JOB'S FORTUNE AND MISFORTUNE. These Chapter s come from the original Volksbuch of popular story, and relate how a certain Job in the land of Uz was the most pious man of his time and more fortunate than all his neighbours. It is further related how the Satan disputed the sincerity of his religion, a... [ Continue Reading ]
JOB 1:1 describes Job, his piety and good fortune. The literal translation of the opening words would be Once upon a time there was a man. The use of the perfect denotes that we are dealing not with history but saga. Its purpose is to call attention, not to the exact time of events, but to the indiv... [ Continue Reading ]
JOB 1:4 F. illustrates in particular the above-given general description of Job's piety and happiness by a picture of the usual life of himself and his family. Job's sons are all like the sons of a king, each of whom has his own house and possessions (2 Samuel 13:7; 2 Samuel 14:30). Job's children a... [ Continue Reading ]
JOB 1:5. The above exposition follows RVm against RV text, accepting the translation blaspheme in preference to renounce. AV, in virtual agreement with RVm, translates curse. The Hebrew literally means bless. It is suggested by Davidson and others that since partings were attended by blessing, to bl... [ Continue Reading ]
The disinterestedness of Job's piety is brought into question by the Satan in the council of heaven. We are now to see how misfortune may come absolutely unprovoked by sin. The sons of God, who come to present themselves before Yahweh, are the angels. They are referred to in Job 38:7 as witnesses of... [ Continue Reading ]
JOB 1:12. Yahweh gives permission to try Job, conceding the Satan's right to have the matter cleared up, though Himself knowing that the Adversary is wrong. The Satan having obtained this leave, loses no time before he acts upon it.... [ Continue Reading ]
JOB'S MISFORTUNE. The activity of the Satan is depicted, though he himself remains invisible. Between Job 1:12 and Job 1:13 there is an interval, an ominous silence like that which precedes the storm. The poet has drawn aside the curtain to us, and we know what is impending. Job knows nothing. he do... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FIRST STROKE.The asses were feeding, a touch reflecting an absolute peace. The Sabeans are the Bedouin, Saba (1 Kings 10*) being S. Arabia. Job 1:16. The second stroke. The fire of God is the lightning, to be sure lightning on the scale of a saga, since it destroys in a moment 7000 sheep and th... [ Continue Reading ]
In the preceding section the narrative surged forward, depicting the unbridled rage of the Satan. Here on the contrary we have a beautiful picture of complete rest and resignation, and are taught how a truly pious man bears trials. Job rises: as a man of rank he had received the messengers sitting.... [ Continue Reading ]