Each year I read this section I have to remind myself that these "friends" of Job do not see the same picture we see as we read the story. Like any of us today who sit at the bedside of a friend, we don't know what God is doing, or not doing behind the scene. Bildad, despite that truth, utters sound Theological truths that should be reserved for the classroom not the hospital room. Yes, God judges us (chapter 8) and will condemn the wicked and reward the "righteous." But, as Job maintains, no one is really righteous (chapter 9) so that only leaves God with the choice to condemn the wicked. But, in chapter ten Job appeals to God himself and states these words:
(Job 10:8-9) - "Your hands fashioned and made me altogether, and would You destroy me? Remember now, that You have made me as clay; and would You turn me into dust again?"
Job asks God to "remember" who He (God) is and who he (Job) is. Job realizes the only hope he has in this dilemma is that God finds mercy for Job and remembers that Job is a piece of clay ... the work of God's hands (see also Psalm 138:8 vs. Job 10:3). God has is, in this life, completing the work He started in our lives. Job understands this. Each event that unfolds around us and with us is simply God's plan and path to accomplish that molding of the clay. Bildad is correct with his Theology, but Job knows that the Theology is not complete. Yes, God will reward the righteous and punish the wicked. But, without God's work in the lives of His "clay" we are all destined for destruction. God has to shape the clay to be in the form of righteousness. God does that with His Son living within us as the master Tool that does the shaping. We must allow God to shape us for Him to reward us.
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