.JPG)
The Bible Breakdown
Bible reading plan and SOAP guide: www.experiencerlc.com/the-bible
Subscribe to my weekly newsletter: www.brandoncannon.com
The Bible Breakdown
Job 33: There's Always a Know-It-All
Ever wondered how to handle a know-it-all in your life? Join us as we unravel Job, chapter 33, where Elihu, a brash newcomer, delivers his impassioned speech to Job and his friends. Through Elihu's intense assertions that divine messages come through dreams, visions, and pain, we delve into the dynamics of suffering, wisdom, and humility. We unpack how Elihu’s well-meaning but often mistimed advice exemplifies the difficulties in dealing with those who think they know it all. Reflect on the narrative’s themes and how they resonate both within the story and in our own lives.
In the second part of our conversation, we turn to practical wisdom in relationships, learning how to respond to critics and offer genuine help to those in need. Sometimes the wisest course of action is to remain silent in the face of false accusations, as defending oneself might not always sway a critic’s opinion. We emphasize the importance of being present and offering support without the rush to provide solutions. Drawing lessons from the book of Job, we seek to navigate relationships with compassion and wisdom, recognizing the powerful impact of simply being there for those who are hurting. Tune in to gain insights on fostering meaningful connections and handling life's know-it-alls with grace.
SOAP Bible Study Method- https://www.brandoncannon.com/soap/
Bible reading plan- http://www.experiencerlc.com/the-bible/
Free weekly newsletter- https://www.brandoncannon.com/
Social:
Facebook: https://facebook.com/thebrandoncannon
Instagram: https://instagram.com/brandoncannon
Twitter: https://twitter.com/brandoncannon
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theBrandonCannon
The More You Dig. The More You Find.
Well, hello everybody. Welcome back to the Bible Breakdown Podcast with your host, pastor Brandon. Today, job, chapter 33, and today's title is there's Always a Know-It-All. There's Always a Know-It-All. I really was searching for the best title to this chapter and I just got to tell you Elihu is just getting warmed up. He's got so much to say and the thing is, is there so many good things to say? But we're going to talk about the idea of should it be said, and should it be said now. We're going to get to that in just a moment. But, as always, if you like what we're doing here, make sure you like share, subscribe to YouTube channel and the podcast, make sure you are leaving us a five-star review on the podcast and make sure you're going to the Facebook group Bible Breakdown Discussion, because I'm going to tell you, the more we dig, the more we find, and we are building a community of people that are rallying around God's word together, all right? Well, if you have your Bibles, I want to open up with me to Job, chapter 33.
Speaker 1:Remember, the overall theme is trusting God's wisdom in suffering and up until now, job has lost everything and God is working behind the scenes. It's just Job doesn't know it right now. And so he's been complaining he hasn't been sinning, but he's been. Just he's been, he's been throwing a really good you know pity party. And he has three friends who've been around him, who've been really trying to tell him well, job, if you just would quit sinning, the Lord would quit hurting you and Job's going. But you don't get it. I'm not sinning, like this is not something I've done wrong and they're going. Well, of course you've done something wrong. Bad things only happen to bad people and, as we've been saying throughout this book, that's not true. And that's one of the reasons why I love the book of Job is he helps us, the God's word, helps us grapple with this idea that sometimes bad things do happen to bad people, but sometimes bad things happen to good people. And how do we wrestle with that together? Well, yesterday Job is not budging, job's three friends are at a loss, and so this young guy, this young fella named Elihu, comes in and he is going to just set all four of them straight. And yesterday he just was just telling them all off. They don't know what they're talking about, they're old and they don't get it. Well, today he's going to double down on that, and he's going to be very poetic. Remember, this was written in ancient Hebrew poetry and so, as it's been translated into English, it loses a little bit of its rhyme and meter, but still close. And he is going to just present his case against Job. And it's just a reminder. There's always a know-it-all in every crowd, so we're going to look at how to suffer a know-it-all and what to do when we find ourselves in that role, because I don't think that know-it-alls are always arrogant, mean people. I think sometimes they're the most passionate people about wanting to help. So what do we do to find ourselves in that seat? Let's read the word of God first, and then we'll come to that at the end. You ready?
