Job (The New American Commentary | NAC)
Overview
Since a commentary is a fundamental tool for the expositor or teacher who seeks to interpret and apply Scripture in the church or classroom, the NAC focuses on communicating the theological structure and content of each biblical book. The writers seek to illuminate both the historical meaning and contemporary significance of Holy Scripture.
In its attempt to make a unique contribution to the Christian community, the NAC focuses on two concerns. First, the commentary emphasizes how each section of a book fits together so that the reader becomes aware of the theological unity of each book and of Scripture as a whole. The writers, however, remain aware of the Bible’s inherently rich variety. Second, the NAC is produced with the conviction that the Bible primarily belongs to the church. We believe that scholarship and the academy provide an indispensable foundation for biblical understanding and the service of Christ, but the editors and authors of this series have attempted to communicate the findings of their research in a manner that will build up the whole body of Christ. Thus, the commentary concentrates on theological exegesis, while providing practical, applicable exposition.
Top Highlights
“The facts about him, which are mainly in the first two chapters, suggest that he lived around the time of the patriarchs. His wealth was measured in cattle rather than in the precious metals of the time of Solomon. He reflected no knowledge of organized religion, Mosaic, Levitical, or otherwise. Like the patriarchs he was a priest to his own household (1:5). The only other explanation for this absence of anything from the Pentateuch in Job is that he lived outside the promised land and beyond the influence of the law of Moses.6 Probably both explanations are correct; that is, Job was very early and he lived in a region well outside Canaan.” (Page 26)
“It is important to note that Job did not confess any overt sins such as those Eliphaz had accused him of (22:2–11) nor any covert sins as Bildad has implied (8:11–18). The text does not, in fact, specify what Job ‘repented’ of. Most who have come this far in the book say that Job confessed a bad attitude, a touch of arrogance, or mild blasphemy. I prefer to say that he confessed that his God had been too small. He needed the theophany to remind him of the fact that the God of the universe and the Creator of all creatures is greater, grander, higher, and wiser than a mortal can imagine, much less challenge.” (Pages 407–408)
“Of the attributes of God, the ones that stand out in the Book of Job are sovereignty, omnipotence, omniscience, and justice. Less prominent are mercy, love, and goodness. Until the Lord appeared out of the whirlwind, Job complained that God was apathetic, blind to injustice, hidden, and unresponsive. For the four counselors certainly the justice of God was most prominent in their theology, with sovereignty nearly as important.” (Pages 38–39)
- Title: Job
- Author: Robert L. Alden
- Series: New American Commentary
- Volume: 11
- Publisher: B&H
- Print Publication Date: 1993
- Logos Release Date: 2000
- Pages: 414
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Bible. O.T. Job › Commentaries
- ISBNs: 9781087799971, 9781433675560, 1433675560, 108779997X
- Resource ID: LLS:29.23.4
- Resource Type: Bible Commentary
- Metadata Last Updated: 2023-10-09T17:43:29Z
