How long will you say such things? Your words are a blustering wind. Does God pervert justice? Does the Almighty pervert what is right? When your children sinned against him, He gave them over to the penalty of their sin. (Job 8:3-4)
Wow, Bildad goes right for the jugular. Whereas Eliphaz showed some level of tact and compassion while confronting Job with his supposed sin, Bildad pulls no punches. He basically says, “Stop whining and complaining to God. God always does what is right. If your ten children tragically died, then they died because they sinned against Him. So get over it…and repent of your sin while you’re at it.”
Whoa. It is hard to believe that someone could be that insensitive and misguided. Bildad totally ignores Job’s suffering and emotional grief and lambasts him with his theology and tradition. It is a good reminder that our knowledge and beliefs can often be used as a hammer to destroy others. Knowledge that is not tempered and surrounded by grace is dangerous and destructive. We can spout all the Bible verses we want, but without love we are a “resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” We are downright irritating and unhelpful to others.
I would like to think that there are few “Bildads” in the world but unfortunately that is not true. I have known several cases where, in the midst of suffering or grief, people are told that they must be in sin. True, suffering can be the result of sin in our lives. But this is only one of several possible causes. And even if suffering is the result of sin, we are commanded in Galatians 6:1: Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you may also be tempted. Bottom line, we need humility, grace, and sensitivity if we are to truly minister to others in need. There is never an excuse for us to be obnoxious, disrespectful, or callous in our desire to confront real or perceived sin.
One commentary I was reading gave this application from Job 8: “Counselors must not be sacrosanct (i.e., holier than thou). They must be willing to listen, become involved, and have respect for the integrity of the human personality they are trying to help. And they must always bear in mind that they may not fully understand the nature of the case.” (Expositor’s Bible Commentary, 906).
One other observation…it is interesting that Eliphaz appeals to a “divine vision” to bolster his arguments while Bildad appeals to tradition (8:8). Together you get two different avenues by which people try to discern truth and interpret life. Some appeal to experience and mysticism while others rely on tradition and historical wisdom. Both avenues can have validity, but again, apart from love and humility, they can do more harm than good.
Lord, teach me Your truth and also give me a heart of humility and compassion to know how to speak Your truth to others.