Introduction

It may be useful to give a basic outline of the next three chapters, which are a part of Job’s final discourse.

Job’s former condition, Job 29
Job’s present condition, Job 30
Job’s final claim to innocence, Job 31

JOB’S FINAL DEFENCE

‘Job continued his discourse: “How I long for the months gone by, for the days when God watched over me, when his lamp shone on my head and by his light I walked through darkness! Oh, for the days when I was in my prime, when God’s intimate friendship blessed my house, when the Almighty was still with me and my children were around me, when my path was drenched with cream and the rock poured out for me streams of olive oil. “When I went to the gate of the city and took my seat in the public square, the young men saw me and stepped aside, and the old men rose to their feet; the chief men refrained from speaking and covered their mouths with their hands; the voices of the nobles were hushed, and their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths. Whoever heard me spoke well of me, and those who saw me commended me, because I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist them. The one who was dying blessed me; I made the widow’s heart sing. I put on righteousness as my clothing; justice was my robe and my turban. I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. I was a father to the needy; I took up the case of the stranger. I broke the fangs of the wicked and snatched the victims from their teeth. “I thought, ‘I will die in my own house, my days as numerous as the grains of sand. My roots will reach to the water, and the dew will lie all night on my branches. My glory will not fade; the bow will be ever new in my hand.’ Job 29:1-20

In this chapter, Job reflects on the days of his life and thinks about his family and possessions. He begins by speaking about the good old days when his relationship with God was strong and secure.

He says he enjoyed God’s protection, Job 29:1-2, God’s guidance, Job 29:3 / Job 18:6, God’s friendship, Job 29:4, and God’s blessings, Job 29:5-6 / Deuteronomy 33:24.

What happened? Why did he suddenly lose that relationship with his God? Matthew 18:12 / Matthew 25:30 / Jude 13. Perhaps, when God finally does speak to him, he responds the way he does because he has finally re-established contact with God. Job also speaks about his position in the community, where he enjoyed an influential position as a judge, Job 29:7.

Dummelow, in his commentary, says the following.

‘Job went with other elders to administer justice at the city gate. Observe that Job did not live in the city; his usual abode was in his camp. But he was influential in the city, just as a great Arab prince is sometimes in our own times.’

He enjoyed the respect he received from everyone, Job 29:8. Job discusses the basis for this treatment, that is, he was a kind and considerate man, hence why people treated him with the utmost respect and honour, Job 29:9-10.

His conduct was admirable because people liked what they saw in him and heard from him, Job 29:11. He cared for the poor, Job 29:12 / Proverbs 21:13 / Proverbs 24:11-12, and the disadvantaged, Job 29:13 / Isaiah 1:17.

He was righteous in conduct, Job 29:14, he went out of his way to help the handicapped, Job 29:15, he was a father to the needy and he took up the case of the stranger, Job 29:16, and he would risk personal injury to fight the wicked, Job 29:17.

All of which was probably a response to Eliphaz’s accusation back in Job 22:5-11. Because of the life he led, Job felt confident and secure, and he knew he was being the kind of man God wanted him to be, Job 29:18-20 / Psalm 1:3.

Dummelow, in his commentary, says the following concerning the morning dew, Job 29:19.

‘The dew was an emblem of prosperity in a land where rain was infrequent, Proverbs 19:12 / Deuteronomy 32:2.’

We must note he isn’t being arrogant here; he simply understands that God deals favourably with those who honour Him. It brings no pleasure to God to see His children suffering.

‘People listened to me expectantly, waiting in silence for my counsel. After I had spoken, they spoke no more; my words fell gently on their ears. They waited for me as for showers and drank in my words as the spring rain. When I smiled at them, they scarcely believed it; the light of my face was precious to them. I chose the way for them and sat as their chief; I dwelt as a king among his troops; I was like one who comforts mourners.’ Job 29:21-25

These last verses summarise the discussion, reiterating why Job had his well-deserved respect. He was the kind of man whom people greatly respected what he had to say, Job 29:21-23 / Deuteronomy 32:2, and they believed what he said, Job 29:24.

They accepted him as a leader and followed his lead, Job 29:25. Despite feeling disgraced because all these things had been taken away from him, he maintained his trust in God.

Go To Job 30