8th November 2025

8th November 2025


Pray (ACts) 


Read (Job 18)


Message (Scott Woodburn) 


Bildad believed that the Lord's anger was displayed exclusively against the wicked and he was eager to put Job in his place. Did Job believe his friends to be dumb stupid animals (v3)? Did he think that the world should be turned upside-down for his own sake (v4)? You can quickly see that Bildad was on the attack against what he saw as Job's sinful arrogance. 


As far as Bildad was concerned, Job needed to understand his awful position. He obviously had done something quite wicked and was now experiencing the anger of God. This was the natural order of things - the wicked would have an awful life and an even more awful death. Bildad's second speech outlined this theology entirely. The wicked are brought down by their schemes (v7) and calamity waits for them (v12). No one remembers the wicked man when he dies (v17), he has no children to carry on his legacy (v19) and when death comes he moves from light into utter darkness (v18a).


Many of us wish what Bildad had to say was true. It would be a comfort to believe that those who act wickedly in this life would have a rotten experience both today and in eternity but unfortunately we don't need to look too far to see that Bildad's counsel falls woefully short. I find it amazing that there are those in 2025 who revere Adolf Hitler. Have you seen those groups who describe themselves as Neo Nazis? What was so good about Hitler that some wish to follow him? Furthermore, there are countless examples of those who acted wickedly and got off totally free. I'm fascinated by the story of OJ Simpson who many believed murdered his wife and her friend. OJ was found not guilty in what seemed like an open and shut case. Was justice done in the case of OJ Simpson? Was justice done locally in the many cases of barbarism during the troubles?


Bildad was wrong. The wicked don't necessarily experience awful lives and quite often they seem to be doing quite well. No wonder the Psalmist said "Why, O Lord, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised. For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul, and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the Lord. In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, 'There is no God.' His ways prosper at all times" (Psalm 10v1-5).


I do not know why the wicked seem to prosper while the righteous seem to suffer. Yet from my simple faith I can say with certainty that God is good, He is for us and one day justice will be done when everyone stands before the judgement seat of Christ. On that great and terrible day there will be no suffering for the righteous and there will be only wrath for the wicked. Even so, come Lord Jesus come. 


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q14 What is sin?
Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God.
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