    for they are all the work of his hands?20   In a moment they die;    at midnight the people are shaken and pass away,    and the mighty are taken away by no human hand. 21   “For his eyes are on the ways of a man,    and he sees all his steps.22   There is no gloom or deep darkness    where evildoers may hide themselves.23   For God7 has no need to consider a man further,    that he should go before God in judgment.24   He shatters the mighty without investigation    and sets others in their place.25   Thus, knowing their works,    he overturns them in the night, and they are crushed.26   He strikes them for their wickedness    in a place for all to see,27   because they turned aside from following him    and had no regard for any of his ways,28   so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him,    and he heard the cry of the afflicted—29   When he is quiet, who can condemn?    When he hides his face, who can behold him,    whether it be a nation or a man?—30   that a godless man should not reign,    that he should not ensnare the people. 31   “For has anyone said to God,    ‘I have borne punishment; I will not offend any more;32   teach me what I do not see;    if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more’?33   Will he then make repayment to suit you,    because you reject it?  For you must choose, and not I;    therefore declare what you know.834   Men of understanding will say to me,    and the wise man who hears me will say:35   ‘Job speaks without knowledge;    his words are without insight.’36   Would that Job were tried to the end,    because he answers like wicked men.37   For he adds rebellion to his sin;    he claps his hands among us    and multiplies his words against God.” Footnotes [1] 32:9 Hebrew many [in years] [2] 33:13 Hebrew his [3] 33:13 Or He will not answer for any of his own words [4] 33:16 Or seals [5] 33:26 Hebrew he [6] 34:13 Hebrew lacks on him [7] 34:23 Hebrew he [8] 34:33 The meaning of the Hebrew in verses 29–33 is uncertain (ESV)

Job 32–34 Job 32–34 (Listen) Elihu Rebukes Job's Three Friends 32 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. 3 He burned with anger also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger. 6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:   “I am young in years,    and you are aged;  therefore I was timid and afraid    to declare my opinion to you.7   I said, ‘Let days speak,    and many years teach wisdom.’8   But it is the spirit in man,    the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.9   It is not the old1 who are wise,    nor the aged who understand what is right.10   Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;    let me also declare my opinion.’ 11   “Behold, I waited for your words,    I listened for your wise sayings,    while you searched out what to say.12   I gave you my attention,    and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job    or who answered his words.13   Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom;    God may vanquish him, not a man.’14   He has not directed his words against me,    and I will not answer him with your speeches. 15   “They are dismayed; they answer no more;    they have not a word to say.16   And shall I wait, because they do not speak,    because they stand there, and answer no more?17   I also will answer with my share;    I also will declare my opinion.18   For I am full of words;    the spirit within me constrains me.19   Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent;    like new wineskins ready to burst.20   I must speak, that I may find relief;    I must open my lips and answer.21   I will not show partiality to any man    or use flattery toward any person.22   For I do not know how to flatter,    else my Maker would soon take me away. Elihu Rebukes Job 33   “But now, hear my speech, O Job,    and listen to all my words.2   Behold, I open my mouth;    the tongue in my mouth speaks.3   My words declare the uprightness of my heart,    and what my lips know they speak sincerely.4   The Spirit of God has made me,    and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.5   Answer me, if you can;    set your words in order before me; take your stand.6   Behold, I am toward God as you are;    I too was pinched off from a piece of clay.7   Behold, no fear of me need terrify you;    my pressure will not be heavy upon you. 8   “Surely you have spoken in my ears,    and I have heard the sound of your words.9   You say, ‘I am pure, without transgression;    I am clean, and there is no iniquity in me.10   Behold, he finds occasions against me,    he counts me as his enemy,11   he puts my feet in the stocks    and watches all my paths.’ 12   “Behold, in this you are not right. I will answer you,    for God is greater than man.13   Why do you contend against him,    saying, ‘He will answer none of man's2 words’?314   For God speaks in one way,    and in two, though man does not perceive it.15   In a dream, in a vision of the night,    when deep sleep falls on men,    while they slumber on their beds,16   then he opens the ears of men    and terrifies4 them with warnings,17   that he may turn man aside from his deed    and conceal pride from a man;18   he keeps back his soul from the pit,    his life from perishing by the sword. 19   “Man is also rebuked with pain on his bed    and with continual strife in his bones,20   so that his life loathes bread,    and his appetite the choicest food.21   His flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen,    and his bones that were not seen stick out.22   His soul draws near the pit,    and his life to those who bring death.23   If there be for him an angel,    a mediator, one of the thousand,    to declare to man what is right for him,24   and he is merciful to him, and says,    ‘Deliver him from going down into the pit;    I have found a ransom;25   let his flesh become fresh with youth;    let him return to the days of his youthful vigor’;26   then man5 prays to God, and he accepts him;    he sees his face with a shout of joy,  and he restores to man his righteousness.27     He sings before men and says:  ‘I sinned and perverted what was right,    and it was not repaid to me.28   He has redeemed my soul from going down into the pit,    and my life shall look upon the light.’ 