Sharper Iron — There Is a Redeemer – Job 8:1-22: Just Repent, and God Will Make It Better
Bildad takes a turn to respond to Job. In tactless and hurtful words, he asserts Job’s children surely got what they deserved. However, if Job will simply admit his wrong and plead for God’s mercy, God is sure to make Job’s latter days great. Bildad believes history proves his point—those who forget God perish, while God does not reject blameless men. Like Eliphaz before him, Bildad only makes matters worse for Job.
Rev. Ryan Ogrodowicz, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church and School in Brenham, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Job 8:1-22.
To learn more about Grace Lutheran in Brenham, visit gracebrenham.org.
“There Is a Redeemer” is a series on Sharper Iron that studies the book of Job. The suffering of Job raises important questions. Does man fear God for no reason? Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil? Who can be an arbiter for man? As this book of wisdom literature wrestles with such questions, God reveals to us that He is our Living Redeemer whom we are right to fear, love, and trust above all things.
Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Pastor Appel serves at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, IL. Learn more at flcgodfrey.org. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org
Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund. Together in faith, LCEF helps to start, sustain and strengthen LCMS ministries through financial and strategic partnerships. Visit lcef.org.
Job 8:1-22
Bildad Speaks: Job Should Repent
[1] Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said:
[2] “How long will you say these things,
and the words of your mouth be a great wind?
[3] Does God pervert justice?
Or does the Almighty pervert the right?
[4] If your children have sinned against him,
he has delivered them into the hand of their transgression.
[5] If you will seek God
and plead with the Almighty for mercy,
[6] if you are pure and upright,
surely then he will rouse himself for you
and restore your rightful habitation.
[7] And though your beginning was small,
your latter days will be very great.
[8] “For inquire, please, of bygone ages,
and consider what the fathers have searched out.
[9] For we are but of yesterday and know nothing,
for our days on earth are a shadow.
[10] Will they not teach you and tell you
and utter words out of their understanding?
[11] “Can papyrus grow where there is no marsh?
Can reeds flourish where there is no water?
[12] While yet in flower and not cut down,
they wither before any other plant.
[13] Such are the paths of all who forget God;
the hope of the godless shall perish.
[14] His confidence is severed,
and his trust is a spider’s web.
[15] He leans against his house, but it does not stand;
he lays hold of it, but it does not endure.
[16] He is a lush plant before the sun,
and his shoots spread over his garden.
[17] His roots entwine the stone heap;
he looks upon a house of stones.
[18] If he is destroyed from his place,
then it will deny him, saying, ‘I have never seen you.’
[19] Behold, this is the joy of his way,
and out of the soil others will spring.
[20] “Behold, God will not reject a blameless man,
nor take the hand of evildoers.
[21] He will yet fill your mouth with laughter,
and your lips with shouting.
[22] Those who hate you will be clothed with shame,
Although a mathematics degree may not be incredibly helpful to (proudly born-and-raised Texan) Rev. Timothy Appel while hosting Sharper Iron, his love of CFW Walther and the season of Easter will come in handy. His Call is shepherding the flock at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, Illinois, and he’s also husband to wife Kristin and dad to their growing basketball team of children. When he’s not carrying out pastoral duties, you may find him reading “The Lord of the Rings,” snacking on Reese’s peanut butter cups, playing dominoes with his boys, or studying up on Texas history (including Sam Houston, of course).
