Bildad Says Man is Inferior
May 16, 2021
Commentary
We now come to the final words spoken by Bildad. His speech is the shortest in the book and centers on the greatness of God and the smallness of humanity (vv. 1–6). Rather than responding to Job’s pain, Bildad accuses him of pride because Job insists his suffering is not caused by personal sin. It is troubling to hear how confidently Job’s friends speak about God, even though God later reveals they do not truly understand Him. They speak boldly, yet they do not know what tomorrow will bring. Often, those who talk the most about God understand Him the least. This chapter focuses on God’s power and justice.
First, Bildad highlights God’s power, which flows from His very nature (vv. 1–3). God rules with absolute authority and reigns over heaven with perfect control (v. 2). Nothing escapes His sight, and all creation remains under His command. He has countless angels ready to obey His will (v. 3). Bildad emphasizes that no one can challenge or resist such a powerful God. His words remind us that God is sovereign, unmatched, and fully aware of everything happening in the world.
Second, Bildad speaks about God’s justice, which comes from His holiness (vv. 4–6). He asks how any human could claim to be righteous before such a pure God (v. 4). Even the moon and stars fall short of God’s holiness (v. 5), so how much more fragile and limited humanity appears by comparison (v. 6). Job never claimed to be sinless; he only maintained that his suffering was not the result of hidden sin. Bildad urges Job to admit that God cannot act unjustly. Yet he offers no comfort, forgetting God’s mercy, love, and grace. With this, the speeches of Job’s friends come to an end. His words feel heavy, cold, and distant.
Application
I ask myself hard questions today. Do I speak about God without listening to hurting people? Do I use truth to comfort, or to judge? When others suffer, do I show humility and mercy? I want to remember God’s greatness without forget-ting His grace, choosing compassion, patience, and careful words as I walk with others.
Job 25:1–26:14 (NET)
1 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered:
2 “Dominion and awesome might belong to God; he establishes peace in his heights.
3 Can his armies be numbered? On whom does his light not rise?
4 How then can a human being be righteous before God? How can one born of a woman be pure?
5 If even the moon is not bright, and the stars are not pure as far as he is concerned,
6 how much less a mortal man, who is but a maggot — a son of man, who is only a worm!”
Scripture Used in Marriage Proposal
From Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Rev. David Thomas Wright courted and won Frances Elliott, of Kansas City, by cabling the verse numbers of Biblical passages. He proposed with Genesis 12:1. She accepted with Ruth 1:16. He confirmed the proposal w … Continue