Homilist Job 8:1-3 Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,… I. A REPROOF THAT IS SEVERE. "How long wilt thou speak these things?" Job had poured forth language that seemed as wild and tempestuous as the language of a man in a passion. But such language ought to have been considered in relation to his physical anguish and mental distress. Great suffering destroys the mental equilibrium. II. A DOCTRINE WHAT IS UNQUESTIONABLE. "Doth God pervert judgment?" The interrogatory is a strong way of putting the affirmative; namely, that God is absolutely just, and that He never deviates from the right. III. AN IMPLICATION THAT IS UNKIND. "If thy children have sinned against Him, and He have cast them away for their transgression." Surely it was excessively heartless even to hint such things to the broken-hearted father. IV. A POLICY THAT IS DIVINE. "If thou wouldst seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication unto the Almighty." Bildad recommends that this policy should be attended to at once, and in a proper spirit. He affirms that if this policy be thus attended to, the Almighty would mercifully interpose. V. AN AUTHORITY NOT TO BE TRUSTED. "Inquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers." He appeals to antiquity to confirm what he has advanced. Two things should be considered. 1. There is nothing in past times infallible but the Divinely-inspired. 2. There is always more of the inspired in the present than in the past. VI. A CONSIDERATION THAT IS SOLEMN. "We are but of yesterday, and know nothing." This fact, which is introduced parenthetically, is of solemn moment to us all. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said, |
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