The Good Old Days
Study note
Job looks back to the months when God protected him, when God's lamp shone on his head and God's friendship blessed his home. His children were around him, and his life was rich. When he went to the city gate -- the place where leaders met -- young men stepped aside and old men stood up out of respect. Even princes stopped talking and put their hands over their mouths.
1 Job kept on speaking and said, Moreover Job continued his parable, and said,
2 'Oh, how I long for the old days, for those months when God kept watch over me,' Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me;
3 'when his lamp was shining right above my head and I walked through the darkest places by his light,' When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness;
4 'back when I was in my prime and God's friendship was like a warm blanket over my home,' As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle;
5 'when the Almighty was there beside me and my children were gathered all around,' When the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were about me;
6 'when my path seemed to be paved with cream and even the rocks poured out streams of olive oil for me.' When I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil;
7 'Whenever I walked through the city gate and took my seat in the public meeting place,' When I went out to the gate through the city, when I prepared my seat in the street!
8 'the young men noticed me and stepped back out of respect, and the elderly stood up when they saw me.' The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the aged arose, and stood up.
9 'Community leaders stopped talking in the middle of a sentence and covered their mouths.' The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth.
10 'The most important people in town went silent. Their tongues stuck to the roofs of their mouths.' The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth.
Job's Good Deeds
Study note
Everyone who heard Job praised him. He rescued the poor, helped the orphan, and brought joy to widows. He wore righteousness like a robe. He was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. He was a father to the needy. He investigated cases he did not personally know about and broke the power of the wicked.
11 'Everyone who heard me had good things to say. Everyone who saw me gave me their approval.' When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me:
12 'Whenever a poor person called out for help, I was there to rescue them. I helped every orphan who had no one on their side.' Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him.
13 'People who were on the brink of death blessed me. I brought joy back to widows who thought they had nothing left to smile about.' The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.
14 'Doing what was right was like a suit of clothes I put on every day. Fairness was both my robe and my crown.' I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem.
15 'I was like eyes for people who could not see and feet for people who could not walk.' I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame.
16 'I was like a father to anyone in need. I looked into the cases of strangers I had never even met.' I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out.
17 'I broke the jaws of cruel people and rescued the helpless right out of their teeth.' And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth.
Job's Former Honor
Study note
Job expected to die peacefully in his own home, with his glory still fresh and his strength renewed. People hung on his every word. They waited for his counsel like they waited for rain. When he smiled at them, they could hardly believe their good fortune. He sat among them like a king in his army, like one who comforts mourners.
18 'I used to think, "I will die peacefully in my own home. My days will be as many as grains of sand on the beach."' Then I said, I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days as the sand.
19 'My roots stretched deep into the water, and dew settled on my branches all through the night.' My root was spread out by the waters, and the dew lay all night upon my branch.
20 'My good reputation never faded, and the strength in my hand was always fresh and ready.' My glory was fresh in me, and my bow was renewed in my hand.
21 'People hung on every word I said. They sat quietly and waited for my advice.' Unto me men gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel.
22 'Once I finished speaking, nobody added a word. My words soaked gently into their hearts.' After my words they spake not again; and my speech dropped upon them.
23 'They waited for me the way the ground waits for spring rain. They opened wide for my words like the earth opens for the rain that comes just before harvest.' And they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain.
24 'Whenever I smiled at them, they could hardly believe their good luck. The brightness on my face was something they treasured.' If I laughed on them, they believed it not; and the light of my countenance they cast not down.
25 'I picked the direction for them and sat in the seat of honor. I lived among them like a king with his army, like someone who brings comfort to people who are grieving.' I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one that comforteth the mourners.