Impatient Friend Part 2

 

    There are good and bad qualities to an impatient friend.  Impatient friends tend to push you to get things done.  They are typically go getters.  If they are introspective, then they are aware of their weaknesses and work hard to not try to make people do things on their time table.  However, they do interrupt.  They can be judgmental.  They come across demanding and sometimes rude.

    Bildad was Job's impatient friend and I don't think he was aware of the fact.  When Job was giving his rebuttal for his state and relationship with God, Bildad interrupted him.  Bildad ordered him to stop talking.  He told Job that he needed to soften his heart so that Job could hear them.  

    Bildad's feelings were hurt, so he was lashing out.  He did not appreciate Job belittling the three friends that were there to help him.  It seems like all four were talking, but no one was really listening.  Bildad went so far as to tell Job that he was self-centered and unappreciative of his friends..

    The trend of telling Job that he was wrong and had some hidden sin continued.  According to Job's friends, there is no scenario where Job could be right and be in this state.  In conclusion, Job was wrong and they were right because they were not suffering.  He went too far when he rubbed in the death of Job's children.  History stated that only a truly wicked man would be endure what Job was enduring.  Bildad had history and tradition backing him up.  

    No one knows what God is doing in Heaven.  He can change everything in a blink of an eye. God used Job's suffering to teach a new lesson.  There is sin related suffering(cause and effect), circumstantial suffering (Job), and eternal suffering (hell).  God wants everyone to know the difference between them.  Bildad was close, but so far from the truth.

Job 18