ヨブ記 29:18-25 JC

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 29:1-25

A mournful reflection upon a happy past. Job had lived in honour and great respect. He was "the greatest of all the men of the East." The Divine testimony concerning him was, "There is none like him in the earth." Job's was an enviable condition, and his own words indicate how sensible he was of it. In his mournful utterance, made as he looks back upon a dead past, we see wherein consisted his happiness; and we learn what arc the elemental conditions of the highest felicity in human life—at... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 29:18

Then I said, I shall die in my nest . The metaphor of "nest" for "dwelling-place" occurs in Numbers 24:21 ; Jeremiah 49:16 : Obadiah 1:4 ; and Habakkuk 2:9 . It is also employed by Healed ('Op. et Di.,' 1.301). And I shall multiply my days as the sand. Some translate, "I shall multiply my days as the phoenix," the fabulous bird which was supposed to live for five hundred years (Herod; 2:72), to burn itself on a funeral pile of spices, and then to rise again from its ashes. But the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 29:18

The phoenix. Accepting the rendering that is now adopted by most of the abler commentators—that which is given in the margin of the Revised Version—we see Job comparing himself in his earlier days to the phoenix, which, "according to the Egyptian legend, lived five hundred years, and then, setting fire to its nest, renewed its youth in the funeral pyre." Youth cannot believe in death, unless, indeed, it falls into a sentimental mood, or is startled by the ugly fact itself. Naturally, when... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 29:19

My root was spread out by the waters (comp. Psalms 1:3 ; Jeremiah 17:8 ); rather, to the waters— so that the waters reached it and nourished it. And the dew lay all night upon my branch . Job compares himself, in his former prosperous state, to a tree growing by a river-side, which receives a double nourishment—from the actual water of the stream, which reaches its roots, and from the moisture evaporated from the stream, which hangs in the air, and descends in the shape of dew upon... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 29:20

My glory was fresh in me ; i.e. "my glory remained fresh"—received no tarnish, continued as bright as it had been at the first. And my bow was renewed in my hand . My strength did not fail. When it seemed on the point of failing, it was secretly and mysteriously "renewed." Some commentators regard Job 29:19 and Job 29:20 as a portion of the speech begun in Job 29:18 , and view the verbs, not as past tenses, but as futures (compare the translation of the Revised Version). The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 29:21

Unto me men gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel (comp. Job 29:9 , Job 29:10 ). Job, however, does not repeat himself, sines in the previous passage he is speaking of his work and office as judge, whereas now he declares the position which he had occupied among his countrymen as statesman and counsellor. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 29:21-23

Welcome counsel. Among the happy circumstances of Job's sunny days of prosperity, he recalls the welcome that was accorded to his words of advice. Too often advice is more freely offered than thankfully received. Let us, then, consider the quality, the utility, and the acceptance of welcome counsel. I. THE QUALITY OF WELCOME COUNSEL . What conditions must be fulfilled to make advice worthy of acceptation? 1 . It must be full of knowledge. A glib tongue is ready enough to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 29:22

After my words they spake not again . When Job had spoken, the debate commonly came to an end. It was felt that all had been said, and that further remark would be superfluous . And my speech dropped upon them (comp. Deuteronomy 32:2 , "My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew"). The silent, penetrating influence of wise counsel is glanced at. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 29:23

They waited for me as for the rain ; i.e. "they were as eager to heat' me speak as the parched ground is to receive the winter rain, which it expects and waits for and absorbs greedily." And they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain . They drank in my discourse as the spring vegetation drinks in the spring showers, known in the East generally as "the latter rains." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 29:24

If I laughed on them, they believed it not ; rather, if I smiled on them. If, as a mark of favour, I smiled on any, they thought it such graciousness and condescension that they could scarcely believe it possible. And the light of my countenance they cast not down . They never put me out of countenance, or made me sad and gloomy, by opposing my views and ranging themselves against me. read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 29:1-25

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 29:18

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 29:18

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 29:19

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 29:20

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 29:21

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 29:21-23

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 29:22

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 29:23

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 29:24

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