Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 8. Take-seven bullocks and seven rams ] From this it appears that Job was considered a priest, not only in his own family but also for others. For his children he offered burnt-offerings, chap. i. 5; and now he is to make the same kind of offerings, accompanied with intercession, in behalf of his three friends. This is a full proof of the innocence and integrity of Job: a more decided one could not be given, that the accusations of his friends, and their bitter speeches, were as untrue as they were malevolent. God thus clears his character, and confounds their devices.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 7-9 - After the Lord had convinced and humbled Job, and brought him to repentance, he owned him, comforted him, and put honour upon him. The devil had undertaken to prove Job a hypocrite, and his three friend had condemned him as a wicked man; but if God say, Well done, thou goo and faithful servant, it is of little consequence who says otherwise Job's friends had wronged God, by making prosperity a mark of the tru church, and affliction a certain proof of God's wrath. Job had referre things to the future judgment and the future state, more than his friends, therefore he spake of God that which was right, better tha his friends had done. And as Job prayed and offered sacrifice for thos that had grieved and wounded his spirit, so Christ prayed for his persecutors, and ever lives, making intercession for the transgressors Job's friends were good men, and belonged to God, and He would not le them be in their mistake any more than Job; but having humbled him by discourse out of the whirlwind, he takes another way to humble them They are not to argue the matter again, but they must agree in sacrifice and a prayer, and that must reconcile them, Those who diffe in judgment about lesser things, yet are one in Christ the grea Sacrifice, and ought therefore to love and bear with one another. When God was angry with Job's friends, he put them in a way to make peac with him. Our quarrels with God always begin on our part, but the making peace begins on his. Peace with God is to be had only in his ow way, and upon his own terms. These will never seem hard to those wh know how to value this blessing: they will be glad of it, like Job' friends, upon any terms, though ever so humbling. Job did not insul over his friends, but God being graciously reconciled to him, he wa easily reconciled to them. In all our prayers and services we shoul aim to be accepted of the Lord; not to have praise of men, but to please God. (Job 42:10-17)
Original Hebrew ועתה6258 קחו3947 לכם שׁבעה7651 פרים6499 ושׁבעה7651 אילים352 ולכו1980 אל413 עבדי5650 איוב347 והעליתם5927 עולה5930 בעדכם1157 ואיוב347 עבדי5650 יתפלל6419 עליכם5921 כי3588 אם518 פניו6440 אשׂא5375 לבלתי1115 עשׂות6213 עמכם5973 נבלה5039 כי3588 לא3808 דברתם1696 אלי413 נכונה3559 כעבדי5650 איוב׃347
