Job Chapter 29
Job 29:1–6
“Moreover Job continued his parable, and said,
Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me;
When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness;
As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle;
When the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were about me;
When I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil.”
Job now turns from doctrine to memory. Having spoken of wisdom and its source, he reflects upon his former condition. This is not mere nostalgia for wealth. It is longing for communion.
“Oh that I were as in months past.” His desire is temporal but rooted in spiritual reality. The phrase “when God preserved me” reveals the heart of his grief. Preservation implies divine guarding. This echoes Psalm 121:7–8, “The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.” Job once felt this preserving presence. Now he feels abandoned.
“When his candle shined upon my head.” The image of a lamp signifies guidance and favor. Divine light symbolizes revelation and direction. Psalm 119:105 declares, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Job remembers walking in clarity, not confusion. Darkness did not overwhelm him because God’s light governed his path.
“When by his light I walked through darkness.” Darkness still existed in those former days. Life was never entirely free of difficulty. Yet divine illumination made perplexity navigable. This is the difference between suffering with communion and suffering without felt communion. The crisis for Job is not merely loss, it is loss without perceived light.
“As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle.” The “secret of God” speaks of intimate fellowship. It refers to confidential communion reserved for those who fear Him. Psalm 25:14 states, “The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.” Job once enjoyed this closeness. He felt included in God’s counsel. That sense is now absent.
“When the Almighty was yet with me.” Theologically, God had not departed. The prologue makes that clear. Yet experientially, Job feels distance. Scripture recognizes this tension. Psalm 22:1 declares, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?” The righteous may experience felt abandonment without actual desertion.
“When my children were about me.” Job’s memory includes family restoration before loss. His children represent covenant blessing. Psalm 127:3 says, “Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.” Their absence intensifies his sorrow. His grief is relational, not merely material.
“When I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil.” This is poetic abundance language. Butter and oil symbolize prosperity and fruitfulness. The imagery recalls covenant blessing promised to Israel. Deuteronomy 32:13–14 declares, “He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock;
Butter of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs…” Job describes a season when every step seemed prosperous and provision flowed freely.
Theologically, this section underscores a crucial truth. Job’s deepest sorrow is not financial collapse or social humiliation. It is the perceived withdrawal of divine favor. He remembers preservation, illumination, consolation, and communion. Those are the treasures he misses.
This remembrance also intensifies the tension of the book. The reader knows God still esteems Job. Job 1:8 records, “And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?” Yet Job feels the opposite. The gap between heavenly reality and earthly perception defines his trial.
Job 29 opens the final defense section. He will describe former blessing, present humiliation, and ultimately his maintained integrity. The contrast heightens the injustice he feels and prepares for God’s direct intervention.
Job 29:7–17
“When I went out to the gate through the city, when I prepared my seat in the street!
The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the aged arose, and stood up.
The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth.
The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth.
When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me:
Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him.
The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.
I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem.
I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame.
I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out.
And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth.”
Job now recalls not only communion with God, but honor among men. “When I went out to the gate through the city.” The city gate was the place of judgment, commerce, and civic authority. Legal matters were settled there. Ruth 4:1–2 records, “Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there… And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.” To sit at the gate was to exercise recognized authority. Job was not merely wealthy, he was a magistrate, a leader, a public voice of influence.
“The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the aged arose, and stood up.” The young withdrew in deference, the old stood in respect. This is cultural recognition of honor. Leviticus 19:32 commands, “Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD.” Here, even the aged rise before Job. His moral stature commanded universal regard.
“The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth.” Even rulers ceased speaking when Job addressed them. This indicates that his wisdom was not ornamental but authoritative. His words carried weight. His presence stilled debate. The description echoes reverent silence before weighty truth.
“When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me.” Testimony confirmed reputation. His character was visible and verifiable. This aligns with the principle later expressed in Proverbs 22:1, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” Job possessed both riches and a good name, but it is the latter he now emphasizes.
“Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him.” His influence was used for justice. He was not a tyrant but a defender. This reflects covenantal righteousness. Psalm 82:3–4 commands, “Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.” Job fulfilled that charge.
“The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.” His actions brought tangible relief. Widows and the destitute found advocacy in him. Scripture repeatedly emphasizes care for such vulnerable groups. James 1:27 later affirms, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction…” Job’s life embodied that standard centuries earlier.
“I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem.” Righteousness is described as garment and crown. It was not occasional behavior but daily attire. This anticipates the biblical imagery of righteousness as clothing. Isaiah 61:10 declares, “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD… for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness.” Job’s public life was marked by visible justice.
“I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame.” He supplied what others lacked. He acted as advocate and guide. This is not metaphorical charity alone but functional assistance. He entered into the limitations of others to provide strength. It demonstrates practical compassion grounded in covenant ethics.
