Job Chapter 8: A Friend’s Harsh Words

Introduction

In Job chapter 8, we hear from Bildad, one of Job’s friends. He gives a very different perspective than Eliphaz did in chapter 4. Bildad’s words are harsh, and he seems to blame Job for his suffering. While Bildad has some good points, his understanding of God and suffering is flawed.

Key Points and Commentary

• Bildad’s Accusation (verses 1-4): Bildad starts by questioning Job’s words and accusations against God. He believes that God is always just and that suffering is a direct result of sin. He even implies that Job’s children died because of their own wrongdoing.
• Bildad’s Advice (verses 5-7): Bildad tells Job to seek God and repent. He promises that if Job is truly pure and upright, God will restore him and bless him abundantly.
• Bildad’s Wisdom from the Past (verses 8-19): Bildad uses ancient wisdom and proverbs to support his argument that the wicked will not prosper and the righteous will be rewarded. He compares the wicked to a plant that quickly withers and the righteous to a tree with deep roots.

Study Questions

1. Do you think Bildad’s words are helpful or hurtful to Job? Why?
2. Do you agree with Bildad that suffering is always a direct result of sin? Why or why not?
3. How does Bildad’s view of God compare to what we have learned about God in previous chapters?
4. What does Bildad mean when he compares the wicked to a plant and the righteous to a tree?
5. What can we learn from Bildad’s words, even if we don’t agree with everything he says?

Life Application for Young People

• Don’t be quick to judge: When someone is going through a difficult time, it’s important to be compassionate and listen. Don’t assume you know the reason for their suffering or try to offer simple solutions.
• God is just and merciful: Even though we may not always understand why bad things happen, we can trust that God is in control and that He has a plan for our lives.
• Seek wisdom from the past: While we should always be open to new ideas and perspectives, we can also learn a lot from the wisdom of those who have gone before us.
• Be a tree, not a plant: Build your life on a strong foundation of faith and righteousness. This will help you to withstand the storms of life and to flourish in the long run.

Additional Thoughts

Job chapter 8 raises important questions about the nature of suffering and God’s justice. It’s important to remember that the Bible doesn’t always provide easy answers to these questions. But by wrestling with these difficult topics, we can grow in our faith and understanding of God.