There are many truths in the Bible, but one thing that we need to be careful of is pulling things out of context. There is nothing new under the sun and the book of Job is a perfect example of this. There are many professing ‘christians’ that understand their relationship with God as an unbalanced relationship. They believe that if they do good things and treat others the right way that they will end up in good health and live a happy life. Sadly this is not biblical and is the outcome of teachers who are wolves in sheep’s clothing. Though these wolves do not have sharp teeth they are leading many astray to a place where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Does this sound familiar to any of you?
“Lo, God will not reject a man of integrity, Nor will He support the evildoers. He will yet fill your mouth with laughter And your lips with shouting. Those who hate you will be clothed with shame, And the tent of the wicked will be no longer.”
- Job 8:20-22
This is coming from one of Job’s friends named Bildad. I am sure many of us have heard this before in our life, or something like it. It sounds like it is well intended but what is Bildad really implying. Like many religions today we find that Bildad believes it is up to him to decide how the Lord interacts with him. If Paul or any of the Disciples had the same thought as Bildad they would had probably thought they were doing something wrong.
We find a great response in Job 9:2, “In truth I know that this is so; But how can a man be in the right before God?" Job gets to the heart of what Bildad is saying and shuts it down. Job is saying, “You are not God, and you are not equal to Him.” We find that the false gospel that preaches work based salvation or blessings is really a teaching that is preaching you are a god and have power to manipulate the God. Job’s faith reveals to us that no matter, good or bad, God is in control. We may not fully understand why these things occur but our faith should not waiver.
Job continues his rebuttal to Bildad,
“It is all one; therefore I say, ‘He destroys the guiltless and the wicked.’ If the scourge kills suddenly, He mocks the despair of the innocent. The earth is given into the hand of the wicked; He covers the faces of its judges. If it is not He, then who is it?"
- Job 9:22-24
To end with these last few verses in mind let us strive to remind ourselves that God is in control. Those who may appear to be righteous because life is good does not mean that they are saved and that they may end up with those who appear wicked. God is the ultimate judge! We must remember that God is in control and that if we rely on our works to save us we are far from being saved. Don’t misunderstand what I am saying. I do believe that works come from a saving faith in Christ, but without Christ they are meaningless and lead to death.
Finally, I want to encourage all of you to read the book of Job. If you can, read it in one sitting to grasp the full picture of what is going on. Look carefully at the differences in Job’s speech and his friends. Lastly grow deeper in your thoughts of God as you read the last few chapters.
THINK! Do you have a Bildad in your life? Are you a Bildad? Do you believe in the God of the Bible or a god that relies on you? Do you believe God is in control of everything?
