Bildad replies to Job now. He starts by correcting Job for not considering the advice of the friends (Job 18: 2-4). He warns that the way of the wicked was dark without light (Job 18: 5-6). They are caught in the very traps that they have set (Job 18: 7-10). The wicked are pursued by terror, and in their weakness, they stumble, leading to the process of death (Job 18: 11-14) and destruction of all they had including memory of them (Job 18: 15-21).
Job replied to Bildad, asking how long they will continue with the torment through their words (Job 19:2). Job again states they should be shamed in speaking wrong of him, and even if they were correct, the error was Job’s and not any business of theirs. They try to glorify themselves and shame Job. God has done this to Job, but not for a sin (Job 19: 3-7). Now Job finds himself stripped of his prior glory (Job 19: 9), broken down and besieged on every side (Job 19: 10-12), and cut off from loved ones (Job 19: 13-19). He feels as though he is escaping with his life and yet God and his friends through their words pursue him, making him wonder why they are not satisfied with the suffering he has been through (Job 19: 21-22). Job wishes his words were written down or even engraved to be seen forever (Job 19: 23-24). Job expresses that he knows his redeemer lives and that Job will stand face to face with God (Job 19: 25-28). Job is still despite everything fully convinced that in the end God will redeem him from his suffering. Job finishes by stating to his friends that the answers will be found in his redeemer, and the words by which they judge Job may come to return in judgement (Job 19:28-29).
Zophar now speaks again to Job. He explains that the wicked have a life that is short on joy (Job 20: 4-5). Any heights they reach will perish with them and they will no longer be seen (Job 20: 6-9). His children will beg from the poor (Job 20: 10), and while he will feel young death will still overtake him (Job 20: 10-11). There is evil in him causing his food to be unsettling (Job 20:14), and he gains riches only to lose them (Job 20:15). He will work evil and receive it in return (Job 20: 18). There will be no enjoyment in his life, and his prosperity will not endure (Job 20: 21). He will not find sufficiency in himself and those who suffer will be against him. Even God will come after him in judgement using the phrases like sword and arrow to ensure Job knows it is he that Zophar feels is being wicked (Job 20: 22-24). Everything will be consumed and his iniquity will be revealed (Job 20:26-29). Job replies to Zophar telling his friends that they should be comforted by his words rather than continuing to mock him (Job 21: 2-4). Job tells them that the wicked achieve old age, and they have numerous offspring. They appear to be safe from fear and God’s judgment on them. They and their children sing and dance. They appear to die in peace (Job 21: 6-13). They tell God that they do not want his knowledge, or care to serve or pray to Him (Job 21: 14-15). He asks when the wicked have seen calamity as he has (Job 21: 17- 21). But when the wicked and Job die the same. Job then asks when his friends have accused the wicked as he has been accused by them (Job 21: 27-32). He finally declares his friends’ answers to be false (Job 21: 34).
My Bible Journey In A Year (Chronological) 