(For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow:)
Read Chapter 8
George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
That. Hebrew, "because our days. "(Haydock)
Baldad strives, in vain, to prove what nobody contested. But he does not come to the point, and show that Job was guilty. Past histories might have informed him that the just are often persecuted, like Abel, Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph. (Calmet)
It is true, these were afterwards conforted in honour, except the first, who was slain, and better off in the other world. But Job might hope for the same treatment; and no man can be pronounced happy or miserable till his death. After a storm a calm frequently ensues; as Baldad might have seen verified in the person of his friend, if he had waited patiently, and not judged so peremptorily from equivocal arguments. (Haydock)
We must allow, however, that what he said had been generally true. (Houbigant)
64. And so the generation of old is set before us to be inquired of, that the period of the present life may be shewn to pass away like a shadow; in this way, that if we recall to mind the things that have been and are now over, we clearly see how swiftly that also will be gone which we have in our hands. But it often happens that heretics go along with us in extolling the same fathers whom we venerate; but their sense being perverted, they strike at us by those very commendations of them.
