The Pulpit Commentary — Job — Section 647

e11M concerning his essential integrity, but folly, In tbe.t ye have not spoken of me tho ho ndmite thnt hie words have been over- thing whit'h ie right, like my aervant Job bold, nncl his attitude towards Goel one (see the comment on the preceding verse). un beHtti ng II creature. Goel accepts hie Ver. 9.-Bo Eliphe.z the Temanite and submission, and proceeds to vindicate him Bildad the Bhnhite and Zophar the Naa- to hie "friends,' and to visit them with mathite went, e.nd did e.coording aa the conclcmnation. Lord commanded them; i.e. "went" !I) ,Joh, Ver. 7.-And it was so, that after the and asked his aid and interposition, anrl Lord had apoken theae words unto Job. obtained it. The Lord also accepted Job; Tho "words" in tenclecl seem to be those of i.e. looked favourably on Job's intercession eh. xxxviii.-xli., not any words in the end for his sake pardoned those for who~ co.rlier portion of this chapter. God heard he made his prayer. Job is thus a type of Job's confession in silence, and, without Christ, not merely in his sufferings, but also further speech to him, addressed Eliphaz in his mediatorial character. and his "friends." The Lord said to Eliphaz Ver. 10.-And the Lord turned the cap- the Teme.nite, My wrath is kindled against tivity of Job, The literal use of this phrn.se thee, and against thy two friends. 'fhe is common, the metaphorical use of it superior position of Eliphaz is here very uncommon, in Scripture. Still, it is so strongly recognized-he alone is mentioned simple a metaphor, e.ud captivity so common by name, be alone addressed directly: The e thing among ancient peoples, that it may precedence thus given to him accords with well have been in genera.I use among the that which he holds, both in the earlier nations of Western Asia. from very primitive historical narrative (eh. ii. 11) and in the times. It signifies, as Professor Lee remarks, dialogue (eh. iv. 1; xv. 1; xxii. 1). l!'or "a restoration to former happy circum- ye have not spoken of me the thing that is stances." When he prayed for hill friends. right, e.s my servant Job he.tit. Job had, Perhaps his complete forgiveness by God on the whole, spoken what wns right and was contingent on his own complete for- true of God, e.nd is acknowledged by God giveness of his "friends" (Matt. vi. 12, 14, e.s his true servant. The "comforters," 15; xviii. 32-35); at any rate, his restora- consciously or unconsciously, had spoken tion immediately followed his intercession. what was false. Even if they said what Also the Lord gave Job twice as much as they believed, they ought to he.ve known he he.d before; literally, added to all that better. had been Job's to the double (comp. ver. 12). Ver. 8.-Therefore te.ke unto you now Ver. 11.-Then oame there unto him e.11 seven bnllocks e.nd seven re.ms, (On the his brethren, Job's "brethren," and b..is early and widespread prevalence of the drsertion by them in his misfortunes, had rite of sacrifice, see the comment upon eh. been mentioned in eh. xii. 13. Now these i. 5.) (On the preference, for sacrificial pur- fair-weather friends flocked to him again, poses, of the number seven, see Lev. xxiii. and professed affection and interest, ignoring 18; Numb. xxiii. 1, 14, 29; xxviii. 11, 19, probably, or excusing, their long absence 27; xxix. 2, 8, 36; 1 Chron. xv. 26; 2 Chron. and neglect. And all his sisters. One sex xxix. 21; Ezra viii. 35; Ezek. xiv. 23, etc.) had behaved no better to him than the It is noticeable that "seven bullocks and other. His nearest female relatives had seven mms" was ezactly the offering of failed to show themselves the "ministering the Moabite king Balak, and his prophet angels" that they are commonly accounted, Balaam, contemporary with Moses. And even when " pe.i11 and auguiJ!h " most go to my servant Job. Humble yourselves " wrung his brow." And e.11 they that had before the man whom you he.vo striven to been of hill e.oquaintance betore. Job, like nbase and bring low. Go to him-make other wealthy and prosperous men, had eppl ico.tion to him, that he will be pleased during the time of his prosperity had to come to your aid, joining and assisting " troops of friends " (see eh. xxix. 8-I O, in the offering which I require at your 21-25). When adversity swooped down hands. And offer up for yourselves e burnt they fell away. Now they had the effron- offering. Do as Job had done for his sons tery to claim his e.cquaiutance once more, ( oh. i. 5), "offer a burut offering;" end then e.nd to come and be his guests ; they did my servant Job shall pray for you. Present eat bread with him in his house. Ney, more, u.t your sacrifice, end sharing in it, he shall they bemoaned him, and comforted him over assume tho highest priestly function, nnd all the evil that the Lord had brought upon intercede on your behu.lf. For him will I him, whereof the worst part was their own acoept; literolly, his face, or his persoo, will coldness and desertion (eh. xi.x. 13, H, 19). 1 accept. It is implied thnt, apart from Finally, to establish the renewed friendship, Job, the three "comforte1·s" would not have every man also gave him a piece of money, been listened to, muoh less have obtained e.nd every one e.n ee.r-ring of gold. The pu.rdon. Lest I deal with you after your money given is said to have been a. kesitali,  664 'l'HE DOOK OF ,TOTI. (oe. nu. 1-17.