Book of Job
Chapter
8
1. Then Bildad the Shuhite answered: 2. How long will you say these things, and the words of your mouth be a great wind?
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 8 verses 1 to 2)
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 8 verses 1 to 2)
Oh God when we speak from our minds or from the flesh the logic is different from when we speak as according to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
3. Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert the right?
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 8 verse 3)
How right you are Bildad, God can never be corrupt, for he is justice itself. In the New Testament Your instructions are clear, say Yes to what is rightfully true and say No, to what is not! Anything else meaning lies is the fruit of evil.
4. If your children sinned against him, he delivered them into the power of their transgression. 5. If you will seek God and make supplication to the Almighty, 6. if you are pure and upright, surely then he will rouse himself for you and restore to you your rightful place.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 8 verses 4 to 6)
Oh God, You love us so much that You would never deliver us to downfalls and tragedies. When we decide to sin against You, we will suffer the consequences of our actions. As humans to be pure and upright is not our lot, but it is only due to Your holy presence that we can ever live a life according to Your will. Amen.
7. Though your beginning was small, your latter days will be very great.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 8 verse 7)
Thank You, God, for sending positive people in our lives. Even though the times appear to be challenging we are to remain firm in our faith and keep our focus on You, my God and not on ourselves, or on the situation.
8. "For inquire now of bygone generations, and consider what their ancestors have found; 9. for we are but of yesterday, and we know nothing for our days on earth are but a shadow.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 8 verses 8 to 9)
Oh God, when we look back at the times of our ancestors we find a lot to learn. Although they lacked in science knowledge and technology, with all their resources and lack of resources they were living well. Today we lack nothing and our lives are dominated by cases of suicide, depression and even permission for euthanasia. If we only have the faith of our ancestors, if we learn from the lessons that You taught them our lives would be more spiritually and socially healthy.
10. Will they not teach you and tell you and utter words out of their understanding?
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 8 verse 10)
Oh God is there anybody who does not know about You. Knowledge is widespread and coming out of our ears, however, we are still ignorant in relation to spiritual issues, which if we arrive at a situation where we are put to the test regarding our faith, may even be an issue that determines life from death.
11. "Can papyrus grow where there is no marsh? Can reeds flourish where there is no water? 12. While yet in flower and not cut down, they wither before any other plant.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 8 verses 11 to 12)
Oh God, I would also like to pose a question. Can faith in You grow in families where nobody speaks about Your name? Can Faith nourish and bear fruit in families who are alienated by plans for a career, worldly ambitions, money, fashion, class symbols and such lifestyles? The end of such people's lives comes upon them without ever knowing what hit them. Although in our eyes such people may appear successful, their end is even worse than their beginning.
13. Such are the paths of all who forget God; the hope of the godless shall perish.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 8 verse 13)
Oh my God and Father those who place their trust and hope in You are never disappointed, for although our deliverance from a situation requires time as in all things it is granted by You that it will happen when the time is according to Your timing, however for those who do not believe and trust in You time appears to be longer, so much that at times we decide that we cannot wait longer and some have even taken their lives in a spirit of desperation. I pray oh God that we always place our trust in You.
14. Their confidence is gossamer. a spider's house their trust. 15. If one leans against its house it will not stand; if one lays hold of it, it will not endure.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 8 verses 14 to 15)
Oh God in this day and age we rely totally on technology and statistics, however, both are not a hundred percent reliable. If our data becomes stolen or hacked or even, corrupted through a power cut, or infected before it has been backed up, it becomes worthless, therefore, in truth, it is not water tight. What is totally secure is our faith in You, my God and Father.
16. The wicked thrive before the sun, and their shoots spread over the garden. 17. Their roots twine around the stoneheap; they live among the rocks, 18. If they are destroyed from their place, then it will deny them, saying. I have never seen you.'
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 8 verses 16 to 18)
Oh God the acts of the proud appear beautiful and worthy of praise that they receive from many others, however, pride does not last forever for one person's fame in time is replaced by that of another who at times proves to be better. However, the work done in secret with people who are not at all popular as in the case of poor people lasts forever. Although no popularity is gained from doing such acts, You who are aware of such acts of kindness approves of such acts of charity and love and this is of what is most valuable. Amen.
19. See, these are their happy ways, and out of the earth others will spring. 20. "See, God will not reject a blameless person. nor take the hand of evildoers. 21. He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouts of joy. 22. Those who hate you will be clothed with shame, and the tent of the wicked will be no more."
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 8 verses 19 to 22)
Oh God, You accept and love us as we are with both our strengths and our weaknesses. Although the world is cunning and corrupt, You are justice itself. Therefore, even though we experience moments of tribulation and even injustice, these moments are only moments, that drift away like rain clouds after they have released their contents meaning the water that they have been sent to water the earth with for our livelihood. By means of how we react to a stressful situation, without knowing, we could be of an example to others who are experiencing the same situation. On seeing us place our trust in God, and keeping our lid on, they may also consider doing the same. Moreover, those, who may have planned such situations may even learn an important lesson and decide not to continue doing such negative acts.
Oh God I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer:-
Oh God my Father, I would like to thank You for the periods of tribulation, that I have experienced in my life and at times I am still experiencing. Although at times I use the expression that life really stinks, on reflecting I realize that if I keep my focus on You and simply live the day, one day at a time and remain firm in my relationship with You life is not so bad after all. I pray that during the peak moments of my stressful life You give me a positive attitude so that I can remain calm and place my trust in You. Amen
3. Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert the right?
