Bildad the Shuhite is one of Job's three friends who visit him during his time of suffering, as recorded in the Book of Job. Bildad's speeches are found in Job 8, 18, and 25. His assumptions about Job's situation and the nature of God's justice reflect a traditional understanding of retributive justice, which is a central theme in the dialogues between Job and his friends.

Assumption of Retributive Justice

Bildad assumes that suffering is a direct result of personal sin, reflecting a common belief in retributive justice. In Job 8:3-4 , Bildad questions, "Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert what is right? When your children sinned against Him, He gave them over to their rebellion." Here, Bildad implies that Job's children suffered due to their own sins, and by extension, Job's suffering must also be a consequence of his own wrongdoing.

Assumption of God's Unchanging Nature

Bildad holds that God's nature is unchanging and that He consistently rewards the righteous and punishes the wicked. In Job 8:20 , he states, "Behold, God does not reject the blameless, nor will He strengthen the hand of evildoers." Bildad's assumption is that God's justice is predictable and unwavering, and thus, Job's plight must be due to some hidden sin.

Assumption of Human Wisdom and Tradition

Bildad places great emphasis on the wisdom of the ancients and the importance of adhering to traditional beliefs. In Job 8:8-10 , he advises, "Please inquire of past generations and consider the discoveries of their fathers. For we were born yesterday and know nothing; our days on earth are but a shadow. Will they not teach you and tell you, and speak from their understanding?" Bildad assumes that the accumulated wisdom of past generations provides a reliable framework for understanding God's ways.

Assumption of Immediate Justice

Bildad believes in the immediacy of divine justice, expecting that the wicked will quickly face consequences for their actions. In Job 18:5-6 , he declares, "Indeed, the lamp of the wicked is extinguished; the flame of his fire does not glow. The light in his tent grows dark, and the lamp beside him goes out." Bildad assumes that the downfall of the wicked is swift and certain, reinforcing his belief that Job's suffering is a result of his own sinfulness.

Assumption of Human Inability to Be Righteous

In his final speech, Bildad emphasizes the impossibility of human righteousness before God. In Job 25:4-6 , he asks, "How then can a man be just before God? How can one born of woman be pure? If even the moon does not shine, and the stars are not pure in His sight, how much less man, who is but a maggot, and the son of man, who is but a worm!" Bildad assumes that no human can claim righteousness before God, suggesting that Job's insistence on his innocence is futile.

Bildad's assumptions, while reflecting a sincere attempt to defend God's justice, ultimately fail to account for the complexity of Job's situation and the broader theological themes presented in the Book of Job. His rigid adherence to traditional beliefs and retributive justice highlights the limitations of human understanding when grappling with divine mysteries.