Wisdom · Chapter 29 of 42

Job 29

Job looks back with longing on the days when God's favor rested on him, when God watched over him, his children surrounded him, and he was honored at the city gate, where young and old, princes and nobles, fell silent before him. He recalls his righteousness: rescuing the poor, the orphan, and the dying, being eyes to the blind and feet to the lame, a father to the needy, breaking the power of the wicked.

What happens in Job 29

Job continues his final discourse by grieving for the past, wishing he were as in months gone by when God preserved him and his lamp shone on his head, when he walked through darkness by God's light. He remembers his prime, when God's friendship rested on his tent and his children surrounded him. He recalls his public honor: when he went to the city gate and took his seat, young men stepped aside, the aged rose, and princes and nobles fell silent.

All who heard him blessed him, because he rescued the poor who cried out, the fatherless, and those with no helper. The dying blessed him; he made the widow's heart sing. He clothed himself in righteousness like a robe. He was eyes to the blind, feet to the lame, a father to the needy, breaking the fangs of the wicked. Men waited for his counsel like rain, and he led them as a king, comforting mourners.

Job 29 in context

In this chapter Job paints a moving portrait of the life he has lost, setting up the sharp contrast with his present humiliation in chapter 30. His remembrance is not mere nostalgia for wealth and status but for a life marked by God's presence and by genuine righteousness toward the vulnerable.

The picture of Job at the city gate, defending the poor, the orphan, the widow, the blind, and the lame, refutes the friends' accusations that he oppressed the needy and embodies the ideal of a righteous ruler.

Main themes of Job 29

Job 29 (KJV)

1Moreover Job continued his parable, and said, 2Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me; 3When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness; 4As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle; 5When the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were about me; 6When I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil; 7When I went out to the gate through the city, when I prepared my seat in the street! 8The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the aged arose, and stood up. 9The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth. 10The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth. 11When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me: 12Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. 13The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy. 14I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem. 15I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame. 16I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out. 17And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth. 18Then I said, I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days as the sand. 19My root was spread out by the waters, and the dew lay all night upon my branch. 20My glory was fresh in me, and my bow was renewed in my hand. 21Unto me men gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel. 22After my words they spake not again; and my speech dropped upon them. 23And they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain. 24If I laughed on them, they believed it not; and the light of my countenance they cast not down. 25I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one that comforteth the mourners.

Verses to carry from Job 29

“Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him.”Job 29:12

“I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame.”Job 29:15

“I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one that comforteth the mourners.”Job 29:25

Reflection

Job's finest memory is not his wealth but God's nearness and a life poured out for the vulnerable. What would you most grieve to lose? Let it be the presence of God and a life of love. That very righteousness, being eyes to the blind and a father to the poor, is perfectly embodied in Christ.

A prayer from Job 29