July 5, 2025, Job 18:1-21

July 5, 2025, Job 18:1-21

Bildad Speaks: God Punishes the Wicked

18 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said:

² “How long will you hunt for words?
    Consider, and then we will speak.
³ Why are we counted as cattle?
    Why are we stupid in your sight?
⁴ You who tear yourself in your anger,
    shall the earth be forsaken for you,
    or the rock be removed out of its place?

⁵ “Indeed, the light of the wicked is put out,
    and the flame of his fire does not shine.
⁶ The light is dark in his tent,
    and his lamp above him is put out.
⁷ His strong steps are shortened,
    and his own schemes throw him down.
⁸ For he is cast into a net by his own feet,
    and he walks on its mesh.
⁹ A trap seizes him by the heel;
    a snare lays hold of him.
¹⁰ A rope is hidden for him in the ground,
    a trap for him in the path.
¹¹ Terrors frighten him on every side,
    and chase him at his heels.
¹² His strength is famished,
    and calamity is ready for his stumbling.
¹³ It consumes the parts of his skin;
    the firstborn of death consumes his limbs.
¹⁴ He is torn from the tent in which he trusted
    and is brought to the king of terrors.
¹⁵ In his tent dwells that which is none of his;
    sulfur is scattered over his habitation.
¹⁶ His roots dry up beneath,
    and his branches wither above.
¹⁷ His memory perishes from the earth,
    and he has no name in the street.
¹⁸ He is thrust from light into darkness,
    and driven out of the world.
¹⁹ He has no posterity or progeny among his people,
    and no survivor where he used to live.
²⁰ They of the west are appalled at his day,
    and horror seizes them of the east.
²¹ Surely such are the dwellings of the unrighteous,
    such is the place of him who knows not God.”

Bildad speaks harshly in regard to Job’s suffering even suggesting that it may be a result of Job’s sin. 

My first thought is, with friends like Bildad, who needs enemies?  Secondly, we need to be cautious about misinterpreting suffering as a direct result of sin.   We all will experience suffering, pain & loss during our lifetimes.  The question is, what will our character look like in the midst of suffering? Will we still believe God is sovereign regardless of our pain? Pray today that you can grow in Christ and reflect his character in good and challenging times. 

Robin Adams

Let’s face it, We all deserve many things due to our sin that God doesn’t put on us.  He gives us so much grace that we don’t deserve.  God used this situation with Job to teach not only Job, and Job’s friends, but also to show the enemy that There was a man that was righteous.  I’m so thankful that I don’t get what I deserve.  I’m thankful that that blood of Jesus covers me and my sin so I don’t suffer for what I’ve done, but life itself can bring suffering, and we know God can use that suffering for His good and His glory!

Lori Morgan