Sunday: More Accusations
As if getting a lecture from Eliphaz weren’t bad enough, Job then faced one from Bildad, who said something similar to what Eliphaz had said. Unfortunately, Bildad was cruder and harsher toward Job than even Eliphaz was. Imagine going up to someone whose children had died and saying to the person: “ ‘If your sons have sinned against Him, He has cast them away for their transgression’ ” (Job 8:4, NKJV).
Image © Standard Publishing from GoodSalt.com
This is ironic, because the first chapter of Job (Job 1:5) makes it clear that Job offered sacrifices on behalf of his children for that very reason, in case they had sinned. So, we see a contrast here between an understanding of grace (as seen in Job’s actions) and Bildad’s opening words, which reveal a harsh, retributive legalism. Even worse, though, is that Bildad speaks this way in his attempt to defend the character of God.
Read Job 8:1–22. What is Bildad’s argument, and how much truth is he speaking? That is, if you were to forget the immediate context and just look at the sentiments expressed, what fault, if any, could you find with his words?
Who can find fault with so much of what he is saying here? “ ‘For we were born yesterday, and know nothing, because our days on earth are a shadow’ ” (Job 8:9, NKJV). That’s powerful, true, and very biblical (James 4:14). Or what’s wrong with his warning that the godless man who puts his hope in earthly worldly things is really trusting in something no firmer than a “spider’s web” (Job 8:14)? That’s about as biblical a thought as one could get.
Perhaps the biggest problem is that Bildad is presenting just one aspect of God’s character. It’s an example of being in a ditch on one side of the road or the other. Neither place is where you really should be. Someone can, for instance, focus only on law and justice and obedience, while someone else can focus on grace and forgiveness and substitution. Either overemphasis usually leads to a distorted picture of God and of truth. We see a similar problem here.
As humans we should always strive for the right balance between law and grace in our theology and in our dealing with others. If, however, you were to err on one side or the other (and as humans we eventually do), which side would it be better to err on when dealing with the faults of others, and why?
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I think we still do the same today. Intead of enencouraging some one who is suffering. We try to find out why they are going through it. In a way we are trying to see if they are redponsible for what came upon them.we need to ask for grace to reach out to others with no blame in our mind but encouregment to continue trusting God inspite of the circumstance.
Sister Ruthie I so endorse every words you've said,
Until we get there we will still have disunity among us,
I'm praying that we all start to see each other as a candidate like ourselves destining for the heavenly, therefor we need each other's to help us carry our Cross at times.
The man who help Jesus is perfect example as how we should treat each other in time when we need it most,
And that can be just one small kind word.
True Ruthie, but we also need to find the root cause of the problem and specifically address or help address the situation. If the curse was causeless, however, then we need to direct the victims to God and by His grace all will be well!!
Shorter ?
If we can add bigger encouragement than he/she expects, we ought do it at the right moment.
Morning, I have read the question above and It have been hard for me to find the answer, should anyone help me to find the answer!
In The Spirit of Jesus we don't have to err.
The Law and grace are always in perfect balance, and if we forget one to emphasize the other just to be "safe", don't we err? It is the law that reveals our need of grace, and every sinner needs to see this perfect relation, even in the worst of times.
Just how are we to deal "with the faults of others" except how the Bible instructs us? Faithfulness to this Guide will ensure no need of erring. While never condemning sinners, Jesus was always faithful to call for repentance that sinners might find life. Would any wish for their doctor to lie about a dangerous illness just so they can feel better at the moment? Don't we want the truth so that all that can be done will be done to obtain a cure?
God's character has been the centre of great controversy.In trying to explain to Job the cause of his suffering,Bildad in his supposed theological correctness gives God a legalistic character based on good deeds v.s the law and law alone forgetting the merciful acts of God and the grace. How many of us have gone to his/her neighbor who has lost a son and in the process of condoling together with him, you end up telling him "oh,you know God has allowed your son to die because God knew if grows up he would be a bad person and would not honour Him,so,better he dies this younger".We think by doing this we justify the cause of God when we utterly give Him a character which isn't His. Bildad almost plays a role that is always a character of Satan by implying that God is legalistic and a tyrant ruler who demands obedience by sticking to laws. Friends, in our dealing with situations,let's consider the integrity of time, place,situation and speech lest we fall into the trap of legalism and malign that character of God.
It is better to err on the side of mercy than to be too harsh. Many are driven to despondency, and given up because they were judged too harshly. Put yourself in the other persons shoes and apply the golden rule.
As Christians our job is to encourage and affirm God's care for all in their trouble. The details we don't need to know.
Blidad, was defending god, therefore the things he said were true about god, yet they were inappropriate things. It's funny because back then these men did not have as much as info as we have. Hence they could only see things in one light. Thats why we have to be careful when we go to our brethren in their time of need. We have to pray, and ask God to supply us with enough grace that we can extend it to our brethren.
