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I'm gonna ask you to notice something as I asked you when we read chapter 9 how many times Job would use the term he and him as he referred to God and how the Lord really was the the emphasis of everything that Job said.
And if you follow it in chapter 10 as we read through it what you're gonna find is not so often. Does he use he and him but he uses the word you and yours because again he's giving God the glory and everything.
So let's read the chapter chapter 10 verse 1. My soul loads my life and I will give free cost to my complaint. And I will speak in the bitterness of my soul and I will say to God do not condemn me. Show me why you contend with me.
Does it seem good to you. That you should oppress. That you should despise the work of your hands and shine on the council of the wicked. Do you have eyes of flesh. So do you see as man sees. Are your days like the days of a mortal man and your years like the the days of a mighty man.
That you should seek my iniquity and search out my sin although you know I am NOT wicked and there is no one who can deliver from your hand. And your hands have made me and fashioned me an intricate unity.
And yet you would destroy me. Remember I pray that you have made me like clay. You turn me into dust again. Do you not pour me out like me. Did you not pour me out like milk and curdle me like cheese and clothed me with skin and flesh and knit me together with bones and sinews.
You have granted me life and favor and your care has preserved my spirit. And these things you have hidden in your in your heart. And I know that this was with you. And if I sin you mock me and will not equip me of my iniquity.
If I am wicked woes me and if I'm righteous I can't lift up my head. I'm full of disgrace see my misery. If my head is exalted you hunt me like a fierce lion. And again you show yourself awesome against me and you renew your witness against me and increase your indignation towards me.
And changes in war are ever with me. Why then have you brought me out of the womb all that I had perished and no one had seen me. I have witnessed. I would have been as though I had not been. I would have been carried from the womb to the grave.
Are not my days. Few cease leave me alone that I may take a little comfort before I go to the place from which I shall not return to the land of darkness the shadow of death. The land as dark as darkness itself as the shadow of death without any order where even the light is like darkness.
So as we consider again as Job is is continually going to defend his integrity as far as his relationship to God in the midst of the great tragedy that has taken place to him personally as we know very well right at this point that his life has been turned basically upside down inside out and also the fact that his friends have come to him and his friends really his friends have really not been of any true comfort to him.
And so build that had in chapter 8 blasted Job basically called Job a liar and a windbag and all those wonderful things. And then in chapter 9 Job began to defend himself to build that and so he continues it in in chapter 10.
So we'll just walk through it and I have a couple of remarks I want to make. And then if you have anything to add to it that's fine. So just let's look at it almost a verse at a time he says my soul is my soul loads my life.
And I will give free cost to my complaint. And here's what I thought of. And again there's many things that we could think about. But here's what I thought of. I thought about the fact that Job's life is well let me put it in a question form.
What's worse. Physical issues or issues of the soul. I agree with everything you just said. Really what's harder to deal with the things of the flesh or the things of the spirit and even apart from the idea of the spirit but but rather let's just divide man in two and say he's he's outside body and he's inside spirit even apart from the reality of the Spirit of God.
And what Job says here is is interesting in that he says my soul loads my life. And and even though his his body has been eaten by worms and his flesh basically is falling off and everything that he had is gone.
He looks to it more from the area of the internal and that's really what's troubling him. And I wanted to show you this proverb and I wanted to ask you what your your thoughts were on it. So just stay right there and jump but go to Proverbs chapter 18 for a minute because there's something unique about us that is really only given to those who have if you will a soul.
Okay. How many how many would agree that man has a soul. But anybody disagreed it. Man doesn't have a soul. Would anybody like to truly define what that soul what that means. So not yet. So man has a soul.
Okay. Animals they have a soul. Yes. No. Maybe. So I see one. No. Yes. And yes. Pretty interesting. Oh so you make it a distinguishing. You're distinguishing the soul in an animal from the soul of man.
Okay. So so you you taking David saying yes and brother Lee saying no. And you came up with it. Okay. How about this. Plants and trees they have a soul. Okay. So now we made a distinction between man and animals.
And then we made a distinction between plants and trees and animals. Let's let's. Well let me show you the verse. I want to look at first in Proverbs chapter 18 in verse 14 look what it says. It says the spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness but who can bear a broken spirit.
The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness but who can bear a broken spirit to me. And I've looked at this before to me this makes a clear indication that the reality is the things that go on inside of us have a greater impact on us than the things that merely go on outside of us.
And you would you would look to what Jesus said even what Paul and the rest of the Apostles and writers in the New Testament said. But certainly what Jesus said because he said what. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks right.
And from the from the heart proceeds adulteries and fornications and evils and hatings and all those things. And so when you think about it there is a distinction to be made. So would you all agree that it's easy to deal with a broken arm than a broken heart.
