03 June

Bible In 365 Days                                         

Job 8-10

Job 8

In answer to Job, the next of his friends, Bildad, took up the argument. There is greater directness in his speech than in that of Eliphaz. By comparison it lacks in courtesy, but gains in force. He made no reference to Job's attack on his friends, but proceeded to make one statement of the righteousness of God from two standpoints. He first protested against the idea which Job's complaint had seemed to advance, that God's dealings are ever unjust with the righteous (1-7). It would be better for him to recognize that his children had died on account of their sin, and himself turn to God. Next he affirmed that those who forget God can no more flourish than can the m h without mire, or the flag .without water. The paths of such as forget God are described with great force (8-19). The two things are then summarized (20):

God will not cast away a perfect man, Neither will He uphold the evildoers.

This is followed by an expression of hope concerning Job. Here again we have the same general thought as appeared in the speech of Eliphaz, namely, that God is righteous, and prospers the just, and punishes evil. No direct charge was made against Job. He was left to make his own deduction and application.

Job 9

Job now answered Bildad. He first admitted the truth of the general proposition, Of a truth I know that it is so; and then propounded the great question, which he subsequently proceeded to discuss in the light of his own suffering.

How can a man be just with God?

The question was not the expression of his sense of guilt. The conception which overwhelmed him was that of God, and ere the answer closes it will be seen that in the light of his innocence he could not understand his suffering. His question, Who hath hardened himself against Him, and prospered? does not suggest the impotence of rebellion but the folly of contention.

Job then described the power of God. In the bitterness of his soul his consciousness of that power was of a terrific and overwhelming force. This God, moreover, is invisible. His presence is a fact, and yet Job cannot perceive. Finally, He is invincible. Therefore it is useless for a man to attempt to be just with Him.

Still discussing his question, Job spoke of his own condition. It was hopeless. God would not have patience with him, and his very attempt to prove himself innocent would issue in condemnation. Seeing that he seemed to charge this injustice on God, he asked in amazement, If it be not He, who then is it?

There was no meeting place between him and God. Full of beauty in the light of the Christian revelation is the cry of this afflicted man in his agony for a daysman who "might lay his hand upon us both."

Job 10

Notwithstanding all this, Job appealed to God. Turning from his answer to Bildad, he poured out his agony as in the presence of the Most High. It was by no means a hopeful appeal, but it was an appeal. He asked why God can contend with him, and with a terrible and yet sincere daring, born of affliction, he suggested questions:

Does God delight in what He is doing? Is God's vision faulty as man's that He cannot see? Are God's days and years brief that He is afraid Job may escape Him?

Following these questions, came his great appeal, which is also in the form of a question. God has made him. Why does He destroy him? This thought he carried out in detail on both sides, describing first his creation, and the graciousness of God's past dealing with him; and then the affliction, and his own inability to plead his cause. Once again he asked why he had been born, and in terrible anguish cried for God to let him alone a little that he might have brief respite ere he passed into death. The deepening of his sorrow is seen in this dark description of death. On a previous occasion it had been a land of rest and cessation, but now it is a place of darkness devoid of order. If we are tempted to criticize, we should ever remember that in the whole Book God lays no charge against His child. Terrible things were these which Job uttered about God, but at least they were honest.