Unit 3: Justice and Adversity
Key Verse:
Job 8:1-2 NLT
1 Then Bildad the Shuhite replied to Job:
2 “How long will you go on like this?
You sound like a blustering wind…”
What’s that saying? “With friends like these…” Hang on tight. This will require a little blind faith…
What you need to know
Job 1:8 NLT
8 Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.”
. Only what God thinks of you matters…
The Lesson
Job 8:1 NLT
1 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said:
All of the clues offer that Bildad was a descendant of Shuah, son of Abraham, from his second marriage to Keturah (after the death of Sarah) (Genesis 25:1-2). Certainly, he had the credentials to be a participant in this narrative. With such a great progenitor as Abraham, Bildad knew what blessing looked like. I am sure he could offer accurate analysis on just how someone should walk before the Lord in such a way that blessing and favor would rest upon them. Additionally, Bildad’s name means ‘Old friend’, thus implying that he and Job had covered a lot of life’s ground together. They shared common life experiences, rejoiced over common blessings, and, as we find in today’s lesson, mourned over common sorrow. With old friends, if one stubs his toe, they both feel the pain of it. Shared suffering accompanies ‘old friendships.
Job 8:2 NLT
2 “How long will you say these things,
and the words of your mouth be a great wind?”
Job has just completed a long soliloquy bemoaning his sorry state. Additionally, Job reprimanded the first of his friends, Eliphaz, the Temanite for not being more supportive in his tone. It is here that Bildad breaks into the conversation, rebuking Job for his empty words and his complaints against friends who have just come to lament his situation.
Job 8:3 NLT
3 “Does God twist justice?
Does the Almighty twist what is right?”
Then Bildad poses a question: “Does God twist (pervert) justice?” He repeats himself for emphasis, “Does the Almighty twist (pervert) what is right?” These are rhetorical questions meant to elicit an assumed response. Everybody knows... God is not the author of confusion. He is not the Father of lies. The Bible tells me that He is light and that there is no shadow of turning in Him. The beauty of Bildad’s statement is that this was what was known about God, even before Moses gave us the Pentateuch. God is just and He is the Father of justice. Right after this, Bildad veered off course…
Job 8:4 NLT
4 “Your children must have sinned against him,
so their punishment was well deserved.”
“♫ He’s making a list. He’s checking it twice.♫ He’s going to find out who’s naughty or nice…”♫
Yes, we know the song. Sadly, most peoples image of God is distorted by the theology of Santa Claus. Like God, Santa is portrayed as a fatherly figure. Unlike God, Santa keeps a list. He judges people according to their works and not according to their faith. Listen, if God judged us solely on works, we would all be doomed. God is not only just, He is merciful.
Bildad upbraids Job according to His limited understanding of God’s mercy and grace. In his mind, there must be a reason that Job’s children were killed. They must have sinned. That’s the only answer available. According to Bildad, it must be so. And for those of you that will posit the example of Achan or others of God’s people who fell to God’s severe judgment, I would argue that all of those were within the dispensation of the law. Job, Bildad and friends all preceded the law. As such, they were covered by faith… faith in God. I could argue from the Book of Job, but that would be cheating. Bildad didn’t know what God knew. Neither did Job.
Job 8:5-6 NLT
5 “But if you pray to God
and seek the favor of the Almighty,”
6 “and if you are pure and live with integrity,
he will surely rise up and restore your happy home.”
Again, Bildad seems to be on point, however, do you notice his accusatory tone? “If you do such and such…”, as though Job was not doing these things. Wasn’t Bildad one of Job’s oldest friends? How could he so subtly question Job’s character? He, of all people, would know better.
I’ve been in Bildad’s seat before. I’ve been just as quick to accuse someone of sin. Some that I accused were politicians or dignitaries of some sort. Athletes, actors, entertainers, people in the news. We’re all professional critics when it comes to the rich and famous. We’re all entitled to our opinions, aren’t we?
But let’s make this more personal. Yes, I have been in Bildad’s seat. I’ve sat in judgment of friends in need of help, comfort, or solace. I came to offer support, but only if, with a full confession, they proved me, somehow, right. I’m there to help, but… how could they have let this happen? What were they thinking? It’s in these moments that I become an erstwhile prophet. Feeling led by the Spirit, I’m quick to offer ‘sage advice’, the words and wisdom’ gleaned from the very scriptures themselves. The old folks have a saying, “If you’re pointing a finger, remember that there are three pointing back at you.” IJS…
Job 8:7 NLT
7 “And though you started with little,
you will end with much.”
Bildad continues on an encouraging note. Line up with God’s Word and He will bless you. This truth is revealed repeatedly throughout the Word of God. God promises blessing to those (of us) who profess their love for Him. But must blessings always be about wealth? Asking for some friends…
Job 8:8-10 NLT
8 “Just ask the previous generation.
Pay attention to the experience of our ancestors.”
9 “For we were born but yesterday and know nothing.
Our days on earth are as fleeting as a shadow.”
10 “But those who came before us will teach you.
They will teach you the wisdom of old.”
Suddenly, Bildad makes a turn. Earlier in the dialogue, he has conducted himself as one who is an expert in the things of God. However, in verses eight through ten, Bildad calls on the wisdom of generations past. But what would those elders have told them? That they had made mistakes song the way, but God… The elders will tell you that no one is perfect. Interestingly, we remember how well the elders finished, but we forget how they struggled song the way,... like Job. Suddenly Bildad is not the expert, but he’s calling on the memories of elders' past for examples of God’s faithfulness.
Job 8:20-22 NLT
20 “But look, God will not reject a person of integrity,
nor will he lend a hand to the wicked.”
21 “He will once again fill your mouth with laughter
and your lips with shouts of joy.”
22 “Those who hate you will be clothed with shame,
and the home of the wicked will be destroyed.”
The lesson skips to verse twenty and closes with the passage above. Bildad continues to stand on the Word of God that he knows. He continues to testify to the goodness of God. Importantly, as wrong as Bildad has been, he’s also been right. Can’t I extend mercy, grace, and understanding to him? Isn’t that the larger lesson of the Book of Job? Doesn’t Bildad deserve our forgiveness? We know Job is being tested. Aren’t his friends being tested as well? Isn’t Bildad under God’s watchful, loving gaze? Aren’t we all deserving of God’s judgment? Aren’t we all thankful that He instead, extends to us grace and mercy? How can we call judgment laced with mercy perverse? We can’t. None of us get what we deserve. In that, God is just.
What then? The Book of Job is denoted as the oldest book in the Bible. As such, it offers the earliest lessons on the majesty, wisdom, and power of God. It tells of his great love for all of creation and, in doing so, it informs us that God’s justice must make room for all of creation. All things work together for the good of those who love the Lord, who are the called according to His purpose. ‘All things’ means all things. Our response must be to trust God in all things.
How then, should I respond to those who reach out to me for help? Help them. Love them. Comfort them. Don’t compound their problem with my judgments, even if I think I’m right. Don’t assume. Just love them, sometimes, in spite of themselves. Don’t be Bildad. In fact, be thankful for the lessons learned from Bildad. Don’t make those same mistakes. Love covers a multitude of sin. Justice will be served. Within your metron, love like God loves.
Selah,
wb
Philippians 4:8 NKJV
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 NKJV
11 Therefore [b]comfort each other and [c]edify one another, just as you also are doing.
Romans 12:14-16 NKJV
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
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