Wednesday, May 2: Job 18- Exposed.

How the words of Bildad must have torn at Job's heart. They are not words or comfort, nor encouragement or even care. They are accusations. Little wonder Job grows more and more defensive.

Be honest. Who says things like this to someone hit with disaster beyond his or her control?

When will you end these speeches? Be sensible, and then we can talk (2). And then from his mouth flows this 'talk.'

"The lamp of a wicked man is snuffed out; the flame of his fire stops burning. The light in his tent becomes dark; the lamp beside him goes out. The vigor of his step is weakened; his own schemes throw him down. His feet thrust him into a net; he wanders into its mesh. A trap seizes him by the heel; a snare holds him fast. A noose is hidden for him on the ground; a trap lies in his path. Terrors startle him on every side and dog his every step. Calamity is hungry for him; disaster is ready for him when he falls. It eats away parts of his skin; death's firstborn devours his limbs (5-13).

From beginning to end this is a gut punch. I was particularly appalled by the final comment I quoted. Calamity is hungry for him; disaster is ready for him when he falls. It eats away parts of his skin; death's firstborn devours his limbs. It seems to be a particularly sharp spear aimed at Job himself. Remember Job has running sores all over his body eating away his flesh, which he scraped with broken pottery for some 'relief.'

Then after a few more hits, Bildad closes with this comment:

He has no offspring or descendants among his people, no survivor where once he lived. People of the west are appalled at his fate; those of the east are seized with horror. Surely such is the dwelling of an evil man; such is the place of one who does not know God" (19-21).

Again all Job's children have died… it doesn't take a literary critic to understand that Bildad is calling Job an evil man… who does not know God.

I wanted to cry with Job. I wanted to shove a sock in Bildad's mouth to shut him up.

My last reaction while possibly being 'right' is not righteous. I am exposed for who I am... a sin filled person, desperately in need of a savior.

Job is far more gracious than I am.

I sit here this morning humbled by my sin and need.

Oh, God, my humanity is weak. Only by Your grace. Only because of Your love. Only because of Jesus can I dare enter your presence and speak with You.

Thank You. Bless You. Halleluiah. I am alive because of You. Amen.