The Contrast of Darkness & Light

 Job 18:1-4

 

“Then Bildad the Shuhite replied:  How long until you stop talking?  Show some sense, and then we can talk. Why are we regarded as cattle, as stupid in your sight?   You who tear yourself in anger—should the earth be abandoned on your account,
or a rock be removed from its place?”

 

Once more we have Bildad addressing Job, allow me to be a little sarcastic about Bildad's reply back to Job.  Once more, let me state this is the way his words come across to me.  Job takes a breath, you are long-winded, please stop talking.  Don’t you understand I came a long way to get you out of this mess, you have to be quiet and listen to me?  How about a little respect, why are you acting as if we are some kind of animal with no intelligence?  Then Bildad tries to explain that God is not angry at you, but you will not acknowledge your sins.  You’re like a man who wants God to jump when you ask him to.  He implies Job was like one that wants God to move a rock for him.

 

“Yes, the light of the wicked is extinguished; the flame of his fire does not glow.  The light in his tent grows dark, and the lamp beside him is put out.”

 

As we move into verses five and six we see the contrast of how darkness and light were used.  When you put out the candle in your tent it went from light to darkness quickly, but that is an example of what happens not what is meant by darkness, it was the wicked, and light represents the blessing of God.  Darkness also indicates sinful life or the ignorance of God, whereas light symbolized truth and knowledge of God. 

 

“His powerful stride is shortened, and his own schemes trip him up.”  Once more this is my takeaway, an upright man has no problem walking but the schemer stumbles often.  It seems like Bildad is telling Job, have you noticed how often you are falling down, your tripping on your on evil schemes?

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice