Job chapter 29 could be outlined:
Job Remembers Former Comforts. (Job 29:1-6)
Job Was Honored Among People. (Job 29:7-17)
Job’s Prospect Of Prosperity. (Job 29:18-25)
Job continues to speak in this chapter.
1 Job further continued his discourse, and said: 2 Oh, that I were as in months past, As in the days when God watched over me; 3 When His lamp shone upon my head, And when by His light I walked through darkness; 4 Just as I was in the days of my prime, When the friendly counsel of God was over my tent; 5 When the Almighty was yet with me, When my children were around me; 6 When my steps were bathed with cream, And the rock poured out rivers of oil for me! Job 29:1-6 (NKJV)
JOB REMEMBERS FORMER COMFORTS
Job remembers by-gone days – days he considers to be a blessing to him. Days when:
1. God watched over him.
2. God’s light shone on him.
3. God led him through the darkness.
4. He was in his prime.
5. God’s counsel was over his house.
6. God was by his side.
7. His children were around him.
8. He was bathed in pleasure.
9. His head was covered with oil.
Sometimes “the good old days” were not so good – but this is not the case in the life of Job. There are times when we look on the past and reminisce. Some things may have been better then – but some things weren’t. In an age of microwaves and cell-phones – how many of us would want to give up central heat and air? How many of us would want to give up our transportation systems – personal automobiles, interstate highways, airports and go back to horse and buggy days? Our luxuries soon become our necessities and we feel we could never survive without them. But look at what Job remembers:
He remembers his relationship with God – how he felt God was right by his side. God walked with him – God was his guide – God blessed him. Job was in the prime of his life back then – his life was full of pleasure. Back then Job watched his children and took pleasure in them. Now they are gone – pleasures all seem to be gone.
Life is about relationship. The relationship we have with one another – the relationship we have with ourselves – the relationship we have with God all matter. Here is a passage of scripture to prove my point:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important commandment. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-39 (HCSB)
Do you see? Love God – love people – love yourself.
In this section, verses one thru six, Job has thought back to the days when he felt God’s blessing on him. God had led him to green pastures. He had brought him to still waters. He had protected and cared for him with His rod and staff. He had anointed his head with oil. (Oil in the East is used for food, light, anointing, and medicine.) But Job believes those “good old days” are gone.
This section reminds me of the twenty third Psalm which says:
“Jehovah is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside still waters. He restoreth my soul: He guideth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup runneth over. Surely goodness and lovingkindness shall follow me all the days of my life; And I shall dwell in the house of Jehovah for ever.” Psalms 23:1-6 (ASV)
Now Job feels that everything has changed – his relationship with God is no longer the same.
7 "When I went out to the gate by the city, When I took my seat in the open square, 8 The young men saw me and hid, And the aged arose and stood; 9 The princes refrained from talking, And put their hand on their mouth; 10 The voice of nobles was hushed, And their tongue stuck to the roof of their mouth. 11 When the ear heard, then it blessed me, And when the eye saw, then it approved me; 12 Because I delivered the poor who cried out, The fatherless and the one who had no helper. 13 The blessing of a perishing man came upon me, And I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy. 14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; My justice was like a robe and a turban. 15 I was eyes to the blind, And I was feet to the lame. 16 I was a father to the poor, And I searched out the case that I did not know. 17 I broke the fangs of the wicked, And plucked the victim from his teeth.
Job 29:7-17 (NKJV)
JOB WAS HONORED AMONG PEOPLE
Not only does Job feel that his relationship with God changed – but his status among other people has been altered also.
The “gate” of a city was a place of public concourse, and where courts were usually held. Job speaks here as a magistrate, and of the time when he went forth to sit as a judge, to try causes. He had been revered by the people – but no more. Look at what would happen when Job went to the gate:
1. Young men would step out of the way.
2. Old men stood in honor.
3. Those in power would get quiet and would motion for all to stop talking.
4. Nobles hushed and their mouths didn’t move.
5. Ears and eyes were fixed on him.
Why? Job was a man who was considered a man of justice. When he sat at the city gate and listened to the problems of the people – he would judge with mercy and justice. How do we know that? Because:
1. Job delivered the poor who cried out.
2. Job delivered the orphan who had no one else to help.
3. Men with no hope – gave him a blessing because of his justice.
4. Widows rejoiced when Job spoke.
5. Job was covered with righteousness.
6. Job was covered with justice.
7. Job provided sight to the blind.
8. Job provided mobility to the lame.
9. The poor had an advocate in Job.
10. Job searched out the truth of every case – without prejudice.
11. Wicked people were exposed.
12. Innocent people were delivered from harm.
To be in the position of judge is an awesome responsibility. There are two sides to every case. Sometimes those who are bringing charges are doing it for their own gain. To get ahead some will become false witnesses – beware of these. Even in the Ten Commandments we find:
‘Do not give false testimony against your neighbor.” Exodus 20:16 (HCSB)
The judge had an awesome responsibility. He was not to show partiality. He was instructed to find out the truth. Those who bring charges should make sure that they do it in complete honesty. God’s word speaks plainly what is to take place:
“The judges are to make a careful investigation, and if the witness turns out to be a liar who has falsely accused his brother, you must do to him as he intended to do to his brother. You must purge the evil from you. Then everyone else will hear and be afraid, and they will never again do anything evil like this among you. You must not show pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, and foot for foot.” Deuteronomy 19:18-21 (HCSB)
False witnessing is wickedness. There is no such thing as a little white lie when another person’s character is damaged. Be very careful, brother, of the accusations you make. If those who bring accusations also feel that they are under trial – good! Every case must be investigated thoroughly. The truth must be found out by investigating the accused and the accuser. Questions must be asked of both parties to determine if the accusations are correct. When judgment comes it must come with justice and mercy.
Throughout the Bible we are all instructed to care for those who are oppressed. Here is one such verse:
"Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow.” Isaiah 1:16-17 (NKJV)
18 "Then I said, ’I shall die in my nest, And multiply my days as the sand. 19 My root is spread out to the waters, And the dew lies all night on my branch. 20 My glory is fresh within me, And my bow is renewed in my hand.’ 21 "Men listened to me and waited, And kept silence for my counsel. 22 After my words they did not speak again, And my speech settled on them as dew. 23 They waited for me as for the rain, And they opened their mouth wide as for the spring rain. 24 If I mocked at them, they did not believe it, And the light of my countenance they did not cast down. 25 I chose the way for them, and sat as chief; So I dwelt as a king in the army, As one who comforts mourners.
Job 29:18-25 (NKJV)
JOB’S PROSPECT OF PROSPERITY
Job here speaks as one who can see a brighter future. Here are the things he sees the future will hold:
1. I will die in the security of my home.
2. I will die in old age – days multiplied like sand.
3. My roots will reach waters of refreshment.
4. The dew will water my leaves.
5. There will be fresh glory each day.
6. I will have renewed strength to handle my bow daily.
7. Men will wait for me to speak – seeking my counsel.
8. My words will be so complete that they will never be debated.
9. My words will refresh those who hear them.
10. There would be no doubt of the truths which I speak.
11. No one could question my character.
12. My insights are keen and correct.
13. People will listen to me – as soldiers listen to their commander.
14. People will listen to me – as mourners who seek comfort.
God’s word speaks many times of the prosperity of those who will be faithful followers:
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence indeed is the Lord. He will be like a tree planted by water: it sends its roots out toward a stream, it doesn’t fear when heat comes, and its foliage remains green. It will not worry in a year of drought or cease producing fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8 (HCSB)
It is our Christian duty to be found faithful. Just like Job – our hope is to be found in the Lord.
