Job 18
Job 18 is the part where Bildad, one of Job’s friends, speaks to Job for the second time.Bildad answers Job. The overall structure is as follows:
- Bildad responds to Job’s words and points out Job’s attitude (verses 1–4)
- Explanation of the fate of the wicked (verses 5–21)
Bildad emphasizes that Job suffered because he followed the way of the wicked, and he describes in detail the grim end that befalls the wicked.
1verseThen Bildad the Shuhite answered,
2verse“How long will you hunt for words? Consider, and afterwards we will speak.
3verseWhy are we counted as animals, which have become unclean in your sight?
4verseYou who tear yourself in your anger, will the earth be forsaken for you? Or will the rock be removed out of its place?
5verse“Yes, the light of the wicked will be put out. The spark of his fire won’t shine.
6verseThe light will be dark in his tent. His lamp above him will be put out.
7verseThe steps of his strength will be shortened. His own counsel will cast him down.
8verseFor he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he wanders into its mesh.
9verseA snare will take him by the heel. A trap will catch him.
10verseA noose is hidden for him in the ground, a trap for him on the path.
11verseTerrors will make him afraid on every side, and will chase him at his heels.
12verseHis strength will be famished. Calamity will be ready at his side.
13verseThe members of his body will be devoured. The firstborn of death will devour his members.
14verseHe will be rooted out of the security of his tent. He will be brought to the king of terrors.
15verseThere will dwell in his tent that which is none of his. Sulfur will be scattered on his habitation.
16verseHis roots will be dried up beneath. His branch will be cut off above.
17verseHis memory will perish from the earth. He will have no name in the street.
18verseHe will be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world.
19verseHe will have neither son nor grandson among his people, nor any remaining where he lived.
20verseThose who come after will be astonished at his day, as those who went before were frightened.
21verseSurely such are the dwellings of the unrighteous. This is the place of him who doesn’t know God.”
Key Messages in the Flow of the Text
In chapter 18, Bildad’s answer to Job’s earlier rebuttal intensifies the debate even further. Bildad raises questions about
- Job’s claim that he alone is right while disregarding the community (verses 2–4),
- and he gives a detailed description of the wicked perishing in darkness and suffering (verses 5–21).
Overall, Bildad continues to stress the traditional belief that “the wicked will surely be judged,” implying that Job’s suffering is not unrelated to this. However, the passage goes beyond the simple logic of “suffering = the result of wrongdoing,” and it leads us to contemplate deeper questions between human suffering and God’s will.
Points for Reflection
- Like Bildad says, should we say that all suffering is the result of sin? We can consider whether we have a habit of judging those who suffer.
- This debate in Job presents different perspectives on righteousness, suffering, and God’s justice. I can check which perspective I stand on.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- Take a look at whether I’m simply blaming someone else’s pain on that person’s own fault.
- Ask yourself whether you can offer words of empathy and comfort to those who are facing difficulties before speaking words of condemnation.
