Job 29

1 Job continued speaking:

2 “I long for the years gone by when God took care of me,

3 when he lit up the way before me and I walked safely through the darkness.

4 When I was in my prime, God’s friendship was felt in my home.

5 The Almighty was still with me, and my children were around me.

6 My steps were awash in cream, and the rocks gushed olive oil for me.

7 “Those were the days when I went to the city gate and took my place among the honored leaders.

8 The young stepped aside when they saw me, and even the aged rose in respect at my coming.

9 The princes stood in silence and put their hands over their mouths.

10 The highest officials of the city stood quietly, holding their tongues in respect.

11 “All who heard me praised me. All who saw me spoke well of me.

12 For I assisted the poor in their need and the orphans who required help.

13 I helped those without hope, and they blessed me. And I caused the widows’ hearts to sing for joy.

14 Everything I did was honest. Righteousness covered me like a robe, and I wore justice like a turban.

15 I served as eyes for the blind and feet for the lame.

16 I was a father to the poor and assisted strangers who needed help.

17 I broke the jaws of godless oppressors and plucked their victims from their teeth.

18 “I thought, ‘Surely I will die surrounded by my family after a long, good life.

19 For I am like a tree whose roots reach the water, whose branches are refreshed with the dew.

20 New honors are constantly bestowed on me, and my strength is continually renewed.’

21 “Everyone listened to my advice. They were silent as they waited for me to speak.

22 And after I spoke, they had nothing to add, for my counsel satisfied them.

23 They longed for me to speak as people long for rain. They drank my words like a refreshing spring rain.

24 When they were discouraged, I smiled at them. My look of approval was precious to them.

25 Like a chief, I told them what to do. I lived like a king among his troops and comforted those who mourned.

Job 29 Commentary

Chapter 29

Job's former comforts. (1-6) The honour paid to Job, His usefulness. (7-17) His prospect of prosperity. (18-25)

Verses 1-6 Job proceeds to contrast his former prosperity with his present misery, through God's withdrawing from him. A gracious soul delights in God's smiles, not in the smiles of this world. Four things were then very pleasant to holy Job. 1. The confidence he had in the Divine protection. 2. The enjoyment he had of the Divine favour. 3. The communion he had with the Divine word. 4. The assurance he had of the Divine presence. God's presence with a man in his house, though it be but a cottage, makes it a castle and a palace. Then also he had comfort in his family. Riches and flourishing families, like a candle, may be soon extinguished. But when the mind is enlightened by the Holy Spirit, when a man walks in the light of God's countenance, every outward comfort is doubled, every trouble is diminished, and he may pass cheerfully by this light through life and through death. Yet the sensible comfort of this state is often withdrawn for a season; and commonly this arises from sinful neglect, and grieving the Holy Spirit: sometimes it may be a trial of a man's faith and grace. But it is needful to examine ourselves, to seek for the cause of such a change by fervent prayer, and to increase our watchfulness.

Verses 7-17 All sorts of people paid respect to Job, not only for the dignity of his rank, but for his personal merit, his prudence, integrity, and good management. Happy the men who are blessed with such gifts as these! They have great opportunities of honouring God and doing good, but have great need to watch against pride. Happy the people who are blessed with such men! it is a token for good to them. Here we see what Job valued himself by, in the day of his prosperity. It was by his usefulness. He valued himself by the check he gave to the violence of proud and evil men. Good magistrates must thus be a restraint to evil-doers, and protect the innocent; in order to this, they should arm themselves with zeal and resolution. Such men are public blessings, and resemble Him who rescues poor sinners from Satan. How many who were ready to perish, now are blessing Him! But who can show forth His praises? May we trust in His mercy, and seek to imitate His truth, justice, and love.

Verses 18-25 Being thus honoured and useful, Job had hoped to die in peace and honour, in a good old age. If such an expectation arise from lively faith in the providence and promise of God, it is well; but if from conceit of our own wisdom, and dependence on changeable, earthly things, it is ill grounded, and turns to sin. Every one that has the spirit of wisdom, has not the spirit of government; but Job had both. Yet he had the tenderness of a comforter. This he thought upon with pleasure, when he was himself a mourner. Our Lord Jesus is a King who hates iniquity, and upon whom the blessing of a world ready to perish comes. To Him let us give ear.

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebrew after I have counted my days like sand.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 29

In this chapter Job gives an account of his former and wishes it was with him now as then; and which he describes with respect to his own person, and the favours he personally enjoyed, whether temporal or spiritual, Job 29:1-4; with respect to his family and domestic affairs, Job 29:5,6; with regard to the esteem he had from men of every age and station, Job 29:7-11; the reasons of which were the mercy and compassion he showed to the poor, the fatherless, and the widow, and the justice he administered in the execution of his office as a magistrate, Job 29:12-17; in which honour and prosperity he expected to have lived and died, Job 29:18-20; and which he further describes by the respect he had among men, and the power and authority he exercised over them, Job 29:21-25.