Job 17-18: Bildad: “Why Are We Stupid in Your Sight?”

Have you ever poured out your heart to someone, only to be met with cold logic or worse—condescension? You’re searching for hope, but instead of compassion, you get a lecture. That’s exactly where we find Job in chapter 17. He’s worn down, clinging to whatever shred of hope he can find, but his so-called friends? They’re doubling down. Bildad steps up in chapter 18, and instead of offering comfort, he lashes out—painting Job’s suffering as the inevitable fate of the wicked. No grace, no mercy, just more accusations. But is Job really without hope? And why do his friends insist on seeing suffering as proof of sin?

The Rev. Roger Mullet, pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Buffalo, WY, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Job 17 and 18.

Why do the righteous suffer? That’s the burning question at the heart of the book of Job—one of the most profound and challenging books in all of Scripture. From a Lutheran perspective, Job’s story isn’t just about a man enduring unimaginable hardship; it’s about wrestling with God’s will, grappling with well-meaning but misguided advice, and ultimately finding comfort in God’s grace rather than human understanding. As Job’s friends offer simplistic answers, Job demands the truth, and God’s response reminds us of His infinite wisdom and mercy. Through it all, we see glimpses of Christ—the truly innocent sufferer—who redeems our pain and points us to the cross, where suffering meets salvation. Join us as we journey through Job, confronting tough questions about faith, suffering, and God's mysterious ways with hope grounded in Christ alone.

Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.