Job

Mid-levelBusy pastors, Lay readers / small groups, Pastors-in-trainingStrong recommendation
Bible Book: Job
Publisher: Zondervan
Theological Perspective: Broadly Evangelical
Resource Type: Commentary
Last updated: February 5, 2026
Looking for alternatives? Compare Job commentaries.

Evaluation

Overall Score: 8.0/10

A strong bridge from Job’s world to ours, offering wise help for preaching in suffering.

Publication Date(s): 2012
Pages: 480
ISBN: 9780310214427
Faithfulness to the Text: 8.3/10
We find careful reading of the dialogues and a consistent concern to let the book’s argument set the agenda.
Christ Centredness: 7.6/10
The Christward movement is usually implicit rather than explicit. The strength is in setting up faithful canonical preaching from a sound reading of Job.
Depth of Insight: 8.5/10
We are helped by cultural and literary insight that clarifies the logic of Job’s speeches and the friends’ failures.
Clarity of Writing: 8/10
Clear writing with enough depth to repay careful reading, even when the subject matter is heavy.
Pastoral Usefulness: 8.2/10
Strong pastoral usefulness for suffering, lament, and wise counsel, without drifting into platitudes.
Readability: 7.6/10
Readable, though it is best approached in deliberate sections due to the weight of the material.

Summary

At a Glance

Length
480 pages
Type
Application
Theo. Perspective
Broadly Evangelical
Overall score
8 / 10
Strength
Strong help for pastoral application without flattening Job’s argument.
Limitation
Some sections assume background work that busy weeks may not allow.

We find Walton brings an unusual strength to Job, he helps us hear the book within the world of the ancient Near East while still letting Job speak with its own moral and theological force.

The series format serves us well here. Walton keeps the arguments clear, then helps us translate Job’s wisdom into pastoral categories without rushing to tidy answers.

Why Should I Own This Commentary?

We should own this volume when we want to teach Job without turning it into a slogan. Walton slows us down, shows the logic of the dialogues, and helps us see why the friends are wrong even when they sound orthodox.

We also benefit from the way he keeps suffering, lament, and reverent restraint together. That balance can protect our people from harsh counsel and protect us from shallow comfort.

Walton is not writing as a Reformed systematician, but the work is pastorally safe and often very helpful. Used alongside a more explicitly confessional voice, it can strengthen our handling of hard questions.

Closing Recommendation

We recommend this for pastors and teachers who want a solid bridge from Job’s ancient setting to present day pastoral care. It rewards careful reading and pays off in the pulpit.

As pastoral next steps, we can read the Bible Book Overview, browse Top Recommendations, and use the Reformed Commentary Index as we build a wiser shelf.


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Classification

  • Level: Mid-level
  • Best For: Busy pastors, Lay readers / small groups, Pastors-in-training
  • Priority: Strong recommendation

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Reviewed by

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