Okay, I do not admire this second friend of Job’s. Bildad speaks up and pretty much straight out accuses Job of sinning!
Well, first off, he says Job’s children sinned and that’s why the house collapsed and they were killed. Like, okay, dude, maybe they did sin, but you don’t know that; and actually that’s not why they were killed. It was not God who made the house collapse! And even if you were right, I don’t think you should throw it in Job’s face like that. “Oh, your kids sinned and God killed them for it. Hope they’re having a fun time in hell.” (I realize that sounds terrible, but seriously, the Bible says that Bildad said God “cast them away for their transgression”. What else am I supposed to think?)
And then Bildad says:
So why don’t you turn to him and start living right? Then he will decide to rescue and restore you to your place of honor.
Job 8:5-6 (CEV)
“You’re a sinner, Job! You’ve got some major issues you need to take care of, sins you need to repent of! Quit being a hypocrite; start living right. Then God will deliver you; these bad things will stop happening, and you’ll be put back in your place of honor.”
Like Win commented on my previous post, these guys have some “bad theology.”
However. There is something good I got out of this chapter.
Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water? Whilst it is yet in his greenness, and not cut down, it withereth before any other herb.
Job 8:11-12 (KJV)
I think this is saying that, without water, the rush and flag (plants) can’t grow; they just wither away and die.
The same is true for humans. Physically, you can survive for only a few days without water; your body starts malfunctioning (due to lack of water) before then. On the spiritual side, you can’t live without Jesus; He’s called the Living Water for a reason.
I love water. I really do! I love drinking cold (like, really cold) water. I love swimming (even though I’m not a great swimmer; I guess I should say I love being in the water). I love rain. I love rivers and lakes and waterfalls and oceans. I love showers. I love being able to wash my hands. I love the hot, soapy water for washing dishes (notice I love the water, not the washing dishes part 😉).
Water is important. Majorly important. Jesus is important. Majorly, MAJORLY important. You can’t live without either one.
