Read Job 18
Bildad
18 Then Bildad the Shuhite replied:
2 “When will you end these speeches?
Be sensible, and then we can talk.
3 Why are we regarded as cattle
and considered stupid in your sight?
4 You who tear yourself to pieces in your anger,
is the earth to be abandoned for your sake?
Or must the rocks be moved from their place?
5 “The lamp of a wicked man is snuffed out;
the flame of his fire stops burning.
6 The light in his tent becomes dark;
the lamp beside him goes out.
7 The vigor of his step is weakened;
his own schemes throw him down.
8 His feet thrust him into a net;
he wanders into its mesh.
9 A trap seizes him by the heel;
a snare holds him fast.
10 A noose is hidden for him on the ground;
a trap lies in his path.
11 Terrors startle him on every side
and dog his every step.
12 Calamity is hungry for him;
disaster is ready for him when he falls.
13 It eats away parts of his skin;
death’s firstborn devours his limbs.
14 He is torn from the security of his tent
and marched off to the king of terrors.
15 Fire resides in his tent;
burning sulfur is scattered over his dwelling.
16 His roots dry up below
and his branches wither above.
17 The memory of him perishes from the earth;
he has no name in the land.
18 He is driven from light into the realm of darkness
and is banished from the world.
19 He has no offspring or descendants among his people,
no survivor where once he lived.
20 People of the west are appalled at his fate;
those of the east are seized with horror.
21 Surely such is the dwelling of an evil man;
such is the place of one who does not know God.”
Go Deeper
Here we see Bildad the Shuhite for the second time in the book of Job. Job is pouring out his heart in mourning, anger, and frustration in the previous chapter. Like many of us would in this situation, Bildad goes to Job to console him, but his consolation quickly devolves into the offering of uninformed advice. As one well studied in the Jewish law, and unaware of Job’s unique circumstances, Bildad easily misinterprets Job’s outburst as a blasphemous criticism of the goodness of God. Bildad cannot wrap his head around the possibility of a righteous man’s suffering, because there was no precedent for it laid out before him. His misperceptions lead to false accusations, and his false accusations lead to further hurt and suffering in the life of Job.
This passage in Job continues to tackle one of the most difficult questions in Christian apologetics: “Why do bad things happen to good people?” Many would like to think that Christianity in the twenty-first century is far removed from the dogmatic theologies present in Job, but there are still many today that cling to the idea that suffering is reciprocal to sinful behavior, or perhaps even demonstrative of a lack of faith altogether. However, the more we engage those who are suffering, it is often they who exemplify faith on a scale far more apostolic in nature than the average cultural Christian. Often God allows for the tearing of the muscle so that in its healing process it may grow stronger to do the work of the kingdom, and to demonstrate in action the abundant and living grace of God.
This chapter reminds us that we often know less than we think about other peoples’ lives. It is also a call into authentic fellowship, honest confession, and radical vulnerability even in trial and temptation. We often feel the urge to provide free “advice,” to whoever will listen, and this flows from a place of compassion. However, when we lack an authentic relationship with those to whom we offer our thoughts, the very criticisms we perceive as productive can in reality be foolish or hurtful. We lack perspective. We must allow God to shift our hearts towards a vision that sees the world as he does, not with vengeful retribution, but with an immense compassion poured out at the cross.
James 1:19-20 says, “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” Today, let’s lean in to being people who are quick to listen and slow to speak.
Questions
- Is there someone you could encourage this week, or get to know a little better?
- Do you have someone in your life who despite immense tragedy, demonstrates unwavering faith?
- When was the last time you authentically confessed your sins to a brother or sister in Christ?
Listen Here
Changes in perspective are rarely easy. Let this song be a living prayer to gain whatever perspective is needed in your walk with Jesus.
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5 responses to “Job 18”
Bildad says the same thing again like in chapter8. Job must of done some bad stuff in order for God to be so harsh on him. I like whom ever wrote todays BRP sentence. “Often God allows for the tearing of the muscle so that in its healing process it may grow stronger to do the work of the kingdom, and to demonstrate in action the abundant and living grace of God.”
That is exactly what happens as we strengthen our muscles. There is a tearing in order to grow stronger to do your body’s work. Such a great analogy for the kingdom of God also.
