We’re continuing our readings through the book of Job. We have heard Eliphaz’s first speech and Job’s reply. Now Bildad, the second of Job’s three friends, speaks to him.

1 Then Bildad the Shuhite spoke up and said:
2 “How long will you speak these things,
seeing that the words of your mouth
are like a great wind?
3 Does God pervert justice?
Or does the Almighty pervert what is right?
4 If your children sinned against him,
he gave them over to the penalty of their sin.
5 But if you will look to God
and make your supplication to the Almighty,
6 if you become pure and upright,
even now he will rouse himself for you
and will restore your righteous home.
7 Your beginning will seem so small,
since your future will flourish.
8 “For inquire now of the former generation,
and pay attention to the findings
of their ancestors;
9 For we were born yesterday and do not have knowledge,
since our days on earth are but a shadow.
10 Will they not instruct you and speak to you,
and bring forth words
from their understanding?
11 Can the papyrus plant grow tall where there is no marsh?
Can reeds flourish without water?
12 While they are still beginning to flower
and not ripe for cutting,
they can wither away
faster than any grass.
13 Such is the destiny of all who forget God;
the hope of the godless perishes,
14 whose trust is in something futile,
whose security is a spider’s web.
15 He leans against his house, but it does not hold up;
he takes hold of it, but it does not stand.
16 He is a well-watered plant in the sun;
its shoots spread over its garden.
17 It wraps its roots around a heap of stones,
and it looks for a place among stones.

18 If he is uprooted from his place,
then that place will disown him, saying,
‘I have never seen you!’
19 Indeed, this is the joy of his way,
and out of the earth others spring up.
20 “Surely, God does not reject a blameless man,
nor does he grasp the hand
of the evildoers.
21 He will yet fill your mouth with laughter
and your lips with gladness.
22 Those who hate you will be clothed with shame,
and the tent of the wicked will be no more.”

REFLECTIONS

What strikes me about Bildad’s speech is that most of the things he says are 100% true. For example, in verse 3: “Does God pervert justice?” Of course not! Or verse 13: “Such is the destiny of all who forget God; the hope of the godless perishes.” Preach it, brother! Or verse 20: “Surely, God does not reject a blameless man.” A truer word was never spoken!

But Bildad’s arrogance is that he thinks he can apply those truths to everyone else’s life here and now, as if God’s activity in the world is like a simple and obvious formula. In fact, those truths are long-term realities. In our short-term experience of this life, we are in a fallen world that is “subjected to frustration” and we “groan inwardly” as we wait for Jesus to return and make everything new and truly right (Romans 8:18-25).

Until then, if we treat God’s ways like Bildad’s formula, we are in danger of crushing God’s precious, suffering children for whom Christ died. Pray that God would give us hearts of humble grace and compassion.