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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 1:8

And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered? literally. Hast thou set thine heart on? equivalent to "Hast thou given thine attention to?" (comp. Isaiah 41:22 ; Haggai 1:5 , Haggai 1:7 ). My servant Job ; i.e. "my true servant, faithful in all that he does" (comp. Hebrews 3:5 ). It is a high honour to any man for God to acknowledge him as his servant (see Joshua 1:2 ; 1 Kings 11:13 , etc.). That there is none like him in the earth ; rather, for there is none like... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 1:8

The righteous man. Righteousness as descriptive of human character illustrated in Job. A few words only used. The Divine description. Highest testimony. Generally "my servant,"—the most honourable distinction. There is no higher calling in life than to serve God. But Job stands in special distinction—he is unequalled amongst men. His is the typical example of righteousness till a Greater than he appears. "There is none like him in the earth." A truly honourable position to be the first man... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 1:9

Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Satan insinuates that Job's motive is purely selfish. He serves God, not for love of God, or for love of goodness, but for what he gets by it. Satan is too shrewd to endeavour, as Job's friends do later, to pick holes in Job's conduct. No; that is exemplary. But the true character of acts is determined by the motive. What is Job's motive? Does he not serve God to gain his protection and blessing? Similarly, in modem times,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 1:9

Doth Job fear God for nought? I. YES ! God ' s servants are not hypocrites . 1 . Those who serve God from mercenary motives do not truly serve him at all ( Isaiah 1:13 ). 2 . Those who serve God sincerely adhere to him when all creature-comforts are withdrawn ( Habakkuk 3:17 ). II. No I God's servants do not go unrewarded. Like Job, they are honoured with: 1. Divine attention ( Psalms 33:18 ). 2 . Divine approbation ( Psalms 147:11 ). 3. Divine... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 1:9

Disinterested piety. Satan's suggestion is obvious enough. Job is religious; but Job is prosperous. Cast down his prosperity, and his religion will come down too like a house of cards. I. TRUE RELIGION BRINGS GREAT REWARDS . AS a matter of fact, Job was making the best of both worlds. While he was fearing and serving God, God was blessing and smiling upon him. 1 . Religion often brings earthly prosperity. It is frequently true that "honesty is the best policy." God... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 1:10

Hast not thou made an hedge about him? i.e. "hedged him around, protected him, made a sort of invisible fence about him, through which no evil could creep." This was undoubtedly true. God had so protected him. But the question was not as to this fact, but as to Job's motive. Was it mere prudence?—tile desire to secure a continuance of this protection? And about his house ; i.e. "his family"—his sons and daughters—the members of his household. And about all that he hath on every side ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 1:11

But put forth thine hand now ; literally, send forth thy hand, as a man does who strikes a blow (comp. Genesis 22:12 ; Exodus 3:20 ; Exodus 9:15 , etc.). And touch all that he hath ; or, smite all that he hath ; i.e. ruin him, strip him of his possessions. And he will curse thee to thy face. Professor Lee translates, "If not, he will bless thee to thy face;" the LXX ; "Surely he will bless thee to thy face;" Canon Cook, "See if he will not renounce thee openly." But the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 1:12

And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power ; literally, in thy hand, as in the margin. God withdraws his protection from Job's possessions; he does not himself take them away, as Satan had suggested (verse 11); but he allows Satan, who can do nothing without his allowance, to deal with them as he pleases. As God dispenses blessings through the angelic host ( Psalms 91:11 , Psalms 91:12 ; Hebrews 1:14 ), so he, sometimes at any rate, allows spirits of evil... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 1:12

In Satan's power. I. GOD PERMITS TEMPORAL ADVERSITY . 1 . It cannot come without his permission . Satan roams over the earth, longing for mischief; yet he cannot do any harm till he obtains leave from the court of heaven. It is some consolation in adversity to know that this has not fallen without God's observing it, nor even in spite of his will. That which he distinctly sanctions cannot be really bad. Therefore adversity is not the evil it appears to be. 2 . God does not... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 1:7

And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? - This inquiry does not appear to have been made as if it was improper that Satan should have appeared there, for no blame seems to have been attached to him for this. He came as a spirit that was subject to the control of yahweh; he came with others, not to mingle in their society, and partake of their happiness, but to give an account of what he had done, and of what he had observed. The poetic idea is, that this was done periodically, and... read more

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