Job Rebukes Bildad
October 17, 2020
Commentary
This is Job’s third response to Bildad (vv. 1-14). His reply is almost like the summing up argument of an attorney. He rebukes Bildad for not giving him any help (vv. 1-4). Job had no power, but Bildad didn’t make him stronger. According to his friends, Job lacked wisdom; yet Bildad didn’t share one piece of wisdom or insight. If Bildad’s words had come from God, then they would have done Job good, but they came from Bildad, and that is why they did Job no good. While admitting that he was not perfect, Job maintained that his motives were right. These verses suggest ways by which we can help others today and not fail like Bildad.
Job extolls the greatness of God (vv. 5-14). Nobody can escape the eye of God, not even the dead (vv. 5-6). God not only sees everything, but He made everything and controls it. No matter where you are in creation, He sees you; in the heavens (vv. 7-9), on the earth (vv. 10-11), and on the seas (v. 12). But the voice of God in creation is only a whisper, and we see only the “fringes” of His ways (vv. 13-14). Creation clearly reveals the power and wisdom of God, but the grace and mercy of God are only dimly seen. Knowing a few facts about the creation of God is not the same as knowing truths about the God of creation.
When dealing with people, it is more important to love and understand them than to analyze them or give advice. Compassion produces greater results than criticism or blame.
Application
Job told his three friends that they had lots of talk but no answers. I hope that people will never say that about me. Then Job moves into the area of the Creation. He tells how space in one of God’s Creations and it is out there serving His purpose. Job understood that He “hangeth the earth upon nothing.” Just think; If it fell, what direction would it go?
Job 26:1– 14 (NET)
1 Then Job replied:
2 “How you have helped the powerless! How you have saved the person who has no strength!
3 How you have advised the one without wisdom, and abundantly revealed your insight!
4 To whom did you utter these words? And whose spirit has come forth from your mouth?
5 “The dead tremble — those beneath the waters and all that live in them.
6 The underworld is naked before God; the place of destruction lies uncovered.
7 He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; he suspends the earth on nothing.
8 He locks the waters in his clouds, and the clouds do not burst with the weight of them.
9 He conceals the face of the full moon, shrouding it with his clouds.
10 He marks out the horizon on the surface of the waters as a boundary between light and darkness.
11 The pillars of the heavens tremble and are amazed at his rebuke.
12 By his power he stills the sea; by his wisdom he cut Rahab the great sea monster to pieces.
13 By his breath the skies became fair; his hand pierced the fleeing serpent.
14 Indeed, these are but the outer fringes of his ways! How faint is the whisper we hear of him! But who can understand the thunder of his power?”
Illustration: Little Girl Wonders How The Sculptor Knew Lincoln Was Inside
In addition to Mt. Rushmore, one of Gutzin Borglum’s great works as a sculptor is the head of Lincoln in the Capitol at Washington. He created it from a large, square block of stone in his studio. One day, when the face of Lincoln was just becoming recognizable out of the stone, a young girl was visiting the studio with her parents. She looked at the half-done face of Lincoln, her eyes registering wonder and astonishment. She stared at the piece for a moment then ran to the sculptor. “Is that Abraham Lincoln?” she asked. “Yes.” “Well,” said the little girl, “how in the world did you know he was inside there?” (Bits and Pieces, June 23, 1994, p. 23).