In Job 8, we have the first speech of Bildad. Its theme is very
straightforward. Sin leads to suffering (Job 8:4). Obedience leads to
prosperity (Job 8:5-7). This teaching is presented in a heavy-handed
way. In Job 8:20, we have an attack on Job’s character: “Certainly, God
does not reject a person of integrity or give a helping hand to wicked
people.” When this statement is applied to Job, it has the effect of
saying to him, “You’re not a person of integrity. You’re a wicked
person.” There’s a problem with Bildad’s words. He doesn’t recognize
that there is an eternal perspective within which the divine judgment is
set. Here, on earth, the wicked may be prospering, but the time of
judgment will come. It may not be in this world, but it will come, in
God’s final judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). Here, on earth, the
righteous may suffer much, but their suffering will not be forever. The
day of salvation will come. There will be “a great reward in heaven!”
(Matthew 5:10-12). Our suffering is “for a little while now”, but it
will not last forever: “Your faith is more precious than gold, and by
passing the test, it gives praise, glory and honour to God. This will
happen when Jesus Christ appears again” (1 Peter 1:6-7).
In Job 9 -
10, Job speaks. He is in a mood of deep distress. He speaks of the
futility of arguing with God (Job 9:3). His situation is very
depressing: “I hate my life” (Job 10:1). He is surrounded by deep
darkness: “So stop this, and leave me alone. Let me smile a little
before I go away to a land of darkness and doom to a dismal land of long
shadows and confusion where light is as bright as darkness. I’ll never
return” (Job 10:20-22).
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