26:2–4 · Eliphaz, early on, was the first to praise Job for his past help and counsel (4:3–6). Bildad, having heard Job undermine traditional understanding and now indict God for cosmic negligence, shakes his head in disbelief. “How is it possible that this man ever helped the powerless and offered sound advice? How is it that he utters what he does?”

25:2–6 · Bildad now crafts his theme: the dominion, awe, and order of God. The second line of his thesis statement (25:2b) is literally “maker of peace in his heights.” The NIV has understood this terse, somewhat cryptic line correctly, though the ideas behind it are too easily overlooked. The idea of deities involved in conflict, especially with forces like chaos, is an ancient Near Eastern and biblical backbone. Chaos, as a concept, is in mi…