Jewels From Job
Job – Chapter #8
As we continue through the book of Job, I want us to do a quick review.
In Job chapter 1 and 2 we are told how the suffering of Job comes about. There is a counsel before God and God allows Satan to put Job to the test. Remember Job is not given the insight that we have. Job does not know why he is suffering. We are told that his suffering comes from Satan – but God allows it. His suffering is a test of his faithfulness to God. At the end of chapter 2 Job’s wife speaks and Job’s friends show up.
In Job chapter 3, Job opens his mouth for the first time. He curses the day that he was born.
In Job chapter 4 and 5 the prevalent theology of the day is presented by Eliphaz. The theology is: “The righteous do not suffer.” If one is suffering – the suffering comes because he or she has sinned against God. Suffering therefore is a result of God’s judgment.
In Job chapter 6 and 7 Job claims his innocence.
We now enter Job chapter 8 where another character is about to speak.
1 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said: 2 "How long will you speak these things, And the words of your mouth be like a strong wind? Job 8:1-2 (NKJV)
WHY DOES JOB SUFFER?
Bildad now speaks to Job. He tells Job that he is nothing more then a bag of wind.
Bildad’s theology is the same as Eliphaz’. They both believe that a person suffers because they deserve it. In their minds suffering is sent to a person as a matter of punishment for their sins. Suffering becomes a matter of God’s justice. Bildad and Eliphaz both believe that those who have not sinned will not suffer. The question is, “Does suffering come upon a person only because they have sinned?” We know that all of mankind suffers. We live in a fallen world. Sin has affected everyone.
I often use this illustration:
If something terrible happens to my grandparents would it affect me? If God told my great, great, great, great, great, great, (x2000 {just a random number}) grandparents NOT to get in the car and go down a certain road because the bridge was out – and they did it anyway – and died. Would it affect me? Of course it would. I would never have been born.
When Adam and Eve went down the wrong road and they died spiritually – it affected me. I was born spiritually dead. “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all men, because all sinned.” Romans 5:12 (HCSB) Not only was I affected by the sin of Adam – I now am born with the desire and nature to sin. I sin because I have inherited a sinful nature.
3 Does God subvert judgment? Or does the Almighty pervert justice? 4 If your sons have sinned against Him, He has cast them away for their transgression. 5 If you would earnestly seek God And make your supplication to the Almighty, 6 If you were pure and upright, Surely now He would awake for you, And prosper your rightful dwelling place. 7 Though your beginning was small, Yet your latter end would increase abundantly. Job 8:3-7 (NKJV)
DOES GOD PERVERT JUSTICE?
Bildad’s argument starts with the belief that “God is a God of justice.” This is a true statement – but the fact that God is a God of justice does not restrain bad things from happening to us. In Job’s case his suffering is not a matter of punishment or justice. Job’s suffering is due to the fact the "Life is a Test". In chapters one and two if you remember Satan was allow to cause the suffering to test Job to see if he will remain faithful to God.
Notice that Bildad says that Job’s children got what they deserve. How cruel is this statement? Would you tell a neighbor whose home has burned to the ground, "Well you must have sinned and you got what you deserve." Note: If Job’s children have sinned the Bible does not state it. How often we say, “Well they had it coming to them. They brought it on themselves.” When we say this we have made ourselves judge of the person and the situation. Whenever someone is suffering, we should be weeping because of their suffering, rather than being judgmental.
In the NKJV notice the three "ifs" of Bildad.
1. If your sons sinned – they deserved what happened to them.
2. If you seek God.
3. If you were pure and upright.
4. Then – God would take care of you.
This logic is like a mathematical formula. Here is another way to view Bildad’s argument.
