Taking up again his insistence that Job is being punished as a sinner (ch. 8), Bildad uses poetic language to reiterate and call new attention to Job's sufferings. For example, he points out the suffering in Job's body (4, 13), and mentions fire, which had burned up Job's sheep and servants (1:16). His allusions to Job having "no name in the land (17)" and directly stating "He has no offspring or descendants among his people (19)" bring to mind the terrible tragedy that cost Job the lives of all his children (1:18,19). Bildad compiles this list as evidence to prove that Job was an evil man; one who does not know God. As the saying goes: "With friends like these, who needs enemies?"

While Bildad's principles seem logical and his application impeccable, as readers we know he is wrong. Job was not being punished. God declared from the beginning: "Job is blameless and upright (1:8; 2:3)." The fact is, although Bildad can deliver a fiery message of judgment and condemnation, it is he who is speaking as one who does not know God. Jesus is not like Bildad. He did not come to condemn, but to save (Jn 3:17). Jesus did not crush bruised reeds or snuff out smoldering wicks but brought good news to the poor. We are recipients of this good news. Let's be like Jesus.


Application: Father, thank you for the good news you gave us in Jesus. Help us be like him, not Bildad.
One Word: What a friend we have in Jesus