This is the Bible Book Club, the book club. Welcome to the club.

Last time in chapters 22 through 27 of Job, we entered round three, the final round,

the debate between Job and his friends. Elifaz, out of real

arguments, resorted to just making things up at this point. That's where we're going. That's where we are.

He accused Job of all kinds of cruelty, none of it true. Job didn't even bother responding to those

lies. He is done talking to these friends. He wants to talk to God, but he just feels really far away from

God, and he feels like his fate is just out of his control. So despite all of this, Job says,

when God has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Well, Bill Dad comes next, but he had very little

left to say. And so far, he never said another word.

Job closed the debate with an oath that still echoes today. I will maintain my innocence and never

let go of it. Till I die, I will not deny my integrity. So we've been through three rounds,

three friends against one broken man on an ash heap.

And when it was over, it was the friends who had nothing left to say.

Job was still standing.

What comes next is all Job, his longest uninterrupted speech.

But who is he talking to?

Himself? His friends? The crowd? Recall from episode four that these conversations took place at the city gate, a public place for discourse.

Joe was the greatest man of the East, so his fall was big news. Elders, neighbors, and gossips are all there.

We know they're still listening because when Job finishes, a stranger, Elahu, steps forward

described as having been present and listening the whole time. Well, the people at the

city gate have watched this court case four hours.

They've heard all three friends, the prosecution,

...