“Then Bildad the Shuhite replied…” Job 8:1

It’s possible that Bildad could be a descendent of Shuah, the son of Abraham and Keturah (Genesis 25:1-2). If so, the book of Job would not predate the Pentateuch, as some theologians assert. In any case, as our story progresses, we find another friend of Job’s disengaged from Job’s cries for relief.

In the first two verses, Bildad basically called Job a windbag: “How long will you say such things? Your words are a blustering wind.” Curiously missing from Bildad’s initial response are any words of comfort to Job. Though he sat silently for seven days and nights with Job, it seems Bildad, along with Job’s other friends grew tired of Job’s groaning.

The name Bildad is translated, “God’s beloved”. Perhaps growing-up with that perception, Bildad may have had a tendency to defend God (though we all know God can well defend Himself), leading to his quick response to Job’s second lament:

“Does God pervert justice? Does the Almighty pervert what is right? When your children sinned against Him, He gave them over to the penalty of their sin.” (v.4)

Like Eliphaz, Bildad asserted the calamity Job experienced as being a result of the sin of his children and him. Though Bildad’s argument has a measure of truth, it is void of understanding Job’s pain. In their culture, Bildad could accuse Job or Job’s children of sin as part of a greater argument to defend God’s character. Explaining how God established His righteous standard and how God would never pervert or disguise it to confuse, mislead or tempt those made in His image was all part of Bildad’s theological stance. The sad thing is… many of us respond similarly to Bildad. We feel the necessity to defend God without giving thought to the immediate need before us. Job was hurting and the first thing out of Bildad’s mouth is accusing Job’s children of sin?

So often, Christians can’t see past the nose on our faces. Our own humanity makes us so preoccupied with our agenda, our appearance, our biases, that we become blinded to the immediate felt needs of others who are in pain. These few verses help remind us to keep the main thing the main thing. What is the main thing? Extending God’s love to people… especially after a crisis or tragedy. Why? Because people are the object of God’s love.

Have a blessed day…