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The gospel according to the Old testament
Crying Out for Vindication: The Gospel According to Job
With gripping interpretation and excellent anecdotes, this book links Job’s experience with the gospel, showing that his hope was the same as ours today. In Jesus, our questions and confusions are resolved, our faith vindicated, and our suffering redeemed.
256 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 17, 2020
Crying Out for Vindication is one of my favorite non-fiction titles I've read this year.
Despite numerous readings of the book of Job, I've always felt like I've been missing out on a large portion of the message. David R. Jackson clarified many of my questions while introducing me to treasures I had yet to discover. He did this by pointing out the historic or cultural significance of a scene, interpreting the Old Testament in light of the New, and extolling the character of God. I accepted his challenge to look for myself among Job’s friends and not only did I find glimpses of myself (past and present), I took the time to repent. When our view of God is correct, it's easier to spot errors in our own beliefs and to be alert for them in the teachings of others.
The questions at the end of each chapter will make you stop and think—even worship! I read the book and completed the "For Further Reflection" section independently however I would welcome the opportunity to read and discuss these probing questions in a small group or mentor/mentee session.
With the new insights I've gained, I look forward to reading through the book of Job again next year. When I do, I'll have a slew of highlights in my ebook copy of Crying Out for Vindication to review.
I plan to explore other titles in this series.
Despite numerous readings of the book of Job, I've always felt like I've been missing out on a large portion of the message. David R. Jackson clarified many of my questions while introducing me to treasures I had yet to discover. He did this by pointing out the historic or cultural significance of a scene, interpreting the Old Testament in light of the New, and extolling the character of God. I accepted his challenge to look for myself among Job’s friends and not only did I find glimpses of myself (past and present), I took the time to repent. When our view of God is correct, it's easier to spot errors in our own beliefs and to be alert for them in the teachings of others.
The questions at the end of each chapter will make you stop and think—even worship! I read the book and completed the "For Further Reflection" section independently however I would welcome the opportunity to read and discuss these probing questions in a small group or mentor/mentee session.
With the new insights I've gained, I look forward to reading through the book of Job again next year. When I do, I'll have a slew of highlights in my ebook copy of Crying Out for Vindication to review.
I plan to explore other titles in this series.
April 20, 2020
Job is probably one of the least read books of the Old Testament. Or, if we read it, we read the first two chapters, skim through the majority of the book, and read the last chapter. In large part that may be because we do not have a proper framework in which to understand the book. David Jackson excellently provides such a framework.
Jackson does not go chapter by chapter, but does focus heavily on the first few chapters and the last few. He does not ignore the body of the book, however; quotations from and discussion of the dialogues between Job and his three friends are sprinkled throughout this book. As he points out, the book is a drama, but a drama principally of ideas, not of action.
Jackson does a good job of explaining the background of the book, the setting in which it takes place, and in leading us to consider the question of exactly how much of God's redemptive plan Job actually knew (in all likelihood, this may have been the first book of the Bible that was penned). The book is not heavily technical. He does address exegetical difficulties, but does so in an understandable manner. He also discusses the original Hebrew words when doing so is helpful or necessary for us to understand what is being said.
He points out that throughout the book, Job clings to five truths: God is sovereign, God is just, Job is righteous, God cares, and this is really happening. The tension is: how can all five of these be true? The three friends (and later on, Elihu) all focus on the assertion that Job is righteous and insist it cannot be true.
Finally, as is the case with all the volumes in this series, Jackson does an excellent job showing how Job points to Christ. I highly recommend this book for those who want to read, understand, and appreciate the book of Job.
Jackson does not go chapter by chapter, but does focus heavily on the first few chapters and the last few. He does not ignore the body of the book, however; quotations from and discussion of the dialogues between Job and his three friends are sprinkled throughout this book. As he points out, the book is a drama, but a drama principally of ideas, not of action.
Jackson does a good job of explaining the background of the book, the setting in which it takes place, and in leading us to consider the question of exactly how much of God's redemptive plan Job actually knew (in all likelihood, this may have been the first book of the Bible that was penned). The book is not heavily technical. He does address exegetical difficulties, but does so in an understandable manner. He also discusses the original Hebrew words when doing so is helpful or necessary for us to understand what is being said.
He points out that throughout the book, Job clings to five truths: God is sovereign, God is just, Job is righteous, God cares, and this is really happening. The tension is: how can all five of these be true? The three friends (and later on, Elihu) all focus on the assertion that Job is righteous and insist it cannot be true.
Finally, as is the case with all the volumes in this series, Jackson does an excellent job showing how Job points to Christ. I highly recommend this book for those who want to read, understand, and appreciate the book of Job.
October 5, 2022
This book does provide some good biblical parallels between Job as a type of Christ, specifically as a suffering servant. Some of the personal stories in each chapter didn’t add much depth and could have been removed without taking anything significant away from the content.
There was a major theological error in the last chapter (15) where the author says that we have to be emotional like God or in other words emulate God’s emotions. God is “without body, parts, or passions” (2 LBC 1677, Chapter 2, paragraph 3). What are considered emotions or passions in us as creatures such as love, justice, etc are divine perfections in God. The author assumes a one to one correlation between human emotions and divine emotions without qualifications which is a very dangerous assumption and completely ignores the creator creature distinction.
There was a major theological error in the last chapter (15) where the author says that we have to be emotional like God or in other words emulate God’s emotions. God is “without body, parts, or passions” (2 LBC 1677, Chapter 2, paragraph 3). What are considered emotions or passions in us as creatures such as love, justice, etc are divine perfections in God. The author assumes a one to one correlation between human emotions and divine emotions without qualifications which is a very dangerous assumption and completely ignores the creator creature distinction.
March 22, 2020
Good illustrations, excellent dealing with existential problems, but I feel that he forces justification by faith where it isn't clearly there. It at least could have been more subtly done.
I am glad to have read this commentary, though, all in all.
I am glad to have read this commentary, though, all in all.
October 14, 2018
A good resource to consult when endeavouring to understand and apply the book of Job. Nothing earth shattering or stunning, but overall it is solid with a few really good insights. It is not so much a commentary as a series of expositions.
October 15, 2022
It was good. It read better as a stand alone commentary than a week-by-week commentary. There are plenty of helpful observations and comments, but it doesn't rise to the top of my works on Job.
August 13, 2013
This book is not a commentary on the book of Job, but is more like a series of expositional sermons. It provides some great theological and pastoral insights into Job. Jackson continually connects Job to Jesus, which is the best way of reading any book of the Old Testament. If you are studying the book of Job as a pastor or a Bible teacher of any kind, I would recommend reading this alongside a scholarly commentary. Any Christian would benefit from reading Jackson's reflections on this important book of the Bible.
September 18, 2015
Few stories in the Bible are as well-known or as misunderstood as the story of Job. Jackson tackles this colossus with aplomb, trekking through the text with veracity and precision. Yet Jackson’s work, while theologically sound, often fails to engage the passions as Job does. His conclusions regarding the role of Elihu (though substantiated) were unconvincing. In sum, Jackson has provided a resource worthy of consideration and a serviceable guide through the labyrinthine book of Job.
May 27, 2015
Changed my life - excellent study
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews