Bildad
the Shuhite makes his first speech. He does little more than repeat the
arguments of Eliphaz, stating them, however, more bluntly, and with less of
tact and consideration. He feels that God could not pervert judgment and that
the sudden destruction of Job’s children proved that they had transgressed (Job
8:3-4). He pleads with Job to repent and perhaps God will be merciful and
restores him not only to his earlier status but even better than his past (Job
8:5-6, ESV). He was right in this point for God did restore Job’s fortune and
gave him twice as much as he had before (Job 42:10).
Bildad
appeals to the experience of former generations to show that special suffering,
like Job what Job is experiencing now, indicates special sin, however deeply
concealed. His argument never strays away from this notion that suffering is
God’s punishment of one’s sin: “Behold, God will not cast away a perfect
man, Neither will he uphold the evil-doers” (Job 8:20).
Is
it true that God will not cast away a perfect man? The word “perfect”
refers to one who is upright and pious. The truth is, God who will not help the
evildoer, will not cast away a good man, though he may be cast down. Paul was
one example and he talked about his experience: “We are troubled on every
side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in
despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed”
(2 Corinthians 4:8-9).
We
know the apostle Paul had suffered much for the sake of the gospel. But did
Paul at any time feel he was being forsaken by God? He did not! He had this
assurance from the Lord Jesus: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”
(Hebrews 13:5).
Is
tragedy God’s punishment or retribution of one’s sin? Jesus asked the Jews this
question: “Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed
them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived
in Jerusalem?” (Luke 13: 4). Many will conclude that those eighteen must
have done something horrible to meet such a tragic end.
But
listen to the Lord’s answer: “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you
will all likewise perish” (Luke 13: 5). He means that those eighteen folks
were not greater sinners than others of their neighbours. There are others who
might be much more deserving of such an end than they, who yet escaped it. All
were so great sinners that only repentance could save them. Christ, in that
specific context, was referring to the impenitent Jewish nation that they would
be destroyed by the Roman sword. The lesson is also for us: We all deserve to
perish as much as them had we been dealt with according to our sins. The
judgment of God calls to us to repent.
The
Bible shows us that God’s people suffered and some were killed. The apostle
James was killed by king Herod (Acts 12: 1-2) and so was John the Baptiser (Matthew
14:1-12). The faithful early Christians suffered. Paul
suffered much as a Christian. Job suffered. Moses had to be a fugitive in a
foreign land.
James
wrote: “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers
temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience”
(James 1:2-3). There are precious lessons to learn from afflictions and
tribulations: “Not
only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces
endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope”
(Rom 5: 3-4, ESV).
Let
us have faith in God: Look to Jesus as the author and finisher of faith (Heb
12: 1-2). God will not cast away a perfect man: “Yea, though I walk through
the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).
Jimmy Lau
Psa
119:97 Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
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