Job 29 - Introduction

TODAY'S ENGLISH VERSION

Job's Final Statement of His Case

Job began speaking again.

2 If only my life could be again

as it was when God watched over me.

3 God was always with me then,

and gave me light as I walked through the darkness.

4 Those were the days when I was prosperous,

when God's friendship protected my home.

5 Almighty God was with me then,

and I was surrounded by all my children.

6 My cows and goats gave plenty of milk,

and my olive trees grew in the rockiest soil.

7 Whenever the city elders met,

and I took my place among them,

8 young men stepped aside as soon as they saw me,

and old men stood up to show me respect.

9 The leaders of the people would stop talking;
10 even the most important men kept silent.
11 Everyone who saw me or heard about me

had good things to say about what I had done.

12 When the poor cried out, I helped them;

I helped orphans who had nowhere to turn.

13 Men who were in deepest misery praised me,

and I helped widows find security.

14 I have always acted justly and fairly.
15 I helped the blind and the lame.
16 I was like a father to the poor,

and took the side of strangers in trouble.

17 I destroyed the power of cruel men

and rescued their victims.

18 I always expected to live a long life,

and to die at home in comfort.

19 I was like a tree whose roots always have water,

and whose branches are wet with dew.

20 Everyone was always praising me,

and my strength never failed me.

21 When I gave advice, people were silent

and listened carefully to what I said;

22 they had nothing to add when I was through.

My words sank in like drops of rain;

23 everyone listened eagerly,

the way farmers welcome the spring rains.

24 When I smiled on them they could hardly believe it;

their gloom never discouraged me.

25 I took charge and made the decisions;

I led them the way a king leads his troops,
and gave them comfort when they were discouraged.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION 29:1-25

572.

What is the general content of the next three Chapter s? It seems a natural conclusion. Explain.

573.

God will take care of you seems to be the theme of Job's lifebut just how will this be done? Cf. Job 10:14; Job 13:27; Job 14:16.

574.

What is the lamp of verse three?

575.

Ripeness does not mean decline. What does it mean?

576.

Children are the gift of Godto lose these gifts should teach us something. What did Job learn? Cf. Job 29:5.

577.

What is meant by reference to butter and oil in verse six?

578.

Job's former happiness was based on three relationships. What were they?

579.

How did both the young and the old show respect to Job? Cf. Job 29:8.

580.

How did princes react to Job?

581.

In the presence of Job, men became hushed and nervous. Explain.

582.

Isn-'t Job a bit self-righteous as described in Job 29:11? Discuss.

583.

No wonder Job was so incensed with the words of Eliphaz. Cf. Job 22:6 ff. Explain.

584.

Someone shouted for joy because of Job. Who was it? Does this happen today?

585.

Americans (as individuals) could hardly be described in the words of Job 29:14. Why?

586.

Were there more blind and lame in Job's day than ours? Was it easier to meet their needs? Discuss.

587.

Show how Job acted as a father to the poor. Do they need such care today? Are we obligated?

588.

Job not only helped the poor; he did something to the aggressor. What was it? It would seem that much of this describes what our Lord did for us. Discuss.

589.

Job contemplated dying in the nest and multiplying his days. What is meant?

590.

Job is like a tree. Cf. Psalms 1:3; Psalms 80:12.

591.

Both Job's respect and social rank would never change. How is this expressed? What a reversal he had!

592.

Unless Job is exaggerating he must have been a very wise man. Cf. Job 29:22.

593.

There seems to be a complete analogical parallel in this chapter to Job and a picture of the blessings we receive from our Lord. Trace them out.