Scripture Text: Job 18:1-19:29
Memory Verse: “For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, _yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.”—Job 19:25-27
Introduction:
Bildad the Shunhite denounces Job for very strongly scorning the words of wisdom spoken by his friends and himself. One good thing that can be said about Bildad: he is briefer in his reproaches than his two fellow-comforters. Perhaps his awareness of this virtue of conciseness gave him boldness to suggest that Job should put an end to words. He repeats the now-familiar refrain that the wicked person gets caught in the net of his own sins. Then he gives a dreadful list of the calamities that come upon a sinner’s house. Bildad was right in saying that men suffer for their sins, but he was wrong in giving this as an explanation of Job’s sufferings. Not all suffering is a direct result of sin in one’s life.
Job tells his friends that they ought to be ashamed of the way they have wronged him. He has been mistreated by God and by relatives, friends, and servants. His body has wasted away and he has barely escaped death. Yet his friends join God in attacking him pitilessly. Job wishes that his words of defense were inscribed in a book and engraved on a rock with an iron pen and lead, forever, so that sometime in the future he might obtain justice.
In a rare burst of light, he believes that there is a Redeemer who will one day vindicate him and then restore him, even though death and decay intervene. The fact that Job has faith to see God in his flesh after his skin is destroyed, strongly suggests the physical resurrection, a doctrine not widely taught in the Old Testament, but accepted as standard in the time of our Lord by Old Testament believing Jews. In view of this coming vindication, Job believes that his friends should not persecute him, or they will be punished.
Studying the Word
Lesson Study
- As we look at the comments the three “friends” make, it becomes easier to see that the devil was motivating their conversation. The devil has a way of mixing truth with error. Study the discourse Bildad had with Job and determine what is error and what is truth. (Job 18:1-21)
- How does Job reply to the insults of Bildad? (Job 19:1-6)
- What misconception does Job have concerning who caused his suffering? (Job 19:7-22)
- What kind of help is Job looking for in the midst of his suffering and despair? (Job 19:23-29; Deuteronomy 25:5-10; Ruth 1-4)
Applying the Word
Are you Brokenhearted or Hardhearted?
Job was a broken man (Job 17:1). He not only lost his family, possessions, and health, he was stripped of whatever pride he might have had. Yet because he was brought low, he was able to reaffirm his faith and dependence on God. (Job 19:25-27) The Bible tells us that God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. (Proverbs 3:34; James 4:6)
Which side are you on?
Hardhearted—(1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Hebrews 3:7-4:11)
Tender hearted—(James 1:2-8)