Matthew Henry Commentary Job 29
Matthew Henry Commentary
Job 29
Matthew Henry Commentary
Job 29
"And Job again took up his parable, and said, Oh that I were as in the months of old, As in the days when God watched over me; When his lamp shined upon my head, And by his light I walked through darkness; As I was in the ripeness of my days, When the friendship of God was upon my tent; When the Almighty was yet with me, And my children were about me; When my steps were washed with butter, And the rock poured me out streams of oil!" — Job 29:1-6 (ASV)
Job proceeds to contrast his former prosperity with his present misery, through God's withdrawing from him. A gracious soul delights in God's smiles, not in the smiles of this world. Four things were then very pleasant to holy Job.
- The confidence he had in the Divine protection.
- The enjoyment he had of the Divine favour.
- The communion he had with the Divine word.
- The assurance he had of the Divine presence.
God's presence with a man in his house, even if it is only a cottage, makes it a castle and a palace. Then he also had comfort in his family.
Riches and flourishing families, like a candle, may soon be extinguished.
But when the mind is enlightened by the Holy Spirit, when a man walks in the light of God's countenance, every outward comfort is doubled, every trouble is diminished, and he may pass cheerfully by this light through life and through death.
Yet the perceptible comfort of this state is often withdrawn for a season. Commonly, this arises from sinful neglect and grieving the Holy Spirit; sometimes it may be a trial of a man's faith and grace.
But it is necessary to examine ourselves, to seek for the cause of such a change by fervent prayer, and to increase our watchfulness.
"When I went forth to the gate unto the city, When I prepared my seat in the street, The young men saw me and hid themselves, And the aged rose up and stood; The princes refrained from talking, And laid their hand on their mouth; The voice of the nobles was hushed, And their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth. For when the ear heard [me], then it blessed me; And when the eye saw [me], it gave witness unto me: Because I delivered the poor that cried, The fatherless also, that had none to help him. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me; And I caused the widow`s heart to sing for joy. I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: My justice was as a robe and a diadem. I was eyes to the blind, And feet was I to the lame. I was a father to the needy: And the cause of him that I knew not I searched out. And I brake the jaws of the unrighteous, And plucked the prey out of his teeth." — Job 29:7-17 (ASV)
All sorts of people paid respect to Job, not only for the dignity of his rank, but also for his personal merit: his prudence, integrity, and good management. Happy are the men who are blessed with such gifts as these! They have great opportunities to honor God and do good, but have a great need to watch against pride.
Happy are the people who are blessed with such men! It is a good sign for them. Here we see what Job valued himself for in the days of his prosperity. It was his usefulness. He valued himself for the restraint he placed on the violence of proud and evil men.
Good magistrates must, in this way, be a restraint to evildoers and protect the innocent. To do this, they should arm themselves with zeal and resolution. Such men are public blessings and resemble Him who rescues poor sinners from Satan. How many who were ready to perish now bless Him!
But who can adequately declare His praises? May we trust in His mercy and seek to imitate His truth, justice, and love.
"Then I said, I shall die in my nest, And I shall multiply my days as the sand: My root is spread out to the waters, And the dew lieth all night upon my branch; My glory is fresh in me, And my bow is renewed in my hand. Unto me men gave ear, and waited, And kept silence for my counsel. After my words they spake not again; And my speech distilled upon them. And they waited for me as for the rain; And they opened their mouth wide [as] for the latter rain. I smiled on them, when they had no confidence; And the light of my countenance they cast not down. I chose out their way, and sat [as] chief, And dwelt as a king in the army, As one that comforteth the mourners." — Job 29:18-25 (ASV)
Being so honored and useful, Job had hoped to die in peace and honor, in a good old age. If such an expectation arises from lively faith in the providence and promise of God, it is well; but if from conceit of our own wisdom, and dependence on changeable, earthly things, it is ill-grounded, and turns to sin.
Everyone who has the spirit of wisdom does not necessarily have the spirit of government; but Job had both. Yet he had the tenderness of a comforter. This he reflected on with pleasure, when he was himself a mourner.
Our Lord Jesus is a King who hates iniquity, and upon whom the blessing of a world ready to perish comes. Let us listen to Him.
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