Job Chapter 29
Please read: Job 29 –
Job reflects on what his life was like prior to these difficult days he now faces. We learned in the beginning of the book that Job was a wealthy man and that he had 10 children. All of that, including his children, was taken from him. His children died as well as his livestock. And his own health has deteriorated to the point that he thinks he may die soon. His friends who supposedly came to console him have only made it worse. He knew he was not the wicked sinner his friends thought him to be, furthermore he knows what type of man he was before all this happened to him.
Job had said previously that he was a man who feared God. And throughout this chapter we read about the blessings God bestowed on him and how Job in return blessed those around him. And so, he begins this speech with a sentiment that only makes sense. He wishes that he were back in that season of his life.
Let's Reflect
1. What do you think it means when Job said that he used to walk through darkness by the lamp of God that shined upon his head? Refer to the last verse of the previous chapter.
2. Verse 4 confirms that Job spent intimate time with God in prayer. He met with God and talked with Him as he would a friend. What did Job call this relationship?
3. He expresses grief because his children are no longer with him and then goes on to express what life was like because he was so richly blessed. Unlike his present situation Job recalled how he was respected for his wisdom in the town square. What did people, princes, and nobles do when Job began to speak?
4. Job used his wealth and blessings to bless others. What two groups of people are mentioned specifically that he helped?
5. He even stood up for those who were defenseless and being attacked by more powerful people. How does he describe this in verse 17?
6. Not only was Job respected by other men, but when they had a problem that needed solved, the Bible says they looked to Job for what?
7. The fact that Job cared about people and he wanted to help them is evidenced by what phrase in verse 24?
8. His help and counsel were so welcomed by others that it was like comfort for what type of people? Isn’t it ironic that he chose that phrase to describe himself considering that it should have been the description used of the visit of his friends.
