1And Job continued his discourse: 2“How I long for the months gone by, for the days when God watched over me, 3when His lamp shone above my head, and by His light I walked through the darkness, 4when I was in my prime, when the friendship of God rested on my tent, 5when the Almighty was still with me and my children were around me, 6when my steps were bathed in cream and the rock poured out for me streams of oil! 7When I went out to the city gate and took my seat in the public square, 8the young men saw me and withdrew, and the old men rose to their feet. 9The princes refrained from speaking and covered their mouths with their hands. 10The voices of the nobles were hushed, and their tongues stuck to the roofs of their mouths. 11For those who heard me called me blessed, and those who saw me commended me, 12because I rescued the poor who cried out and the fatherless who had no helper. 13The dying man blessed me, and I made the widow’s heart sing for joy. 14I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; justice was my robe and my turban. 15I served as eyes to the blind and as feet to the lame. 16I was a father to the needy, and I took up the case of the stranger. 17I shattered the fangs of the unjust and snatched the prey from his teeth. 18So I thought: ‘I will die in my nest and multiply my days as the sand. 19My roots will spread out to the waters, and the dew will rest nightly on my branches. 20My glory is ever new within me, and my bow is renewed in my hand.’ 21Men listened to me with expectation, waiting silently for my counsel. 22After my words, they spoke no more; my speech settled on them like dew. 23They waited for me as for rain and drank in my words like spring showers. 24If I smiled at them, they did not believe it; the light of my countenance was precious. 25I chose their course and presided as chief. So I dwelt as a king among his troops, as a comforter of the mourners.
Matthew Henry's Commentary
Job's former comforts. (1-6) The honour paid to Job, His usefulness. (7-17) His prospect of prosperity. (18-25) 1-6 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. 1. The confidence he had in the Divine protection. 2. The enjoyment he had of the Divine favour. 3. The communion he had with the Divine word. 4. The assurance he had of the Divine presence. God's presence with a man in his house, though it be but a cottage, makes it a castle and a palace. Then also he had comfort in his family. Riches and flourishing families, like a candle, may be soon 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 sensible comfort of this state is often withdrawn for a season; and 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 needful to examine ourselves, to seek for the cause of such a change by fervent prayer, and to increase our watchfulness. 7-17 All sorts of people paid respect to Job, not only for the dignity of his rank, but for his personal merit, his prudence, integrity, and good management. Happy the men who are blessed with such gifts as these! They have great opportunities of honouring God and doing good, but have great need to watch against pride. Happy the people who are blessed with such men! it is a token for good to them. Here we see what Job valued himself by, in the day of his prosperity. It was by his usefulness. He valued himself by the check he gave to the violence of proud and evil men. Good magistrates must thus be a restraint to evil-doers, and protect the innocent; in order to 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 are blessing Him! But who can show forth His praises? May we trust in His mercy, and seek to imitate His truth, justice, and love. 18-25 Being thus honoured and useful, Job had hoped to die in peace and honour, in a good old age. If such an expectation arise 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. Every one that has the spirit of wisdom, has not the spirit of government; but Job had both. Yet he had the tenderness of a comforter. This he thought upon 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. To Him let us give ear.