Podcast Introduction

Hello! and welcome to Season 12, episode 3 of the Lifespring Family Audio Bible.

It’s great to have you here today, and I think we have a lot of newbees, judging by what I’ve seen so far. That is so awesome! Thanks for stopping by. I hope you’ll stick around for our entire journey through the Bible. 

This is the daily podcast where we will read the entire Bible in a year. If you’re like a lot of people, you’ve tried to read through it before, but for one reason or another, you didn’t complete it. I know that in my case I tried it several times, but never made it until I completed the first year of the Lifespring Family Audio Bible way back in December of 2007. So this is the twelfth season of the show, and do you know what? Every time I read it again, I get something new out of it. My prayer is that you’ll have that experience, too.

Today, we are going to read from the book of Job, chapters 1 and 2. I’ll be reading from the NIV, after which I’ll share some comments.

Thoughts on Job

As is almost always going to happen as we read this year, the chapters will be filled with a tremendous number of points that we could talk about. The format of this show is not to talk about every point that could be made. What I will do is talk about what struck me this time as I read. If there are other things that strike you, and that you would like to comment on, I encourage you to do that, by going to comment.lifespringmedia.com. I will share some of your comments on the show.

So today, here are my thoughts.

The Scene

Notice the scene in Heaven. In chapter one, verse six we read, “One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them.” This tells us three things: 1) angels exist, 2) they have access to go before the presence of God, and 3) Satan is an angelic being, albeit a fallen one. He came along with a group of angels.

So what, you might say. Why is that important? Why bring that up? Here’s why. Some people think of Satan as the opposite of God. Equal to, but opposite of. The dark side of the Force. An opponent of God that just might be able to win in a battle of Good vs Evil. 

Nothing could be further from the truth.

God In Comparison To Satan

Satan is not God’s equal, because Satan is a created being. Satan was created by God as a beautiful and powerful angel, but Satan became jealous of God and wanted to be like God. But he will never be like God, and his power is limited by God. 

We saw how God limited Satan’s power in the life of Job.

But one of the attributes of God is omnipotence, which means is has all power. There are no limitations at all on what He can do, other than those He puts on Himself. He cannot be unjust, as an example. 

So never believe that Satan (which I prefer to call the enemy, instead of dignifying him by calling him by name) is equal to God, or even at all closely matched.

God Already Knew

Another thought from today’s chapters: God knew what the outcome of this challenge with the enemy would be. He knew that Job would not curse Him. He knew because another of His attributes is omniscience. He has all knowledge. 

So what was the point of this exchange with the enemy? Before I answer that, I want to remind you that this exchange took place in Heaven, out of any possible knowledge of Job. God always has a purpose, and end in mind for everything He does. His purpose, as worked out with this episode in Job’s life, and even in ours, is shown in Ephesians 3:10-11:

10His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Ephesians 3:10-11 NIV

His intent, or purpose, was that the wisdom of God would be demonstrated to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms…the angels…of which the enemy and other fallen angels, are part. 

You see, the book of Job takes place at a very early time of human history. Some scholars believe that Job is an even older book than the book of Genesis. And God was teaching the angelic beings that God’s plan for his greatest creation, Man, would not be thrown off-track by any of their attacks or lies. 

Remember, the enemy told God that Job was only good because God had put a hedge around him and blessed him. He said that Job would curse God to His face if he took everything away. But what happened? 

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” Job 1:21 NIV

We Don’t See Very Much

One last point: We humans have an extremely short-sighted view of our life on earth. We pretty much live in the moment. It seems as if what we experience is the only reality, so we naturally assume that pain is bad and pleasure is good. Life is good, death is bad. 

But the fact of the matter is that our time on earth is but a nanosecond in light of eternity. It’s fleeting. A wisp of smoke on a windy day. What we see and experience is only a tiny sliver of the totality of reality.

Think of the full spectrum of light. Light comes in wavelengths. Generally speaking, the shortest wavelengths are gamma rays, then x-rays, then ultraviolet rays, then the visible light that we can see, then infrared, then radar, then FM radio, the TV, shortwave and finally AM radio waves. What we humans can actually see of the light spectrum is just a tiny portion. 

That is how reality is. We are only aware of a very small part of it.

So when we look at the book of Job, and we see what God allowed in his life, we might feel as if it was not fair for God to allow a good man to suffer as he did. But when we step back and consider that we only see things through our limited human perspective, we begin to see that perhaps we might not be judging from a fully informed position.

Near the end of this book Job asks God some pretty pointed questions about why God allowed all this to befall him. The way God answers Job is awesome. I think you’ll think so, too. 

