THE HOPE OF THE RIGHTEOUS

Nov. 2nd 2016

Job 8:1-22

key verse: 7

Bildad wants to give Job hope. But where does hope come from, if not from God alone? The problem is that Bildad doesn't know God as the true source of consolation.

1. Your latter days will be great (1-10)

Bildad reproached Job for his useless eloquence. If he had been righteous and true, God would not have allowed calamities to fall. Thus was his reasoning. If we do well, God rewards us, and if we do badly, God punishes us. This is cause-and-effect reasoning. Bildad claims this is a universal spiritual principle that has been observed for generations. That's why he suggests asking the past generations. Why? What would their answer be? 

2. He will fill your mouth with laughter (11-22)

The hope of the unjust dies. Those who forget God will experience calamity without precedance, just like the reed without a marsh or the papyrus without water. Its assurance is broken. Its confidence too. When the unjust does not cling to God, his house collapses though it was built with much mortar. His house will be taken away. Yet God is with those who have integrity. Since Job has integrity, he could be rewarded by God. The Lord will fill his mouth with laughter. However, we don't really know if Job is exemplary. This is revealed by Job's words, "Am I blameless?" (9:21) So, he himself doesn't know. 

Prayer: Lord, make me have hope in you. The hope of the unjust is short. However, as I am your servant, help me to serve and adore.

Bottom line: hope of the just