“…we were born only yesterday…” Job 8:9a

Clueless about the contest that was occurring in the spiritual realm, Bildad appeared wise with his opening argument to Job (vv. 1 – 7). God’s pattern to defend and restore His own is well documented (v.6). Bildad then played his backup card – offering the perspective of the elders:

“Ask the former generations and find out what their fathers learned, for we were born only yesterday and know nothing, and our days on earth are but a shadow. Will they not instruct you and tell you? Will they not bring forth words from their understanding?”

In the scope of eternity, each generation is but a moment from the next, for a thousand years is but a day in God’s sight (2 Peter 3:8). Bildad was depending on the strength of his elders – and sometimes our elders are quite sincere in their earnestness, though they can be sincerely wrong. At least two generations of Americans were raised believing the adage, ‘God helps those who help themselves.’ Though it sounds spiritual, and could be argued as supporting the biblical guidance of not providing food to those who do not work (2 Thessalonians 3:10), Jesus would turn it upside down – just as He turned the money-changers tables upside down… and just as He turned the world upside down.

To his credit, while Bildad did recognize the strength of consulting the history of previous generations, he may have also been hinting at the dark arts for which Saul was rebuked (1 Samuel 28:3-25). Most theologians interpret Bildad’s statement as an endorsement for the support of traditional thought and practice. Tradition deserves a measure of respect for providing continuity from one generation to the next, though tradition can be rather unrelenting in developing new insights or permitting fresh expressions of faith. Perhaps Job’s expressions of grief were not traditionally appropriate, though they were certainly acceptable for their transparency.

Cued by Job’s statement describing the brevity of life as “swifter than a weaver’s shuttle” (see 7:6), Bildad thumbs his nose at the wisdom of Job with contentious words: “…we were born only yesterday and know nothing…”. (v.9). Bildad’s obvious remarks were meant to silence Job’s laments while supporting the continued assaults on his character (which we will see tomorrow).

Tradition can be a blessing or a curse. When it comes to blessing those in pain, I hope the only perspective we employ is a tradition of sympathy. Once one is allowed to express the agony of suffering, a more empathetic understanding of the suffering may feed a more sympathetic response to one’s felt needs. Oftentimes, the traditional restraints upon emotional venting may not only stifle those in pain, if we’re not careful, it may also sour relationships.

Have a blessed day…