The advice of Bildad the Shuhite (Job 8: 1 - 10)

Bildad from Shuah said: How long will you talk and keep saying nothing? Does God All-Powerful stand in the way of justice? He made your children pay for their sins. So why don't you turn to him and start living right? Then he will decide to rescue and restore you to your place of honor. Your future will be brighter by far than your past. Our ancestors were wise, so learn from them. Our own time has been short, like a fading shadow and we know very little. But they will instruct you with great understanding.

Bildad takes issue with Job in two ways - as an interlocutor, describing his garments as wind (v. 2; cf. 6:26) and as a man of learning, basing his case on the fact that diving justice can never error. He appeals to the teaching of past generations. In his speech he makes two points. First Job's children have already paid the price for their sins through their death. Because Job is alive, he can have recourse to God and be saved. Second, the apparent prosperity of the wicked that do not put their trust in God will vanish because it has no basis; it is like papyrus, a cobweb, or stray shoots. The conclusion is that if Job behaves properly, he can regain happiness.

Daily Prayer: Father, you teach me that you do not and will not overlook sins and that sin must be punished. I live in a better time now because of the coming of Christ. Now he is my sin bearer and the problem of sin has been dealt with once and for all. Now all I must do is place my trust in your son to gain your favor and remove my guilt and stain. I praise you in the name of Jesus Amen.