Max Anders - Holman Old Testament Commentary Volume 10--Job

Holman Old Testament Commentary

2004 B&H Publishing Group

Nashville, Tennessee

All rights reserved

978-0-8054-9470-9

Bible versions used in this book:

Unless otherwise stated all Scripture citation is from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL

VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission

of Zondervan Publishing House. All Rights Reserved. The NIV and New International Version

trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by International Bible

Society. Use of either trademark requires the permission of International Bible Society.

Scripture citations marked NASB are from the New American Standard Bible. The Lockman

Foundation, 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1977. Used by permission.

Scripture citations marked NKJV are from The New King James Version, copyright 1979, 1980,

1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.

The King James Version

Dewey Decimal Classification: 223.7

Subject Heading: BIBLE. O.T. JOB

Job / Steven J. Lawson

p. cm. (Holman Old Testament commentary)

Includes bibliographical references. (p. ).

1. Bible. JobCommentaries. I. Title. II. Series.

8 9 10 11 12 13 17 16 15 14 13

T o
CHRIST FELLOWSHIP
BAPTIST CHURCH
Mobile, Alabama

_____________________________

They have been
tested by fire,
and have come forth
as gold .

_____________________________

Job 23:10

Today's church hungers for Bible teaching, and Bible teachers hunger for resources to guide them in teaching God's Word. The Holman Old Testament Commentary provides the church with the food to feed the spiritually hungry in an easily digestible format. The result: new spiritual vitality that the church can readily use.

Bible teaching should result in new interest in the Scriptures, expanded Bible knowledge, discovery of specific scriptural principles, relevant applications, and exciting living. The unique format of the Holman Old Testament Commentary includes sections to achieve these results for every Old Testament book.

Opening quotations stimulate thinking and lead to an introductory illustration and discussion that draw individuals and study groups into the Word of God. Verse-by-verse commentary interprets the passage with the aim of equipping them to understand and live God's Word in a contemporary setting. A conclusion draws together the themes identified in the passage under discussion and suggests application for it. A Life Application section provides additional illustrative material. Deeper Discoveries gives the reader a closer look at some of the words, phrases, and background material that illuminate the passage. Issues for Discussion is a tool to enhance learning within the group. Finally, a closing prayer is suggested. Bible teachers and pastors will find the teaching outline helpful as they develop lessons and sermons.

It is the editors' prayer that this new resource for local church Bible teaching will enrich the ministry of group, as well as individual, Bible study and that it will lead God's people truly to be people of the Book, living out what God calls us to be.

I have found that many times in preaching through a book in the Bible, or in writing a Bible commentary like this, God most often asks me, in a unique way, to live what I preach or write. This has certainly been my experience in writing this book. I originally began preaching through Job in order to write this commentary, but a soul-crushing storm blew into my life, one so turbulent that I was prevented from completing my preaching through Job.

Alas, God called me to experience the suffering of Job while writing on the suffering of Job. How wise of God! I suddenly became well-acquainted with Job not only in my private study but in my personal life. This book contains a message that I have been called to live, much like Job himself, only to a lesser degree. It is in the furnace of adversity that we most clearly see God's glory in the Scripture. Thus, I have written this commentary not in a cloistered ivory tower but in the real-life flames of affliction. And that is where the best study occurs.

I especially want to thank two people who have stood in the fire with me during this time. Thad Key, my personal assistant, has been a loyal and faithful supporter, one who has been indispensable in preparing the text of this book. Julie Riley has been my typist, and she has been especially devoted in seeing that this manuscript is placed in your hands. God only knows the sacrifices that Thad and Julie have made.

Finally, I must express gratitude to my wife, Anne, who has stood with me during this time. Unlike Job's wife who challenged him to curse God and die, my wife has encouraged me to bless God and live. For such a treasured gift, I am, indeed, a blessed man.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen (Eph. 3:20-21).

Steven J. Lawson

Soli Deo Gloria