Job 8 – Mishkan Daviyd

In Chapter 8, a new individual starts to speak, Bildad the Shuhite. Bildad’s name means confusing love. It is apparent that Bildad has made up his mind. Similar to Eliphaz, he does not even inquire if Job has done anything wrong. However, it seems that Bildad is softer than Eliphaz in his approach. Yet similar to Eliphaz, Bildad makes assumptions as to Job’s character. He tells Job to repent and things will be better.

Job 8:1-2

¹Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said, ²How long wilt thou speak these things? and how long shall the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind?

It is obvious from Bildad’s first statement that Job is guilty of being a wind bag. That Bildad believes that Job is merely pontificating with little real meaning. Possibly, Bildad feels this way from Job being in the limelight as others awed by Job’s words. If Bildad feels this way now, will his words get even stronger with time? As the chapter progresses, Bildad will make some fairly pointed rhetorical statements, Job 8:3.

³Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice?

If one does not take time to think about what Bildad is asking, one might think that he is asking the same question twice. What Bildad is asking first is, does God pervert His decisions? As in, whether one is righteous or evil. It is similar to whether one is innocent or guilty. What Bildad is asking in the second question is, does God pervert His sentencing? As in, the sentencing one receives for a crime. Which in the case of God could be a reward or a punishment. Of course the answer to both of these is no. God does not pervert either judgment or justice.

Bildad asked these questions of Job for a very pointed reason. He could have just as easily told Job, you are getting what you deserve. Or, he could have told Job that God does not allow sin to go unanswered forever. It should be obvious from this that Bildad believes that Job has committed some transgression worthy of the punishment Job is now receiving. Bildad seems to be in agreement with Eliphaz, but he is a bit more gentle than Eliphaz.

Similar to Eliphaz, Bildad lacks compassion for Job. It is not always our responsibility to ensure that an individual is publicly disciplined. Bildad’s words would have been better spoken in private. We are responsible to receive others in love and allow the Holy Spirit to work in their lives. We should show compassion and help lead them back when they have fallen. If we are always condemning and pointing out sin, people will want little to do with us. We need to allow the Holy Spirit to work in others’ lives and quit thinking we are the ones with all the answers.

Job 8:4-5

⁴If thy children have sinned against him, and he have cast them away for their transgression; ⁵If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty;

When reading the words of Bildad, one ought to wonder if Bildad was blind to everything that was occurring. Bildad shows little compassion to the father who has just lost ten children. Even worse, Bildad seems to be indicating that Job’s children were deserving of their fate. That what has happened should be of no surprise.

Today when one loses a child, the last thing one needs to hear is what they should have done to save their child. The time to hear this is long before the event occurs, when something can be done about it. After the fact we should show compassion and some intelligence in the matter.

Additionally, were the activities of Job’s children commonly known, as stated in Job 1:4?

⁴And 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.

If this was known, were Job’s children so much different than the children of the times? I doubt that Job’s children were the only ones or the worst example of this activity. It seems that Bildad was taking advantage of Job at a very vulnerable time.

Further if the activities of Job’s children was known, why did Bildad not know of Job 1:5? Why did not Bildad know what Job did for his children? Or why did not Bildad even consider or ask Job? Why is it that gossip is almost always bad and slanderous?

⁵And 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.

When things go bad for an individual, why do we pick at the sore? Why does Bildad have to look for a reason? Job 1:5 stated that Job continually made supplication for his children. For Job, Bildad words must have been frustrating and very hurtful.

⁶Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Further, it is interesting that Bildad would address this fault and God makes no mention of it. Bildad has sure confused the issues for his own advantage. He is living up to his name.

Job 8:6-7

⁶If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous. ⁷Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.

This is Bildad’s conclusion of Job. By using the word ‘if”, he is concluding that Job is not pure and upright. Bildad seems to be basing this conclusion on nothing more than circumstantial evidence.

Similar to Eliphaz, Bildad encourages Job to walk righteously with God. If Job would do this, God would certainly move on Job’s behalf. Bildad is of the mindset that good things happen to good people, while bad things happen to bad people. If this was true, why did Job prosper for many years. Besides the fact that Bildad’s doctrine is not completely right, he is very short-sighted.