Comment

I always invite your comments, and I’ll share some comments from the Lifespring family on the show. Remember, I don’t want you to just listen to the show, I want you to participate, as a family does. YOU are very much a part of the show. So comment! at comment.lifespringmedia.com.

Or you can mail me at st***@*************ia.com

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 1-2 NIV

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Transcript

Transcript not corrected.

Steve Webb 0:00
The Dark Side of the forest as it were.

Steve Webb 0:09
Hi there and welcome to season 12, episode three of the Lifespring family Audio Bible. It’s great to have you here today. and I think we’ve got a lot of newbies. Judging by what I’ve seen so far. This is so awesome. Thank you for stopping by, I hope you’ll stick around for our entire journey through the Bible this year. This is the daily podcast where we will read the entire Bible in a year. If you’re like a lot of people, you’ve tried to read through it before. But for one reason or another, you didn’t complete it. I know that in my own case, I tried several times, but never made it through until I completed the first year of the Lifespring family Audio Bible way back in December of 2007. So this is the 12th season of the show. and you know what, every time I read it again, I get something new out of it. My prayer is that you’ll have that experience as well. Oh, by the way, my name is Steve Webb, I’m your host. Well, today we’re going to read from the book of Job chapters one and two. I’ll be reading from the NIV today, after which I will share some comments. After that we’ll have the on this day in church history segment and then prayer requests. So let’s get started.

Steve Webb 1:15
Job chapter one. In the land of us there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright, he feared God and shunned evil. He had seven sons and three daughters, and he owns 7000 sheep, 3000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East. His sons used to hold feast in their homes, on their birthdays, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. When a period of fasting had run its course job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning, he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them thinking, perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts. This was Job’s regular custom. One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord and Satan also came with them. The Lord said to Satan, where have you come from? Satan answer the Lord from roaming throughout the earth going back and forth on it. Then the Lord said to Satan, have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him. He is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. Does Job fear God for nothing, Satan replied, have you not put a hedge around him in his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face. The Lord said to Satan, very well, then everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself, do not lay a finger. Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord. One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, a messenger came to Job and said, the oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Serbians attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I’m the only one who was escaped to tell you. While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, the fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you. While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, the Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you. While he was still speaking yet another messenger came and said, Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them, and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you, at this job, got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said, Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, may the name of the Lord be praised. In all this Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

Steve Webb 4:34
Job chapter two. On another day, the angels came to present themselves before the Lord and Satan also came with him to present himself before him. and the Lord said to Satan, wherever you come from, Satan answered the Lord from roaming throughout the earth going back and forth on it. Then the Lord said to Satan, have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him. He is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. and he still maintains his integrity though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason. Skin for skin, Satan replied, A man will give all he has for his own life, but now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face. The Lord said to Satan, very well, then he is in your hands, but you must spare his life. So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes. His wife said to him, are you still maintaining your integrity, Curse God and die? He replied, You are talking like a foolish woman, shall we accept good from God and not trouble. In all this Job did not sin in what he said, When Job’s three friends LF as the team tonight, Bill dead, the shoe height in Zophar, the NAM Nephite heard about all the troubles that had come upon Him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him, they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.

