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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Tuesday, 24 February 2026:
Job 25:1-3 — Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said: “Dominion and fear are with God; he makes peace in his high heaven. Is there any number to his armies? Upon whom does his light not arise?”
Bildad’s final speech is brief and focused on God’s absolute sovereignty. Dominion belongs to Him. Fear — reverent awe — belongs to Him. His authority is unquestioned, His armies innumerable, His light universal. There is no realm outside His rule. These verses are theologically correct. God is not regional. He is not tribal. He is not reactive. He reigns. But Bildad emphasizes transcendence without tenderness. He speaks of power without mediation. He magnifies distance without offering hope.
Job 25:4-6 — “How then can man be in the right before God? How can he who is born of woman be pure? Behold, even the moon is not bright, and the stars are not pure in his eyes; how much less man, who is a maggot, and the son of man, who is a worm!”
Here Bildad articulates one of the central theological questions of the book: how can sinful humanity stand before a holy God? Throughout Job this question repeats:
- Job 4:17 — Can mortal man be in the right before God?
- Job 11:4–6 — God exacts less than our guilt deserves.
- Job 15:14–15 — Even the heavens are not pure in His sight.
Bildad is correct in essence: humanity cannot make itself pure. The physical world bears the effects of sin, but among God’s creatures, only man rebels. Bugs, birds, and bears fulfill their created design. Man, created to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, resists that purpose. In that sense, the dirt of the earth is “cleaner” than the human heart.
Where Bildad errs is not in diagnosing depravity but in misapplying it. He uses human corruption as accusation rather than as a doorway to mercy. Also, he fails to include himself in the indictment.
We, too, often underestimate holiness. We think more highly of ourselves than we ought. We presume upon grace. Consider Uzzah (2 Samuel 6:5-11). He reached out to steady the ark, likely with sincere intent, but presumed his sinful hands were cleaner than the ground. He misjudged holiness.
Pride is subtle. Even while speaking about sin, we may secretly exclude ourselves from it.
The truth Bildad states prepares the way for the Gospel: if man cannot justify himself, righteousness must be given. If purity cannot originate in us, it must be imputed to us. The chapter leaves us with a tension that only Christ resolves.
Wisdom requires humility and a proper fear of the Lord. Lose that perspective for even a moment, and pride rushes in.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 24 February 2026: Word of the Day: Humility. Examine where you may be presuming upon grace. Do you take God’s holiness lightly while evaluating others more harshly? Do you speak of human sin as though you stand outside it? Today, consciously acknowledge your dependence on mercy. Confess one area where pride has subtly shaped your thinking. Approach God not as one who deserves access, but as one who has been granted access through grace. Let reverent fear lead to deeper gratitude.
Pray: “Holy God, You reign in dominion and perfect purity. Forgive me for taking Your holiness lightly and for thinking more highly of myself than I ought. Guard me from pride disguised as theology. Remind me that I stand before You only by mercy, not merit. Teach me to fear You rightly and to treasure Your grace deeply. Keep my heart humble, my perspective clear, and my confidence anchored in Christ alone. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 