How long will you go on like this?
    You sound like a blustering wind. – Bildad the Shuhite, Job 8:2

“You’re being ridiculous.” Has anyone ever said that to you when you were upset? Well, I’ve heard it, and I’ve said it. Pro tip: It. Does. Not. Help. Bildad is the first person in recorded history to find that out the hard way. Just to be sure, though, scientifically, I retest it from time to time. Current findings: no change.

Bildad reiterates Eliphaz’s assertion that God is just, and so good actions will receive good reward. He, unlike Eliphaz, sees that Job is innocent, so he passes the hot potato of blame into the laps of Job’s dead children. I’m sure that comforted their bereft, grieving father. Slow clap for this consoling strategy. Oh dear Bildad, if I were descended from any of these men, it would be you.

Does God twist justice?
    Does the Almighty twist what is right?
Your children must have sinned against him,
    so their punishment was well deserved. (Job 8:3-4, repeated with a cringe)

Again, he repeats that God will be kind and restore Job’s fortunes because Job really is a good guy. “It’ll be all right. It’ll all come back. God will just get you new children.” Also maybe not the most sensitive thing to say to a bereft parent. Seriously questioning whether or not Bildad has kids. Doesn’t sound like it.

But where Eliphaz’s argument was based on his own experience and revelation, Bildad founds his argument on someone else’s authority; he appeals to their ancestors. “This just doesn’t come from us,” he says. “Our parents said this is true.”

Just ask the previous generation.
    Pay attention to the experience of our ancestors.
For we were born but yesterday and know nothing.
    Our days on earth are as fleeting as a shadow.
But those who came before us will teach you.
    They will teach you the wisdom of old. (Job 8:8-10)

Now – as a parent, I appreciate the vote of confidence in parental wisdom, I really do. I will say this on behalf of and in defense of parents everywhere: we truly love our children, and we truly want what’s best for them. We do our absolute best to teach our children what that is.

But… we’ve only lived so long, too. We’re subject to the same human limitations as our children. We, also, are still learning, and we, also, are capable of error. So while I appreciate Bildad’s confidence in his ancestors’ wisdom, and while I appreciate that older people do, in fact, have more experience than I do that’s worth hearing, I feel he maybe puts a little *too much* weight in their opinions. The question today is – will we believe God over our ancestors?

But look, God will not reject a person of integrity,
    nor will he lend a hand to the wicked.
He will once again fill your mouth with laughter
    and your lips with shouts of joy. (Job 8:20-21)

So say Bildad’s ancestors, who, if you remember, probably include Abraham and his sons. So say Eliphaz’s observations and experience. If everybody says so, then it must be true! Right? There has to be a logical explanation that fits into this worldview! Obviously Job has just not considered all the possible explanations – that his own suffering is nothing but a byproduct of someone else’s punishment. That’s all there is to it. What else could it be?

Now, before Job responds, I think it’s important to remember that the man was just told he was being ridiculous for grieving his naughty dead children. He might possibly be a little mad about it. Too soon to tell.