God I glorify and magnify You above all and my everything. God You are Holy. You are worthy of all praise. Thank You for all you are. “I will bless the LORD at all times: Your praises shall continually be in my mouth”. God may I be a source of love, light and consolation to others, using Your word to help them to know You. God thank You for today and these minutes of this day. Thank You for this day and what it brings that I can glorify You in all that occurs. God thank You for Your light so shining forth from me and that what comes out of my mouth gives You praise in Jesus name amen.
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
18 “Then Bildad the Shuhite replied:”
Come on, Bildad! Stop talking! Remember the two ears to one mouth ratio and just sit there alongside Job in his time of despair!
Bildad reveals his flawed logic, short temper and lack of compassion. May we learn from his example to leave judgement to God who alone is righteous.
Bildad uses his words to criticize and condemn Job. This reminds us of the power our words hold.
Proverbs 18:21 tells us, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”
We should strive to use our words to uplift and encourage others, rather than to tear them down.
REFLECTIONS ON JOB 18
Transformative Suffering
Yesterday I drove 45 minutes for lunch to catch up with an old friend. (“Old” as in, “we’ve known each other since we were much “younger.” 😉) Over the course of our friendship, we’ve met and married our husbands, raised children from babies to young adults, cared for aging parents… and witnessed our own aging.
In short, we’ve been friends through all that life brings over the course of almost 40 years.
So when we get together, I don’t just view friendship from such a historical perspective — I see myself.
The person I was then, who I am now, and all that’s happened in between to shape me from one into the other.
And one of the things that’s changed (perhaps changed the MOST) is how we’ve come to look at life:
From the clear-eyed conviction of relatively inexperienced twenty-somethings, who see most things in terms of “good and bad, right and wrong, black and white”…
To the women we are now. Battle-scarred veterans of almost four decades of life — and all the challenges, trials and suffering that come with it.
Both of us have experienced and endured some things we never expected — or could have even imagined.
The mountains of suffering we have circled have left us with dusty feet, dirty hands, clearer eyes.… and more tender hearts.
Which leads me to view today’s chapter in light of something I shared with my friend:
“I would never have chosen my family’s particular brand of suffering. Me and my loved ones have lived some stories I wouldn’t write for anyone.
But I wouldn’t trade the person I’ve become because of them.”
I don’t celebrate the suffering – but I am SO grateful for what it’s done in me.
And so I look at Job’s friends and see how they’ve responded to him so far:
Such limited understanding.
Such narrow-minded self-righteousness.
So much accusation, judgment and condemnation.
So. Much. ARROGANCE.
And I remember back to when that could have been ME. To times when, I’m sorry to say, that WAS me.
Because I didn’t know any better. I hadn’t yet learned all that suffering had to teach. I had yet to become a woman shaped by suffering.
And THAT I wouldn’t trade for anything.
Because suffering has grown me in wisdom, widened my perspective, broadened my understanding and deepened my compassion.
And praise God! has it burned away much of the self-righteous arrogance that allowed me to look at others going through hard things — and respond just as badly as Job’s friends:
“Where did they go wrong? What did they do to ‘deserve’ this? And aren’t I lucky to be living in such a way that such things could never happen to me?!”
Oh, how thankful I am to be rid of so much foolish pride!
Suffering is awful. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
But as bad as it can be (and has been), I’m sure of this:
It has made me BETTER.
And it has equipped me to treat/serve/love others SO MUCH better.
I can’t imagine being Job. The degree of agonizing loss he has endured is unimaginable.
But if I had to pick, I would rather be Job than one of Job’s friends. On the inside of suffering looking out — instead of on the outside of suffering looking in.
Time was I used to spot people going through hard things and think, “I’m so glad I’m not them — and that’s because I choose to live ‘better.’”
Now I spot people who have NEVER been through hard things and think:
“I’m glad I’m no longer them — because it’s the hard things that have MADE ME BETTER.”
To me, THIS is the truth of James 1:
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
-James 1:2-4 NIV
It seems to me that “joy” doesn’t suggest suffering is “enjoyable.”
It’s that the person we become THROUGH (as a result of) suffering is cause for REJOICING.