“I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out.” He did not judge hastily. He investigated thoroughly. Justice required inquiry. Proverbs 18:13 warns, “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.” Job avoided that folly. He examined cases carefully before rendering judgment.
“And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth.” This is forceful imagery. He did not merely sympathize with victims, he confronted oppressors. He intervened decisively. This parallels the righteous king described in Psalm 72:4, “He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.” Job functioned as a righteous judge within his sphere.
This section strengthens Job’s defense. His suffering cannot be explained as the collapse of a corrupt man’s life. His former reputation was not built on manipulation or exploitation. It was grounded in justice, mercy, and courage. He did not hoard wealth, he stewarded it for righteousness.
Theologically, this portion underscores that true wisdom, defined in the previous chapter as fearing the Lord and departing from evil, produces tangible righteousness in society. Job’s life demonstrated that wisdom. The irony is sharp. The man who embodied justice now sits in disgrace, accused by men who benefit from his former integrity.
Job 29:18–20
“Then I said, I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days as the sand.
My root was spread out by the waters, and the dew lay all night upon my branch.
My glory was fresh in me, and my bow was renewed in my hand.”
Job now reflects upon his former confidence. “Then I said, I shall die in my nest.” The image of a nest speaks of security, stability, and settled peace. He believed his life would conclude in quiet prosperity, surrounded by family and honor. This expectation was not arrogant presumption but the natural conclusion drawn from sustained blessing.
“I shall multiply my days as the sand.” The expression indicates longevity and abundance. It echoes covenant language. Genesis 22:17 declares, “That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore…” Job once believed he would enjoy such extended days under divine favor.
“My root was spread out by the waters.” This metaphor describes stability and continual nourishment. A tree planted by water thrives through drought and heat. The imagery closely parallels Psalm 1:3, “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” It also aligns with Jeremiah 17:8, “For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river… her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought…” Job believed himself firmly established under divine blessing.
“And the dew lay all night upon my branch.” Dew in Scripture often symbolizes refreshment and covenant blessing. It falls quietly, sustaining life through the night. Job once experienced that steady, gentle favor.
“My glory was fresh in me.” His honor was not fading. It was renewed daily. “And my bow was renewed in my hand.” The bow represents strength and readiness. It is a symbol of vigor and capability. Genesis 49:24 says of Joseph, “But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob…” Job once felt such strength, his capacity for leadership and defense renewed continually.
Theologically, this section reveals how completely Job’s world has been overturned. He had every reasonable expectation of stability, longevity, and continued honor. The contrast between former security and present humiliation intensifies his sense of bewilderment. His suffering appears not as the natural end of a wicked life but as an abrupt reversal of covenant-like blessing.
Job 29:21–25
“Unto me men gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel.
After my words they spake not again; and my speech dropped upon them.
And they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain.
If I laughed on them, they believed it not; and the light of my countenance they cast not down.
I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one that comforteth the mourners.”
Job continues describing his former authority. “Unto me men gave ear, and waited.” His counsel was anticipated. Silence followed his speech. His words carried finality. “My speech dropped upon them.” The imagery suggests gentle yet penetrating instruction. It recalls Deuteronomy 32:2, “My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew…” His counsel refreshed and instructed.
“They waited for me as for the rain.” In an agrarian society, rain meant life. The “latter rain” signified critical seasonal provision. His words were as essential as water to parched ground. This indicates not only respect but dependence.
“If I laughed on them, they believed it not.” Even his expressions of favor were received with astonishment. “The light of my countenance they cast not down.” His approval was prized. The imagery of countenance evokes priestly blessing. Numbers 6:24–26 declares, “The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.” Job’s favor reflected something of that shining presence.
“I chose out their way, and sat chief.” He exercised decisive leadership. His guidance directed communal life. “And dwelt as a king in the army.” This does not necessarily mean he was monarch, but that he possessed kingly authority and influence. He was central, stabilizing, commanding.
“As one that comforteth the mourners.” His authority was not tyrannical. It was compassionate. He combined strength with consolation. This reflects righteous leadership as described in 2 Samuel 23:3, “He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.” Job’s leadership was marked by justice and tenderness.
The contrast with his present condition could not be sharper. The man once treated as a king is now mocked by the lowest in society. The counselor once sought by princes is now corrected by misguided friends. The comforter now sits in ashes without comfort.
This section strengthens the structural argument of the book. Job is not defending minor reputation. He is demonstrating that his life consistently reflected the fear of the Lord and departure from evil, which he defined in the previous chapter as true wisdom. His former honor was the fruit of righteous living, not manipulation or oppression.