1. God does not make mistakes – verse 3.
2. Your children sinned and they were punished for it – verse 4.
3. If you repent God will fix the situation God will bless you – verses 5-6.
8 "For inquire, please, of the former age, And consider the things discovered by their fathers; 9 For we were born yesterday, and know nothing, Because our days on earth are a shadow. 10 Will they not teach you and tell you, And utter words from their heart? Job 8:8-10 (NKJV)
LOOK TO THE WISDOM OF THE PAST
Bildad now asks Job to look to the wisdom of the past. “So why not let the ancients teach you, tell you what’s what, instruct you in what they knew from experience?” Job 8:10 (MSG) Why not? I have heard it said, “It is better to learn from the mistakes of others because you will not have enough time to make them all yourself." We would be wise to learn from the wisdom of the past. We would be foolish not to study the writings of the Christians who have gone before us.
We all have a very short time on this earth. Even if we live to be a hundred years old it is a very short time. Our days are, “but a shadow.”
11 "Can the papyrus grow up without a marsh? Can the reeds flourish without water? 12 While it is yet green and not cut down, It withers before any other plant. 13 So are the paths of all who forget God; And the hope of the hypocrite shall perish, 14 Whose confidence shall be cut off, And whose trust is a spider’s web. 15 He leans on his house, but it does not stand. He holds it fast, but it does not endure. 16 He grows green in the sun, And his branches spread out in his garden. 17 His roots wrap around the rock heap, And look for a place in the stones. 18 If he is destroyed from his place, Then it will deny him, saying, ’I have not seen you.’ 19 "Behold, this is the joy of His way, And out of the earth others will grow. Job 8:11-19 (NKJV)
LOOK TO NATURE
Bildad now looks to nature to prove his argument. Can plants grow without water? Cat-tails only grow where there is an abundance of water – but if the water supply is withheld they quickly dry up. They are cut down while they are still green – in the prime of life. This is what happens to those who forget God.
Bildad is saying, “Those who are evildoers will be cut down.” Their hope is no stronger then a spider’s web. Bildad then says two things will happen to the evildoer:
1. He will lean on a house that will not stand.
2. He will grow green and make a sure foundation only to be destroyed where it stands.
Our sense of security is often an illusion unless our security is in God. Where do we put our trust? In what do we have faith? Do we think that by having a bank account, a large home or an education that we will not one day stand before the King of Glory? But for the Christian it goes even deeper. Do you think that by reading the Bible you are safe. If all you have done is read and not applied you are in great danger. The scripture tells us to be "doers of the Word". Just reading is not enough. Just going to church each Sunday is not enough either. True fellowship is not coffee and cookies. We are to "Love one another." That commandment is much more then a simple social gathering. "Oh Lord let me get the priorities of my life in order."
20 Behold, God will not cast away the blameless, Nor will He uphold the evildoers. 21 He will yet fill your mouth with laughing, And your lips with rejoicing. 22 Those who hate you will be clothed with shame, And the dwelling place of the wicked will come to nothing." Job 8:20-22 (NKJV)
BILDAD’S ARGUMENT
Here is the heart of Bildad’s argument. “Look, God does not reject a person of integrity, and He will not support evildoers.” Job 8:20 (HCSB) What a contrast between the two. "God will not kick out the blameless". On the other hand, "God will not exalt evildoers." Everything Bildad said in this chapter was a prelude. Here is the climax. God will not reject the righteous and He will not support an evildoer. But does not the scripture say, "God sends the rain on the just and the unjust"? Who are we to say that the shower is coming on that person because their heart is right with God? Who are we that we can see into the heart of a man?
Bildad now tells Job that if he will get right with God two things will happen to him.
1. God will fill your mouth with laughter and rejoicing.
2. Those who are your enemies will be put to shame and homeless.
The Bible tells us that God sends the rain on the just and the unjust. (Matthew 5:45) It is only by the grace of God that we receive anything good. I am glad that God does not give me what I deserve. I am glad that there is grace and mercy. There are times when I pray for justice. When some one does evil to me I pray for justice on that person. "God get them." But I don’t want justice for me - I want grace and mercy.
