Job 42:8 - Exposition

Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams . (On the early and widespread prevalence of the rite of sacrifice,-see the comment upon Job 1:5 .) (On the preference, for sacrificial purposes, of the number seven, see Le 23:18; Numbers 23:1 , Numbers 23:14 , Numbers 23:29 ; Numbers 28:11 , Numbers 28:19 , Numbers 28:27 ; Numbers 29:2 , Numbers 29:8 , Numbers 29:36 ; 1 Chronicles 15:26 , 2 Chronicles 29:21 ; Ezra 8:35 ; Ezekiel 45:23 , etc.) It is noticeable that "seven bullocks and seven rams" was exactly the offering of the Moabite king Balak, and his prophet Balaam, contemporary with Moses. And go to my servant Job . Humble yourselves before the man whom you have striven to abase and bring low. Go to him —make application to him, that he will be pleased to come to your aid, joining and assisting in the offering which I require at your hands. And offer up for yourselves a burnt offering . Do as Job had done for his sins ( Job 1:5 ), "offer a burnt offering;" and then my servant Job shall pray for you . Present at your sacrifice, and sharing in it, he shall assume the highest priestly function, and intercede on your behalf. For him will I accept ; literally, his face , or his person , will I accept. It is implied that, apart from Job, the three "comforters" would not have been listened to, much less have obtained pardon. Lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job (see the comment on the preceding verse).