Well, I wish Bildad had remained silent. Job’s children have
all died (Job 118-19). Now Bildad claims their deaths as the just penalties for
their sins against God (Job 8:4). And he tells Job so.
Objection! God is in the one and only position to know the
childrens’ sins against God. How can Bildad do anything but surmise? Besides,
even if the children died on account of their own sins, what father wants or
needs to hear such a judgment while yet in the throes of grief?
Foul! Bildad is “piling on.” As too often the case, he adds to the
wounds of one who is already wounded. And Job responds as one who is in today’s
terms clinically depressed.
God, help me to look upon others with compassion. Help me to
show mercy. Help me to resist the temptation to “kick” anyone who is already “down.”
Let me lend a helpful hand instead. Amen.
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