{"podcast":{"title":"Wise Counsel","slug":"wise-counsel-7060777","podcast_index_feed_id":7060777,"rss_url":"https://anchor.fm/s/fc29aa48/podcast/rss","website_url":"https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/robertsmithsound3","image_url":"https://d3t3ozftmdmh3i.cloudfront.net/staging/podcast_uploaded_nologo/42205890/42205890-1781806866102-0ea09eea8170a.jpg","author":"RM Smith","episode_count":78,"summary":"Welcome to Wise Counsel, a daily five-minute devotional hosted by RM Smith. Each episode dives deep into biblical scholarship and Ancient Near Eastern context, offering concise insights into Scripture to illuminate its timeless truths and practical applications. Join RM Smith as he explores the cultural and historical backgrounds that enrich our understanding of God's Word, equipping you to navigate life's challenges with wisdom and discernment. Tune in for your daily dose of spiritual nourishment!","last_synced_at":"2026-07-21T02:17:37.888317+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/wise-counsel-7060777"},"episode":{"title":"50. Surrounded by a Cloud of Witnesses","slug":"50-surrounded-by-a-cloud-of-witnesses","published_at":"2025-12-08T16:47:10+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/wise-counsel-7060777/50-surrounded-by-a-cloud-of-witnesses","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/wise-counsel-7060777","url":"https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/robertsmithsound3/episodes/50--Surrounded-by-a-Cloud-of-Witnesses-e3c27sp","audio_url":"https://anchor.fm/s/fc29aa48/podcast/play/112319833/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2025-11-8%2F413982906-44100-2-d3b4c49f77f16.m4a","summary":"In this episode of Wise Counsel , Robert Smith reflects on Hebrews 12:1: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…” The writer of Hebrews invites us to run the race of faith with endurance, supported by those who have gone before. Drawing on Michael S. Heiser’s The Unseen Realm and Craig S. Keener’s commentary on Hebrews, Robert explores how the “cloud of witnesses” reminds us that faith is never lived in isolation. From the perseverance of early martyrs to modern heroes of faith, this passage calls us to courage. Connections are made to American history’s “great cloud” of witnesses in the civil rights movement and even the heroic sagas of Western literature.","meta_description":"In this episode of Wise Counsel , Robert Smith reflects on Hebrews 12:1: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…” The writer…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":311,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/wise-counsel-7060777/episodes/50-surrounded-by-a-cloud-of-witnesses/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/wise-counsel-7060777/50-surrounded-by-a-cloud-of-witnesses.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}