Job 25
Bildad steps back in with a final (and brief) argument that no one can be found righteous before God: How then can man be in the right before God? How can he who is born of woman be pure? (v. 4) It is hard to argue with Bildad on this point. None is righteous, no, not one. (See Rom. 3:10-12; Ps. 14:1-3, 15:1-3.)
So there is nothing particularly wrong with what Bildad says, just in how he says it. That is, Bildad wields these words as a weapon to condemn Job. There is no comfort here, no hope, no love — just judgment. And in the process, Bildad conveniently forgets that in speaking these words he condemns himself.
Let that be a lesson to us. We must indeed hold fast to the truth without compromise. But the truth must always be spoken in love. It is not sufficient just to have a winning argument. Love is what truly triumphs. Job’s friends have not spoken of love, nor have they spoken lovingly. They have all presented mere condemnation. But the message of the Gospel is different: There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)
By the way, this is the last we hear from Job’s three friends…
One of my study Bibles made a connection between Psalm 8 (one of my favorites) and Bildad’s words today. Psalm 8 truly exalts humanity: When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place; what is man that You think of him, and a son of man that You are concerned about him? Yet You have made him a little lower than God, and You crown him with glory and majesty! (Ps. 8:3-5). Bildad, however, turns Psalm 8 upside-down, demeaning man: If even the moon does not shine, and the stars are not pure in His sight, how much less man, who is but a maggot, and the son of man, who is but a worm! (vv. 5-6) Bildad is saying that the moon and stars are pale in comparison to God’s glory, and if that’s the case, how can man be worth anything to God since he is so much lower than these magnificent creations?
Contrast Bildad with Job a few chapters back, also reflecting Psalm 8: What is man that You should exalt him, that You should set Your heart upon him, that You attend to him every morning, and test him every moment? Will You never look away from me…? (Job 7:17-19a) Job begins his comment like Psalm 8, effectively exalting mankind; then, surprisingly, he asks God to leave him alone!! Strange! Still that initial contrast between Job and Bildad is apparent!
A lot to dwell on in just a short read…!