Commentator
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary, by Joseph Exell, William
Jones, George Barlow, W. Frank Scott, and others, was published in 37
volumes as a sermon preparation and study resource. It is a commentary
"written by preachers for preachers" and offers thousands of pages of:
. Detailed illustrations suitable for devotional study and preaching
. Extensive helps in application of Scripture for the listener and
reader
. Suggestive and explanatory comments on verses
. Theological outlines of passages
. Expository notes
. Sketches and relevant quotes
. Brief critical notes on chapters
Although originally purposed as a minister's preparation tool, the
Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary is also a fine personal study
supplement.
00 Introduction
The Preacher's Complete Homiletic
COMMENTARY
ON THE BOOK OF
Job
By the REV. THOMAS ROBINSON, D.D.
Author of the Commentaries on the Song of Solomon and Daniel
New York
FUNK & WAGNALLS COMPANY
LONDON AND TORONTO
1892
PREFACE
THE following work was originally intended to form part of Dr. Van Doren's
"Suggestive and Homiletic Commentary on the Old and New Testaments;" and
consequently to be accompanied with critical notes similar to those in the
Author's Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans, already published in
connection with that series. That undertaking, however, having been given
up by Dr. Van Doren, it was proposed to the writer by the Editors of the
"Homiletical Commentary on the Books of the Old and New Testaments" to
reconstruct and adapt his work, so that it might be admitted as part of
their series. The object of the Editors of the "Homiletical Commentary,"
however, was rather to aid in the use of existing commentaries than to
produce a new one, intending their series to contain as little as possible
of what might be found in other expositions. The writer is deeply conscious
of the many imperfections adhering to his work; he has, however, made it
his endeavour, as far as he was able, to carry out the object of the
Editors; and, at the same time, to prepare an expository and homiletical
work on what is acknowledged to be one of the most difficult books of the
Bible, which may, by the Divine blessing, be useful both to ordinary
readers of the Word and to those who have to minister to others.
In the preparation of his work the Author has availed himself of all the
critical and practical aids within his reach, in order that it might
exhibit the results of the studies of the most eminent Biblical scholars
and expositors of the Word up to the present time. He is sorry that, owing
to the change of plan, he is not able to present to the student the views
and opinions of others on the various loci difficiles of the book, as he
had done in his Commentary on the Romans. If he has thus appeared in any
place to adopt sentiments which have been expressed by living writers
before him, without mentioning their names, he takes this opportunity of
expressing his obligations and of soliciting their kindly condonance. In
connection with the first two chapters, he was especially pleased with
remarks found in some papers of the "Homilist" on the Book of Job, probably
from the pen of the accomplished editor, Dr. Thomas.
Those who are best acquainted with the nature of the Book of Job, as one
of the most ancient books in the world, if not itself the most ancient, and
with the difficulties connected with the original language of the
composition, will be most disposed to make allowance for the imperfections
discoverable in the present work. If he shall have succeeded in any degree
in aiding the readers of the Word in the spiritual understanding of this
frequently obscure, but most precious, portion of it, or in assisting any
in expounding it to others, the writer will have had his desire
accomplished, and will ascribe all the praise to Him "of whom, and through
whom, and to whom are all things: to whom be glory for ever and ever.
Amen."
MORPETH,
June 19th, 187
HOMILETIC COMMENTARY
ON
JOB
Introduction
I. The General Character of the Book. One of the grandest portions of
inspired Scripture. A heaven-replenished storehouse of comfort and
instruction. The Patriarchal Bible, and a precious monument of primitive
theology. Is to the Old Testament what the Epistle to the Romans is to the
New. Job's history well known to early Christians as an example of patience
(Jas ). Understood by them typically and allegorically of Christ. From the
second century the book read in the churches in Passion Week. Stands unique
and independent among the books of the Bible. In its prose parts so simple
and easy that a child may understand it; in its poetic portion, the deepest
and obscurest book in the Old Testament. Contains milk for babes and strong
meat for those of full age. Studded with passages of grandeur and beauty,
tenderness and pathos, sublimity and terror. Acknowledged to surpass in
sublimity and majesty every other book in the world. In recent times
studied as a masterpiece of poetry. A fountain from which some of the
greatest poets have drawn their inspirations. To suffering believers the
sound of Faithful's voice to Christian in the Valley of the Shadow of
Death.
