I'm Miffed

 

 

Job 8:4 If your sons have sinned against Him, He has cast them away for their transgression.

I don’t mind telling you, I’m a whole lot miffed at this statement from Bildad. (Another one of Job’s so-called friends)

Job, who is greatly distressed with his painful sores, and still smarting emotionally from the tragic loss of all ten of his children, gets this slap in the face from a friend!

Okay, we know that Job’s children liked to party. Job 1:4 tells us: And his sons would go and feast in their houses, each on his appointed day, and would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.

But to come alongside a hurting parent and point blank tell them that they lost a child or children because of sin in the lives of their children is the height of insensitivity.  It is a pinnacle of pride and terrible theology.

Be careful Bildad, you are walking on thin ice. Jesus reminds us all in Mt 7:1 "Judge not, that you be not judged.  2 "For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

By the way, this passage is one of the most misquoted passages in all of Scripture. Unbelievers often use it to excuse their sins and attempt to silence believers as they challenge sinful behavior in the world. But believers are called to judge sin, especially among the churched. Jas 5:19 says, “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back,  20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

What we’re not called to do is telling God what kind of punishment to hand out to His wayward children. He’s the Father….not us. He will mete out discipline as He sees fit.

 

So put a sock in it Bildad! Especially if you have children of your own, because think about it, if your theology is correct, your children are in great danger.