Job 18

“Bildad the Shuchi said, ‘When will you put an end to words? Think about it – then we’ll talk! Why are we thought of as cattle, stupid in your view? You can tear yourself to pieces in your anger but the earth won’t be abandoned just for your sake; not even a rock will be moved from its place.’” Job 18:1-4 (CJB)

In today’s chapter, we hear from Job’s friend, Bildad, again. Bildad’s name means “son of contention,” and that is exactly what he is. Bildad is the most aggressive in his accusations against Job.

It is important to note that Job’s friends all hold to the “prosperity” gospel, which is itself not the gospel. In a nutshell, the prosperity gospel holds that God brings prosperity to people who follow Him rightly and adversity to those who follow Him wrongly. It is a divine “quid pro quo” tit-for-tat scenario. Therefore, in the eyes of the “prosperity” belief, if you are successful, you must be right with the Lord. Conversely, if you are undergoing a season of trial, it must have been brought on by your sin. Obviously, the people who put forth this “gospel” aren’t seriously considering the book of Ecclesiastes.

While each of his friends holds to the same theology, they each approach Job from different angles. Eliphaz is more spiritual and mystic; Tzofar claims Job’s problem is his lack of wisdom or judgment. Bildad’s approach is humanistic, with his action-oriented “save yourself” speeches. What is scary about their counsel is that, when you put their arguments together, Job’s friends distort God’s Word to send a clear message: “Job, you can be your own Judge, define your own truth, and save yourself.”  

By the way, “Judge,” “Revelation of Truth,” and “Salvation” are the ministries of the Father, Spirit, and Son. Job’s friends are “clinging to a ‘form’ of godliness, but denying the power, thereof.” (2 Timothy 3:5). Essentially, they are counseling Job away from relying on all three persons of God. Interestingly, 2 Timothy 3:5 exhorts believers, “from such people, turn away.”

Toward the end of today’s passage, Bildad evokes images of Jesus’ prophecy concerning the future of the Temple in Jerusalem.

“Some of His disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, ‘As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.’” Luke 21:5-6 (NIV)

Also interesting is how Jesus’ accusers used this same prophecy against Him during His trial: “Finally two came forward and declared, ‘This fellow said, “I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.” Matthew 26:60b-61 (NIV)

Shortly after this accusation, Jesus testified (again) that He was the Son of God. (See also: John 10:30-33)