Job: An Introduction and Commentary

"Job's faith was not the solution to his trial; his faith was the cause of it." I never thought I would do an in-depth study of Job, much less write a review on a Job commentary. But after reading other tomes on the subject, I can tell you that this little gem has more insight than all the rest combined. Anderson knows Job personally. He probes with insight into Job's suffering, but also Job's feeling as he suffers. The author carefully and beautifully traces Job's deepest grief throughout the trial--his estrangement from His dearest Friend--God. I have found myself quoting Anderson often in teaching this book. The beautiful and masterful way the author picks up on the keenest of insights leaves the reader sure--this man understands this book....well. If you can only use one book to study Job, you found it.

This commentary is not the best for a verse-by-verse analysis of the text (it's not that long) but Anderson provides an excellent overview of the Book of Job that does a good job of appreciating the unmatched nature of this monumental work. The overview also deals concisely with most of the critical controversies that have arisen. The commentary frankly acknowledges a Christian woldview, but still argues from a standard, scholarly perspective. Anderson writes well, but the writing is at a scholarly level and uses quite a few two-dollar words, so I had to make a few runs to the dictionary (not a bad thing, really). For me, this commentary has enhanced my understanding of the Book of Job as a magnificent literary achievement, while also encouraging my faith. I like it a lot.