2. Author. Uncertain. Long believed by most to be Moses. Moses well
acquainted with Egypt; "learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and
mighty in words and deeds" (Act ); capable of writing sublime poetry (as
Exodus 15; Deuteronomy 32, 33); himself trained in the school of affliction
(Heb 11:25); had opportunities in Midian for obtaining the knowledge of the
history and composing the poem. Parts of the book probably in previous
existence as traditional poetry, maxims, or sayings of earlier sages (e.g.
Job 12:13-25; Job 15:20-35). The human authorship uncertain, no doubt about
the Divine. The author of the greatest and sublimest poem in the world
unknown.-Little matter that our names are forgotten, if our works live.
II. Period of Composition. Opinions divided. Two periods principally
assigned.
1. That of Moses (see above);
2. That of David and Solomon. Views of scholars and critics now more
generally in favour of the latter;
(1) From the style and character of the composition;
(2) The advanced state of art and civilization indicated;
(3) The occurrence of certain expressions;
(4) The prevalence of the idea of "Wisdom;"
(5) The similarity of sentiment and language to those in Psalms and
Proverbs, particularly as regards the state of the dead; e.g. in
Psalms 88, 89 (the works of Heman and Ethan (1Ki ).
III. Character of the Book. A true history poetically treated. Proofs;
(1) Job mentioned as a historical person with Noah and Daniel (Eze ;
Jas 5:11;)-
(2) The localities real, and names of persons not significant, except
that of Job himself;-
(3) Extended fiction not according to the spirit of high antiquity,
and especially to that of the Bible. Probably the facts given
substantially, though not exactly, as they occurred. The speeches not
necessarily given verbatim.
IV. Species of Composition. A drama, but only in a loose sense. A
didactic narrative, for the most part in a poetic and dramatic form. The
discussion of a grave and solemn question the body of the book. The
controversy carried on in poetry, the introduction and conclusion in prose.
Poetry the earliest form of composition, as best retained in memory.
Sentiments and maxims preserved in the East in a terse, proverbial, and
poetic form. The book exhibits the chief characteristic of Hebrew poetry,
viz. parallelism, or the slightly varied repetition of the same sentiment
in parallel clauses. Earliest examples of it in Gen ; Jude 1:14.
Parallelism a key to the interpretation. The poetry of Job also strophaic,-
arranged, though irregularly, in strophes or stanzas, each containing more
or less verses or connected parallel clauses.
V. Genuineness and Integrity of the Book. The whole now generally
admitted to be from one and the same author. The three parts,-introduction,
controversy, and conclusion-intimately connected with and necessary to each
other. The speeches of Elihu necessary as a complement to the others, and
as preparatory to the address of Jehovah. Possibly, as in some other books
of Scripture, a second inspired hand may have completed the book as we now
have it. A dislocation of some passages also possible; the instances noted
in the commentary.
VI. Canonicity and Inspiration. Universally admitted. Its inspiration not
prejudiced by our ignorance of the human author. The book apparently known
by Ezekiel six hundred years before Christ (Eze ). Translated into Greek,
as part of the Hebrew Scriptures, two hundred and seventy years before
Christ. Included in the Scriptures used and referred to by Jesus and the
apostles as the inspired word of God. Quoted twice by the apostle (Heb
12:5; 1Co 3:19); in the latter case with the usual form of Scripture
quotation, "It is written." Its morality and theology in harmony with the
other books of Scripture. Completes the canon by presenting a view of the
Patriarchal Dispensation. In the development of the history of Redemption,
stands midway between the Fall and the Crucifixion.
VII. Subject of the Book. The trial of Job; its occasion, nature,
endurance, and issue. The trial of man
