Day Eight – Chapter 8

“How long will you say these things, and the words of your mouth be a mighty wind” (8:2)?

In chapter four Eliphaz contends that the innocent do not suffer, now in chapter eight the second of his ‘friends,’ Bildad contends that God rewards the good. The inference of both is to bring accusation against Lot. If he were innocent he would not be suffering and if he were truly good then he would be rewarded. Though both sat in silence with Job for seven days their friendship is suspect at best. It appears that with ‘friends’ like these Job did not need any enemies. There was no empathy or sympathy on their part at all. Bildad begins, disrespectfully, by suggesting that Job is just blowing air (v.2). In verse four, he suggests that God delivered Job’s sons “into the power of their transgression.” In verse six he challenges Job’s purity and righteousness. Then in verse eight he tells Job to inquire of his ancestors, presumably to ascertain generational causes of his predicament.

Bildad’s words are disappointing to say the least, but they are not without a good bit of truth. Note that he asserts that Job’s ending will be great (v. 7), and in verses 20-22 says, “Lo, God will not reject a man of integrity, nor will he support the evildoers. He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouting. Those who hate you will be clothed with shame, and the tent of the wicked will ne no longer.” These are words spoken based upon Bildad’s misconceptions about how God works and Job’s innocence in the matter, but they are true nonetheless. Though we have the luxury of seeing the beginning from the end, it is nonetheless true that God will provide recompense for whatever we have lost precisely because of our faithfulness.

Bildad, though not really understanding, tells Job, in essence, that things are going to work out right in the end. Do you have that assurance today? Are you able to see light at the end of the tunnel and confidently believe they are not the lights of an oncoming train? Bildad is correct: God is just. Job does not see it at the moment and the comments of his so-called friends are not helping at all, but you and I can rest in the assurance that our God who cares for and loves us will not leave us comfortless. We can rest in the assurance that His purposes will be evidenced in our lives as we continue steadfastly to walk in obedience to His Word and calling.

Lord Jesus, I want so desperately to know and believe that You have my future in hand, but I confess that it is hard. I find myself fixated with my circumstances and tend to focus more on my skill than Your ability. Help me today to hear Your Word through the sound of so-called ‘friends’ who call themselves helping me but are in reality adding to my pain and agony. Quiet me today to every voice except Your own and enable me to walk obediently to Your leading. Amen.