Steve Webb 6:35
Well, as is almost always going to happen, as we read the Bible this year, the chapters will be filled with a tremendous amount of points that we could talk about. Well, the format of this show is not to talk about every point that could be made. What I will do is talk about what struck me this time, as I read, if there are other things that strike you, and that you’d like to comment on. I encourage you to do that by going to comment.lifespringmedia.com. and I’ll share some of your comments on the show. So today, here are my thoughts. Notice the scene in heaven. In chapter one, verse six, we read, one day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord and Satan also came with them. Well, this one sentence tells us three things. Number one, that angels exist. Number two, that they have access to go before the presence of God and three, Satan is an angelic being, albeit a fallen one. He came along with a group of angels. So what you might say, why is that important? Why bring that up? Well, here’s why. Some people think of Satan as the opposite of God, equal to but opposite, The Dark Side of the Force, as it were, an opponent of God that just might be able to win and a battle of good versus evil. Well, nothing could be further from the truth. Satan is not God’s equal because Satan is an angelic being. and God created angels. Satan was created by God as a beautiful and powerful angel. But Satan became jealous of God, and he wanted to be like God, but he never will be like God and His power is limited by God. We saw how God limited Satan’s power in the life of job. But one of the attributes of God is Omnipotence which means he has all power, there are no limitations at all on what he can do other than those he puts on himself, he cannot be unjust as an example. So never believe that Satan, which I prefer to call the enemy instead of dignifying him by calling him by name. Never believe that the enemy is equal to God, or that they’re even at all closely matched. and here’s another thought from today’s chapters. God knew what the outcome of this challenge with the enemy would be. He knew the job would not curse him, he knew because another of his attributes is omniscience that means he has all knowledge. So what was the point of this exchange with the enemy? Well, before I answer that, I want to remind you that this exchange took place in heaven, out of any possible knowledge of job. God always has a purpose and end in mind for everything he does. His purpose, as it was worked out with this episode in Job’s life, and even in ours, is shown in Ephesians, three verses 10 and 11, which says, His intent was that now through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to His eternal purpose that He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. All right, so what does that mean? It means his intent or purpose was that the wisdom of God would be demonstrated to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms? Who’s that? That’s angels? which the enemy and other Fallen Angels are part. You see, the book of Job takes place at a very early time of human history. Some scholars believe that job is an even older book than the book of Genesis. and God was teaching the angelic beings that God’s plan for his greatest creation, which is man would not be thrown off track by any of their attacks or lies. Remember, the enemy told God, that Job was only good, because God had put a hedge around him and blessed him. He said that job would curse God do his face if God took everything away. But what happened? Job said, Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart, the Lord gave and the Lord is taken away, may the name of the Lord be praised. So Job did not curse God, like the enemy said he was going to. and one last point, we humans have an extremely short sighted view of our life on Earth, we pretty much live in the moment, it seems like what we experience is the only reality. So we naturally assume that pain is bad, and pleasure is good. Life is good, death is bad. But the fact of the matter is that our time on Earth is but a nanosecond in light of eternity. It’s fleeting, a wisp of smoke on a windy day, what we see and experience is only a tiny sliver of the totality of reality. Think of the full spectrum of light. As you probably know, light comes in wavelengths, generally speaking, the shortest wavelengths are gamma rays, then X rays, then ultraviolet rays, then the visible light that we can see, then infrared, then radar, then FM radio waves, then TV, then shortwave and finally, am radio waves. What we humans can actually see of the light spectrum is just a tiny portion. and that’s how reality is, we are only aware of a very, very, very small part of it. So when we look at the book of Job, and we see what God allowed in his life, we might feel as if it was not fair for God to allow a good man to suffer as he did. But when we step back and consider that we only see things through our limited human perspective, we begin to see that perhaps we might not be judging from a fully informed position. Near the end of this book, Job asks God, some pretty pointed questions about why God allowed all this to be fallen. and the way that God answers job is awesome. I think when we get there, you will think so too. Well, I always invite your comments, you know, share some of those comments for the Lifespring family on the show. Remember, I don’t just want you to listen to the show, I want you to participate as a family does. Again, this is the Lifespring family Audio Bible, you are very much a part of the show. So comment at comment dot Lifespringmedia.com. Or you can email me at Steve at Lifespringmedia.com.

Steve Webb 13:07
Next up is this day in church history. But first, I need to remind you that I’m relying on you to support the show with your time, talent or treasure, which by the way, is not a new concept. My friend Adam curry the pod father, the guy who had a lot to do with the invention of podcasting might have coined the phrase, but not the concept. You see, the early church incorporated the same principles. In the New Testament book, the book of Acts, we read how new converts brought their time, talent and treasure to help one another. and that’s all I’m asking you to do. If you think that what I’m doing here at the Lifespring family Audio Bible is worthwhile, then donate one or more of the three T’s time, talent or treasure. Your contribution of time might be commenting at comment.lifespringmedia.com or reviewing the show at reviews dot Lifespringmedia.com. Maybe you can even think of something else that I haven’t thought of your talent contribution could be jingles show art, whatever you’re good at. I’m open treasure is of course financial donations. whatever value you think makes sense to you. Please go to support dot Lifespringmedia.com. You’ll find a lot of information there including how you’ll be thanked for your donation. and my goodness gracious This is really exciting. Yesterday more than doubled the amount of streaming SATs and boosts the show has gotten Yesterday I told you the show had received 12,419 Satoshis. and that was the total from April up until August 31. Well, just yesterday 26,436 Hats came with. I can’t tell you how much that encourages me. and somebody said into Boostagram and it said keep your hand to the plow brother glad to have found the podcast didn’t thank you for your courage. Well, I don’t know who sent that because the report doesn’t tell me that information. But thank you so much for that. I’m glad you found the show too. and you really just bless my heart. Thank you. So how do you stream SATs boost and send booster grams? Well, you use one of the shiny new podcasting 2.0 podcast app that you can find it new podcastapps.com It’s a lot of fun to stream SATs to your favorite podcaster and boost and send booster grams but I gotta tell you, as a podcaster, it’s tremendously fun to receive them as well. So again, I’m really thankful for your support, guys. This is the way the show will be able to continue, you are very much a part of the production and you are helping to spread the good news in a very tangible or should I say audible way. My God bless you.

