Het Boek Job Commentary by DR. J.H. KROEZE Kok, Kampen, 1961.

This is a commentary in the old-fashioned style; of the type of Meyer’s et al. A broad comprehensive introduction, and then minute word-analysis and grammatical constructions, carefully examined. This volume is nothing if not thorough and science. It comprises 502 pages, including n bibliography of 19 pages, no less.

The author is professor in Semitic languages in the university of Potchefstroom, South Africa. And there is no doubt about the fact that he speaks with authority. For review purposes the Introduction is most pertinent. Every theory pertaining to authorship, time and place, when and where this drama was enacted, is thoroughly weighed and accepted or refuted as the case may be. Still many questions must remain unanswered. The author regards Job as a historical person, based on biblical references such as Ezekiel 14 and James 5. Outside of this nothing seems to be certain, and Job can be compared with Melchisedec, without father, mother, or genealogy –Hebrews 7:3.

Of course, the most interesting questions concern the contents and aim of this book. It is summarized very briefly: it is the commentary on the Sovereignty of God, p. 26. Just what is the cause of Job’s affliction? His friends maintain, and correctly, that God punishes sin. But they also pose the converse: affliction is preceded by sin. Job must be a big sinner, p. 25. It must be borne in mind that these people did not have the light of the New Testament. Jesus has corrected this notion. The man born blind was not blind because he or bis parents had sinned. He was blind in order that the works of God might be revealed in him. Likewise the story of the tower of Siloam. That, then, is the problem. And the final answer is God’s. It concerns the essence of religion: worship of divine sovereignty.

A most interesting question is in how far must we allow for poetic license ill this book. Kroeze does not believe that the discourses are literally recorded. There is no doubt that these friends came to Job, that they spoke and argued with him. But the poet took hold of them, molded them for his own purpose. Likewise the discourse of God, especially in chapter 41:5–26. Did God really say it just this way? However, the author does not question for one moment that the book was written under the Spirit’s inspiration. It belongs to the inspired writings and is definitely God’s revelation.

This is a scholarly work. Anyone who wishes to treat the book of Job in a series of sermons will be greatly enriched by the use of this material. The fact that the hook is written in the Holland language will naturally restrict its circulation in this country.

C. HUISSEN