Bildad has a very simplistic understanding of life. The Bible does not always agree with Bildad’s conclusion. Sometimes one has to be longsuffering or suffer for God’s sake. In life, things may not always work out in the short term. Truthfully, not often is anyone doing everything right. As one walks closer with God, they realize how far they fall short of His glory. Trials will come, but it is not the trial we should be focused on. Peter reminds us in 1 Peter 1:7.

⁷That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Yeshua Messiah:

There will be trials in the life of the Christian. Do not expect that everything will work out exactly as you planned. It is through the trial, that one is purified when they walk out God’s will. Not completely, because as long as one lives, trials will continue. The victory of the trial is greater than gold, unless one is like those that left Egypt and wanted the gold, but none of the trial. This type of believer never matures and seems to never learn the lessons of faith. They will struggle their entire life.

When things do not go the way we plan; there is always the possibility that things happen because we are called like Joseph, Psalm 105:16-19.

¹⁶Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread. ¹⁷He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: ¹⁸Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: ¹⁹Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.

Joseph had a higher calling. To accomplish this calling, Joseph was tried by the word. Through all his trials, Joseph was changed to serve God’s purposes. Joseph became a great man of God because of the trials. He was proven worthy.

It is stated of Yeshua in Matthew 27:42-43.

⁴²He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. ⁴³He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.

There were those present at the crucifixion that laughed at Yeshua. Yeshua in all His righteousness was not delivered at the Cross. Why do so many expect to be delivered from every situation immediately? Or why do we believe that nothing bad would happen to us? Peter stated in 1 Peter 2:21.

²¹For even hereunto were ye called: because Messiah also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Messiah suffered and left us an example to follow. However, there are those that would tell you that He was suppose to suffer, but not us. Some may state that we are to be victorious in all situations. We are children of the King and we are to live as a kings. Quite honestly, people love to hear that life is a bed of roses and everything will work out if you are good and faithful.

Very few want to hear that we are to suffer and there will be trials. This is not a message many will proclaim. It does not fill the churches, sell books or attract tithes and offerings. Yet Paul stated 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;

We are to suffer for His sake. Unfortunately, this message is avoided in many churches, because it does not attract people to Christianity. However, it is a fact of Christian life. Further, Peter stated in 1 Peter 2:22-23A.

²²Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: ^23AWho, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not;

When people come against you, when people make fun of you, when they call you names, what do you do? In America today, we stand up for our rights. If someone challenges our rights, we get a lawyer. That is not what Yeshua did, Peter stated in 1 Peter 2:23B.

^23Bbut committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

Yeshua committed Himself to God, Yeshua is our example. So often people want to tout the phrase WWJD, What Would Jesus (Yeshua) Do. Yeshua (Jesus) would do much different than many of us suppose. He lived a life foreign to many present-day believers. It is about time we commit ourselves to God and let Him work it out for us.

If one truly walks with Yeshua, they will experience suffering. Their faith will be put to the test. Often it is not enjoyable at first, 1 Peter 1:6.

⁶Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

Through all our trials and tribulations, we ought to learn to rejoice. We ought to be praising God. We do not rejoice and praise God for the trial. We rejoice because we know that God will deliver us and it will be better in the end; better, because we served God’s purposes and not our own. If we walk with God, He will never leave us nor forsake us. As Paul told his son in the faith, Timothy, 2 Timothy 4:17-18.

¹⁷Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. ¹⁸And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Until we can speak as Paul did and mean it; we will suffer in this lifetime. Job understood this when he stated in Job 13:15.

¹⁵Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

Job knew who was his deliverer. In the end, Job was victorious through his trial. We need to learn this lesson, if we are to survive in this world today with dignity and integrity.

The believers of today often fail to see the continuity of the prophets’ and apostles’ lives in the Bible. Many will hang on to their words. However, there is not a prophet or apostle in the Bible that did not suffer. Remember the words of the apostles in Acts 5:41.

⁴¹And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

This is unusual in a world where many preach wealth, prosperity and health. However, those things were not important to the men and women of the Bible. What was important to them, was serving God in truth.

Job 8:8-10

⁸For 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:) ¹⁰Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, and utter words out of their heart?

Bildad is telling Job to look back on history. History is there to teach us. Therefore, it is before us, to show us how to live. We ought to learn from the examples of history, as we are but a shadow in time. Bildad is telling us that we cannot change the patterns that are before us. Unfortunately Bildad himself lacks understanding of history.

Job 8:11-12

¹¹Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water? ¹²Whilst it is yet in his greenness, and not cut down, it withereth before any other herb.