Okay. Because why is that. So why is that. So why is this the things that go on inside of us. Why do they have a greater impact on us than the things that go on outside of us. Any thoughts on that going once going twice sold to David.
Is it because that is the center of man. Is it because is that have an impact that way. Because that really is where the essence of us abides right. And another words when it's almost like people say you know when I'm happy nothing matters but when I'm sad everything matters.
Right. Everything is is turned upside down when the things that are within us are churning. And so you think about that. And so now I'm gonna go back in. I want to ask so some of you said that the animals these guys these are out.
No what did you mean when you said that animals have souls. What is a soul do. How would we would I be right if I did something like this. And I said that a soul means you rational thoughts you have sister I don't know if I spell that right.
It looks good to me. Okay. Are animals. Are they rational. What does it need to be rational. Yeah. What I'm trying to say is when you try to define what a soul is it's not. You can't just say it's it's this.
And that's all it is. Right. There are component parts of it right. One of it is that you're rational. What does it mean. To be rational means you have the ability to think. Right. Not only do you have the ability to think but you act upon the things that you think about.
Great right. Okay. You also have a conscience. And that conscience has been implanted in us by God. Right. And Paul speaks about that in Romans and he talks about how our consciences are either constantly doing what they're either excusing us or accusing us.
So when you think about it and you think about a job says my soul loads my life. He's looking at his life he sees the things taking place and he is making perceptions and he is seeking to work through it.
Do animals do that does an animal in that sense is an animal rational. That's Andy's candy. Don't have souls that are redeemable so to speak. But dogs cats every animal has a point of view that they're coming from and that main point of view is survival.
Whatever you got to do to survive that's what they do that would lead them having a sense of rationale a sense of reason. Catch this guy and I got a bite him in the throat so I can eat today. It's not a reaction.
That's survival. If that's what you got to do to survive you say okay there's one I can catch that and I can do what I got to do to stay alive. Is that is that instinct. See I is instinct the same as the irrational.
Let me ask you this and I know I was gonna stir up some stuff but I like to stir a little bit. When a dog looks up at the stars in heaven what does he think about. Well before we say he can't express it.
Yeah do. Does he think of it the same way a man thinks of it. Does he have a conscience. And is that conscience towards God or is it that God has implanted within animals. And we've already excluded plants and trees.
Right. Although I mean and I know I'm probably making too much out of it but it does say that the trees clap their hands at God. But I'm gonna leave that alone because I'll give herself in a whole lot of trouble.
So when you think about it does animals really have a are they really rational or they are reactive or have a instinct that's been implanted in them. And I'm not disagreeing that the dog when he's hungry he's gonna bite kill.
Same way with any other animal. Right. But does he have. Does that make someone rational. Because to me when you talk about the irrational that means you look out into your world and you're able to take in that world.
And then you react based upon that and then you act right. Is that the same in animals as it is in man. I'm gonna show you some go to Ecclesiastes for a minute. And again we don't usually talk about this stuff.
So I think it's worthwhile to consider it Ecclesiastes and chapter 3. And if you will start at verse 16 please ask these three. 16 look at it says this is of course Solomon writing. He says. Moreover I saw under the Sun in the place of judgment wickedness was there and in the place of righteousness iniquity was there.
And I said in my heart God shall judge the righteous and the wicked. For there shall be a time there for every purpose and for every work that just stopped there for a second to me that say that man is rational in and he has a conscience and he thinks of it in terms of that towards God.
The wouldn't you be willing to say that's the same thing about an animal. Does the animal who another bigger dog steals his food. Does that animal say God will judge that dog at some point. I don't think so.
But I want you to keep on reading verse 18. I said in my heart concerning the estate of the sons of men God tests them that they may see that they themselves are like beasts. For what happens to the sons of men.
Also happens to beasts one thing before the falls them as one dies so dies the other. Okay. So we can at least gather from that that what he's saying there is that both man and animals they have a beginning and they have an end.
Basically you could if you really wanted to you could include trees plants. Right. You can get into this idea of animals and perennials and all that stuff. But my point is at some point they come into existence and then they go out of existence.
Agree. Okay then look what he says. So as one dies so the other surely they all have one breath. Man has no advantage over beasts for all is vanity. All go to one place. All are from the dust and all return to dust.
Look at verse 21. Who knows the spirit of the sons of man men which goes upward and the spirit of the beasts which goes down to the earth. So I perceive there's nothing better than a man should rejoice in his own work for that is his heritage.
What is that saying. What is that saying about the immortality of the soul. He says the spirit of the man goes where upward. What does it say in Hebrews it's appointed for a man once to die and after that comes what.
Okay. Is it appointed once for a dog or a cat to die. And after that comes the judgment. I don't know if I want to touch that answer. Oh I don't think he's saying it like that brother. I don't think he's saying he's not sure.
