“Can reeds thrive without water?” Job 8:11b

After referring to the wisdom of former generations, Bildad continued, stating:

“Can papyrus grow tall where there is no marsh? Can reeds thrive without water?” While still growing and uncut, they whither more quickly than grass. Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so perishes the hope of the godless. What he trusts in is fragile; what he relies on is a spider’s web. He leans on his web, but it gives way; he clings to it, but it does not hold. He is like a well-watered plant in the sunshine, spreading its shoots over the garden; it entwines its roots around a pile of rocks and looks for a place among the stones. But when it is torn from its spot, that place disowns it and says, ‘I never saw you.’ Surely its life withers away, and from the soil other plants grow.” (vv. 11 – 19)

This section of Bildad’s remarks to Job is remarkably different in tempo and meter, as if quoting from another source – perhaps the wisdom literature from earlier generations. Like Eliphaz, Bildad indicts Job, though his accusation was based upon the heavenly evidence of the calamities to Job’s property and family:

• The destiny of all who forget God is likened to reeds dying for lack of water (vv. 11 – 13);

• The hope of the godless is likened to leaning on a spider’s web (vv. 14 – 15);

• The wicked are likened to a well-watered plant which spreads its shoots from the spot it grew, even looking to expand its presence among the rocky places; and when weeded-out is disowned by its former home that welcomed new owners (vv. 16 – 19).

What are we to make of Bildad’s address to Job? Are his comments given to encourage Job or to indict him? On the one hand, it appears Bildad accused Job of forgetting God, leaning on a spider-web of self-sufficiency, and being uprooted for being a weed to humanity. On the other hand, Bildad offered hope to Job through these words:

“Surely God does not reject a blameless man or strengthen the hands of evildoers. He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. Your enemies will be clothed in shame, and the tents of the wicked will be no more.” (vv. 20 – 22)

So Bildad’s diatribe seems to direct the reader to decide if Job is guilty or innocent by letting the evidence speaks for itself. The biggest weakness with his approach is being unable to see the unseen drama taking place, as well as being blind to Job’s entire life. The reality of having one’s bad and good deeds being placed on some celestial balanced scale just doesn’t exist. God is full of grace and mercy. His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).

Thank God for His grace and mercies.

Have a blessed day…