Just like these plants have grown up, they required a ground and nourishment. No plant can grow on its own, it is a product of what it came from. Similarly, we are a product of our history. We should learn the lessons of those before us or we are doomed to repeat them. Bildad is implying that those prior to Job were subject to God and so is Job.

Job 8:13

¹³So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite’s hope shall perish:

Bildad is implying that Job has ignored God and gone on a path of his own making. Because of this, there is no hope for Job, until he comes back to the pathway of God.

Bildad’s presumption that Job has not learned from history is false. Job had no other instructor but his forefathers. There was no Bible in Job’s days, only what they learned from the fathers. From there, one was to walk with God. Bildad is completely discounting Job’s entire life. He is accusing Job of being rebellious.

What makes this utterly juvenile is that Bildad’s estimation of Job is far different than that of God. Bildad’s entire speech is predicated on the assumption that Job has disregarded God. Bildad seems to categorize Job as an agnostic.

Just for a moment lets pause our discussion of Job, because even though Bildad is wrong about Job, he not wrong about most believers today. Bildad implies that while things are good most believers are not earnest in their pursuit of God. However, when things are bad they will pray earnestly for God to move in their lives. Their attendance at church will increase, God becomes their central focus. However, when things get better and they are through the crisis; it is not long before God fades from their mind and their priorities. It is similar to moving a pot to the back burner of life and flame has gone out. For these prayer, reading the Bible and congregating with believers is no longer important. That is, until the next crisis occurs and the pots shift again, moving God to the front burner once again. This happens because when one neglects God and the things of God, they lose their hedge and the walls of their house become exposed. Their spiritual life is as if the house turns to disrepair and their garden is over grown with weeds.

In Job 8:14-19, Bildad list what happens to those that have disregarded God.

¹⁴Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a spider’s web. ¹⁵He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: he shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure. ¹⁶He is green before the sun, and his branch shooteth forth in his garden. ¹⁷His roots are wrapped about the heap, and seeth the place of stones. ¹⁸If he destroy him from his place, then it shall deny him, saying, I have not seen thee. ¹⁹Behold, this is the joy of his way, and out of the earth shall others grow.

For the one that is always shifting pots, Bildad tells us that they will be entangled in their own deceit. They will not stand but fall, nothing for this person will be lasting. In the end, others will benefit from what they have done.

Job 8:20-21

²⁰Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, neither will he help the evil doers: ²¹Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing.

Bildad’s implication is that Job is not a perfect man, a mature follower of God, although God stated in both Job 1:8 and Job 2:3 that Job was perfect. Concerning Job, Bildad has missed the mark. What Bildad stated in Job 8:20 is not far from the truth. However, not in the way that Bildad may have meant, but as God puts forth in Psalm 73. This psalm is a passage that all believers should be familiar with, because it is the life of one that pursues God and leaves the world far behind.

Psalm 73 is about a priest whose life was less glamorous than others and the answer he found from God. It is a lesson well worth learning and applying to our own lives. Before I discuss much more of Job, it is important to understand the content of Psalm 73. The life of Asaph in Psalm 73 is not the life many of us would choose, but it is the life God would have for us.

Psalm 73 is titled a Psalm of Asaph, Asaph was a Levite during King David’s reign, recorded in 1 Chronicles 16:7-9.

⁷Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren. ⁸Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. ⁹Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.

Asaph was a singer of the psalms, his story starts with Psalm 73:1.

¹Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.

This is a good way to start. This expresses Asaph’s total understanding. It is a call for all of us to be a good and faithful servant. We are to have a clean heart. This means we must walk with Him as in 1 John 1:7.

⁷But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Yeshua Messiah his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

This is an extremely important concept. We are to walk in the light as He is in the light. Simply, that means what He has done, we should do. So often people like to toss around the phrase WWJD, What Would Jesus Do. Then all too often, people will state things that Yeshua never stated nor did. If we want to be cleansed, we need to actually walk as He walked. This may be different from what many purport today from the pulpit or write in books. If you want to know what He did, read the Bible and when you are done, keep reading it until you understand how different His life was. Then, when you understand never stop studying, it will take all you have to understand His life. Only then can one begin to walk in the light as He is in the light. Then one can be cleansed by His blood and have the clean heart that Asaph is speaking about.

Next is where Aspah almost made a critical mistake, Psalm 73:2.

²But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.

