Where in the world did Job find these friends? Certainly they were different than he expected or knew.
In comes Bildad at this point. He not only is going to bash Job for his “sin” but trash his children who died.
“How long will you go on saying these things?…Does the Almighty pervert what is right? Since your children sinned against Him, He gave them over to their rebellion” (Job 8:3-4).
Bildad is saying that the death of his children were because they were doing evil. Can you imagine someone saying that at the death of your children?
He then gets spiritual.
“But if you earnestly seek God and ask the Almighty for mercy, if you are pure and upright, then He will move even on your behalf” (Job 8:5-6).
Now that he has had his attack on his children, he will now address Job.
“Does papyrus grow where there is no marsh? Do reeds flourish without water?…Such is the destinoy of all who forget God: the hope of the godless will perish” (Job 8:11,13).
“Look, God does not reject a person of integrity, and He will not support evildoers” (Job 8:20-21).
Bildad says it plainly–you’ve forgotten God and done evil.
Again he says if Job will just repent, all will be restored.
“He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with a shout of joy. Your enemies will be clothed with shame; the tent of the wicked will exist no longer” (8:21-22).
I think Job is probably stunned at this point. Would any of his friends stand for him?
