Summary
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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John H. Walton
John H. Walton is an American Old Testament scholar of the contemporary era, writing from an evangelical tradition with a strong concern for careful reading.
He is widely known for helping pastors understand the ancient Near Eastern context of Scripture, especially in Genesis and the early chapters of the Bible. Walton’s work repeatedly presses one question, what did the text communicate to its first hearers, and how does that original meaning shape faithful teaching today.
He remains valued because he clarifies difficult background issues without losing sight of theology and proclamation, and because he encourages restraint where the text is silent. Recommended titles include Genesis in the NIV Application Commentary, The Lost World of Genesis One, and Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament.
Theological Perspective: Broadly Evangelical