Job 29

Job 29:1-6

After a felonon pause, that they might weigh his words, and he might confide what important matter he had yet to utter, on perceiving his friend’s flame, “for continues his discourse, and hence, 1. What comfort he formerly had in God and his family, ver. 1—6. 2. What regard was paid him by all sorts of people, ver. 7—10. 3. What good he did as a magistrate, ver. 11—17. 4. What prefers he had of the continuance of his comfort at home, ver. 18—20. And of his interest abroad, ver. 21—25.

1. MOREOVER, Job continued his parable, and said, 2. Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me: 3. When his candle thined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness: 4. As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle: 5. When the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were about me: 6. When I walked my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil:

Reflections upon his former prosperous state, contracted against his present wretchedness, drawn forth the deep sigh from his bosom; and though no prospect of a change appears, he cannot but wish the return of happier days. Oh that I were as in months past, enjoying such outward blessings, or rather such communion with God, as even then was his greatest joy. Note, (1.) God forbids us not to pray for the restoration of health, care, and worldly good, whilst we in submission resign ourselves to his will. (2.) A godly man longs more for the light of God’s countenance, than for any blessing this world can afford.

Job mentions two things especially, that made him wish for the months that were past: the comfort he had in God, and in his family.

1. In God; when he preserved me from all evil, when his candle thined upon my head, the bright communication of his favour were my delight and glory; and when by his light I walked there darkness, and every trouble was made only by the pretence, light, and love of God. As I was in the days of my youth, when he enjoyed a lively sense of the divine regard, when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle, and he manifested himself to me, as he doth not to the world; when the Almighty was yet with me, showering down mercy spiritual and temporal upon me. Note, (1.) They are safe whom God preserves, and they only. (2.) The light of God’s love will recede the soul amidst the darkest dispensations. (3.) It is a blessed thing, when in our youthful days we are acquainted with the secret of God.

2. In his family. When my children, those dearest and most valuable earthly blessings, were with me, my comfort and joy when I walked my steps with butter, so plentifully did the kine supply him, and the rest poured me out rivers of oil; his silver, yards so fruitful, that the streams of oil gutted out, as springs of water from beneath the rock. Note, Children are God’s gift; whilst we thankfully enjoy them, let us not by idolatrous affection tempt God to take them away.

3. When I went out to the gate, through the city, when I prepared my seat in the street. 8. The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the aged arose, and stood up. 9. The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth. 10. The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth. 11. When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me: 12. Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. 13. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy. 14. I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem. 15. I was eyes to the blind, and feet was to the lame. 16. I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not, I searched out. 17. And I broke the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth.

Job 29:7-17

Job’s friends had treated him with insistence, and accused him of being an oppressive magistrate, as well as a bad man. But how differently had he used to be regarded, and what testimonies could he not produce of his integrity? He here declares.

1. What high respect had formerly been paid him from the least to the greatest. When as a magistrate he went to the place of judgment, which was usually held in the gate, or where the greatest concourse of people was, that all might hear and

have free access, the young men with veneration gave way, before Christ and the aged rose up with deep respect, and stood till he was seated, v. 8. The princes and nobles, the chief magistrates who were on the bench with him, conscious of his superior abilities, heard him as their oracle: they sealed up their lips before him, and waited for his opinion of the case, fully assured, from the depth of his penetration, and the integrity of his heart, that his decisions would be the voice of truth and justice, v. 9, 10. Every bearer applauded his fineness, and every beholder witnessed to the gravity, wisdom, and uprightness of his conduct, v. 11. Note, (1.) Modely in youth, and respect for the aged, is most amiable and becoming. (2.) A wise and upright judge is worthy to be had in honour, as the most useful member of the community. (3.) It is a mark of true wisdom to know when to be silent.

