beds. Why should not they go willingly when their Father calls them? Let us remember our bodies
are allied to corruption, the worm and the dust; and let us seek for that lively hope which shall be
fulfilled, when the hope of the wicked shall be put out in darkness; that when our bodies are in the
grave, our souls may enjoy the rest reserved for the people of God.
Chapter 18
Chapter Outline
Bildad reproves Job. (1–4)
Ruin attends the wicked. (5–10)
The ruin of the wicked. (11–21)Verses 1–4
Bildad had before given Job good advice and encouragement; here he used nothing but rebukes,
and declared his ruin. And he concluded that Job shut out the providence of God from the
management of human affairs, because he would not admit himself to be wicked.
Verses 5–10
Bildad describes the miserable condition of a wicked man; in which there is much certain truth,
if we consider that a sinful condition is a sad condition, and that sin will be men's ruin, if they do
not repent. Though Bildad thought the application of it to Job was easy, yet it was not safe nor just.
It is common for angry disputants to rank their opponents among God's enemies, and to draw wrong
conclusions from important truths. The destruction of the wicked is foretold. That destruction is
represented under the similitude of a beast or bird caught in a snare, or a malefactor taken into
custody. Satan, as he was a murderer, so he was a robber, from the beginning. He, the tempter, lays
snares for sinners wherever they go. If he makes them sinful like himself, he will make them
miserable like himself. Satan hunts for the precious life. In the transgression of an evil man there
is a snare for himself, and God is preparing for his destruction. See here how the sinner runs himself
into the snare.
Verses 11–21
Bildad describes the destruction wicked people are kept for, in the other world, and which in
some degree, often seizes them in this world. The way of sin is the way of fear, and leads to
everlasting confusion, of which the present terrors of an impure conscience are earnests, as in Cain
and Judas. Miserable indeed is a wicked man's death, how secure soever his life was. See him
dying; all that he trusts to for his support shall be taken from him. How happy are the saints, and
how indebted to the lord Jesus, by whom death is so far done away and changed, that this king of
terrors is become a friend and a servant! See the wicked man's family sunk and cut off. His children