It was not that Asaph made the mistake. It was that Asaph caught himself before he fell; awareness came and he did not falter. This could happen to any of us, if we do not heed Asaph’s warning. If we do not continuously walk in the light, as He is in the light.

Asaph discusses the illusion that so many have fallen victim to. It is the illusion that leads most down the path away from God. We all seem to fall into the trap time and time again, until we fully practice what Asaph is telling us. It is the very illusion that Job’s friends fell victim to, Psalm 73:3.

³For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Asaph from the beginning admits his mistake. Asaph actually envied the foolish. So often we see others who seem to prosper and we become jealous and filled with envy. We find it unfair that those who are not walking with God should be blessed. However, the real question is, are they really blessed? Paul warns us of this error in 2 Corinthians 10:12.

¹²For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

It is not wise for us to compare our lives to anyone else. To do that, is to question the wisdom of God. God has placed a path before us, we should walk on that path. Any other path would be outside the perfect will of God for us. As such, we should not compare our lives to anyone else. Whether the other is a believer or nonbeliever, it is not meant for us. We have a life separate and unique in God.

Most assuredly, we should never envy the wicked, those who refuse to walk in God’s ways. They are far from the perfect will of God. Listen to why Asaph envied these people and ponder if you have done this.

Remember, Asaph was a Levite. To understand Asaph’s illusion, we should understand the life of the Levite during temple times. Levities similar to Asaph were holy people. They had sanctified their lives over to God in way very few do today. Their entire life was to be dedicated to God, serving in the temple and serving the people. Unlike many today, they were not getting rich off the gospel. They had few possessions, Psalm 73:4-12.

⁴For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. ⁵They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. ⁶Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. ⁷Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. ⁸They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. ⁹They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. ¹⁰Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. ¹¹And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? ¹²Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.

Most of us if we were honest, have had similar thoughts at one time or another. We think these people are wicked, yet they have everything. They cut corners on their taxes and are never audited. Or, they get the best tables at the restaurants. They make more money than us. Promotions and large paychecks come easily to them. They have those things that we dream about. Worse of all, they blaspheme God by their lifestyle and vain words of praise. It seems as if little retribution is in their lives.

Aspah felt like he had failed, Psalm 73:13-16.

¹³Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. ¹⁴For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. ¹⁵If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. ¹⁶When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;

Asaph looked at the world and felt that all he had done was in vain. It caused Asaph pain to see how others prospered, as he went without. Asaph could not always provide for his family those things he would have wanted. Asaph kept these thoughts to himself and did not speak to others concerning his doubts. This only served to increase his stress and questioning. I cannot speak for Asaph; however, I can certainly speak for myself. When I did the same things as Asaph, I felt like a fool and wondered about my own choices.

It is important that when we read the Bible that we understand it in the context it was meant; Psalm 73 is not about Asaph and goyim (nonbelievers). Asaph was comparing himself to the Children of Israel that were not walking with God. Those who had not sanctified their lives and were consumed with the things of the world. They were not taking God seriously. Now if they had a problem they could not immediately resolve, they might all of a sudden get serious; similar to shifting pots. God is a priority to them only when they need Him. For these, they were not routinely seeking God’s face. They were not serving in the Temple as Asaph. Even when they attended worship services or followed scriptures, it was more out of an obligation rather than a deep-felt desire to walk with God. They wanted to prosper and advance themselves in society. They were not dedicated to searching out the truths of scripture and helping others to walk with God.

This very situation occurs even today. There are many believers who could not be bothered with living the consistent Christian life. The pressures of life have caused them to take their job far more serious than God and His word. They are not walking as they should. Even if they wanted to, they would not know how. They have never deeply studied the word nor do they believe they should.

If you have ever had to make the choice between God and the world, you will understand. Instead of working overtime, you go home to prepare a lesson for the congregation. Instead of taking a job out of state, you stay local to do what God has called you to do, even though your bank account is dwindling. When you file your taxes, you do not fudge. It is about choices. When you have an issue, right away you are on your knees. You do not fear what the world will do, because you know God will never leave you nor forsake you. You know this because you have walked with Him. Walking with God is not always easy. It takes dedication and time. Yet, it is the only path to fulfillment in every aspect of our lives.

Asaph chose to sanctify his life. And honestly, it was clear that Asaph’s choice resulted in fewer possessions. Maybe Asaph could not provide for his family as he would have preferred. I am sure it resulted in hardships and long hours at the temple. This psalm is far from over and Asaph is a man we can learn from, Psalm 73:17.

