Book Review: Job, Evangelical Biblical Theological Commentary

Webb, Barry G., Job. Evangelical Biblical Theological Commentary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Academic, 2023. 499 pp. $54.99, Hardcover.

I have always personally felt that wisdom literature is the jazz music of the Bible. Like jazz, wisdom literature does not always conform to the common conventions. It deals with the unexpected moments of life, it tackles the “stuff” between the notes, it wrestles with life in the gray, and it is not content with cliches or platitudes. Wisdom literature does not ask easy questions and never provides easy answers. This is true of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, but especially, perhaps, the book of Job.

Interpreting the book of Job has always been notoriously difficult. Its Hebrew is often challenging, its length and subject matter are intimidating, and its meaning has been debated throughout the history of biblical interpretation. Rising to meet this challenge, however, is Dr. Barry Webb (the senior research fellow emeritus in Old Testament at Moore Theological College) with his 2023 commentary on the book of Job.

Having previously authored commentaries on the former prophets (i.e., Judges, Isaiah, and Zechariah), Webb has also published a work dealing with wisdom literature as well (i.e., Five Festal Garments: Christian Reflections on the Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes and Esther in the New Studies in Biblical Theology series). Here again in Job, Webb takes up the task of playing “jazz” (i.e., wisdom literature)—and proves himself a virtuoso.

As far as commentaries go, this one doesn’t necessarily have any unique features not already possessed by other commentaries. It does, however, possess a clarity, format, and logical structure that makes it not only accessible, but enjoyable to read and use.

Although designed primarily to equip people for local church ministry and not necessarily for the scholar or professor, the volume still has a quality that even scholars will respect. This begins with a introduction that thoroughly covers author and date, historical context, literary analysis, theological themes, and the purpose of the book of Job (more about this introduction below).

With regard to the format of the commentary, Webb uses a clear and simple structure that is quite effective for reading and use. He begins with the text itself (in smaller, cohesive logical units, all from the Christian Standard Bible). He then moves to a summary of the context, examines the structure with an outline, and then proceeds to exegesis of the text.

After the exegesis is a crucial section called the “Bridge.” This part of the commentary is given to discussing the themes of the text in relation to the canon as a whole and its ultimate connection to Christ and His redemptive work. Thus, this section is, by the general editors’ own admission, the major distinctive of the Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary series. In the preface, the editors make clear that this commentary series is dedicated to biblical theology which they define as “the theology of the entire Bible” or as “an exercise in whole-Bible theology” (xi). They note that each volume explores “the contribution of a given book . . . to the theology of Scripture as a whole” (xiii), and that each passage is to be understood “in terms of larger Christological or soteriological themes” (xii). In other words, this series is not only dedicated to the understanding of a passage itself, but also how the text finds its ultimate fulfillment in the finished work of Christ.

With regard to the contents of the commentary, the introduction is worth the (affordable) price of the book. Although regarding Job an actual historical person, Webb nevertheless took a post-exilic view of Job’s composition (the reasons for which I personally found unpersuasive). While this may be disappointing to some, the introduction is still thoroughly engaging and insightful. Webb’s discussion of the nature of wisdom, as well as the structure, theme, and theology of Job was nothing short of stellar.

With regard to Webb’s handling of the text in the exposition portions, I found him to be a master expositor. Whether dealing with the thorny issues of theodicy, the theology of Satan, the sovereignty of God, or the complex speeches between Job and his friends, Webb expounds the often tricky text of Job with an engaging clarity.

I was particularly impressed with Webb’s exposition of the speeches and dialogues in chapters 4–27. Legendary for their interpretive challenges and theological knots, Webb nevertheless takes on these daunting dialogues with commendable skill and refreshing insight. He not only shows how the speeches logically connect and flow together (and react against one another), but he also draws out the core of their arguments—showing both what the speakers got right, as well as what they got very wrong.

What I especially enjoyed about the commentary is that Webb’s exegesis was not a raw, detached dispensing of data, but instead provides a warm, God-exalting exposition of the text. He not only explains the text with precision, but also helps the reader to worship and respond in obedience and faith. Although not a highly technical commentary, Webb knows well when to open the safe, as it were, and show us more complex grammatical or lexical treasures from the Hebrew text.

Rich with penetrating insights and perspectives that shape and enrich our lives, Webb especially possesses keen insight into the human heart—especially the suffering human heart. Thus, one of Webb’s greatest strengths is his ability to show the raw humanity of Job’s responses to suffering and pain—and how we might learn as inhabitants of the same fallen world of which he was a part.

As mentioned above, the “Bridge” sections are considered by the editors to be the “bread and butter” of this commentary series, and for these sections Webb always provides a delicious meal. Again and again, he draws valid and insightful Christological connections from Job to the New Testament to show its deepest theological significance in the plan of salvation as a whole.

In the end, this commentary receives from me, high commendation. I found it to be an engaging and stimulating contribution to the study of Job that will both benefit the scholar, challenge the layperson, as well as assist the expositor in proclaiming the Word of God to the people of God. Or to return to the opening analogy, this commentary will help anyone willing to learn, play the “jazz” of wisdom literature for the benefit of all who hear.