“Job’s second friend, Bildad the Shuhite, discards all pretense at offering comfort (ch. 8). Bildad’s whole purpose is to defend the traditional wisdom teachings that had been passed from generation to generation. Job’s own experience of injustice is unimportant to Bildad, compared with the time-honored teachings of ‘the former generation’ and ‘what their ancestors learned’ (8:8).

Bildad takes one step beyond the wisdom teaching that the righteous prosper and the wicked suffer. Turning the teaching around, Bildad concludes that Job’s children must have been wicked since they died (8:4)….While biblical wisdom writings, such as appear in Proverbs, do teach that the wicked will suffer, they never permit the reverse reasoning that everyone who suffers is being punished for wickedness.” Chronological Study Bible

Job stated his friends were ‘…as fickle as a gulch in the desert.’ Job 6:15. The Message

Job 6:19, “Merchant caravans from Tema see them and expect water, tourists from Sheba hope for a cool drink.” The Message

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“…Tema was at the crossroads of three important trade routes running through northern Arabia….Caravans passing through Tema (Job 6:19) would have been familiar with streams that run during the rainy season, but dry up when they are most needed. Such streams were an appropriate illustration for Job to employ in describing his ‘undependable’ friends (Job 6:15-20)….Tema in northwest Arabia worked closely with the Sabeans from Saba (or Sheba) in southwest Arabia to dominate the incense trade. It is natural then that Job should mention Tema and Sheba together (Job 6:19).” Chronological Study Bible

Job is desperate and feels helpless. We are not! His questions in the Old Testament were answered in the New Testament.

Job 9:2, “…The question is, ‘How can mere mortals get right with God?’ ” The Message

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1 John 1:9, “…if we admit our sins – make a clean breast of them – He won’t let us down; He’ll be true to Himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing.” The Message

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Job 9:32, 33, “God and I are not equals; I can’t bring a case against Him. We’ll never enter a courtroom as peers. How I wish we had an arbitrator to step in and let me get on with life.” The Message

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1 Timothy 2:5, 6, “There’s one God and only one, and one Priest-Mediator between God and us – Jesus, (6) who offered Himself in exchange for everyone held captive by sin, to set them all free. Eventually the news is going to get out.” The Message

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“Coal is produced by the tremendous heat that burned the ancient forests. In the same way, spiritual force is stored in the depths of our being and is brought about by the very pain we cannot understand.” “Streams in the Desert” 3-23

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Job 5:8, 9, “If I were in your shoes, I’d go straight to God, I’d throw myself on the mercy of God (9) after all, He’s famous for great and unexpected acts; there’s no end to His surprises.” The Message

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