Job 1:17

_WHILE HE WAS YET SPEAKING, THERE CAME ALSO ANOTHER, AND SAID, THE CHALDEANS MADE OUT THREE BANDS, AND FELL UPON THE CAMELS, AND HAVE CARRIED THEM AWAY, YEA, AND SLAIN THE SERVANTS WITH THE EDGE OF THE SWORD; AND I ONLY AM ESCAPED ALONE TO TELL THEE._ Chaldeans - not merely robbers, as the Sabeans; but experienced in war, as is implied by "they set in array three bands" (Habakkuk 1:6). Their original seat was in the region of the Carduchian mountains, north of Assyria (Xenophon 'Cyrop,' 3: 2, 3; and 'Anab.' 4: 3, 4), and near Armenia, whence they proceeded southwards in wandering bands before they were established in a settled empire namely, the Babylonian (cf. the note of Isaiah 23:13). Rawlinson distinguishes three periods: (1) When their seat of empire was in the south, toward the

13-19 Satan brought Job's troubles upon him on the day that his children began their course of feasting. The troubles all came upon Job at once; while one messenger of evil tidings was speaking, another followed. His dearest and most valuable possessions were his ten children; news is brought him that they are killed. They were taken away when he had most need of them to comfort him under other losses. In God only have we a help present at all times....

Verse Job 1:17. _THE CHALDEANS MADE OUT THREE BANDS_] The _Chaldeans_ inhabited each side of the Euphrates near to Babylon, which was their capital. They were also mixed with the wandering _Arabs_, and lived like them on _rapine_. They were the descendants of _Chesed_, son of Nahor and brother of Huz, from whom they had their name _Casdim_, which we translate _Chaldeans_. They divided themselves into _three bands_, in order the more speedily and effectually to encompass, collect, and drive off the three thousand camels: probably they mounted the camels and rode off....

THE CHALDEANS - The Septuagint translates this, αἱ ἱππεῖς _hai_ _hippeis_), “the horsemen.” Why they thus expressed it is unknown. It may be possible that the Chaldeans were supposed to be distinguished as horsemen, and were principally known as such in their predatory excursions. But it is impossible to account for all the changes made by the Septuagint in the text. Tho Syriac and the Chaldee render it correctly, “Chaldeans.” The Chaldeans (Hebrew כשׂדים _kaśdı̂ym_) were the ancient inhabitants of Babylonia. According to Vitringa (Commentary in Isa. tom. i. p. 412, c. xiii. 19), Gesenius (Commentary zu Isaiah 23:13), and Rosenmailer (Bib. Geog. 1, 2, p. 36ff), the Chaldees or Casdim were a warlike people who orignally inhabited the Carduchian mountains, north

EXPOSITION The "Historical Introduction" to Job extends to two chapters. In the first we are given an account, firstly, of his outward circumstances—his abode, wealth, family, etc; and of his character (Job 1:1); secondly, of the circumstances under which God allowed him to be tried by afflictions (Job 1:6); thirdly, of the earlier afflictions themselves (Job 1:13); and, fourthly, of his behaviour under them (Job 1:20-18). The second chapter gives, firstly, the ground of his further trial (Job 2:1); secondly, the nature of it, and his behaviour under it ...

WHILE HE WAS YET SPEAKING, THERE CAME ALSO ANOTHER,.... Another messenger from another part of Job's possessions, where his camels were, and this before the last messenger had told his story out: AND SAID, THE CHALDEANS MADE OUT THREE BANDS, AND FELL UPON THE CAMELS, AND HAVE CARRIED THEM AWAY; these were the 3000 camels, as in Job 1:3 and perhaps they were in three separate companies and places, 1000 in each, and therefore the Chaldeans divided themselves into three bands; or "appointed three heads" f, as it may be rendered; there were three bodies of them under so many leaders and commanders, and this was done, that they might the more easily take them; and they "diffused or spread themselves" g, as the word signifies, upon or about the camels; they surrounded them on all sides, or otherwise, these being swift creatures, would have run away from them: these Chaldeans or Chasdim wer

Job 1:1. _There was a man in the land of Uz,_ Job was a man indeed; a true man, a man of the highest type, for he was a man of God. Job 1:1. _Whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright,--_ Job was thoroughly true and sincere, and in this sense he «was perfect and upright,»- Job 1:1. _And one that feared God, and eschewed evil._ He had both sides of a godly character, a love of God and a hatred of sin. Job 1:2. _And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters._ Job was highly favoured in having such a family of sons and daughters....

II. THE CONTROVERSY BETWEEN JEHOVAH AND SATAN AND THE RESULTS CHAPTER 1:6-22 _ 1. A scene in heaven, Jehovah's challenge and Satan's, accusation (Job 1:6)_ 2. Satan's power manifested (Job 1:13) 3. Job's great grief and great victory (Job 1:20) Job 1:6. Suddenly the scene changeth. We are no longer on earth but heaven is opened and we read what is going on before the throne of God. While Job on earth with his loved ones is enjoying himself something takes place in heaven in which he is prominently concerned and yet he is ignorant of all. The whole scene is intensely interesting. It is not fiction but revelation, and what is h

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 does not know that he is being played for like a pawn. Suddenly the catastrophe overtakes him. Messenger after messenger, each taking up his tale of ruin before the other has concluded his, announces that all has been taken from him (Davidson). The ideal character of the narrative should be observed. The catastrophe takes place on the day when the feast was in the eldest brother's house, _i.e._ the very day on which Job had just purified his children by sacrifice. Heaven and men alternate their strokes, which follow with ever-i

Job's first trial; and its issue: his reverence towards God remains unshaken Between Job 1:12 there is an interval, an ominous stillness like that which precedes the storm. The poet has drawn aside the curtain to us and we know what is impending. Job knows nothing. His children are about him and he thinks the Almighty is yet with him, Job 29:5. The earth smiles to him as it was wont by day; and by night the Bear, Orion and the Pleiades come forth in their silent procession, and the Dragon trails his glittering folds across the heavens overhead, and he looks with wonder into the deep chambers of the South. All is glorious with a constant glory because it is an unchanging hand that leads them forth, the hand of the Holy One from whose words he has never declined,...