Today I read Job 9 & 10, where Job’s reply to Bildad includes acknowledging God’s might and Job’s tiredness. Today I considered that sometimes we do not need to reinforce bad situations and make them worse, but should try to focus on something else to give them relief.
Job’s Reply to Bildad
Job knows he is nothing compared to God, says he is tired of this life, wants to know why, and asks God for mercy (Job 9:1-10:22). Job responded to Bildad that he already knew man is not just, wise or mighty compared to God. God has power over the earth, mountains, seas, sun and stars. God’s wisdom includes making constellations like the Big Dipper and Orion. God can be anywhere and we not even see him. No one has the power to stop God from taking something. Job believed he did not have the right to reason with God even if he was innocent but could ask for mercy. Job is tired of his life and hates it. He says both good and evil can face disaster. He doesn’t want to be found guilty and face continuous troubles without being told why. God created him and made things beautiful but is now destroying what he made. God did not tell him this would come. Job said whether he’s guilty or innocent he’s still doomed. Job asked for comfort one more time before he dies.
Questions and Thoughts for Today
Bildad was correct in some of what he said and Job acknowledged he was right. Bildad reinforced a bad situation only making Job feel worse and more condemned with his words. When a person has gone through something bad or faced a hardship, it is not helpful to continue to harp on the bad. Sometimes it is better to distract them or do something else instead of pulling them deeper into the pit.
Have you ever helped someone to focus beyond their bad situation or past hurts to think about something else? Did you help pull them out of the pit or push them dipper in?