29:6Milk and olive oi! were symbols of material prosperity in an agricultural society. Job's flocks and olive trees were so plentiful that everything seemed to overflow.
Life Application Study BibleJobChapter 29
Job 29
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 820, 821
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29Job 29
Job Speaks of His Former Blessings
12 Job continued speaking:
2"T long for the years gone bywhen God took care of me,3 when he lit up the way before meand I walked safely through the darkness.
4When I was in my prime,God’s friendship was felt in my home.
5The Almighty was still with me,and my children were around me.
6My cows produced milk in abundance,and my groves poured out streams of olive oil.
7“Those were the days when I went to the city gate and took my place among the honored leaders.
8The young stepped aside when they saw me,and even the aged rose in respect at my coming.
9The princes stood in silenceand put their hands over their mouths.
10The highest officials of the city stood quietly,holding their tongues in respect.
11“All who heard me praised me.All who saw me spoke well of me.
12For I assisted the poor in their needand the orphans who required help.
13[helped those without hope, and they blessed me.And I caused the widows’ hearts to sing for joy.
14Everything I did was honest.Righteousness covered me like a robe,and I wore justice like a turban.
15I served as eyes for the blindand feet for the lame.
16I was a father to the poorand assisted strangers who needed help.
17T broke the jaws of godless oppressorsand plucked their victims from their teeth.
18“T thought, ‘Surely I will die surrounded by my familyafter a long, good life.*
19For I am like a tree whose roots reach the water,whose branches are refreshed with the dew.
20New honors are constantly bestowed on me,and my strength is continually renewed.’
21“Everyone listened to my advice.They were silent as they waited for me to speak.
22And after I spoke, they had nothing to add,for my counsel satisfied them.
23They longed for me to speak as people long for rain.They drank my words like a refreshing spring rain.
24When they were discouraged, I smiled at them.My look of approval was precious to them.
25Like a chief, I told them what to do.I lived like a king among his troopsand comforted those who mourned.
Job Speaks of His Anguish
3 0 1“But now I am mocked by people younger than I,
Textual footnotes
- 29:18 Hebrew after I have counted my days like sand.
Life Application Notes 3 notes
29:7ffJob was walking a fine line between bragging about past accomplishments and recalling good deeds in order to answer the charges against him. Job’s one weakness throughout his conversations is that he came dangerously close to pride. Pride is especially deceptive when we are doing right. But it separates us from God by making us think we're better than we really are. Then comes the tendency to trust our own opinions, which leads to other kinds of sin. While it is not wrong to recount past deeds, it is far better to recount God’s blessings to us. This will help keep us from inadvertently falling into pride.
29:7-17Because of this description of Job’s work, many commentators believe that Job was a judge. In Job’s day, a judge served as both a city councilman and a magistrate, helping to manage the community and settle disputes. In most cases, this was nota full-time position but a part-time post held on the basis of one’s respect and standing in the area.