Job 42:8 Commentary and Bible Study

As for the ‘comforters’, they received the condemnation which their man-centred theology deserved, but in the kindness of God they were sent to the place of sacrifice to seek salvation by grace, through faith (Job 42.7-9). That Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar had committed a serious sin in God’s eyes is evident from the nature of the sacrifice demanded of them. The number seven is significant; a perfect sacrifice is needed to cleanse them. Even in these ancient times the practice was in place – the idea of offering a sacrifice was not something new to them. From the time of Adam, God had taught men that it was only through the shedding of blood that sin can be forgiven. There has never been a time when men could approach God without sacrifices. All were required to worship God in this way, and both the righteous Abel and the unrighteous Cain offered up sacrifices. Of course none of these had any efficacy; they looked forward to the one true sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who would one day come into the world and give himself as the atonement provided by God for his people. They were to go to Job with their sacrifices and Job would offer them up on their behalf. He was in those early days before the law, to act as priest for them before God. It was to be a burnt offering, wholly consumed before the Lord and a ceremonial substitute for the guilty sinner who deserved the same outcome himself. Again the language emphasises God’s vindication and acceptance of Job. On this occasion no sacrifice was required for himself, but only he could offer up an acceptable sacrifice for these three men. Their forgiveness came via the one they had condemned, and they were placed in the uncomfortable position of being made dependent on the one they had slandered so violently. The Lord showed how seriously they had misjudged Job’s case. Job must pray for them and only his prayer would prevail to deliver them from judgment. Job was willing to do this and to sincerely petition God, even for those who had hurt him so much. In the process he saw that they had not really harmed him at all, and being a man of grace he didn’t resent this.