Sermon for March 23rd, 2014

Job 2:11-13; 8:1-22*

11When the three friends of Job heard of all this misfortune that had come upon him, they came each one from his own place: Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, Zophar the Naamathite. They agreed to come together to console him and to comfort him. 12When they lifted up their eyes from afar but could not recognize him, they lifted up their voices and wept. They rent, each one his cloak, and sprinkled dust over their heads towards the heaven. 13They sat down with him on the ground, seven days and seven nights, but no one said a word to him, for they saw that the suffering was very great.

1Then Bildad the Shuhite responded and said: 2How long will you speak these things, And will the utterances of your mouth be a mighty wind? 3Does God pervert justice, Or does Shaddai pervert what is right? 4If your children sinned against him, Then he has dispatched them because of their transgression. 5If you look to God, And make supplication to Shaddai, 6If you are pure and upright, Surely then he will watch over you, And restore your rightful habitation. 7Though your beginning be small, Your end will be very great.

8Indeed, inquire of the previous generation; Make a determination about the search of their predecessors. 9For we are yesterday and ignorant; For our days on earth are but a shadow. 10Surely they will teach you, speak to you, And bring forth words from their heart. 11Do reeds grow lofty where there is no marsh? Do rushes thrive without water? 12While yet in their shoot and not picked, They would wither—before any grass. 13So are the paths of all who forget God; Yea, lost is the hope of the miscreant 14Whose confidence is flimsy, Whose trust is a spider's “house.” 15He relies on his “house,” but it will not stand; He grabs it, but it will not hold. 16As for a well-watered (plant), it is before the sun. Its shoot grows out beyond its garden. 17Over a heap its roots are entangled; It (even) looks within stones. 18If one should destroy it from its place But disclaims it—“I did not see you!”— 19Behold, that is the joy of his way; From the dirt others will sprout.

20Behold, God does not despise the blameless, He does not take the hand of evil-doers. 21Yet will he fill your mouth with laughter, Your lips with a triumphal shout. 22Your enemies will be clothed with shame; The tent of the wicked will be no more.

Bildad: We Are of Yesterday

I am confident that, in the end, common sense and justice will prevail. I'm an optimist, brought up on the belief that if you wait to the end of the story, you get to see the good people live happily ever after. -Cat Stevens

• All scripture translations from C.L. Seow's commentary on Job (Eerdman's 2013).