Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,
How long will it be ere ye make an end of words? mark, and afterwards we will speak.
Wherefore are we counted as beasts, and reputed vile in your sight?
He teareth himself in his anger: shall the earth be forsaken for thee? and shall the rock be removed out of his place?
Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine.
The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him.
The steps of his strength shall be straitened, and his own counsel shall cast him down.
For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walketh upon a snare.
The gin shall take him by the heel, and the robber shall prevail against him.
The snare is laid for him in the ground, and a trap for him in the way.
Terrors shall make him afraid on every side, and shall drive him to his feet.
His strength shall be hungerbitten, and destruction shall be ready at his side.
It shall devour the strength of his skin: even the firstborn of death shall devour his strength.
His confidence shall be rooted out of his tabernacle, and it shall bring him to the king of terrors.
It shall dwell in his tabernacle, because it is none of his: brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation.
His roots shall be dried up beneath, and above shall his branch be cut off.
His remembrance shall perish from the earth, and he shall have no name in the street.
He shall be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world.
He shall neither have son nor nephew among his people, nor any remaining in his dwellings.
They that come after him shall be astonied at his day, as they that went before were affrighted.
Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked, and this is the place of him that knoweth not God.
Job 18 focuses on Bildad's harsh response to Job's suffering. Bildad's speech, a continuation of the previous dialogues, escalates the accusations against Job. It reveals the flawed theology of Job's friends, who equate suffering with wickedness.
Bildad's Rebuke and Accusations (Job 18:1-4)
Bildad begins with impatience and a thinly veiled insult, essentially telling Job to be quiet and stop expecting the world to revolve around his woes (Job 18:1-4). He is frustrated with Job's persistent complaints and sees them as disruptive and self-centered. Bildad's words reveal a lack of empathy and a failure to understand the depth of Job's pain. He assumes Job's suffering is a consequence of some hidden sin, a common but ultimately misguided belief among Job's companions.
The Fate of the Wicked (Job 18:5-21)
Bildad proceeds to describe the inevitable fate of the wicked (Job 18:5-21). He paints a grim picture of darkness, terror, and destruction awaiting those who deviate from God's path. While the general principle of reaping what one sows holds some truth, Bildad misapplies it to Job's specific situation. He assumes Job's suffering is proof of his wickedness, ignoring the possibility of other reasons for suffering, such as testing or divine mystery.
Bildad's description of the wicked includes:
- Depleted strength (Job 18:12): The wicked will lose their vitality and vigor.
- Eaten skin (Job 18:13): Disease and decay will consume them.
- Loss of everything (Job 18:15): They will be stripped of their possessions and security.
- No descendants (Job 18:19): Their name and legacy will be erased.
These vivid descriptions are not merely abstract pronouncements; they are pointed accusations aimed directly at Job. Bildad believes that Job's current calamities are a direct manifestation of his hidden wickedness. He sees Job's loss of children, possessions, and health as evidence of divine judgment. The implications are clear: in Bildad's eyes, Job's suffering is a public display of his private sins.
Misapplication and Lack of Empathy
Bildad's speech highlights the dangers of simplistic theology and the importance of empathy. While it is true that sin has consequences, it is not always possible to discern a direct cause-and-effect relationship between suffering and sin in individual cases. Job's story challenges the notion that suffering is always a punishment for wrongdoing.
Furthermore, Bildad's harsh words lack compassion. Instead of offering comfort and support, he heaps accusations and condemnation upon Job, further compounding his pain. This serves as a reminder to approach those who suffer with gentleness, understanding, and a willingness to listen rather than judge.
In conclusion, Job 18 presents Bildad's unyielding conviction that suffering is a direct consequence of wickedness. His speech is a powerful example of how religious dogma can be misapplied, leading to judgment and a lack of empathy. This chapter encourages us to approach suffering with humility, recognizing the limitations of our understanding and the importance of offering compassion to those in pain.
Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,
How long will it be ere ye make an end of words? mark, and afterwards we will speak.
Wherefore are we counted as beasts, and reputed vile in your sight?
He teareth himself in his anger: shall the earth be forsaken for thee? and shall the rock be removed out of his place?
Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine.
The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him.
The steps of his strength shall be straitened, and his own counsel shall cast him down.
For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walketh upon a snare.
The gin shall take him by the heel, and the robber shall prevail against him.
The snare is laid for him in the ground, and a trap for him in the way.
Terrors shall make him afraid on every side, and shall drive him to his feet.
His strength shall be hungerbitten, and destruction shall be ready at his side.
It shall devour the strength of his skin: even the firstborn of death shall devour his strength.
His confidence shall be rooted out of his tabernacle, and it shall bring him to the king of terrors.
It shall dwell in his tabernacle, because it is none of his: brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation.
His roots shall be dried up beneath, and above shall his branch be cut off.
His remembrance shall perish from the earth, and he shall have no name in the street.
He shall be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world.
He shall neither have son nor nephew among his people, nor any remaining in his dwellings.
They that come after him shall be astonied at his day, as they that went before were affrighted.
Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked, and this is the place of him that knoweth not God.
Job 18 focuses on Bildad's harsh response to Job's suffering. Bildad's speech, a continuation of the previous dialogues, escalates the accusations against Job. It reveals the flawed theology of Job's friends, who equate suffering with wickedness.
Bildad's Rebuke and Accusations (Job 18:1-4)
Bildad begins with impatience and a thinly veiled insult, essentially telling Job to be quiet and stop expecting the world to revolve around his woes (Job 18:1-4). He is frustrated with Job's persistent complaints and sees them as disruptive and self-centered. Bildad's words reveal a lack of empathy and a failure to understand the depth of Job's pain. He assumes Job's suffering is a consequence of some hidden sin, a common but ultimately misguided belief among Job's companions.
The Fate of the Wicked (Job 18:5-21)
Bildad proceeds to describe the inevitable fate of the wicked (Job 18:5-21). He paints a grim picture of darkness, terror, and destruction awaiting those who deviate from God's path. While the general principle of reaping what one sows holds some truth, Bildad misapplies it to Job's specific situation. He assumes Job's suffering is proof of his wickedness, ignoring the possibility of other reasons for suffering, such as testing or divine mystery.
Bildad's description of the wicked includes:
- Depleted strength (Job 18:12): The wicked will lose their vitality and vigor.
- Eaten skin (Job 18:13): Disease and decay will consume them.
- Loss of everything (Job 18:15): They will be stripped of their possessions and security.
- No descendants (Job 18:19): Their name and legacy will be erased.
These vivid descriptions are not merely abstract pronouncements; they are pointed accusations aimed directly at Job. Bildad believes that Job's current calamities are a direct manifestation of his hidden wickedness. He sees Job's loss of children, possessions, and health as evidence of divine judgment. The implications are clear: in Bildad's eyes, Job's suffering is a public display of his private sins.
Misapplication and Lack of Empathy
Bildad's speech highlights the dangers of simplistic theology and the importance of empathy. While it is true that sin has consequences, it is not always possible to discern a direct cause-and-effect relationship between suffering and sin in individual cases. Job's story challenges the notion that suffering is always a punishment for wrongdoing.
Furthermore, Bildad's harsh words lack compassion. Instead of offering comfort and support, he heaps accusations and condemnation upon Job, further compounding his pain. This serves as a reminder to approach those who suffer with gentleness, understanding, and a willingness to listen rather than judge.
In conclusion, Job 18 presents Bildad's unyielding conviction that suffering is a direct consequence of wickedness. His speech is a powerful example of how religious dogma can be misapplied, leading to judgment and a lack of empathy. This chapter encourages us to approach suffering with humility, recognizing the limitations of our understanding and the importance of offering compassion to those in pain.