Speaker 1:Job, chapter 33, verse 1, says this Listen to my words, job. Pay attention to what I have to say. Now that I have begun to speak, let me continue. I speak with all sincerity and I speak the truth, for the Spirit of God has made me and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. Answer me, if you can, and make your case and take your stand. Look, you and I both belong to God. I too was formed from clay, so you don't need to be afraid of me, I won't come down hard on you. You have spoken in my hearing and I have heard your very words you said so why are you bringing a charge against him? Why say he does not respond to people's complaints?
Speaker 1:For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it. He speaks in dreams and in visions of the night. When deep sleep falls on people as they lie in their beds, he whispers in their ears and terrifies them with warnings. He makes them turn from doing wrong and he keeps them from pride. He protects them from the grave and crosses over the river of death. And from crossing over the river of death, or God disciplines people with pain on their sickbeds, with ceaseless aching in their bones, they lose their appetite for even the most delicious of foods, their flesh wastes away and their bones stick out, and they are at death's door and the angels of death wait for them. But if an angel from heaven appears, a special messenger, to intercede for a person and declare that he is upright, he will be gracious and say rescue him from the grave, for I have found a ransom for his life. Then his body will become as healthy as a child's, firm and youthful again when he prays to God, he will be accepted, and God will receive him with joy and restore him to good standing. Yes, god does these things again and again for people. He rescues them from the grave so they may enjoy the light of life.
Speaker 1:Mark this well, job, and listen to me, for I have more to say. But if you have anything to say, go ahead, speak, for I am anxious to see you justified. But if not, listen to me, keep silent and I will teach you wisdom. Oh Lord, young fella, he is trying to act like he's going to teach Job a few things, even though he has no idea what's going on. So here's two things we can possibly take away with this. Number one there's always a know-it-all in the crowd, and so what do you do when a know-it-all speaks? Can I be honest with you? Exactly what we see Job doing right now, and that is nothing.
Speaker 1:A lot of times, when a know-it-all is speaking and they get revved up and they're trying their best to make their point, all you're going to do is start an argument, and so many times, the best thing to do is just to not add fuel to the fire. You know what's going on. You know what God is doing in your heart, and if they're accusing you of something or if they're unintentionally hurting you, you're not going to do a lot of good by arguing. So sometimes the best thing to do is just trust that the Lord knows and stay silent. I know that that's not what we want to do. We want to answer a fool according to his folly.
Speaker 1:The book of Proverbs says and there's a time and place for that but in a situation where you're struggling and you know you're innocent, and somebody is saying well, if you just confess you're a sinner, then I'll be over, do you really think you're going to change their mind? And so I want you to consider grappling with the idea of sometimes the very best answer to a critic is to not answer at all. On the other side, I know people that are the sweetest people in the room. You're never going to find someone who wants to help people more, and so when they get in these environments, a lot of times they become a know-it-all, not because they think they know better or whatever. They're just so eager to help that they think well, if I can just convince you of what I know to be true, then you'll get out of this faster. Well, can I tell you, be so very careful and ask yourself should it be said? And should it be said now? Because I want to tell you a secret.
Speaker 1:Sometimes the person who's hurting they know what to do, they're just hurting. And so sometimes people don't need you to tell them what to do, they just need you to sit and to listen as they tell you what has happened. Now that doesn't mean that there won't be a moment for it. It just means that in the moment you more honor the opportunity to walk with them, and it's less about anything else, it's trusting that in the right moment, the Lord will give you the words to say. And if they say, hey, will you help me, hey, will you give me wisdom, well then you jump into it. But if not, you be patient and you let God do his work, because sometimes the very best thing you can do is just to simply be there.
Speaker 1:Let's pray together right now. God, thank you so much for today. Thank you that you're with us and thank you for the book of Job, god, that through your word you teach us so well. Thank you for all you're doing in us. We pray God you'll give us wisdom to do this hard thing called relationships. Well, in Jesus' name we pray, amen, amen. Well, god's word says after Job lost everything. In Job 121, he says I came naked.