We need to carefully use the ideas of information. I am not sure whether we can attribute lack of information to Blidad, or indeed assert that we have more information. We may like to think we have more information now, but having information is different to using information in the most appropriate way. That is called wisdom! And I think the jury is still out on the question about whether we are wiser now than then. Information can be written down or stored on computers. Wisdom is something that is learned.
I believe an important issue in this story of Job is WHY were his friends so "right" about God but wrong about Job? Understanding this should help us to not make their mistake with others who need something more than to be schooled on God's justice. What made these men so wrong in how they applied the truth?
I agree with Maurice on the importance of true wisdom. Why did these men lack it? What makes any "believer" lack wisdom?
Here are contrasted ideas about judgment. Probably Bildad had one of these ideas by blaming job over a presumptuous faults of his children. How can we balance this ambiguity?
I've often thought of what is meant by the latter part of Numbers 14:18; ....and will not let wrongdoers go free; sending punishment on children for the sins of their fathers, to the third and fourth generation(The Bible in Basic English). Because the first part of the verse speaks of God's mercy, and His being slow to anger - is it natural consequences? For instance if you damage your health through wrong eating or misuse of your body, that it is passed on to your off spring? It has always bothered me. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
I've always read it as natural consequences. This is fairly easy to observe in real life. It requires no special divine intervention. Sin demands its wages.
It's sad though that the children should have to reap what they have not sewn, but what their parents have - just a thought.
Indeed, it is sad!
The natural consequence of sin affects the following generation and generations after that.
Here's one example: If the mother drinks alcohol during pregnancy, the baby will be affected - with the effect depending on the amount and regularity of the mother's drinking. The most common severe affect we see is fetal alcohol syndrome. It is a serious handicap throughout life.
Other generational effects of sin have to do with the way family remembers treat each other, health habits, etc.
How would you expect God to deal with these things, other than the way He does now, given the controversy between Christ and Satan?
God has made provisions to deal with the generational effects of sin, as is demonstrated when He said that He will show mercy to thousands who love Him and keep His commandments. (See Ex 20:6) Indeed, God limits and reverses many of the generational effects of sin for those who turn to Him. And, generally speaking, each generation that truly turns to Him will experience more of the blessings. But, as the book of Job demonstrates, this is not guaranteed because there is an enemy of God and His people who is also allowed free will to a degree.
Sin is distructive that is for sure. And it affects much more than just the person that has licensed it in his life, especially the children that most likely look up to their parent. Therefore this verse is looking at the out come of sin that has more them likely been past on to the next generation.
Elizabeth, God is addressing the unrepentant sinner. The wages of sin is death, which we bring upon ourselves. God simply cannot save us from anything we persist in following that will bring the resulting "wages of sin" upon us. He leaves the choosing to every soul while faithfully warning us of the sure consequences.
If I err, let it be on the side of mercy and grace! Those are attributes of God that shine forth over His justice! Justice demanding MY death, mercy and grace brought HIS death (in my place)!!
Thank you Inge, you have certainly made it clearer - Blessings 🙂
We are all guilty of passing judgement too quick. Who knows, we'd Probably have done the same.Thank God we have the book of Job. So we can now try not to ovestep our boundaries in playing God.
We should err to the side of grace because that was Jesus's mission. God is slow to become angry and quick to forgive. We do not want to discourage people by casting judgement on them for God.
As young Christians we tend to be over zealous for God's honor. When we see weakness in whoever, we confront it head on. Balance, the balance is found in being strict with yourself in living up to what God has gratiously shown you to be true and excessively patient with others that are struggling in their walk.
People who are very strict with themselves tend to be legalistic, and hence become very harsh on others as well, is my observation. Many people's religion is simply behaviorism, deeds to be done and sins to shun.
My friend, there is nothing wrong with deeds to be done or sins to shun. It is the attitude one has: The doing and the shuning need to be done through Christ, by His merits, not by our own merits. Deeds need to be done through Christ who strengthens us. Shuning sin can only be done through Christ.
Our prayer should be "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and glory, for ever, Amen!" Matthew 6:13.
All of God's biddings are enablings, being strict with ones self doesn't need be radical with oneself. If it is done in the love of God and by his grace, it is not leagalizim. Do you find being lax with what God show you is right, to be the right thing to do, just so your not legalistic?
Jesus was strict with himself. He never sinned. Did that make him a legalist? Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.
It sounds like Bildad feared God's wrath to question Him and also wanted to gain approval with God (brownie points). The better attitude was that of Abraham in Genesis 18:16-33 where Abraham plead in behalf of Sodom. Bildad didn't know God enough to understand what He really approved of.
I agree with so many of the above sentiments! God's character does appear to be on trial in the story of Job. And how we are to respond to our own neighbors in times of distress can be so confusing. Christ, when He walked the earth would sometimes heal people by telling them simply to stand up and walk, and others He would forgive of their sins displaying that we all need different words at different times for different reasons. The amazing thing Christ did that we don't see Job's friends doing, is to pray to God continuously. That is our answer in all situations - to have already been living a life of prayer, to recognize the voice of God and to walk with Him, letting Him guide our hearts, minds and most definitely our tongues. We aren't in this alone, and we don't have to figure it all out. In love and prayer I believe we are to listen to friends in their sorrows, and let God convict their hearts.
