Bildad Accuses Job Of Sinning Against God

In Job, chapter 8, we learn about Bildad, another one of Job’s friends. He joined in the discussion with Job and said, ²“doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice? If thy children have sinned against him, and he have cast them away for their transgression; If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty; If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous. Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.” (Job 8:3-7) So we learn that Bildad agreed with his friend Eliphaz, who thought that Job was being punished for his sins and the sins of his children. He explained that God is just and judges everyone according to their works. On the day of judgment, we will know exactly why we were tried the way we were on earth. And because he believed that Job was not pure and upright before God, it made sense to him that he was also not made prosperous upon the land. You see, he believed in the prosperity gospel of today. That if you love God then you will have everything you need, including money. However, this is not always true for people who love God. They go through trials just like unbelievers do, and often more than them because of persecution. Now, remember that ¹“the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?” (Job 1:8) So everything he thought about Job was wrong. Nobody knows our true intentions towards God, and to judge somebody wrongfully is awful.

Now, Bildad, didn’t stop with his accusations towards Job, for he also said, ²“can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water? Whilst it is yet in his greenness, and not cut down, it withereth before any other herb. So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite’s hope shall perish: Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a spider’s web. He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: he shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure.” (Job 8:11-15) ²“Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, neither will he help the evil doers: Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing. They that hate thee shall be clothed with shame; and the dwelling place of the wicked shall come to nought.” (Job 8:20-22) He said many more things as well, but these were the key points that I wanted to address with you all. There is so much here that would make a person feel very hurt and embarrassed by, because of all the wrongful accusations he was throwing at Job. He mentioned that God cuts down the good things in our lives when we forget Him. This he pointed a finger at Job. He called him a hypocrite and that his hope will perish and be cut off in death. There is no true trust in Job’s faith, he said, for it is like unto a spider’s web. He believed that Job was leaning on what he had and not God, and now that it is gone there lies nothing else in his life that will help him. If he was made perfect in God’s eyes, he would not be cast away. Wow! What we learned here is what not to say to someone who is suffering and going through trials. Instead, we go to comfort them and to deliver them peace from God, never discord but love and kindness.

Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that we will be more loving and less judgmental. That we will be more kind and considerate of people’s needs and less about our self and what we desire. May our knowledge come from You and not from our own thoughts and the thoughts of this world. There is so much I still need to let go of which does not come from You, and I know that many other people need to do the same. So often do I pray that Your thoughts will be my thoughts. That my mind will be filled up with Your wisdom and knowledge. That I will see people in need and jump to help them, and no longer be hesitant about it. May there be fewer people who suffer with no person to lean on, but that Your children will come to these people in droves. I am speaking of people who need our help on the streets who are homeless, those in jail or prisons, hospitals, assisted living facilities or nursing homes, and in people’s homes. So many people are suffering because of sickness, a death in the family or friend, loss of a job, financial issues, marriage problems, family issues, and more. We have people hooked on drugs and are addicted to terrible things that are drawing people away from You. I can see the evils of this world and my heart sinks just knowing that it is affecting people who love You. For this reason, will I seek those out who are in need of our help, plus our prayers. How can I live this life building my own life up, while other people are suffering? This pains my soul just thinking about people all around me who are less fortunate than me and my family. So I pray for their needs and cry out to You for love, comfort, and peace to fill their souls. If these people are near me, lead me to them, that I might be a beacon of hope and lead them to Your presence, oh Lord. I love You. Amen.

Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.

Job 1

¹Job 1 (KJV)
1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.
2 And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.
3 His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.
4 And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.
5 And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.
6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.
7 And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
8 And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
9 Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
12 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.
13 And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house:
14 And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:
15 And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
16 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house:
19 And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,
21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.
22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

Job 8

²Job 8 (KJV)
1 Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,
2 How long wilt thou speak these things? and how long shall the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind?
3 Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice?
4 If thy children have sinned against him, and he have cast them away for their transgression;
5 If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty;
6 If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.
7 Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.
8 For enquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers:
9 (For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow:)
10 Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, and utter words out of their heart?
11 Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water?
12 Whilst it is yet in his greenness, and not cut down, it withereth before any other herb.
13 So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite’s hope shall perish:
14 Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a spider’s web.
15 He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: he shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure.
16 He is green before the sun, and his branch shooteth forth in his garden.
17 His roots are wrapped about the heap, and seeth the place of stones.
18 If he destroy him from his place, then it shall deny him, saying, I have not seen thee.
19 Behold, this is the joy of his way, and out of the earth shall others grow.
20 Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, neither will he help the evil doers:
21 Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing.
22 They that hate thee shall be clothed with shame; and the dwelling place of the wicked shall come to nought.