Bildad – The Cleric
Job 7-9
Bildad the
Shuhite is the only description we are given for the second friend of Job. Shuah
could be a place somewhere in the countries southeast of Palestine in the deserts of Arabia, or it may refer
to his ancestor who was one of Abraham's sons by Keturah. In many ways, he
appears to be an outsider from a distant land and probably had a hard life in the
desert. His rugged callousness cuts straight to the point
without ‘sugar-coating’ or mincing his words. My mental picture
of this man is someone with sun dried, wrinkly skin, squinty eyes and a rough
raspy voice. He could be a combination of Yasser Arafat, Donald Trump and
Rooster Cogburn (I realize that I have a vivid imagination!). Regardless, this
friend displays a tough and abrasive approach to caring for a friend who has just lost it all. He
is indifferent to Job’s condition and is intent on exposing the truth
regardless of anyone’s feelings. He is arrogant from the start and increases
his vehemence the more he speaks.
In many ways we
know that his intent was consolation, but he became an accuser, asking Job what
he had done to deserve God's wrath. He begins with a very forward remark that
practically states that Job’s children committed sins and they got their just rewards. (Job
8:4). The suggestion is made that this calamity came as a result of wickedness
which warrants the punishment. This came from his surmise of the tradition of
their elders which was passed down through the ages (Job 8:8-10) as well as his
own study of ‘cause and effect’ (Job 8:11).
Bildad has two
other speeches in which he identifies Job with the wicked men of his day and
suffering from the same fate. The doctrine of depravity is underscored again
and again as to the cause of Job’s plight. The friends are intent on making Job
admit his guilt so that the Lord will relent from his punishment. Retribution
of the wicked seems to be the only explanation for what these friends can
understand about suffering.
Throughout his speeches, Bildad plays the role of a
divine spokesman for the Lord. He feels he must vigorously defend the actions
of God which gives him license to say things that are extreme and offensive. In
this role of a Cleric, he hears the words of 'suffering Job'
with his head, but not with his heart. Do you know people like this, who are so
obsessed with being right that they completely ignore the Lord’s command to be
loving and compassionate?
As you study the
character of Bildad, take a look at your own attitude toward those who are
suffering around you. Do you look for a ‘cause and effect’ accompanied by
divine retribution?
