Read Job 18:1-21
Watch out Bildad! Who are you calling wicked here? It sounds like Bildad is pointing fingers at poor Job. Bildad doesn’t get it. Despite Job’s attempts to clear his name over and over again, Bildad must believe Job is guilty of something awful. Friends, of all people, should understand and trust Job’s integrity. They must not know him very well or God just knows Job that much better.
Where does Bildad come up with all these observations about what happens to wicked people? Are wicked people being struck down in his time? Knowing how the Israelites displeased God with their wicked ways, Bible accounts would indicate many of the vilest were probably the wealthiest and most powerful. In our day, there are plenty of wicked people in the news and in our neighborhoods. Why is it we don’t see any of this doom raining down on them?
A good question indeed! I do agree with Bildad’s take on what the fate of evil people will be. He said, “Surely the light of the wicked will be snuffed out.” In other words, the wicked will one day be no more. They’ll miss out on having access to the promises believers have for eternal life with Jesus. We won’t be seeing any wicked people in heaven.
Terrors, hunger, and disease are a few of the calamities Bildad assigns to the wicked. What a horrible fate! When I think of the wicked people I see, they are usually not afflicted in these ways, if at all. I suppose they have been allowed to live unchecked, enjoying what joy they can in this life before entering into an eternity of nothingness or worse. I don’t want to be anywhere close to that kind of unfortunate ending.
It’s never too late for the lost to repent. One good example of that is the number of chances God gave the Israelites. Probably more than we can count. I’m not sure that’s what Bildad’s angle is here though. He seems to be using some unhealthy scare tactics to make Job feel worse than he already does.
Bildad’s closing words call out exactly who is classified as wicked, the “one who rejected God.” If Bildad would take a step back, he would see that Job cannot be wicked. He has not rejected God. He may be angry and confused, but there has been no rejection that I can tell. Job is a great example to us in that regard. Stay faithful to God no matter what.
We are all going through something these days. Whether it’s persecution for our faith, money woes, health issues of self or loved ones, work conflicts, you name it. It can be easy to want to blame God for not intervening fast enough or at all despite our cries for help. Job knows our pain. We get a taste for Job’s. Stay faithful. You are not alone.
Let’s pray. Lord, I won’t leave you. I need you every hour. In my weakness, you lift me up and make me strong. Help me discern your truth in each passage I read. When I am confused, help me remember to simply ask you. Thank you for the ways you are working in my life. I look forward to each new chapter as it unfolds. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
