The Pulpit Commentary — Job — Section 426

CHAPTER XXVII. parable, &1ld aa.id. The word translated "parable" (~!le) is only used previously in Vere. 1-23.-This chapter dividPs itself Numb. xxiii and xxiv. It is thought to into three distinct portions. In the first, •• comprehend ell discourses in which the which extend6 to the end of ver. 6, Job is results of disoursive thought are concisely engaged in maintaining, with the utmost or figuratively expressed" (Cook). The introduction of a new- term seems to imply possible solemnity (ver. 2), both his actual that the present disoourse oocupies a posi- integrity (ver. G) and his determination to tion dift'tlrent from that of all the preceding hold fast his integrity as long as he· lives oues. It is not tentative, oontroversial, or (ven. ~ ) . In the soooud (vers. 7-10) emotional, but expresses the deliberate he imprecates a onree upon his enemies. judgment of the patriarch on the subjects discussed in it. Note the repetition of the In the third (vers. 11-23) he returns to term in oh. :u.ix. l. the oonsidemtion of God's treatment of the Ver. 2.-As God liveth, who hath taken wicked, and retrac,1& the view which he had away my jndgment. Job has not previously maintained controversially in eh. xxiv. 2-- introduced any form of n.djuration. His 24. with respect to their prosperity, impu- "yea has been yea, and his ne.y nay." Now, however, under the solP.mn circum- nity, and equalization with the righteous in stances of the ooca.sion, when he is making death. The retractation is so complete, the his last appeal to his friends for a favour- conoeasions are so large, that some have able judgment, he thinks it not ine.ppro- been indnoed to question whether they can priate to preface what he is about to say by poasibly have been made Ly Job, and have an appeal to God as his Witness. "As God liveth," or "As the Lord liveth,'' was the been led on to suggest that we have here custom.e.ry oath of pious Israelites and of a third speech of Zophe.r's, BUch as "the God-fearing men generally in the ancient 11ymmstry of the general form" requires, world (see Jndg. viii. 19; Ruth iii. 13; l which by accident or design has been trans- Sam. xiv. 39; xx. 3; 2 Sam. iv. 9; xii. 5; ferred from him to Job. But the improba- 1 Kings ii. 24; xvii. 21: 2 Kings v. 20; 2 Chron. xviii. 13; Jer. xxxviii. 16). Job bility of such a tran.t1fer, considering how in adds the,t the God to whom he appee.ls is the Book of Job the speech of eaoh separate he who has "taken awe.y,'' or "withheld," interlocutor is introduced, is palpable; the his judgment, i.e. who has declined to enter dissimilarity between the 11petech and the with him into a controversy as to the justice other utterances of Zophar is striking; and of his doings ( eh. ix. 32-35 ; xiii 31 ; xxiii. 3-7). And the Almighty, who hath ve:a:ed tht: judgment of two such libere.l critics my 1onl j or, made my soul bitter. Though u Ewald and Benan, that the passage is be slays him, yet does Job trust in God (eh. rightly placed, and rightly asBigued to Job, xiii. 15). He is his Witness, his Helper, his should aet all doubt at rest, and make an Redeemer (eh. xi.L 25). end of controversy (see Mr. Froude's • Short Ver. 3.-A.ll the while my breath is in me, Stndie;; ou Great Subjects,' vol. i. pp. 315, This verse is parenthetic. Job claims in it to be in possesaion of all his faculties, not- 816; and Canon Cook's" Int.rodnction to the withstanding his sufferings. The right Book of Job," in the 'Speakers Commen- translation would seem to be, "For my life '8ry,' voL iv. p. 7). is yet whole within me" (Bile the Revised Version). And the spirit of God is in my Ver. 1.-lloreovi,r lob ocmtinuecl Im nolltrill. The spirit of God, origin11olly OH, XXVII, 1-28,) THE HOOK OF JOB. 441