Steve Webb 15:53
Now, right this day in church history, September 2 1921, the first General Synod of the African Orthodox Church convened in New York City. This branch of the Protestant Episcopal Church was established in 1919 by George J. McGuire, who was also elected the denominations first bishop. and on this date in 1973, J. R. R, Tolkien died. In addition to being the author of The Hobbit, which was published in 1937. and the Lord of the Rings trilogy, which was published from 1954 to 55. He was a devout Catholic, and he enjoyed smoking pipes, something I also enjoy doing from time to time.

Steve Webb 16:38
Well, beloved, I don’t have any prayer requests from you yet. But I hope that situation is going to change soon. Go to prayer.lifespringmedia.com to submit your prayer requests. But I’m going to go ahead and share some of my requests with you today. Remember, when you send in your prayer requests, I’ll pray for you in my daily private prayer time. and I’ll pray for you on the show so that we can all agree together as we take our requests to God. So let’s pray. Our heavenly Father, again, I thank you for this opportunity on this show to lift up our prayers to you, God, you are worthy. You are our gracious heavenly Father, You are our loving Heavenly Father, you’re worthy of our praise. and Father, we know that you’re listening. I thank You, Lord, for the people that you’ve thus far brought to the show. and I pray God that what they hear here will touch their hearts. Then I pray God that you will change all of our lives as we study the Bible together. Again, Lord, today I lift up Dell and Kathy to you Kathi’s having issues with, obviously, as I said yesterday with her with her cancer, but she’s also having heart problems. Dell is having some cognitive problems. He’s about the same age I am. and his brain is not doing well. and I pray God that you would help both of them. and I heard today that my friend Heidi has a terrible sinus infection. I guess she gets about three of these a year. and I pray God that you would touch her body. I know her and her family are about to leave California moved to Virginia, I pray God that you’ll be with them as they as they’re moving and establishing their new house. and I just pray God that you would bring health. I pray for those that are dealing with the destruction of the hurricane Ida. People that have lost their homes, people, Lord, that maybe have lost their lives. and I pray God for the families of those who have lost lives, that you would touch them and that you would comfort them Lord, in fold them in your loving arms, Lord and help them Lord to feel your presence. I pray for all those in the Lifespring family Lord, who are either sick or who have family members who are I pray God that you would touch their bodies and that they would feel your presence with them and God that you would bring healing and that you would bring relief. Again Lord, I asked for wisdom as I produce this show. I pray God that you would speak through me and that you would make yourself real to each person who’s listening. and I’ve asked God that you would bring new people to the show who need to hear the good news of a risen Savior. I pray these things in Jesus name amen

Steve Webb 19:21
Be sure you check out my book at Bible names dot link. Webs easy Bible names pronunciation guide is available in softcover PDF and mp3. Every name of the Bible is in the book almost 7600 names and every English spelling from every major English translations in the book. When you buy the book, you’re helping to support this show and because you’re helping I want to give you a discount since you’re part of the Lifespring family. When you check out be sure to use discount code podcast and you’ll get a 25% discount only at Bible names dot link

Steve Webb 20:00
I’d love it if you go to reviews dot Lifespringmedia.com. and leave a review. If you liked the show, tell somebody, just go to reviews dot Lifespringmedia.com. and I’ll read your review on the show.

Steve Webb 20:17
If you haven’t signed up for the newsletter yet, be sure you do that at news dot Lifespringmedia.com. I’ll send you a weekly list of the readings for the week. Plus, there’ll be other content that you won’t get on the show. Tomorrow we’re going to read Isaiah chapters one through six. Isaiah is a book that is in the category of prophecy. and there are several prophetic pictures of Jesus the Messiah included in it. Yep, it’s in the Old Testament, but prophecies of Jesus are in there. It’s a fascinating read. Now be sure you’re subscribed. If you’re not go to subscribe dot Lifespringmedia.com There are links there to help you get subscribed or in most podcast apps, just search for my name, Steve Webb or Lifespring family Audio Bible and be sure you tell a friend about the show. I mean, that’s how we spread the word right? People really have a hard time discovering podcasts, whether it’s through Apple or Google or Amazon or whatever. The best way to spread the word is one to one, you telling your friends, comment on the show at comment.lifespringmedia.com or email me at st***@*************ia.com. I’ll read some of your comments on the show. and I really want to hear from you. So until tomorrow, may God bless you richly. Thank you for being here. My name is Steve Webb. Bye

Transcribed by https://otter.ai