Text: Jōb 18:1-21
Bildad begins by rebuking Jōb for not thinking about what he will say (he would like Jōb to stop talking), and for treating his friends rudely. He then spends the rest of the chapter speaking about the fate of the wicked, which is nothing new in these speeches. Bildad implies that Jōb is that wicked man. He’s upset with Jōb because Jōb insists that he is innocent of a particular sin, and he continues to say that the righteous do suffer, and often the wicked do not. Bildad says, no, those who are righteous do not suffer. It is only the wicked who suffer in this life, then they come to an end.
In Bildad’s theology, those who are righteous are people who do godly deeds. He thinks that right deeds make a person acceptable to God. That is not what the Bible teaches. In Genesis 15:6 we learn that Abraham was counted as righteous by God because he believed God’s promises. Of course, obeying God is important (Jam.2:26), but they do not make a person righteous. However, a person who is declared righteous by God will obey, will do deeds that please God, deeds that are the fruit of righteousness (Phil.1:11).
Meditate on verse 5. What are you learning from this verse?
Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, let Your light shine upon me, let Your flame shine before me. Amen.