Job 29 Summary

Job 29 Summary

And that confusing and painful reality leads Job in chapters 29-31 to do three things.

First, in chapter 29 he’s going to review his past blessed circumstances. Then in chapter 30 he’s going to lament his current painful circumstances. And lastly in chapter 31 we’ll see him vouch for the fact that none of the pain from chapter 30 is a result of his being personally wicked.

So, let’s allow Job to review for us – over 25 verses – his past blessed circumstances in chapter 29.

Job 29 Summary of Verses 1-7

Job wants to return to a time when God took care of him | Job 29:1-7

And he begins by wishing that he could return to his former days when God seemed near to him – verses 1-7…

KJV Job 29:1 [Moreover/And/Then] Job [continued/took up] his [parable/discourse/speech], and said,

Job 29:2 Oh that I were as in months [past/gone by/now gone],
as in the days when God [preserved/watched over] me;

Job 29:3 When his [candle/lamp] shined upon my head,
 and when by his light I walked through darkness;

Job 29:4 As I was in [the days of my youth/the prime of my days/my most productive time],
when the [secret/intimate friendship] of God was [upon/experienced in] my [tabernacle/tent];

Job 29:5 When the Almighty was [yet/still] with me,
 when my children were [about/around] me;

Job 29:6 When [I washed my steps/my steps were bathed] with butter,
and the rock poured me out rivers of [olive…] oil;

Job 29:7 When I went out to the gate [through/of] the city,
 when I [prepared/took/secured] my seat in the [street/public square]!

So, Job used to experience unparalleled blessings from God.

Job 29 Summary of Verses 8-10

Job was respected by all | Job 29:8-10

And as a result of God’s blessings, Job was respected by everyone – verses 8-10…

Job 29:8 The young men saw me, and hid themselves:
and the [aged/old men] [arose, and stood up/would get up and remain standing].

Job 29:9 The [princes/chief men] [refrained/stopped] talking,
and laid their hand on their mouth.

Job 29:10 The nobles [held their peace/voices were hushed/voices fell silent],
and their tongue [cleaved/stuck] to [the roof of their mouth/their palate].

Well, what earned Job this respect in the eyes of everyone?

Job 29 Summary of Verses 11-17

Job was blessed as an enforcer of justice for the needy | Job 29:11-17

It’s this – that Job was blessed as an enforcer of justice for the needy – verses 11-17…

Job 29:11 When the ear heard [me/these things], then it blessed me;
and when the eye saw [me/them], it [gave/bore] witness to me: {why?…}

Job 29:12 [Because/For] I delivered the poor that cried [for help…],
and the fatherless, [and him/(blank)] that had none to help him.

Job 29:13 The blessing of [him that was ready to perish/the dying man] came upon me:
and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy. {because of how he treated the widow’s dying husband and/or the widow herself…}

Job 29:14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me:
my [judgment/justice] was as a robe and a [diadem/turban].

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

Job 29:16 I was a father to the [poor/needy]:
and the [cause/case] [of the person…] which I knew not I [searched out/investigated].

Job 29:17 And I [brake/broke] the [jaws/fangs] of the wicked,
and [plucked/snatched away/made him drop] the spoil [out of/from] his teeth.

So, Job both fought for the needy and fought against the wicked who would abuse and oppress those needy individuals.

Job 29 Summary of Verses 18-20

Job thought he’d always be blessed | Job 29:18-20

And Job admits that he came to the point where – because things were so good in his life – he thought it would always be this way – verses 18-20… 

Job 29:18 Then I [said/thought],

I shall die in my [nest/own home],
and I shall multiply my days as the sand.

Job 29:19 My root [was spread out by/is spread out to/reaches] the waters,
and the dew [lay/lies] all night upon my [branch/branches].

Job 29:20 My glory [was/is ever/will always be]fresh in me,
and my bow [was renewed/ever new] in my hand.

Job 29 Summary of Verses 21-23

People actually used to listen to Job | Job 29:21-23

Now, we’ve seen up to this point in this book that Job’s friends have not really listened to him. But that’s so different from what Job used to experience – as Job goes on to point out. People actually used to listen to him! – verses 21-23…

Job 29:21 Unto me men [gave ear/listened], and waited [silently…],
and kept silence [at/for] my [counsel/advice].

Job 29:22 After [my words/I had spoken] they [spake not again/did not respond];
and my [speech/words] [dropped/fell drop by drop] upon them.

Job 29:23 And they waited for me as [people wait…] for the rain;
and they opened their mouth wide as for the [latter/spring] rain.

Job 29 Summary of Verses 24-25

People used to welcome Job’s attention and leadership | Job 29:24-25

And not only did people wait longingly to hear what Job had to say – they also greatly desired Job’s attention and leadership – verses 24 and 25…

Job 29:24 If I [laughed on/smiled at] them, they believed it [not/hardly];
and the light of my countenance they [cast not down/did not cause to darken].

Job 29:25 I chose out [their way/the way for them], and sat [as their…] chief,
and dwelt as a king [in the army/among his troops],
[as/I was like] one that comforteth the mourners.

So, Job remembers with great fondness this former time in his life when God was blessing him in ways that he could see and perceive naturally and tangibly.