Job 25-26

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Bildad’s Third Speech and Job’s Response

BACKGROUND NOTES

In his third speech, Bildad belittles the status of Job.
In his third response to Bildad, Job denounces Bildad’s counsel and describes God’s greatness.

While the intent of Bildad’s third speech to Job (chapter 25) is to belittle Job’s standing, he does make a significant description of God. Is Bildad’s description of God accurate?
In chapter 26, Job responds to Bildad with a sarcastic denouncement of Bildad’s council (vs 2-4), followed by his own description of God (vs 5-13). List the attributes or characteristics of God that Job presents to Bildad.
Does Job consider his description of God here in chapter 26 to be complete?

Bildad’s description of God is accurate and true. He states that all dominion and awe are His as He controls the workings of the universe, that His angels are innumerable, and that He is the source of all light (vs 2, 3 and 5).
In chapter 26, Job responds to Bildad with his own description of God, including God’s sovereignty over the realm of the dead or afterlife (vs 5, 6), His sovereignty over outer space (v 7), our atmosphere (v 8), light and darkness (vs 9, 10), as well as the earth, sea and sky (vs 11-13). Not only are Job’s descriptions true, but they are scientifically accurate as well.
Job does not consider his description of God’s greatness complete. He characterizes his description it as “mere edges” of God’s greatness and just a “whisper” of His awesome power (v 14).

Discuss how a person, like Bildad, could have considerable knowledge about God and yet be totally ineffective in his spiritual counsel. Consider those things that are necessary, in addition to knowledge about God, for a believer to be a wise, compassionate and effective counselor.

It is profitable to reflect daily on the truth that apart from Christ and His righteousness we have no merit in ourselves before God. Have you humbled yourself before God and sought His forgiveness, putting your trust in Christ’s work on the cross to secure your righteous standing before God? Turn to Him today. He is perfectly righteous, absolutely just, and totally sovereign.

“God stretches out the north over empty space; He hangs the earth on nothing. He binds up the water in His thick clouds, yet the clouds are not broken under it. He covers the face of His throne, and spreads His clouds over it. He drew a circular horizon on the face of the waters, at the boundary of light and darkness. The pillars of heaven tremble, and are astonished at His reproof.” Job 26:7-11