The First Speech of Bildad
November 17, 2020
Commentary
The second of Job’s three friends, Bildad, jumps into Job’s troubles. He is obviously the most dogmatic and legalistic of the three friends. He calls Job a windbag full of hot air (vv. 1-2) and goes directly to the heart of Job’s complaining that God is unjust (v. 3). His argument is that since God never distorts justice, He certainly would not be punishing Job for nothing. Therefore, he says that it is obvious that Job has sinned. Furthermore, it is Bildad’s conviction that Job’s children have died as a result of their sin. In his mind, the law of sowing and reaping demanded that conclusion. Now he is saying that Job is dying because he has sinned. For what other reason would he be suffering?
Eliphaz had supported his viewpoints by appealing to his own experiences (Job 4:8). Bildad appeals to scholarly tradition as the source of his authority. He uses a traditional proverb to show that the law of sowing and reaping is as certain as the laws of biology. The person who forgets God is cut off in the midst of his prosperity just as a spider’s web. A house that is so weak will fall down if you lean on it. (v. 15).
Application
Bildad wrongly assumed that Job was trusting in something other than God for security. It is true that only God can give lasting security. It is important what I have trusted in for my security?
Job 8:1– 22 (NET)
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.”