Job 18 | MHM | STEP | Second Address of Eliphaz In this passage, Bildad begins to speak again, attacking Job with harsh words. Even though Bildad is usually seen as wise, here he adds to Job’s pain instead of helping him. Bildad criticizes Job’s way of speaking and attitude, showing little understanding or compassion. v. 1-2 : Bildad accuses Job of talking too much without saying anything useful. How long will it be before you end your words? (Job 18:2 ). He complains that Job and those who support him are wasting time with endless arguments. Bildad thinks only the powerful or rich deserve to be heard, since the words of the poor are often ignored (Ecclesiastes 9:16 ).

‏ Job 18

Second Address of Eliphaz

In this passage, Bildad begins to speak again, attacking Job with harsh words. Even though Bildad is usually seen as wise, here he adds to Job’s pain instead of helping him. Bildad criticizes Job’s way of speaking and attitude, showing little understanding or compassion.

v. 1-2: Bildad accuses Job of talking too much without saying anything useful. How long will it be before you end your words?(Job 18:2 ^a). He complains that Job and those who support him are wasting time with endless arguments. Bildad thinks only the powerful or rich deserve to be heard, since the words of the poor are often ignored (Ecclesiastes 9:16 ^b).

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v. 3: Bildad feels insulted by Job’s words. Why are we counted as beasts and regarded as stupid in your sight?. He thinks Job treats them as if they are foolish and unkind, even though Job never actually called them animals. Bildad’s pride makes him quick to take offense.

v. 4: Bildad accuses Job of being angry and harming himself. You who tear yourself in your anger—shall the earth be forsaken for you? Or shall the rock be moved out of its place?. Bildad says Job’s anger is only hurting himself and tells him that God’s way of running the world will not change for one person. It is wrong to expect God to change His plans just to suit us.

Miserable Condition of the Wicked

Here, Bildad gives a long description of what happens to wicked people. He says their lives may look good for a while, but in the end, they will lose everything if they do not turn from their sins. While some things Bildad says are true, he is wrong to assume that everyone who suffers is wicked, or that all wicked people always suffer in this life.

v. 5-6: Bildad says that the life of the wicked will end in darkness. Indeed, the light of the wicked is put out, and the flame of his fire does not shine. The light is dark in his tent, and his lamp above him is put out(Job 18:5-6 ^c). The wicked might enjoy some happiness or success for a while, but it does not last. Their joy is like a candle that is quickly blown out (Isaiah 50:11 ^d), and when they die, all their hopes are gone (Proverbs 11:7 ^e).

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v. 7-10: Bildad compares the wicked to an animal caught in a trap. His strong steps are shortened, and his own counsel casts him down. For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walks on a snare. A trap seizes him by the heel; a snare lays hold of him. A rope is hidden for him in the ground, a trap for him in the path(Job 18:7-10 ^f). Wicked people are caught by their own actions, and their sins lead them into trouble. God prepares judgment for them, and they cannot escape (Psalm 9:16; 2 Peter 2:9 ^g).

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Miserable Condition of the Wicked

Bildad describes the terrible end that comes to wicked people. He says sinners are not only troubled in this life, but also face even worse punishment after death. Bildad’s words are meant to warn of the consequences of living without God, but he wrongly believes all suffering is proof of wickedness.

v. 11-12: The wicked are surrounded by fear and dread. Terrors frighten him on every side and chase him at his heels. His strength is famished, and calamity is ready for his stumbling(Job 18:11-12 ^h). Because of guilt and fear of God’s anger, they feel scared wherever they go. Their confidence fails, and they are always afraid (Proverbs 28:1 ⁱ).

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v. 13-14: Even their health and security are destroyed. It consumes the parts of his skin; the firstborn of death consumes his limbs. He is torn from the tent in which he trusted and is brought to the king of terrors(Job 18:13-14 ^j). Disease or disaster attacks them, and when they die, they are powerless. Death is called “the king of terrors,” and for the wicked, it is especially fearful (Hebrews 2:15 ^k).

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v. 15-16: Even their home and family are ruined. In his tent dwells that which is none of his; sulfur is scattered over his habitation. His roots dry up beneath, and his branches wither above(Job 18:15-16 ^l). God’s curse falls on their house, and their descendants are cut off. Bildad hints at Job’s own loss, but he is not correct to say this always happens to the wicked (Zechariah 5:4 ^m).

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v. 17: Their memory becomes shameful or is forgotten. His memory perishes from the earth, and he has no name in the street. People will not remember them with honor, and their name is erased (Proverbs 10:7; Luke 10:20 ⁿ).

v. 18-19: They are driven away from the world, with no family left. He is thrust from light into darkness, and driven out of the world. He has no posterity or progeny among his people, and no survivor where he used to live(Job 18:18-19 ^o). The wicked lose everything, even their children and grandchildren.

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v. 20: People everywhere are shocked by their fall. Those in the west are appalled at his fate, and those in the east are seized with horror. When people see or hear what happens to the wicked, they are afraid and amazed (Deuteronomy 28:37 ^p).

v. 21: Bildad ends by saying this is the fate of all who do not know God. Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked, and this is the place of him who does not know God(Job 18:21 ^q). Bildad claims that ignorance of God leads to destruction (2 Thessalonians 1:8 ^r). This is a warning to take God seriously and avoid sin.