Some Advice from Bildad, One of Job's Friends

I have been reading JOB. It is a fascinating book of the Bible which I recommend reading regularly. JOB challenges any idea that if we follow God then we will be blessed with good health, great wealth, and continuous happiness. That did not happen with Job and Job was a God-follower. Job’s friends tried to explain God’s actions. Such attempts at explaining God have never made sense and still does not work despite generations of thoughtful studies by theologians and proclamations by preachers. Nevertheless, those friends of Job did say some important things. In the 8th chapter and verse 4, Bildad says, “If your children sinned against him (God), he delivered them into the power of their transgression.” (NRSV) “Thank you, Bildad.” I think that is true. If we sin, our sin’s consequences bring their own trouble on us. It isn’t God who does the punishing; it is the results or consequences of our choices. If someone abuses alcohol, for example, alcohol will bring its own consequences to that individual as well as their family and friends. Gluttony, lust, greed, etc. bring their consequences and their consequences are usually not very good or healthy. My belief is that God is a loving God not a punishing God.