11 Terrors frighten them on every side, and chase them at their heels. 12 Their strength is consumed by hunger, and calamity is ready for their stumbling. 13 By disease their skin is consumed, the firstborn of Death consumes their limbs. 14 They are torn from the tent in which they trusted, and are brought to the king of terrors. 15 In their tents nothing remains; sulfur is scattered upon their habitations. 16 Their roots dry up beneath, and their branches wither above. 17 Their memory perishes from the earth, and they have no name in the street. 18 They are thrust from light into darkness, and driven out of the world. 19 They have no offspring or descendant among their people, and no survivor where they used to live. 20 They of the west are appalled at their fate, and horror seizes those of the east. 21 Surely such are the dwellings of the ungodly, such is the place of those who do not know God."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 18:11-21
Commentary on Job 18:11-21
(Read Job 18:11-21)
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 shall perish, either with him or after him. Those who consult the true honour of their family, and its welfare, will be afraid of withering all by sin. The judgments of God follow the wicked man after death in this world, as a proof of the misery his soul is in after death, and as an earnest of that everlasting shame and contempt to which he shall rise in the great day. The memory of the just is blessed, but the name of the wicked shall rot, Proverbs 10:7. It would be well if this report of wicked men would cause any to flee from the wrath to come, from which their power, policy, and riches cannot deliver them. But Jesus ever liveth to deliver all who trust in him. Bear up then, suffering believers. Ye shall for a little time have sorrow, but your Beloved, your Saviour, will see you again; your hearts shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh away.