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 8 verse 3)
How right you are Bildad, God can never be corrupt, for he is justice itself. In the New Testament Your instructions are clear, say Yes to what is rightfully true and say No, to what is not! Anything else meaning lies is the fruit of evil.
4. If your children sinned against him, he delivered them into the power of their transgression. 5. If you will seek God and make supplication to the Almighty, 6. if you are pure and upright, surely then he will rouse himself for you and restore to you your rightful place.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 8 verses 4 to 6)
Oh God, You love us so much that You would never deliver us to downfalls and tragedies. When we decide to sin against You, we will suffer the consequences of our actions. As humans to be pure and upright is not our lot, but it is only due to Your holy presence that we can ever live a life according to Your will. Amen.
7. Though your beginning was small, your latter days will be very great.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 8 verse 7)
Thank You, God, for sending positive people in our lives. Even though the times appear to be challenging we are to remain firm in our faith and keep our focus on You, my God and not on ourselves, or on the situation.
8. "For inquire now of bygone generations, and consider what their ancestors have found; 9. for we are but of yesterday, and we know nothing for our days on earth are but a shadow.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 8 verses 8 to 9)
Oh God, when we look back at the times of our ancestors we find a lot to learn. Although they lacked in science knowledge and technology, with all their resources and lack of resources they were living well. Today we lack nothing and our lives are dominated by cases of suicide, depression and even permission for euthanasia. If we only have the faith of our ancestors, if we learn from the lessons that You taught them our lives would be more spiritually and socially healthy.
10. Will they not teach you and tell you and utter words out of their understanding?
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 8 verse 10)
Oh God is there anybody who does not know about You. Knowledge is widespread and coming out of our ears, however, we are still ignorant in relation to spiritual issues, which if we arrive at a situation where we are put to the test regarding our faith, may even be an issue that determines life from death.
11. "Can papyrus grow where there is no marsh? Can reeds flourish where there is no water? 12. While yet in flower and not cut down, they wither before any other plant.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 8 verses 11 to 12)
Oh God, I would also like to pose a question. Can faith in You grow in families where nobody speaks about Your name? Can Faith nourish and bear fruit in families who are alienated by plans for a career, worldly ambitions, money, fashion, class symbols and such lifestyles? The end of such people's lives comes upon them without ever knowing what hit them. Although in our eyes such people may appear successful, their end is even worse than their beginning.
13. Such are the paths of all who forget God; the hope of the godless shall perish.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 8 verse 13)
Oh my God and Father those who place their trust and hope in You are never disappointed, for although our deliverance from a situation requires time as in all things it is granted by You that it will happen when the time is according to Your timing, however for those who do not believe and trust in You time appears to be longer, so much that at times we decide that we cannot wait longer and some have even taken their lives in a spirit of desperation. I pray oh God that we always place our trust in You.
14. Their confidence is gossamer. a spider's house their trust. 15. If one leans against its house it will not stand; if one lays hold of it, it will not endure.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 8 verses 14 to 15)
Oh God in this day and age we rely totally on technology and statistics, however, both are not a hundred percent reliable. If our data becomes stolen or hacked or even, corrupted through a power cut, or infected before it has been backed up, it becomes worthless, therefore, in truth, it is not water tight. What is totally secure is our faith in You, my God and Father.
16. The wicked thrive before the sun, and their shoots spread over the garden. 17. Their roots twine around the stoneheap; they live among the rocks, 18. If they are destroyed from their place, then it will deny them, saying. I have never seen you.'
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 8 verses 16 to 18)
Oh God the acts of the proud appear beautiful and worthy of praise that they receive from many others, however, pride does not last forever for one person's fame in time is replaced by that of another who at times proves to be better. However, the work done in secret with people who are not at all popular as in the case of poor people lasts forever. Although no popularity is gained from doing such acts, You who are aware of such acts of kindness approves of such acts of charity and love and this is of what is most valuable. Amen.
19. See, these are their happy ways, and out of the earth others will spring. 20. "See, God will not reject a blameless person. nor take the hand of evildoers. 21. He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouts of joy. 22. Those who hate you will be clothed with shame, and the tent of the wicked will be no more."
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 8 verses 19 to 22)
Oh God, You accept and love us as we are with both our strengths and our weaknesses. Although the world is cunning and corrupt, You are justice itself. Therefore, even though we experience moments of tribulation and even injustice, these moments are only moments, that drift away like rain clouds after they have released their contents meaning the water that they have been sent to water the earth with for our livelihood. By means of how we react to a stressful situation, without knowing, we could be of an example to others who are experiencing the same situation. On seeing us place our trust in God, and keeping our lid on, they may also consider doing the same. Moreover, those, who may have planned such situations may even learn an important lesson and decide not to continue doing such negative acts.
Oh God I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer:-
Oh God my Father, I would like to thank You for the periods of tribulation, that I have experienced in my life and at times I am still experiencing. Although at times I use the expression that life really stinks, on reflecting I realize that if I keep my focus on You and simply live the day, one day at a time and remain firm in my relationship with You life is not so bad after all. I pray that during the peak moments of my stressful life You give me a positive attitude so that I can remain calm and place my trust in You. Amen
