Bildad, the second of Job's three friends came to an unsettling conclusion in what is the shortest chapter of Job (Job 25).
Previously Bildad had argued that receiving a pardon from God was impossible because it would pervert the justice of God. And he argued that it would unleash the constraints on wickedness because the fear of death and judgement would be removed. But when confronted with the enormity of God and his creation, he became downcast and his arguments became a simple question.
How then can man be in the right before God?
Job's responds in agreement. Yes, agreement. Man cannot make himself right before God. But confident in his Redeemer (Job 19:24-26) he will not follow the way of the fool. Even though calamity has struck him, seemingly in response to his foolish wife's advice (Job 2:9), Job declares:
I hold fast my righteousness and will not let it go;
my heart does not reproach me for any of my days.
With that backdrop Job then extols man’s efforts and accomplishments, but ultimately finds them outweighed by wisdom, which rather than being purchased must be found. God’s accomplishments seen in nature leads Job to the ultimate conclusion that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.
And he said to man,
‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom,
and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”
Resolute and ready for trial, Job asks God to indict him.
Oh, that I had one to hear me!
(Here is my signature! Let the Almighty answer me!)
Oh, that I had the indictment written by my adversary!
Then not only Bildad is without an argument, but Zophar who would be next to speak, does not.
So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
A fourth friend, who has been waiting patiently to speak is about to burst. We will hear from him next week.
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