The Second Speech of Bildad

Job 18:1–21
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In this chapter, Bildad lashes out at Job and accuses him of trying to insult the intelligence of his three friends. He has missed Job’s hints that he is searching for sympathy, for a witness to his innocence, and for comfort. Instead, he launches into a harsh and vivid description of the kind of punishment that is reserved for sinners. He says that his person, his family, and even his name, will be destroyed. He is saying, “Job, if you would shut up, then we could speak” (v. 1).

Bildad wondered when Job would stop talking. He said, “How long will you vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words?” (v. 2). With Job in mind, he gives a ruthless account of the misfortunes that come on the wicked (vv. 3-10). He describes how his body will be weakened and calamity and disaster will overtake him (vv. 11-12). His reference to a sinner’s skin being eaten away (v. 13) probably refers to Job’s skin problem. Being torn from his tent (v. 14) points to death. Bildad says the wicked are going to be judged (vv. 15-16). He says that no one remembers a wicked person in darkness (v. 17), thrown far from the light into a world of darkness, without any children to carry on their name (vv. 18-19).

Job had said that good people would be appalled at his condition (17:8), but Bildad responds that people everywhere will be appalled, not so much by the grief of the wicked, as by their troubles and horrible end (v. 20). He classes Job with the wicked and tells him that he is at the end of the road. He concludes by insinuating that Job did not even know God (v. 21). He reasoned that since Job refused to repent, how could he possibly be righteous?

Application

Bildad rejected Job’s side of the story because it did not fit in with his outlook on life. It is easy for me to condemn Bildad, but unfortunately I often act the same way when my idea is threatened.