IX. Bildad’s Third Speech and Job’s Response (Job 25:1–31:40)

IX. Bildad’s Third Speech and Job’s Response (25:1–31:40)

25:1–27:23 Job 25 is the shortest chapter of the book. (I think Bildad ran out of arguments and just punted.)

But, although Bildad may have been short-winded this round, Job wasn’t. He congratulated Bildad on his non-existent achievements that he thought qualified him to tear Job apart (26:1-4). Then, in the rest of chapter 26, he brilliantly highlighted God’s majesty and power, ending with his acknowledgement of how little we know of God’s greatness (26:5-14). All the fantastic truths he listed are summed up in the statement, These are but the fringes of his ways (26:14). As much as we know about the majesty of God from observing his creation, we’ve only scratched the surface.

In chapter 27, Job returned to his claim of innocence before God, vowing that he would never admit to the charges his friends made against him. He said, I will never affirm that you are right (27:5). To do so would mean giving up his integrity, which he also vowed to maintain as long as he lived (27:5-6).

Then, Job considered the fate of the wicked. The godless man has no hope when God takes away his life (27:8). So, while the wicked may prosper in this life, an eternal judgment is coming (27:13-23). A lifetime of eighty to ninety years is certainly lengthy. But, in light of eternity, it’s a blip on the radar screen. Here and gone. If you won’t live for God’s agenda in this life, you’ll be forced to bow to his agenda in the afterlife—an agenda of everlasting punishment.

28:1-28 Chapter 28 sounds like it came straight out of the book of Proverbs. In it, Job answered the question, How do you find wisdom? In order to obtain silver and gold, a miner does some amazing things. He cuts a shaft deep into the ground, probes the foundations of the mountains, and discovers hidden treasures (28:2-11). But where can wisdom be found? (28:12). No matter how much gold you have, you can’t even buy it (28:12-19). The price of wisdom is beyond pearls (28:18). In fact, if you ask, “How much does it cost to buy some wisdom?” the answer will always be, “More than you’ve got.”

Where . . . does wisdom come from? (28:20). How can you find it? Only God understands the way to wisdom (28:23). He is its source and exercises wisdom in all he does (28:24-27). So, how can you be wise? Well, God says, The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom. And to turn from evil is understanding (28:28). And it sounds like King Solomon was reading Job when he wrote Proverbs 1:7 and 9:10. To have wisdom and understanding, to know how to live well in a world gone bad, you have to fear the Lord. That is, you have to take God seriously and embrace his kingdom agenda for your life—even when you don’t know where it will lead. The good news is that God knows where it leads.

29:1–31:40 In these chapters, Job offered up his final defense. In the process of answering his accusers, Job gave us a picture of his life. By chapter 29 he had been forced into defending himself, so it’s not as if he decided to brag for a while. If you want to be a kingdom man or woman—someone who humbly aligns your life under God’s authority—pay attention to Job’s life.

Job began by reflecting on his relationship with God when he was in his prime (29:1-5). The Lord watched over him (29:2), and God’s friendship rested on his home (29:4). In those days, the Almighty was still with [him] and [his] children were around [him] (29:5) as he worked to build and hand down a spiritual legacy for his family as a kingdom man does. With these reflections, Job was not saying that his faith was a dead thing of the past. Rather, he was looking back to happier times. The entire book of Job, in fact, shows that he never lost faith in God.

Then, Job was reminded of the respect he had earned for his godly reputation (29:7-11). When he went out to the city gate and took his seat in the town square, young and old took notice (29:7-9). Young men stepped aside when Mr. Job showed up. The older men said, “Quiet! Job has something to say.” City officials and noblemen blessed Job and spoke well of him (29:9-11). Job didn’t demand this respect by puffing out his chest; he earned it by his conduct and character. He influenced his neighborhood for the better. When a kingdom man shows up, a higher standard enters the scene.

Next, we catch a glimpse of specific actions that earned Job such high praise: he was well-known for practicing mercy and justice (29:12-17). Job was a successful businessman who was also compassionate. There was no category of people in need that he neglected. He cared for the poor . . . the fatherless . . . the dying . . . the widow . . . the blind . . . the lame . . . the needy, and the stranger (29:12-13, 15-16). When the unjust attempted to sink fangs into the innocent, Job busted their chops (29:17). A kingdom man hurts with people who hurt and helps those who need help. He is an advocate for the weak because his God is the same (see Ps 68:5).

Finally, Job blessed those around him with his wisdom (29:21-25). It’s clear from Chapter 28 that Job understood wisdom—what it is, where it comes from, and how you get it. When he opened his mouth, men listened to [him] with expectation (29:21). Just as the dew and rain bring refreshment and life, so Job’s advice and counsel gave people hope and turned their lives around (29:22-23). Wisdom is the ability to apply God’s truth to the practical issues of day-to-day life. The only way to do that is to regularly spend time with God and know his mind on matters. Many today are drinking from the wrong fountain. The counsel of a kingdom man is like fresh water to the thirsty.

But now, Job said sadly, they mock me (30:1). Those who’d formerly respected and listened to him made fun of him because of the calamities that had come upon him. This group included not only his friends but the rabble of society (30:1-15). In the past, Job himself grieved for the needy (30:25). But, in his time of distress, no one came to his aid (20:26).

In 31:1-34, Job presented a long list of sins that he denied committing. In the integrity of his heart, Job declared himself innocent of these vices. Importantly, Job still wasn’t claiming perfection. He knew he was a sinner. But, he also knew his suffering hadn’t come upon him because of his wickedness. Chapter 31, in fact, is Job’s evidence that supports the truth of God’s testimony: “No one else on earth is like him, a man of perfect integrity, who fears God and turns away from evil” (1:8).

Job’s righteousness wasn’t merely concerned with externals. He knew that righteousness begins in the heart and mind. Therefore, he had made a covenant with [his] eyes, so that he might not look at a young woman (31:1). Similarly, if you want to be a godly man, few things are more impor-tant—especially in today’s culture—than guarding your eyes. Pornography exists in many forms and is easily accessible. That’s why you have to be prepared for battle. Job didn’t have to face the temptation of pornography. But, he certainly knew what lust was and was confronted with that temptation. So, he made a covenant, a sacred agreement with his eyes, to honor God and the women around him.

Job continued to list the sins that he had avoided: lying, adultery, mistreatment of his servants, oppressing the poor and needy, greed, gloating over an enemy’s misfortune, and hiding his sins (31:2-34). And, because Job had not committed them, he entered one final plea of innocence. If he was guilty of wickedness, he summoned God to indict him (31:35-40). Then, Job rested his case.