29   “Behold, God does all these things,    twice, three times, with a man,30   to bring back his soul from the pit,    that he may be lighted with the light of life.31   Pay attention, O Job, listen to me;    be silent, and I will speak.32   If you have any words, answer me;    speak, for I desire to justify you.33   If not, listen to me;    be silent, and I will teach you wisdom.” Elihu Asserts God's Justice 34 Then Elihu answered and said: 2   “Hear my words, you wise men,    and give ear to me, you who know;3   for the ear tests words    as the palate tastes food.4   Let us choose what is right;    let us know among ourselves what is good.5   For Job has said, ‘I am in the right,    and God has taken away my right;6   in spite of my right I am counted a liar;    my wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’7   What man is like Job,    who drinks up scoffing like water,8   who travels in company with evildoers    and walks with wicked men?9   For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing    that he should take delight in God.’ 10   “Therefore, hear me, you men of understanding:    far be it from God that he should do wickedness,    and from the Almighty that he should do wrong.11   For according to the work of a man he will repay him,    and according to his ways he will make it befall him.12   Of a truth, God will not do wickedly,    and the Almighty will not pervert justice.13   Who gave him charge over the earth,    and who laid on him6 the whole world?14   If he should set his heart to it    and gather to himself his spirit and his breath,15   all flesh would perish together,    and man would return to dust. 16   “If you have understanding, hear this;    listen to what I say.17   Shall one who hates justice govern?    Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty,18   who says to a king, ‘Worthless one,’    and to nobles, ‘Wicked man,’19   who shows no partiality to princes,    nor regards the rich more than the poor,    for they are all the work of his hands?20   In a moment they die;    at midnight the people are shaken and pass away,    and the mighty are taken away by no human hand. 21   “For his eyes are on the ways of a man,    and he sees all his steps.22   There is no gloom or deep darkness    where evildoers may hide themselves.23   For God7 has no need to consider a man further,    that he should go before God in judgment.24   He shatters the mighty without investigation    and sets others in their place.25   Thus, knowing their works,    he overturns them in the night, and they are crushed.26   He strikes them for their wickedness    in a place for all to see,27   because they turned aside from following him    and had no regard for any of his ways,28   so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him,    and he heard the cry of the afflicted—29   When he is quiet, who can condemn?    When he hides his face, who can behold him,    whether it be a nation or a man?—30   that a godless man should not reign,    that he should not ensnare the people. 31   “For has anyone said to God,    ‘I have borne punishment; I will not offend any more;32   teach me what I do not see;    if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more’?33   Will he then make repayment to suit you,    because you reject it?  For you must choose, and not I;    therefore declare what you know.834   Men of understanding will say to me,    and the wise man who hears me will say:35   ‘Job speaks without knowledge;    his words are without insight.’36   Would that Job were tried to the end,    because he answers like wicked men.37   For he adds rebellion to his sin;    he claps his hands among us    and multiplies his words against God.” Footnotes [1] 32:9 Hebrew many [in years] [2] 33:13 Hebrew his [3] 33:13 Or He will not answer for any of his own words [4] 33:16 Or seals [5] 33:26 Hebrew he [6] 34:13 Hebrew lacks on him [7] 34:23 Hebrew he [8] 34:33 The meaning of the Hebrew in verses 29–33 is uncertain (ESV)

Job 32 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. Then Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became angry. He was angry at Job because he justified himself rather than God; he was angry also at Job’s three friends because they had found no answer, though they had declared Job to be in the wrong. Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, because they were older than he. But when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouths of these three men, he became angry. Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite answered: “I am young in years,     and you are aged; therefore I was timid and afraid     to declare my opinion to you. I said, ‘Let days speak,     and many years teach wisdom.’ But truly it is the spirit in a mortal,     the breath of the Almighty, that makes for understanding. It is not the old that are wise,     nor the aged that understand what is right. Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;     let me also declare my opinion.’ “See, I waited for your words,     I listened for your wise sayings,     while you searched out what to say. I gave you my attention,     but there was in fact no one that confuted Job,     no one among you that answered his words. Yet do not say, ‘We have found wisdom;     God may vanquish him, not a human.’ He has not directed his words against me,     and I will not answer him with your speeches. “They are dismayed, they answer no more;     they have not a word to say. And am I to wait, because they do not speak,     because they stand there, and answer no more? I also will give my answer;     I also will declare my opinion. For I am full of words;     the spirit within me constrains me. My heart is indeed like wine that has no vent;     like new wineskins, it is ready to burst. I must speak, so that I may find relief;     I must open my lips and answer. I will not show partiality to any person     or use flattery toward anyone. For I do not know how to flatter—     or my Maker would soon put an end to me! Job 33:8-33 “Surely, you have spoken in my hearing,     and I have heard the sound of your words. You say, ‘I am clean, without transgression;     I am pure, and there is no iniquity in me. Look, he finds occasions against me,     he counts me as his enemy; he puts my feet in the stocks,     and watches all my paths.’ “But in this you are not right. I will answer you:     God is greater than any mortal. Why do you contend against him,     saying, ‘He will answer none of my words’? For God speaks in one way,     and in two, though people do not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night,     when deep sleep falls on mortals,     while they slumber on their beds, then he opens their ears,     and terrifies them with warnings, that he may turn them aside from their deeds,     and keep them from pride, to spare their souls from the Pit,     their lives from traversing the River. They are also chastened with pain upon their beds,     and with continual strife in their bones, so that their lives loathe bread,     and their appetites dainty food. Their flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen;     and their bones, once invisible, now stick out. Their souls draw near the Pit,     and their lives to those who bring death. Then, if there should be for one of them an angel,     a mediator, one of a thousand,     one who declares a person upright, and he is gracious to that person, and says,     ‘Deliver him from going down into the Pit;     I have found a ransom; let his flesh become fresh with youth;     let him return to the days of his youthful vigor’; then he prays to God, and is accepted by him,     he comes into his presence with joy, and God repays him for his righteousness.     That person sings to others and says, ‘I sinned, and perverted what was right,     and it was not paid back to me. He has redeemed my soul from going down to the Pit,     and my life shall see the light.’ “God indeed does all these things,     twice, three times, with mortals, to bring back their souls from the Pit,     so that they may see the light of life. Pay heed, Job, listen to me;     be silent, and I will speak. If you have anything to say, answer me;     speak, for I desire to justify you. If not, listen to me;     be silent, and I will teach you wisdom.” Job 36:1-4 Elihu continued and said: “Bear with me a little, and I will show you,     for I have yet something to say on God’s behalf. I will bring my knowledge from far away,     and ascribe righteousness to my Maker. For truly my words are not false;     one who is perfect in knowledge is with you. Job 37:23-24 The Almighty—we cannot find him;     he is great in power and justice,     and abundant righteousness he will not violate. Therefore mortals fear him;     he does not regard any who are wise in their own conceit.”

Primeira parte da entrevista com a professora, doutora e pesquisadora Leila Soares Marques, docente do Instituto de Astronomia, Geofísica e Ciências Atmosféricas. Tem experiência na área de Geociências, com ênfase em Litogeoquímica, Geologia Isotópica e Geofísica Nuclear. Conversamos com ela sobre a sua motivação para seguir sua carreira, começando pelo curso de Barachel em Física. Lattes

1. Pride is trusting in your own strength. Luke22:31-32 NKJV And the Lord said, Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren. Mark 14:27-31 NKJV Then Jesus said to them, all of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered. But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee. Peter said to Him, even if all are made to stumble, yet I willnot be. Jesus said to him, assuredly, I say to you that today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times. But he spoke more vehemently, if I have to die with You, I will not deny You! Matthew 16:21-23 NKJV From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you. But he turned and said to Peter, get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man. 1 Corinthians 10:12ESV Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 2. Pride is trusting in your own self righteousness. Job 1:6-12 NLT One day the members of the heavenly court came to present themselves before the Lord, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them. Where have you come from? The Lord asked Satan. Satan answered the Lord, I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that's going on. Then the Lord asked Satan, have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil. Satan replied to the Lord, Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is! But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face! All right, you may test him, the Lord said to Satan. Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don't harm him physically. So Satan left the Lord's presence. Job 32:1-2 NKJV So these three men ceased answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. The son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was aroused against Job; his wrath was aroused because he justified himself rather than God. Job 33:8-9 NKJV Surely you have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard the sound of your words, saying, I am pure, without transgression; I am innocent, and there is no iniquity in me.