Bildad vs. Job, Round 1

Chapters 8-10 of Job ask the question, "Do you trust a totally just God?" The first cycle of dialogue between Job and his three friends continues as Bildad begins his first speech. In this speech we see that Bildad's theology is right; but his application is wrong. Bildad speaks: God is just. Always. The axiom: God does not pervert justice. The application: Your (Job's) children sinned, so they died; if you repent of your sins, you will be restored. The authority: Our fathers teach us this. The allegories: The flourishing papyrus, the spider's web, and the rooted plant. The axiom: God does not pervert justice. Then Job speaks: Is God just? Who can contend with a God this powerful? Who can answer a God this angry? Who can stand before a God this just? Who can speak about suffering to a God this fearful? Who can live before a God this capricious?