Relevant Reflections to Let God's Word Back Into Your Hands and Heart
Bildad’s words may be fewer than before, but those words say quite a lot. We not only see God through Bildad’s eyes, but we also see how Bildad responds to Job’s challenge from our last reading.
Have you ever thought of yourself as a maggot? Bildad calls people maggots, and we are people. When compared to God’s importance and brilliance in this world, yes, we are specks. Yet God cares deeply for these specks of his. Continue reading “Job 25:1-6 – Short & Sweet”
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? Continue reading “Job 18:1-21 – Fate of the Wicked”
It’s Bildad’s turn to open his mouth. Overall, Bildad’s response promotes peace. Bildad is urging Job to hang on, continue maintaining his confidence in God’s justice. But what does the justice of God mean exactly? Again we come back to sinfulness and punishment. Interesting rhetorical question Bildad poses about God twisting justice.
Bildad’s approach to Job in this moment is different from the other friend, Eliphaz. It’s more reassuring, like Bildad is adding to what Eliphaz has already shared, emphasizing the doctrines. Neither friend condemns Job directly. Continue reading “Job 8:1-22 – Bildad Chimes In”
