Job 18 - Wrong Assumptions & Self-pity

Daily Reading:  Job 8-10

What he trusts in is fragile;
what he relies on is a spider's web.
He leans on his web, but it gives way; 
he clings to it, but it does not hold.
Job 8:14, 15

Footnote:

Bildad was upset that Job still claimed innocence while questioning God's justice.  The basis of Bildad's argument (the justice of God) was correct, but his idea of God's justice was not.  Bildad's argument went like this; God could not be unjust, and God would not punish a just man; therefore Job must be unjust.  Bildad felt there were no exceptions to his theory.  Like Eliphaz, Bildad wrongly assumed that people suffer only as a result of their sins. Bildad was even less sensitive and compassionate, saying that Job's children died because of their wickedness.

Bildad wrongly assumed that Job was trusting in something other than God for security, so he pointed out that such supports will collapse (what he trusts in is fragile).  One of man's basic needs is security, and people will do almost anything to feel secure.  Eventually, however, our money, possessions, knowledge, and relationships will fail or be gone.  Only God can give lasting security.  What have you trusted for your security?  How lasting is it?  If you have a secure foundation with God, feelings of insecurity will not undermine you.

I loath my very life;
therefore I will give free rein to my complaint 
and speak out in the bitterness of my soul.  Job 10:1

Footnote:

Job began to wallow in self-pity.  When we face baffling affliction, our pain lures us toward feeling sorry for ourselves.  At this point we are only one step from self-righteousness, where we keep track of life's injustices and say, "Look what happened to me; how unfair it is!"  We may feel like blaming God.  Remember that life's trials, whether allowed by God or sent by God, can be the means for development and refinement.  When facing trials, ask, "What can I learn and how can I grow?" rather than "Who did this to me and how can I get out of it?"


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All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV.