Job 29

1 Job habla de sus bendiciones pasadas
Job siguió hablando:

2 «Añoro los días del pasado,
cuando Dios me cuidaba,

3 cuando iluminaba el camino delante de mí
y yo caminaba seguro en la oscuridad.

4 Cuando yo estaba en la flor de la vida,
la amistad con Dios se sentía en mi hogar.

5 El Todopoderoso todavía estaba conmigo,
y mis hijos me rodeaban.

6 Mis vacas daban leche en abundancia,
y mis olivares derramaban ríos de aceite.

7 »¡Qué tiempos aquellos cuando iba a las puertas de la ciudad
y ocupaba mi lugar entre los líderes reconocidos!

8 Los jóvenes me daban paso cuando me veían,
e incluso los ancianos se ponían de pie en señal de respeto cuando yo llegaba.

9 Los príncipes guardaban silencio
y se cubrían la boca con las manos.

10 Las más altas autoridades de la ciudad se quedaban calladas,
y refrenaban la lengua en señal de respeto.

11 »Los que me oían, me elogiaban;
los que me veían hablaban bien de mí.

12 Pues yo ayudaba a los pobres en su necesidad
y a los huérfanos que requerían ayuda.

13 Ayudaba a los que estaban sin esperanza y ellos me bendecían;
y hacía que cantara de alegría el corazón de las viudas.

14 Siempre me comportaba con honradez;
la rectitud me cubría como un manto
y usaba la justicia como un turbante.

15 Yo era los ojos de los ciegos,
y los pies de los cojos.

16 Era un padre para los pobres
y ayudaba a los extranjeros en necesidad.

17 Rompía la cara de los opresores incrédulos
y arrancaba a sus víctimas de entre sus dientes.

18 »Yo pensaba: “Ciertamente moriré rodeado de mi familia
después de una larga y buena vida.

19 Pues soy como un árbol con raíces que llegan al agua,
con ramas que se refrescan con el rocío.

20 Todo el tiempo me rinden nuevos honores
y mi fuerza se renueva continuamente”.

21 »Todos escuchaban mis consejos;
estaban en silencio esperando que yo hablara.

22 Y después que hablaba, no tenían nada que agregar
porque mi consejo les satisfacía.

23 Anhelaban mis palabras como la gente anhela la lluvia;
las bebían como a la lluvia refrescante de primavera.

24 Cuando estaban desanimados, yo les sonreía;
mi mirada de aprobación era preciosa para ellos.

25 Como hace un jefe, yo les decía qué hacer.
Vivía como un rey entre sus tropas
y consolaba a los que estaban de luto.

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.

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.