We should try to reflect Christ in all thay we do ! As we struggle to be faithfull others are doing the same . Prayer and a close comunion with God will enable us tu speak the right words at the right time .
Our toughest job is to withhold judgement (even when correct). If we are to meet our neighbors needs, they need compassion not a sermon...not yet.
Matthew 5:44-45New King James Version (NKJV)
We need to remember Matthew 5: 44-45 "44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."
Sometimes, God is just God and we need to accept whatever happens.
I have seen situations arise in the church which is against the principles of God & the church. It can be so hard for some members to accept it. These members have good intentions towards others but it can be very difficult to reach out to offenders. If there are members who feel this way, pray about it and ask God to help you to be compassionate toward them.This may take sometime to overcome but we are all full of our human ways. THe offender needs help also the members who have to learn to accept the situation.
in the cut and thrust of reality in the church we often have to deal with situations like this where people or groups of people fail to agree on something. While I am not sure of the nature of your particular situation, there are a couple of principles that we need to keep in mind.
1) Sometimes it is not a case of they are wrong and we are right. I have seen many cases were both sides were right but had different points of view. We need to be aware of that before any action is taken.
2) The end does not justify the means. I have seen Christianity thrown out the door in an effort to bring the "offender" into line. Patience, meekness, long-suffering and kindness may take a while to have an effect but we need to remember that the effects of anger and harsh words last for a very long time.
I have a problem with a coworker, who is constantly trying to tell me what to do or bettert than that when I am working on something, she always has a comment trying to tell me in front of the customers what I should do when I already know what to do. Her and I have been spoken to about respect in front of customers. I am really tiredf of her constant comments and I have even said to her I have got this. Trying to be nice, I have had it. I have prayed for this to stop. I have enough stress being a caretaker for my mom. I need advice. Today she jumped in front of me trying to get on my register at the Servo Desk. I had to stop her because I had been on it all day. I was not done. She got mad and talked with the other worker. We all have to work together professional, but, she thinks she is in charge and she isn't. Talking to hert doesd no good. So, I am asking for help.
She has the disease of the pecking order. She sounds quite insecure. Do you not have any leadership above you? It would be wise to speak to her about her manners first. Then sit down with her and let her know what is frustrating you. Then with a firm but kind tone tell her to stand back for now on. If she steps out of line, take her aside and deal with her alone each time, till she gets the point.
i just love this,-GOD IS ALWAYS SLOW TO ANGER,AND QUICK TO FORGIVE-
Could we please apply this on dealing with our fellows who in black and white ,might be wrong.
So often we jump from "the law" to "legalistic" and think they are the same thing.
I believe "the law" is a transcript of the character of the LORD.
I think that "legalistic" is a perversion, distortion, misuse of the law.
Law and Grace are intertwined within the character of God, it is when we try and separate them that we get confused.
To emphasize one or the other above the other describes the character of Satan. Being harsh or strick to judgment, or to be passive and indifférant toward the wrong being licensed, both give license or encourages one to sin.
Maybe, Karen, you and the problematic co-worker should talk to your supervisor and discuss the problems you are having with each other. You need a third party for arbitration. The Bible in Matthew 18:15-17 tells us what we should with our brothers and sisters in the church but could be applied to a difficult co-worker. Be patient.
Thank you Eileen. Today was a good day with her and I realized I had not prayed before work. I get frustrated with her and our boss knows and she chooses to ignore it. I think she thinks we will magically work it out.
Satan is a specialist when it comes to making accusations against God's children and he has mastered the art/skill of deception. He's never changed the strategy he used to stir up controversy in heaven. He plants negative thoughts in order to induce people into evil deeds. He uses distortions and lies to plunder God's people. Here Bildad thought he was defending God (Job 8: 1 - 4) and providing a solution for Job. But God clearly pronounced that, "My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, because you have not spoken of Me what is right as My servant Job has." Its important to note that Bildad's thesis was seriously flawed that God will never 'reject' the man who follows Him; the righteous man never goes through severe trials and that severe trials mean that God has rejected a person. The truth is of the matter is that a righteous person may sometimes go through severe hardships brought upkn by satan. Severe trials do not mean God has rejected a person.
The lesson to learn here is that we should refrain from setting ourselves up as judges of other sinners but we should rather in humility submit to God and His Word. We should seek to love and build up others especially in times of difficulties. Always remember James’ pointed question, “But who are you who judge your nneighbour?” Judge yourself instead!
What fault can we find in Bildad words mentioned in job 8:1-22
The fault in Bildad's words is that Job was innocent. His friends assumed his guilt due to the circumstances, and not based on any evidence. Had they evidence, they would have brought it out in their accusations. They let circumstances lead them into making assumptions. They could have known better and were accountable, as shown by God's rebuke to them in the end.
So where did they miss the boat?