Challenger or Conformer

Bildad can hardly wait to get into the conversation with his own wisdom!! Know anyone like that? Of course, we all do. Sometimes it’s us.

His argument isn’t really any different from that of Eliphaz, but he is more brutal in his attack. “You’re full of hot air, Job. Stop complaining. Listen to what we have all been taught. God doesn’t pervert justice. Your children died because of their sin - so smarten up and start living right. Get your act together and God will reward you with even more than he took away. “(my paraphrase!)

On and on he goes. Bildad is heartless in his effort to present truth - his truth.

How often do we live the same way? We are certain we know what the truth is because we have been taught well - or so we think. And then one day, we are confronted with something that doesn’t fit our tidy system. At that moment, we have a choice. We can be a challenger or a conformer.

Job was a challenger. Eliphaz and Bildad were conformers.

The one thing Job could not do and still maintain his integrity was to submit to the accusations that he was a hypocrite, even if that meant getting everything restored. Clearly his integrity was more important than either physical comfort or material blessings.

Challenging the current system of belief is not easy or without risk. In this sense, Job stands as a foreshadowing of Jesus, who refused to conform to the religious “truths” of the day about God’s character and, although innocent, was branded guilty.

Too often, we accept the easy road, believing what we have been taught about God, rather than taking the risk of really getting to know God.

It’s our choice to be a conformer or a challenger.

Respond in Prayer

God of truth, thank you for giving us Jesus to reveal yourself to us and your Spirit to teach us all truth. Help me to discern when I need to challenge and when to conform to what I hear about you, in order to know you truthfully. Amen.

Lynn Smith