Charles Ellicott Commentary Job 29
Charles Ellicott Commentary
Job 29
Charles Ellicott Commentary
Job 29
"And Job again took up his parable, and said," — Job 29:1 (ASV)
Job continued his parable. —In this chapter he recounts wistfully his past happiness. In his case it was indeed not without cause, though in point of fact he was then passing through a time of trial which was itself hastening his time of deliverance, and which was to make his name famous throughout the world and throughout all time. And in most similar cases we need to keep in mind the words of Solomon (Ecclesiastes 7:10): Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.
"Oh that I were as in the months of old, As in the days when God watched over me;" — Job 29:2 (ASV)
Preserved. —Or, watched over me. When does God not watch over us, if we only knew it?
"When his lamp shined upon my head, And by his light I walked through darkness;" — Job 29:3 (ASV)
When his candle shined. — See Isaiah 1:10.
"As I was in the ripeness of my days, When the friendship of God was upon my tent;" — Job 29:4 (ASV)
In the days of my youth. — Literally, my autumn: that is, in the ripeness, maturity of my days. He was then in the depth of winter. (Compare the words “in which it seemed always afternoon.”) Some suppose, however, that as with the ancient and modern Jews the year began with the autumn, it is used much in the same way as we use spring.
The secret of God. — Or, the counsel of God.
"When I went forth to the gate unto the city, When I prepared my seat in the street," — Job 29:7 (ASV)
To the gate. —There business was transacted. (Compare the expression, which is still used with reference to the Turkish Empire, of “the Sublime Porte,” or the supreme place of government; Psalms 127:5;Jeremiah 35:20, and others.)
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