Job 18
This is Bildad’s second time speaking. His words are similar to Eliphaz, but less direct and somewhat gentler. Bildad gives little credibility to what Job has stated. He speaks of what happens to the wicked. It is obvious that he infers that this is what will happen to Job.
Job 18:1-2
1Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said, 2How long will it be ere ye make an end of words? mark, and afterwards we will speak.
It seems that Bildad is tiring of Job’s responses to their discourses. Just as Job is tired of their lack of compassion. Bildad is telling Job to speak, finish your remarks and then listen to them. Bildad is telling Job that your words add little wisdom and that he should finally stop talking and listen to the truth that he and his friends are putting forth.
Job 18:3
3Wherefore are we counted as beasts, and reputed vile in your sight?
Bildad is not looking for Job’s opinion. He is speaking rhetorically. Bildad is telling Job that he understands what Job is saying. Bildad is well aware of Job’s contempt for him and his friends. Further, for Bildad, it is clear that Job disregards their words of wisdom.
In the following verses, it should become clear that Bildad holds Job in just as much, if not more, contempt as Job has towards him. With all that is being said, one has to wonder why Bildad and his friend continue to speak to Job. Are they truly concerned or is there an ulterior motive?
Job 18:4
4He teareth himself in his anger: shall the earth be forsaken for thee? and shall the rock be removed out of his place?
Bildad tells Job that he is causing his own pain through his own words. Bildad’s impression of Job is that Job thinks highly of himself. Bildad has a very narrow view of Job. According to Bildad, Job has placed himself above truth and expects that it should be perverted for him. Bildad has this impression, because Job will not accept the truth of Bildad and his friends. The fact is more likely that Bildad thinks too highly of himself. The reason Job will not accept their truth is because Bildad and his friends are in error.
In the next few verses, Bildad infers what he believes concerning Job. Bildad is speaking of the wicked, but it is Bildad’s belief that Job is one of the wicked. What has really happened here is that Bildad is turning on Job. Bildad may actually have come to be compassionate towards Job; however, Bildad’s compassion was conditional based upon Job’s acceptance of Bildad’s line of reasoning. From the beginning, Job did not accept Bildad nor his friend’s wisdom because it was predicated on Job committing a sin. A sin that they could not identify. Since Job stood his ground and did not bow to their inferences and accusations; Job has firmly place himself in opposition to them. Something they have not taken lightly. As such, Bildad has little compassion for Job, only contempt and accusations. Bildad pronounces the punishment for one as Job.
Job 18:5-7
5Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine. 6The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him. 7The steps of his strength shall be straitened, and his own counsel shall cast him down.
Bildad stated that the wicked are like an unlit candle and will not put forth light. They will not amount to much in this lifetime. No wisdom comes from the wicked. What does come forth from the wicked will only entrap them and lead to their own downfall.
Job 18:8-10
8For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walketh upon a snare. 9The gin shall take him by the heel, and the robber shall prevail against him. 10The snare is laid for him in the ground, and a trap for him in the way.
The walk or the lifestyle of the wicked is a trap unto itself. It will trap them by their heel, because they think they can get away with it. They are taken down when they are least expecting it. Calamity is before them, but they are spiritually blind. The trouble that lies ahead for the wicked will happen because they lack the wisdom to perceive it.
Job 18:11
11Terrors shall make him afraid on every side, and shall drive him to his feet.
Eventually because of the lifestyle of the wicked, it will create fear in all facets of their lives. They will not easily sleep. The fear will become so engrossing that it will put them on their guard and all times. They will find little rest in this lifetime.
Job 18:12-13
12His strength shall be hungerbitten, and destruction shall be ready at his side. 13It shall devour the strength of his skin: even the firstborn of death shall devour his strength.
His strength will fail him in his old age. It will eventually lead to his destruction because he will lack the strength to survive even the smallest of afflictions. The smallest of afflictions or minor disease could easily be the end of him.
Job 18:14
14His confidence shall be rooted out of his tabernacle, and it shall bring him to the king of terrors.
Because of all that has happened, his confidence will be destroyed. This will lead to more fear. He will find that there will be little he can do to give himself rest.
Job 18:15
15It shall dwell in his tabernacle, because it is none of his: brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation.
Fear will take root in the home of the wicked. Nothing but disaster and devastation will occur in his life. It will seem that no matter what they do, it results in pain and suffering.
Job 18:16-19
16His roots shall be dried up beneath, and above shall his branch be cut off. 17His remembrance shall perish from the earth, and he shall have no name in the street. 18He shall be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world. 19He shall neither have son nor nephew among his people, nor any remaining in his dwellings.
The wicked will have no foundation. There will be no posterity. It will be as if the wicked never existed. After he ceases to exist, no one will think of him or even remember him. The evidence of his life will quickly fade away after his death.
Job 18:20
20They that come after him shall be astonied at his day, as they that went before were affrighted.
Those that follow after him will wonder how he could have wasted himself.
Job 18:21
21Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked, and this is the place of him that knoweth not God.
It is interesting that through this chapter, Bildad has used words similar to Job’s. The difference being Job is describing his life, Bildad is using it as evidence against Job.
There should be no doubt as to Bildad’s appraisal of Job. Bildad considers Job one of the wicked. Bildad implies that what has happened to Job and will continue. Bildad believes that this is a result of Job’s lack of confession and repentance.
Unlike Bildad, we should not be too quick to judge of one’s life. There is much we cannot see. Psalm 73 discusses how the wicked are free from many of the terrors of life and that the righteous are often on the short end of life. The following is recorded in Philippians 1:29.
29For unto you it is given in the behalf of Messiah, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
Or even 2 Timothy 3:12.
12Yea, and all that will live godly in Messiah Yeshua shall suffer persecution.
Living the life of the believer is not a guarantee that it will be smooth sailing. There will be bumps and potholes in the road. Just as Yeshua stated in John 16:33.
33These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
There are two important things Yeshua is trying to get across to us. First, as long as one lives in the world there will be tribulation. Second, however, one can have peace in the midst of tribulation if they are in Him. To be in Him goes well beyond just being a believer. To be in Him, is to live the example He left us. Yeshua lived a life of holiness. And when one lives that life, they will have peace in the midst of all of life’s ups and downs.
Bildad fails to recognize that even for the righteous, it can appear as if one suffers. However, if it is for the glory of God; the righteous will be at peace within God’s will for their lives.
Bildad’s conclusion of Job is that Job is wicked and has no knowledge of God. For Job, this completely discredits his entire life. For one that came to mourn with Job, Bildad has completely changed sides. Instead of comforting him, Bildad is attempting to destroy Job. One must consider Bildad’s motivation, although not discussed, does not seems to favor God’s will. It should cause us to question the validity of Bildad’s words.
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