2. What he did to deserve this respect. He was the friend of the poor and fatherless, espousing their cause, and redressing their complaints, v. 12. Those who were ready to perish, then want or oppression, experienced his generous support; and the widows hearts were made to exult in the kind care he shewed for them and their interests, v. 13. Blessings were showered down upon his head, the voice of gratitude; and daily prayers went up to God for him, the best recompense the poor can make their benevolent friend, and which Job esteemed the most valuable return. Clothed with righteousness, no respect of persons ever blissed his determination; and the ornament he valued more than the purple robe or the diadem, which, as a magistrate, perhaps he wore, was that judgment, that principle of equity and uprightness, which ever influenced him, v. 14. The ignorant, who could not plead for themselves, and the helpless, who had neither friends nor money to prosecute their just rights, he freely and effectually afflicted, v. 15. and the poor found in him a father, ever ready to vindicate their wrongs, v. 16. If difficulties occurred in any cause, with close application he set himself to unravel the truth, which cunning, fraud, or falsehood had perplexed, v. 16. and the wicked, connected by his wisdom, and condemned by his righteous fineness, unable, as when the jaw-bone is broken, to hold their prey, were compelled with shame and grief to restore the fruits of their oppression, v. 17. Note, (1.) They are truly great, whose will to do good is equal to their ability. (2.) Gratitude and prayer are returns the poorest can make; their then should never be forgotten. (3.) An heart filled with the love of justice, an head blessed with sound understanding, an ear patiently attentive to the longest evidence, and an hand firm in the execution of consign punishment on the wicked, these constitute a righteous judge.

3. Then I said, I shall die in my nest, and I shall be multiply my days as the land. 19. My root was spread out by the waters, and the dew lay all night upon my branch. 20. My glory was fresh in me, and my bow was renewed in my hand. 21. Unto me men gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel. 22. After my words they spoke not again, and my speech dropped upon them. 23. And they waited for me, as for the rain, and they opened their mouth wide, as for the latter rain. 24. If I laughed on them, they believed it not, and the light of my countenance they cast not down. 25. I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one that comforteth the mourners.

Job 29:18-25

From all appearances, and according to human foresight, no man’s prosperity appeared of farer continuance than Job’s; no wonder therefore,

1. That he promised himself good days. Then I said, when every thing without was so fair, and within conscious integrity, I shall die in my nest. The he knew he must, and never in his greatest prosperity forgot to prepare for his departure hence; but he hoped it would be in peace, amidst his kind friends surrounding his bed, and children, the heirs of his virtue, as well as affluence, with filial piety closing his dying eyes. I shall multiply as the fond my days, and late return unto the tomb, full of years, riches, and honours. Note, (1.) When things go smoothly, we are too apt to count upon their continuance; but how often do we see a quick transition, and our hopes disappointed! (2.) A long life is a desirable blessing, when employed for the glory of God, and the good of mankind.

2. He thought he had great grounds for his hope. Rooted as a tree, his worldly prosperity seemed fixed on a durable basis, and his vital business found and vigorous. Watered continually by providential care, he grew and increased; the dew of heavenly influences rested upon him, and all his concerns, spiritual or temporal, flourished, v. 19. His glory was fresh, never withering, ever blooming, whilst each day added new lustre to his estate, and his bow was renewed in his hand; so that he appeared to have nothing to apprehend from any adversary. When he spoke, attention sat mute, and on his lips the audience hung: the ear delighted, was never weary, and his discourse, as gentle

The answers descending to refresh the parched ground, sunk deep into the heart. All heard with silent wonder his words, as the voice of wisdom, and with submission received his counsels, as oracular, v. 21-23. If he foiled graciously, so great they esteemed the honour, they scarce could believe themselves the objects of his regard; and, far from presuming on his familiar confederations, were awed by his majesty, and paid him no less respect and reverence, v. 24. As a counselor, all who consisted him acquiesced in his advice. As a teacher of divine truth, he pointed out their way, and they followed him. In public assemblies he had the seat of honour; in the congregation of the faithful he presided, and led their devotions. As a king in his army he was honoured and obeyed; and as one that comforteth the monsters, ready to fly to the relief of the afflicted, and to pour the balm of consolation into the wounded spirit, v. 25. Now, (1) If we prosper in body or soul, let it ever remembered who it is that watereth us every moment, whose influences with-held, we wither, droop, and die. (2) Superiors should be confederating, yet in their freedoms maintain their dignity. (3) They who have comforted others, find themselves often unable to receive in their afflictions the consolation they have administered.