Dave Burnette's Commentary

Job Chapter 8

Written By: God through Inspiration
Penned By: Unknown, possibly Job, Moses, Solomon, and Elihu
Date Penned: (2000-1800 BC)
Overview: Faith in God's Sovereignty Through Trials (c 1-42)
Theme: Three Friends Answer Job (c 3-31)
Message: Bildad Speaks (v 1-22)

Job 8 Commentary

(8:1)  Bildad's Wrong Assumption - Bildad was upset that Job still claimed innocence while questioning God's justice. The basis of Bildad's argument (the justice of God) was sound, but his idea of God's justice was not. Bildad's argument went like this: God could not be unjust, and God would not punish a just man; therefore, Job must be unjust. Bildad felt there were no exceptions to his theory. Like Eliphaz, Bildad wrongly assumed that people suffer only as a result of their sins. And Bildad was even less sensitive and compassionate, saying that Job's children had died because of their wickedness. (For more information about Bildad, see the profile and the chart.)


(8:14-15) Bildad's Wrong Accusation - Bildad wrongly assumed that Job was trusting in something other than God for security, so he pointed out that such supports are fragile and are sure to collapse. One of the basic needs that people have is security, and many will do almost anything to feel secure. Eventually, however, our money, possessions, knowledge, and relationships will fail or be gone. Only God can give lasting security. What have you trusted for your security? How lasting is it? If you have a secure foundation with God, feelings of insecurity will not undermine you.


Dave Burnette's Life Application


Security

Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we continue in the Book of Job with Chapter 8. In our text today we see Bildad wrongly assumed that Job was trusting in something other than God for security. In making application we see that many place their need to be secure in things other than our Lord. Money, Possessions, Relationships, Knowledge, are just a few items that we place our trust but only trusting in the Lord will last and fulfill our need to be secure. How about you? In what do you place your trust? Let us learn from our text today and the life of Job to remember that only placing our trust in the Lord will last and fufill this need in our lives.

 

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Job 8

Job 8

 1Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,

 2How long wilt thou speak these things? and how long shall the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind?

 3Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice?

 4If thy children have sinned against him, and he have cast them away for their transgression;

 5If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty;

 6If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.

 7Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.

 8For enquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers:

 9(For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow:)

 10Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, and utter words out of their heart?

 11Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water?

 12Whilst it is yet in his greenness, and not cut down, it withereth before any other herb.

 13So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish:

 14Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a spider's web.

 15He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: he shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure.

 16He is green before the sun, and his branch shooteth forth in his garden.

 17His roots are wrapped about the heap, and seeth the place of stones.

 18If he destroy him from his place, then it shall deny him, saying, I have not seen thee.

 19Behold, this is the joy of his way, and out of the earth shall others grow.

 20Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, neither will he help the evil doers:

 21Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing.

 22They that hate thee shall be clothed with shame; and the dwelling place of the wicked shall come to nought.