11. Bildads second speech

Bildad”s second speech

Bildad again takes his place in the contest (Job 18:1-21). He means well, but his words are poisoned arrows. ’The light of the wicked shall be put out’. Yes, every word is perfectly true of the wicked; but how crushing to Job! Circumstances seemed to favour the charge.

’How long’, says Job, ’will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words?’’Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; for the hand of God hath touched me!’ Is it not astonishing that he should pass through so much, and yet have such clear light on some things? He says, ’For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the 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). This is truly a bright beam of light in the midst of so much darkness and confusion. And there may often be much knowledge of redemption and future glory, and much blessed, occasional comfort of the Holy Ghost, and still the question of justification not clearly settled.