Job 8:10

Commentary on Job 8:10 (KJV)

Job 8:10 is part of the first speech of Bildad the Shuhite, one of Job's three friends who came to comfort him but instead offered harsh theological arguments about his suffering. In this verse, Bildad asserts the authority of ancient wisdom and tradition, implying that Job should heed the lessons passed down through generations rather than relying on his own understanding or perceived innocence.

Context

Bildad's speech (Job 8) is characterized by his firm belief in the principle of retribution: that God always punishes the wicked and blesses the righteous. He attributes Job's suffering to sin, echoing the common theological understanding of his time. He urges Job to repent and seek God (Job 8:5-7). Verse 10 specifically appeals to the wisdom of the ancients, suggesting that their long experience and observations of God's ways provide a reliable source of truth. This is part of Bildad’s unwavering belief in God's strict justice and retribution, implying that the elders would confirm his view.

Key Themes

• The Authority of Tradition: Bildad champions the wisdom inherited from previous generations, believing it to be a pure and infallible source of knowledge about God's dealings with humanity. He sees the "ancients" as having a long history of observing divine principles.
• Sincere Counsel: The phrase "utter words out of their heart" suggests that the wisdom of the elders is not superficial but comes from deep conviction and genuine experience. It implies a heartfelt, sincere transmission of truth.
• Contrast with Job's Suffering: Implicitly, Bildad is telling Job that his personal experience of suffering, which Job views as unjust, contradicts the established wisdom of the ages. He believes the ancients would confirm that Job must be guilty of sin for such calamities to befall him. Even Job himself later acknowledges the societal value placed on wisdom found with the aged, though he disagrees with his friends' application.

Linguistic Insights

The key phrase "utter words out of their heart" is significant. The Hebrew word for heart (לֵב, leb or lev) in biblical thought is far more comprehensive than just the seat of emotion. It represents the totality of a person's inner being—their intellect, will, conscience, and core character. Thus, "words out of their heart" means words that are deeply felt, sincerely believed, and come from profound inner conviction and understanding. This concept is seen throughout Scripture, where the heart is often the source of one's actions and motivations, as highlighted in Proverbs 4:23, which speaks of guarding the heart.

Practical Application

While Bildad's application of this principle to Job was flawed and lacked compassion, the verse still offers valuable insights:

• Value of Experience: There is genuine wisdom to be gained from those who have lived long and observed much. Respecting and learning from the experiences of elders and historical precedents can prevent repeating past mistakes.
• Sincerity in Counsel: When offering advice or teaching, it should come from a place of sincerity and deep conviction, not superficiality or malice. True wisdom is spoken from the heart.
• Discerning Wisdom: The Book of Job ultimately teaches that while tradition holds value, it is not infallible. God's ways are often beyond human comprehension or rigid theological formulas. We are called to discern wisdom, testing it against God's revealed truth and His character, as seen in God's rebuke of Job's friends at the end of the book.