Job 8:8 says, For inquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers:  Bildad asked Job to not just take Eliphaz and his word for the fact that what they were saying was true, but to look to what those who had come before them had to say.  This is what we do when we look to the Bible, but we must never look to the Bible simply to prove our point.  Gilead was looking to the believers who had come before to prove his point and not simply to prove the nature of God.  Verse nine adds, (For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow:)  Bildad confessed that his friends and he had not lived long enough to know all the truth of God, but that they could look to those who had come before them to verify that truth.  We should never use the Bible and its record of those who came before us as a tool to support our beliefs.  We must align our beliefs with the teachings of the Bible instead.  Verse ten continues, Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, and utter words out of their heart?  Bildad was asking Job if he could not learn from what his ancestors had taught.  We may indeed learn from our ancestors, but they are not the ultimate truth.  Only through the gospel can we truly begin to understand God.  Verse eleven states, Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water?  Bildad was now turning to nature to prove his point.  I believe that he was comparing the mire that the rush grew out of with hypocrisy.  Verse twelve adds, Whilst it is yet in his greenness, and not cut down, it withereth before any other herb.  Gilead said the rush, or reed, might look great, but it would wither away before those herbs that were rooted in good soil.  Verse thirteen continues, So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite’s hope shall perish: I believe that Bildad was telling Job that Job had been a hypocrite and had forgotten the path of God, and like a reed growing in the mire he had been cut down.  Verse fourteen says, Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a spider’s web.  A spider web is almost invisible but can easily trap its victims.  Bildad said the lies of the hypocrite was the same way, trapping the unsuspecting, but unable to stand in the strength of God's truth.  Verse fifteen adds, He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: he shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure.  I believe Bildad was saying that the hypocrite may attempt to find rest, or peace, in the things he has acquired, but he will not be able to.  If we are not living by the truth of God, there is no place we can go to find real peace.  Verses sixteen continues, He is green before the sun, and his branch shooteth forth in his garden.   Verse seventeen concludes, His roots are wrapped about the heap, and seeth the place of stones.  I believe that Bildad was comparing a hypocrite to a plant rooted in stones.  They might grow up pretty and green, but they would wilt in a strong sun, just as the hypocrite would wilt when adversity comes.  Though this may be true, it does not mean that every time adversity comes to a follower of God that it means they are a hypocrite.  Verse eighteen states, If he destroy him from his place, then it shall deny him, saying, I have not seen thee.  Bildad said that if the hypocrite is destroyed, it is like God saying He had never even seen him, much less having had a relationship with him.  Verse nineteen adds, Behold, this is the joy of his way, and out of the earth shall others grow.  I believe that Bildad was saying that Job's descendants would be cut off, but plenty of other people were there to serve God faithfully.  God does find joy in the fact there are many people who can choose to serve Him, but that does not mean that He cuts off entire families because of the sin of one, as Bildad seemed to imply about Job.  Verse twenty continues, Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, neither will he help the evil doers:  Bildad was again saying that prosperity was a sign of being in a right relationship with God and that suffering was a sign of God's punishment of evil people.  We know that God indeed does nor cast away a perfect man, but there are none except Christ.  God will allow His followers to be tested in their faith, but will never cast anyone away because of anything but their own rejection of Christ as Savior and Lord.  Verse twenty-one says, Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing.   Bildad was telling Job that when he repented and made things right with God that Job would once more rejoice in life.  Verse twenty-two adds, They that hate thee shall be clothed with shame; and the dwelling place of the wicked shall come to nought.  Bildad was again stating that those who are faithful to God will prosper materially, but we know that this is not what God's word teaches us.