Job’s comforter’s words were mingled with truth. They were there to comfort and encourage their friend. However, their belief that Job was suffering for his sins soon began to show. In chapter 8 Bildad the Shuhite tells Job that his words are like wind, that they had no substance. He insists that Almighty doesn’t pervert justice. Then, despite Job’s offering of sacrifices for his beloved children, Bildad frankly says that God judged his children and killed them for their rebellion. He tells him that if he was pure, God would prosper him:
"If you were pure and upright, surely now He would awake for you, and prosper your rightful dwelling place. Though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would increase abundantly” (Job 8:6-7).
God doesn’t pervert justice. Job knew that his children were sinners, and he feared that they may have cursed Him in their hearts, so He didn’t disagree with what he heard. After all, these were his friends. Then he asks the most profound of questions:
“But how can a man be righteous before God?” (Job 9:2).
The question begs another question. What does it mean to be righteous? One person’s perception of the word differs from another. The key is in the question itself. Job didn’t ask, “But how can a man be righteous before man?” If that were the case, all we would need to do is show an outward piety. Giving to the poor, feeding the hungry, helping others, and kind words are all that is needed to be declared extremely righteous by man. However, to be righteous in the sight of a holy God means to be morally perfect, in thought, word and in deed, and the only way to know if we come up to that standard is to look to God perfect Law—the Ten Commandments.
Continued tomorrow...
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