Job 18:7

Job 18:7 KJV: "The steps of his strength shall be straitened, and his own counsel shall cast him down."

Context

This verse is part of Bildad the Shuhite's second speech to Job, found in Job chapter 18. Bildad, one of Job's three friends, is attempting to explain Job's immense suffering by attributing it to Job's supposed wickedness. His discourse is rooted in a rigid retribution theology, which posits that the righteous prosper and the wicked suffer. In this chapter, Bildad paints a vivid and dire picture of the fate of the wicked, asserting that their demise is inevitable and self-inflicted. He is not directly addressing Job in this verse, but rather describing the general consequence of ungodliness, implicitly applying it to Job's situation.

Meaning of the Verse

Bildad declares two interconnected consequences for the wicked:

• "The steps of his strength shall be straitened": The Hebrew word for "straitened" (tsarar) implies being hemmed in, confined, or distressed. This suggests that the wicked person's power, progress, or ability to act freely will be severely limited or diminished. Their former prosperity or influence will shrink, and their path will become difficult and narrow.
• "and his own counsel shall cast him down": This phrase indicates that the very plans, wisdom, or schemes that the wicked person devises for their own advancement or protection will ultimately lead to their ruin. Their self-reliance and disregard for divine wisdom will backfire, causing their own downfall. This highlights a tragic irony: the source of their perceived strength (their own cleverness) becomes the instrument of their destruction.

Key Themes

• Consequences of Wickedness: The verse strongly asserts that a life lived apart from God's ways leads to inevitable decline and adversity, often stemming from one's own actions and choices.
• Futility of Self-Reliance: It underscores the danger of trusting in human wisdom and personal schemes above divine guidance. The wicked person's downfall is presented as a direct result of their own "counsel" or plans. This theme resonates with Proverbs 3:5-6, which advises trusting in the Lord rather than one's own understanding.
• Divine Justice: While Bildad's application of this principle to Job was flawed and insensitive, the underlying concept of divine justice—that actions have consequences—is a recurring truth throughout Scripture, even if its workings are not always immediately apparent or easily understood by humans.

Practical Application

While we must be cautious not to apply Bildad's rigid theology to individual suffering, this verse offers valuable insights for personal reflection:

• It serves as a warning against arrogance and self-sufficiency. Relying solely on our own limited wisdom and plans, without seeking God's guidance or adhering to His principles, can lead to unforeseen difficulties and ultimately hinder our true progress and well-being.
• It encourages humility and dependence on God. True strength and lasting success come from aligning our steps and our counsel with divine wisdom, as highlighted in passages like Psalm 1, describing the blessedness of the one who delights in the law of the Lord.
• It reminds us that choices have consequences. Both good and bad counsel, whether from ourselves or others, have tangible impacts on our life's trajectory.