Thomas Scott
Published: 2015-07-13
Total Pages: 688
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Excerpt from The Holy Bible, Vol. 3: According to the Authorized Version; With Explanatory Notes, Practical Observations, and Copious Marginal References That division of the holy scriptures upon which we now enter, is called by the Jews Chethubim, writings; or in Greek, Hagiographa, or holy writings. The book of Job, the Psalms, and the writings of Solomon, are properly classed in this division; but the Jews include several other books, without reason or propriety. In these parts of the sacred oracles there is greater depth and apparent difficulty, than in those which precede: but the instruction is in general more immediately prepared for use; and the real benefit of perusing the scriptural history, much depends upon the degree of our previous acquaintance with the books before us. In like manner, we shall read the records of our Saviour's miracles and discourses to edification, in proportion as we have understood the epistolary part of the New Testament; which, though more difficult in many respects, conveys instruction in more direct and explicit terms. - We begin with the book of Job, which some learned men have employed much pains, ingeniously, but very unwarrantably, to interpret as an allegory. The prophet Ezekiel mentions Job, Noah, and Daniel, as three persons of eminent piety: (Ez. xiv.14. 20: )and the apostle James illustrates the advantages of patience by the example of Job, as he had before done his doctrine of faith and works by the examples of Abraham and Rahab. (Jam. ii.21-25. v.11.) No reasonable doubt therefore can remain, that the narrative of this book is historical truth; though we may safely allow that, as the discourses of Job and his friends are recorded in poetical language, their sentiments and arguments alone are transmitted to us, and not the exact words which they used in conversation. But there is no sufficient ground for questioning, whether the transactions relating to the world of spirits, good and evil, actually for substance occurred. It is indeed evident, that this could not be known, except by revelation: but as the book itself records several supernatural visions, and a glorious appearance of God himself speaking from the whirlwind; this creates no difficulty to those who consider it as true, and as a part of the sacred canon. As such, the Jews have always regarded it, though not favourable to Job, because he was a Gentile, that is, not an Israelite, or descendant of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: (Note i.1: ) and St. Paul's manner of quoting it, with "It is written," shews that he considered it as a part of the oracles of God. (Comp. Job v.13. with 1 Cor. iii. 19.) - A very high antiquity is generally ascribed to this book; nay, some think it the most ancient work now extant in the world. The long life to which Job attained; the great remains of patriarchal religion in the land of Uz; the worship of the sun and moon being the only idolatry mentioned in it; and no express allusion being made to the Mosaick law, or the wonderful works of God towards Israel; with several peculiarities in the style and composition of the work, give sanction to this opinion. Some learned men indeed, perceiving a similarity of sentiment between some parts of this book, and passages in the Psalms and Proverbs, would assign it a much later origin: but wise and pious persons will often, without copying from each other, give the same instructions, and be of the same opinion; and it is at least as probable, that David and Solomon alluded to the book of Job, as that the writer of that book alluded to their works, if any intended reference be supposed. - Indeed the date of the events which it records cannot be exactly ascertained: but it is very likely, that Job was in his first prosperity, between the time when Joseph died, and the appearance of Moses in Pharaoh's court as Israel's deliverer; and the language used by God himself, that "there was none like him in all "the earth," seems to give probability to t
