That's an interesting read. Thank you!
i notice the author highlights the same objection i made, that the text sure seems to indicate God's approval of Job's speech extends throughout the whole account, not just his final expression of humility - and this is perhaps the greatest difficulty in interpreting that commendation he receives from God. The text really doesn't allow the "easy" interpretation
But that's typical of scripture isn't it?
And why should we think the word of a God is simple anyhow, ha!
Job 42:7 And it was so, that after the Lord had spoken these words unto Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me [
the thing that is] right, as my servant Job [
hath.]
8 Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me [
the thing which is right], like my servant Job.
The
italicised words in [square brackets] are added in the English translation.
The sentences seem therefore ambiguous without context.
Do vv, 7 and 8 mean
7. And it was so, that after the Lord had spoken these words unto Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for like my servant Job, ye have not spoken of me [
the thing that is] right.
8 Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that, like my servant Job, ye have not spoken of me [
the thing which is right].
Or do they mean -
7. And it was so, that after the Lord had spoken these words unto Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for unlike my servant Job, ye have not spoken of me [
the thing that is] right.
8 Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that, unlike my servant Job, ye have not spoken of me [
the thing which is right].
I concede that God could be referring to all of Job's diatribes, but God's point may be this:
I have just rebuked Job for darkening counsel without knowledge, and he has repented in humility. But you three spoke just as foolishly as Job, and are just as guilty of slandering me as Job was. Job does not need to offer sacrifices on his own behalf, because he has seen me and he stands before me now justified by his present faith in Me. You three, however, have put your faith in a theological construct about me. According to your construct, I am a God who requires sacrifices for atonement to be offered by a righteous mediator; if you are going to judge others according your flawed construct, then live by it yourselves as well. Get righteous-by-faith Job to offer sacrifices on your behalf.