Job 29
25 verses
Job reflects nostalgically on his former life when God protected him, when his path was illuminated and his counsel was sought, when he was honored by the community and when he used his wealth to defend the vulnerable and needy. His memory of former righteousness and blessing is painful precisely because it makes his present suffering more acute, and his recollection of a time when God seemed present and protective stands in stark contrast to his present experience of divine abandonment. This chapter serves to remind the reader that Job is not a naturally patient or acceptance-focused person, but rather a man who once possessed dignity, honor, and purpose, whose loss has been catastrophic. His nostalgia does not represent a desire to return to the illusion that righteousness guarantees prosperity, but rather a deeply human anguish at the rupture of everything that gave his life meaning and structure.
VERSES IN THIS CHAPTER
1
Moreover Job continued his parable, and said,
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2
Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me;
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3
When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness;
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4
As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle;
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5
When the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were about me;
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6
When I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil;
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7
When I went out to the gate through the city, when I prepared my seat in the street!
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8
The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the aged arose, and stood up.
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9
The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth.
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10
The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth.
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God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. When we read this alongside the surround...
11
When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me:
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12
Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him.
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13
The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.
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14
I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem.
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15
I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame.
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16
I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out.
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17
And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth.
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18
Then I said, I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days as the sand.
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19
My root was spread out by the waters, and the dew lay all night upon my branch.
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20
My glory was fresh in me, and my bow was renewed in my hand.
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21
Unto me men gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel.
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22
After my words they spake not again; and my speech dropped upon them.
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23
And they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain.
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24
If I laughed on them, they believed it not; and the light of my countenance they cast not down.
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25
I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one that comforteth the mourners.
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