Job 29

7–17 In these verses Job recalls his former public life—his life at the gate of the city where all public business took place (verse 7); there Job took his seat as a leading elder of the city.

Job describes the honor he received from everyone (verses 8–11); he was honored because of the many things he did to help the poor and needy (verses 12–17). Job is not boasting here about how good a man he was; he is merely stating the facts. And this self-evaluation is very close to God's evaluation of Job in the beginning of the book (Job 1:8). Indeed, these verses present a picture of a basically righteous man—not perfect, not sinless, yet a man whose example we ourselves should seek to follow.

18–20 Here Job thinks about how his life might have turned out—how he had expected it to turn out. He had thought he would live a long life, and remain strong to the very end.

21–25 Here Job resumes his recollections of public life, particularly his role as a leader. He was the chief elder of the city, and he was regarded as advisor, guide, king and comforter all wrapped into one.