What he is saying is that everything has a beginning everything has an end. And in that sense man's no better than the beast of the field. Because they both gonna die anyway. Right. They're both gonna go back into the ground.
But he does make a statement about the spirit of a man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes downward. And of course he doesn't deal with this thing. So. Okay. So you put in this word I'm gonna write that down sister.
What do you mean by discernment. Yeah. See. So when you start to when you start to make this you try to put the component parts of this the list will grow longer and longer and longer. Will the list grow longer and longer for animals.
I'm not saying that animals don't show affection. But I'm not so sure. Well I'm gonna say I don't believe it's the same. It's based on the same ability or reasoning as man does. Right. Because if you I'll put you this way you keep hitting the dog and that dog gonna hate you.
When it comes to man sometimes you keep hitting them and they still love you. Right. So there is a distinction to be made. You get some of you looking at me like man where are you. They have a sense. Right.
And we're not really given everything has in nature. Right. Yeah the spirit of the animal. Yes running Buffalo over the play. Because here's the question that people doesn't dog go to heaven because the reason is that there's a distinction.
Listen here's what I'm trying to get. There are some things that could be considered somewhat of a similarity but there's definitely distinctions to be made. Absolutely right. And that the thing that really as I read to you in primaries the spirit of a man can sustain him in an infirmity he can handle sickness and and things of the flesh but a broken spirit who can bear that's and that's because man is unique.
So I want to ask you this question before we move on when you think about evolution and the premise of evolution is what basically everybody has a different start point but basically evolution does something like this.
This leads to this. This led to this over you know trillions and trillions of years. And maybe you go backwards. The Bible really teaches it this way God created man in his image God created the animals.
And then if you wanted to that. No that's probably so. Do you see what it what a tragedy is for people when people talk about evolution they're not just talking about the Darwin and the things like that.
It's really in the front. If you think about it it's an affront against God because God says he made man in his image and he put within man that which is not in animals. And it's certainly not in plants and trees.
Right. So what. Yep sorry nature. Yeah. And that conscience is God given and it's given only to man. In other words if my dog steals someone else's food my dog doesn't go home and say man I'm sorry I did that.
Yeah. Yeah. Because he's learned he's learned what's gonna happen. It's a learned response. Because if you come in that house and you say what a good doggy you are that dog could do it again he's gonna do so.
Is it a reaction. Is it an instinct. And again I'm not trying to nail this thing down in an exact science but there is something here. Would you not agree. There's something here that isn't here and that God has made it that way and that nothing could ever take it and make it untrue.
Right. What God has if you will what God has put together let no man tear sundered. Just looking if you will just to finish the thought go back to Romans 1 and let's just look at this. And again probably won't deal with this much more as we go through the book of Job.
But I do think it's worth our time. And look what Paul says that we could really should even if you pick it up at verse 18 which is of course so familiar to all of us the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all on godliness and unrighteousness of men not animals not plants not trees who suppress the truth.
And that's another part of this these things be rational and having a conscience of being able to discern. Is that there is in man and God lay element of what truth. Now Paul says it and he says when men look up they could see what design.
Right. And what does that design mean. Well if there's design there has to be a designer. If there's a watch there has to be a watchmaker. Correct. And God has planted that. That's why I asked you before.
Does the does the let's stop picking on dogs as a giraffe look up to heaven and say man God is great. Okay. So when he talks about this and he says that men suppress the truth in unrighteousness because that which may be known of God is manifest in them.
For God has shown it to them again. I don't believe that the the lion the tiger and the bear just lay around at night and contemplate the things of truth again doesn't mean that there's not a relationship with nature in between it very absolutely.
And that's another part of this idea of the soul of man. Because if you think about it man was given everything is under his domain. Right. Now again as you think about this and let me just ask us to read a little bit further.
So it says verse 24. Since the creation of the world his God's invisible attributes are clearly seen seen by who seen by men being understood. And there's that part about being rational being able to take things in and to if you will work through them and the things by the things that are made even his eternal power and God had so that they are without excuse.
Now are animals without excuse. Again. Is God gonna judge the animals. Yeah. Absolutely so yeah. So when job says that my soul knows life I just wanted us to begin to understand that there is a distinction and that's what really rules us.
And it doesn't rule anything else like it does man. So let me just finish the thought. So they are without excuse. Verse 21 Romans 1. Because although they knew God. Interesting right. They knew something of God.
They looked up the heavens they saw a design they figured is there gotta be a designer. They were without excuse because they would weren't thankful. And they became futile in their thoughts and their foolish hearts were darkened professing themselves to be wise.
They became fools changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man and birds of all for to be some creepy things. So this stuff there was like do animals have a consciousness of a God.
I mean it says the Lions roar at night as they wait on God to feed them. But it's still not the same. Is it can't be professing themselves to be wise. They became fools around Christmastime. I'll tell you what I think about verse 23.
And for you who don't here's what I think about verse 23 that changed the glory of the incorruptible God and made an image like corruptible man at Santa Claus and birds that's Thanksgiving and four-footed beasts that's the bunny rabbits and creeping things.
That's Halloween. So you do whatever you want with that. So God gave them over. God gave them up to uncleanness in the loss of their hearts to dishonor their bodies who've changed the truth of God for a lie worship and serve the creature rather than the Creator who is blessed forever.
Amen. For this reason God gave him up to vile of passions for even their women and block. And we keep on reading. But I wanted to get down to the point where it talks about how God gave them over and they have their conscience will either accuse them or excuse them.
And that that conscience is always the prominent voice and that everyone has it and that it is distinct in man. And it's not the same as in animals. Although again I don't believe animals worship other animals.
Do they. They might be afraid of the bigger dog that but that's different. Right thoughts. Any other thoughts. Okay I just wanted to at least get that. Okay go back to jump. Then we'll see if we can just a little bit more.
Because that's what he says. He said my soul loathes my life. Then he says in chapter 10 verse 1 I'll give free course to my complaint. So what he's really saying is his he's in a mess he's in a world of hurt.
And yet he's going to acknowledge God as I said as we read through the chapter. But at the same time he says I'm gonna complain. And one of the things about that is that his emotions are if you will all churned up.
Aren't they. And how many times do we say something like this. I know what I ought to do or I know what I want to do or I know what I should do but I just don't feel like it. And that when you think about that and job as he says my soul loathes my life.
But I'm gonna give free course to my complaint. I'm going to speak in the bitterness of my soul again. Where does it reside in his soul. Just as that proverb says broken spirit who can handle. I will say to God do not condemn me.
Show me why you contend with me. And that's a that's an interesting thought to what is he asking God to do. But to show him. Well let me put it this way. Is that a good question to ask God why are you contented with me.
Why are you doing this to me. How many of us would say that. At some point in our life we have said that. And if not verbally at least inside why me. Why did this have to happen to me. And in that sense we are doing what is that.
Would that be a form of complaint. So that was my question. Is it right to ask. Is it right to ask that question. Why are you contending with me brother. You gonna say something. No Lee I thought you is it right to ask God why he contends with us.
But does God afflict willingly. The psalmist says no God doesn't afflict willingly. Sir. That's one of the themes of the book. Right. Is that Job can't figure out how the wicked and the righteous many times you can't.
You can't outwardly discern anything from that. Right. And yet what does his friends do. His friends in a sense they say that Job is wicked. And it's basically so agreed. At least that's the way I understand it.
So they both they have a different set of perspectives although they speak a lot of truth. Don't they they sure have up to this point they speak about God is sovereign and but yet they cannot get to the point where Job maintains his integrity before God.
And yet he's puzzled. Isn't that again like us. Sometimes we are we're troubled sometimes about our own situations our own state of affairs. Yes sir. No we wouldn't. I don't think. So if we didn't have and to expand it even further if we didn't have this right where would we be.
And you could see it it's kind of splattered throughout the pages of the Bible. But it's it's consolidated for us in a great example in the book of Job that Job is really confused at this point. So see that's an important yeah he remains his he can he remains with his integrity.
But integrity in and of itself doesn't always cause us to rest in peace again. You have to take the the conscience the integrity piece of it if you will. And then you have to match it up with what memoir pulses bring every thought into what into captivity.
Yeah obedience to Christ. Right. So it's not to we are able to take the two parts and put them together. And that's if you think about it I know we have to end. But if you think about you remember what Paul said in Philippians he said I have learned to be content.
I have learned to have everything and to have nothing to be abounding and to be a base. And then he says I could do all things through Christ. Who what strengthens me. So all. Right. I know we ran up and down some side roads this morning but we'll come back to this next week because as he goes through he's gonna he's gonna respond to build that member build that had laid out to him about how God was the great one who made everything.
And he talked about the stars that God made until he's gonna come back and say hey dude I know exactly the same stuff that you know. Yeah I mean he got it the same place all the other Saints got it before the descriptions.
Because if you think about it they didn't have any. They didn't have King James. They didn't have looking James didn't have the ESV didn't have the NIV didn't have nothing. It was again the way God revealed himself is is distinct.
And yet there is the truth is always the same the manner in which just like it says God in times past in different ways in different manners has spoken times past to the fathers by the prophets but in his last days spoke to some we got to stop let's pray.
Well thank you for the ability to to just think Lord to to look inside to look and outside and to be able to put together things. What some things are very hard to understand for us we are confused and we are slow to learn but help us Lord help us to see you for who you are help us to worship you for who you are and and be with us now as we continue in worship in Jesus name Amen.
