Bible Talks: Job 18-19:1-5

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IN THIS chapter Bildad speaks and he expresses no sympathy whatever for poor Job. In fact it seems that the three friends get more severe with him each time they speak. Bildad says, “Wherefore are we counted as beasts, and reputed vile (or stupid) in your sight?” In the New Testament men away from God are said to act as beasts. When the Apostle speaks of having fought with beasts at Ephesus (1 Cor, 15:32), he does not mean beasts literally, but men who had sunk so low as to merit such a term. Jude also speaks of some evil men who had crept in among the saints “as brute beasts.” Such was the character before the coming of our blessed Lord, and now, as long as the Holy Spirit is here, there is One who hinders the development of evil (2 Thess. 2:7, 87For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: (2 Thessalonians 2:7‑8)). We may see a great deal of evil in tile world now, but it is nothing compared with what, will follow after the Lord removes His people from this earth, and the Spirit of God also leaves.
Bildad makes a cruel thrust at Job when he says, “the light of the wicked shall be put out,” that death is his portion. He says, “His confidence shall be rooted out..., and it shall bring him to the king of terrors,” Then he goes on: “His remembrance shall perish from the earth,"... “He shall twit her have son nor nephew (grandson) oolong his people.... They that come after him shall be astonished at his day, as they that went before were affrighted” (evidently a reference to those whom the unrighteous man oppressed). Bildad closes with, “Surely, such are the dwellings of the unrighteous man, and such the place of him that knoweth not God.” J.N.D. Trans. It was all a mistake, and at the end of Job’s trial God called his three friends to account for the way they had so severely treated him. We cannot definitely say of anyone “that he knoweth not God,” for Scripture tells us “The Lord knoweth them that are His.” 2 Tim. 2:1919Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (2 Timothy 2:19). He only can value rightly the thoughts and intents of the heart. There is a day coming when all men shall give account of all that they have spoken, according to the word of the Lord Jesus: “That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” Matt. 12:3636But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. (Matthew 12:36). “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.” 2 Cor. 5:10, 1110For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 11Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. (2 Corinthians 5:10‑11).
In chapter 19 we have Job’s answer to Bildad’s discourse, and he asks, “How long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words? These ten times have ye reproached me.” Actually thus far they had only spoken to him six times, but doubtless he saw on these occasions ten different ways in which they had reproached him. He had been very patient, but as his friends continued to charge him with evil, like Moses, he failed in the very thing that had characterized him. Job became very impatient. How we need Christ to sustain us in the trials of the way; “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” 1 Pet. 1:77That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: (1 Peter 1:7).
O patient, spotless One!
Our hearts in meekness train,
To hear Thy yoke, and learn of Thee,
That we may rest obtain.
ML-05/01/1960