¹⁷Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.

‘Until’ is a great word. Asaph thought all these things until he went back into the sanctuary. Asaph, like many of us, had lost sight of the Temple, thereby losing sight of God. However, Asaph, unlike many of us, never lost his footing. Remember Asaph’s words in Psalm 73:2.

²But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.

Asaph almost fell off the path, he came very close to slipping. Yet he did not, because he kept on the path to the temple where God resided. It is not much different for us. If we spend too much time in the world, we become jealous of the world. And we will want those things of the world. If we spend time with God in His Sanctuary, the true temple, our perspective changes completely. As a matter of fact, we no longer see these things of the world. We do not even think twice about them. Because we are immersed in Him and life becomes lighter and more meaningful.

Asaph stated in Psalm 73:18-20.

¹⁸Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. ¹⁹How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. ²⁰As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.

It may look good for a while, but for those that choose other than God, their end is bitter. Asaph is not stating that God actually sleeps, because we know from Psalm 121:3-4:

³He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. ⁴Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

God is not asleep at the wheel. God has everything in control, if you will allow Him. To allow Him means, we must stay on the path to Him. Just because we cannot control our emotions and become filled with fear, do not think that God is worried. God knows the beginning from the end and we can too. Further we can be confident of the middle, if our faith is properly placed and exercised. God moves when He decides and for His purposes, Proverbs 10:2-3.

²Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death. ³The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.

God will not allow the righteous to suffer forever. It is the wicked that will end up with nothing in the end. Unfortunately for many, there is confusion as to what is righteous. This is because many believers today minimize a major portion of the Bible.

We need to realize that we are the ones that have stepped outside of God’s protection. It is due to our foolishness and lackadaisical attitudes towards the Word and our walk with God.

Next, Asaph stated in Psalm 73:21.

²¹Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. ²²So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

Asaph is repenting of his foolishness. We, who have acted so, need to repent. Never let the world be our standard. Again, the words of Paul in 2 Corinthians 10:12.

When we look at others, are we comparing ourselves to them? When we do this, it is as if we are saying that God has not done well for us. We are questioning God’s judgment. One is never to question a perfect being. When we are in His perfect will everything is perfect for us. If we find things not going the way we believe they should, either we have fallen off the path or we are not serving God as we should. We lack the maturity to serve God, and we desire what we want over what God knows is best for us. That is never good.

Remember Asaph stated that he almost slipped; then Asaph came into the sanctuary into the relationship with God. And Asaph remembered and was satisfied, Psalm 73:23-28.

²³Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. ²⁴Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. ²⁵Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. ²⁶My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. ²⁷For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. ²⁸But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

To be with God is better than all the world has to offer. To be in God’s perfect will is to have everything perfectly satisfied in all aspects of life. And until you have been there, you cannot know. If you have been there and have left without returning, then you have never really known. It is okay to slip, but do not fall.

If you feel stuck in the rut of life, you need to go back to Psalm 73. Read the whole psalm. In every case, God delivers those that are faithful and obedient. The greatest blessing in life is to spend time in the most holy place.

Because if we are there, we would be like the great prophets of the Bible. We would know that God is all sufficient. This is not just a saying, it can be a reality in all our lives. We just have to choose consistently. We must be immersed in Him or else it is just a dream.

I bring up Psalm 73 at this time, because it is important to understanding the Book of Job. All too often, believers use the wrong standard in life. They look at the world and allow it to distort their understanding of what is appropriate. This is what Job’s friends have done. They were clueless as to God’s evaluation of Job. Had they known God’s point of view, they would have immediately repented of their foolishness. That is unless they were instruments of Satan’s confusion. Never mistake riches or that everything going well for you as being in God’s will. God stated in Judges 2:22.

²²That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the Lord to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not.

Just as God tested the Children of Israel in the wilderness, we will go through trials in this lifetime, 1 Peter 1:7.

Trials are to mature us, to help us understand how far we have fallen. It gives us the opportunity to grow if we so chose.

Job 8:22:

²²They that hate thee shall be clothed with shame; and the dwelling place of the wicked shall come to nought.

Bildad may be right about what will eventually happen to the wicked, but he is far from understanding what is happening to Job.

Next Job 9

Back to Job 7

Return to Job, The Book of Life

Return to Books of the Bible