The Second Speech of Bildad
March 26, 2022
Commentary
In this chapter, Bildad lashes out at Job and accuses him of trying to insult the intelligence of his three friends. He has missed Job’s hints that he is searching for sympathy, for a witness to his innocence, and for comfort. Instead, he launches into a harsh and vivid description of the kind of punishment that is reserved for sinners. He says that his person, his family, and even his name, will be destroyed. He is saying, “Job, if you would shut up, then we could speak” (v. 1).
Bildad wondered when Job would stop talking. He said, “How long will you vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words?” (v. 2). With Job in mind, he gives a ruthless account of the misfortunes that come on the wicked (vv. 3-10). He describes how his body will be weakened and calamity and disaster will overtake him (vv. 11-12). His reference to a sinner’s skin being eaten away (v. 13) probably refers to Job’s skin problem. Being torn from his tent (v. 14) points to death. Bildad says the wicked are going to be judged (vv. 15-16). He says that no one remembers a wicked person in darkness (v. 17), thrown far from the light into a world of darkness, without any children to carry on their name (vv. 18-19).
Job had said that good people would be appalled at his condition (17:8), but Bildad responds that people everywhere will be appalled, not so much by the grief of the wicked, as by their troubles and horrible end (v. 20). He classes Job with the wicked and tells him that he is at the end of the road. He concludes by insinuating that Job did not even know God (v. 21). He reasoned that since Job refused to repent, how could he possibly be righteous?
Application
Bildad rejected Job’s side of the story because it did not fit in with his outlook on life. It is easy for me to condemn Bildad, but unfortunately I often act the same way when my idea is threatened.
Job 18:1– 21 (NET)
1 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered:
2 “How long until you make an end of words? You must consider, and then we can talk.
3 Why should we be regarded as beasts, and considered stupid in your sight?
4 You who tear yourself to pieces in your anger, will the earth be abandoned for your sake? Or will a rock be moved from its place?
5 “Yes, the lamp of the wicked is extinguished; his flame of fire does not shine.
6 The light in his tent grows dark; his lamp above him is extinguished.
7 His vigorous steps are restricted, and his own counsel throws him down.
8 For he has been thrown into a net by his feet and he wanders into a mesh.
9 A trap seizes him by the heel; a snare grips him.
10 A rope is hidden for him on the ground and a trap for him lies on the path.
11 Terrors frighten him on all sides and dog his every step.
12 Calamity is hungry for him, and misfortune is ready at his side.
13 It eats away parts of his skin; the most terrible death devours his limbs.
14 He is dragged from the security of his tent, and marched off to the king of terrors.
15 Fire resides in his tent; over his residence burning sulfur is scattered.
16 Below his roots dry up, and his branches wither above.
17 His memory perishes from the earth, he has no name in the land.
18 He is driven from light into darkness and is banished from the world.
19 He has neither children nor descendants among his people, no survivor in those places he once stayed.
20 People of the west are appalled at his fate; people of the east are seized with horror, saying,
21 ‘Surely such is the residence of an evil man; and this is the place of one who has not known God.’”
Illustration: George Truett He That is Without Sin Cast The First Stone
One of the stories told by that beloved Texas pastor, the late Dr. George W. Truett, was that of a young lady brought before the church for discipline because of a violation of the church covenant. It was suggested that she be dropped from the roll of the church. As the debate developed the pastor said, “Let us also call the church treasurer and have him read the record of the giving of every member, and let us vote to drop everyone who has violated God’s law against covetousness.” That bombshell cleared the air of accusers, as did the reminder of Jesus: “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” – John 8:7 (Evangelist and Author John R. Rice).