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Job 29:2
Verse
Context
Sermons
Keith Daniel
Thomas Bradbury
F.B. Meyer
J.C. Philpot
A.W. PinkSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
O that I were as in months past - Job seems here to make an apology for his complaints, by taking a view of his former prosperity, which was very great, but was now entirely at an end. He shows that it was not removed because of any bad use he had made of it; and describes how he behaved himself before God and man, and how much, for justice, benevolence, and mercy, he was esteemed and honored by the wise and good. Preserved me - Kept, guarded, and watched over me.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
preserved me--from calamity.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Oh that I were as in months past,.... Which is either an earnest wish for restoration to his former state of outward prosperity; which he might desire, not through impatience and discontent under his present circumstances, or from a carnal and worldly spirit; but either that the present reproach he lay under from his friends might be taken off, he observing that they accounted him a wicked man and an hypocrite, because of his afflictions; wherefore he judged, if these were removed, and he was in as prosperous a condition and in as good circumstances as before, they would entertain a different opinion of him; or, that his words might be better attended to, as they were by men, both young and old, and even princes and nobles before, it being a common case, that what a poor and distressed man says is not regarded; or that he might be in a capacity of doing good to the poor and fatherless, the widow and the oppressed, as he had formerly; or, this wish is only made to introduce the account of his former life, by which it would appear, that he was not the man his friends had represented him to be, from the favour he was in with God, and from the respect shown him by men, and the many good things done by him: but since, by various expressions, which before had dropped from his lips, it appears, that he had no hope nor expectation of ever being restored to his former outward happiness; this may be considered as a wish for the return of spiritual prosperity, wishing he was in as good frames of soul, and as much in the exercise of grace, and was as holy, as humble, as spiritual, and heavenly minded, as he was when he had so much of the world about him; and that he had but the like communion with God, and his gracious presence with him, as he had then. The state of the Lord's people, God-ward, is always the same; his election of them stands sure; the covenant of grace with them is unalterable; their interest in a living Redeemer always continues; grace in them is a principle, permanent and perpetual; but there may be, and often is, an alteration in their frames, and in the exercise of their graces, and in the open regard of God unto them; their graces may be low in exercise; there may be a decay of the life and power of godliness; their frames may change, and the presence of God may be withdrawn from them, and they may have no view of interest in salvation, at least not have the joys of it; wherefore, when sensible of all this, may be desirous it might be with them as it was before; that God would turn them again, and cause his face to shine upon them, that they might be comfortable; the particulars of Job's former case follow, which he desires a renewal of: as in the days when God preserved me; either in a temporal sense; God having set an hedge of special providence about him, whereby he and his, his family and substance, were remarkably preserved; but now this was plucked up, and all were exposed to ravage and ruin; or in a spiritual sense, as he was both secretly and openly preserved, and as all the Lord's people are, in Christ, and in his hands, and by his power, spirit, and grace: the Lord preserves their souls from the evil of their own hearts, sin that dwells in them, that it shall not have the dominion over them; from the evil that is in the world, that they shall not be overcome by it, and carried away with if; and from the temptations of Satan, so as not to be devoured and destroyed by him, and from a final and total falling away; he preserves them in his own ways, safe to his kingdom and glory; but sometimes all this does not appear so evident unto them, as it might not to Job at this time; who observed the workings of his corruption, and the breaking out of them, in passionate words, wishes, and curses, and the temptations of Satan, who was busy with him to go further lengths, even to blaspheme and curse God; so that he might fear that God his defence was departed from him, the return of which he was desirous of; see Isa 49:14.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
29:2 Although elsewhere Job uses the Hebrew shamar to describe what he perceived as God’s oppressive surveillance (10:14; 13:27; 14:16), here it refers to God’s kindly care (“watch(es) over,” Ps 121:3-8).
Job 29:2
Job’s Former Blessings
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,
- Scripture
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- Commentary
The Book of Job
By Keith Daniel3.5K1:56:18SufferingJOB 1:2JOB 2:9JOB 19:21JOB 19:23JOB 29:2MAT 27:421PE 1:15In this sermon, the speaker recounts the story of Job from the Bible. Job, a wealthy and righteous man, experiences a series of devastating losses, including the death of his children and the destruction of his possessions. Despite his despair, Job remains faithful to God and acknowledges that everything he had was given by God and can be taken away. The speaker emphasizes the importance of trusting in God even in the midst of trials and encourages listeners to seek God's righteousness rather than defending themselves against His dealings.
(Job: An Epic in Brokenness) 3. the Message of Elihu
By Roy Hession3.1K56:19BrokennessJOB 29:2JOB 30:1JOB 31:29JOB 32:7JER 36:2MAT 6:33ROM 6:23In this sermon, the preacher discusses the book of Job and its various chapters. He highlights how Job's friends were amazed and stopped speaking, allowing Job to finally have a chance to speak. Job expresses his innocence and his desire for God to speak. The preacher emphasizes that God speaks in two ways - through words and through pain and suffering. He concludes by emphasizing the importance of repentance and restoration in one's relationship with God.
Covenant Relationship
By Thomas Bradbury0JOB 29:2JER 32:40MAT 11:27MAT 28:20JHN 14:17ROM 1:16ROM 8:322CO 5:8EPH 1:12TI 1:9HEB 3:1Thomas Bradbury preaches on the divine revelation and inspiration found in the book of Ephesians, focusing on the goodness of God as a Covenant Father to His children in Christ Jesus. He emphasizes the unique nature of this epistle, highlighting the intimate relationship between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit with the believers. Bradbury delves into the mental culture of the writer, Paul, and the significance of being sealed by the Holy Spirit as a pledge of our eternal inheritance. He concludes by discussing the purchased possession, symbolizing Christ's victory over Satan and His eternal reign over His redeemed people.
Oh That I Were as in the Months of Old!
By F.B. Meyer0RestorationSpiritual GrowthJOB 29:2PSA 51:12PHP 3:13REV 2:5F.B. Meyer reflects on Job's lamentation about longing for the past, drawing parallels to the human tendency to romanticize earlier days of faith. He emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between the initial excitement of faith and the deeper, more mature love that develops over time. While the fervor of early faith may fade, it can be replaced by a profound peace and understanding in one's relationship with God. Meyer urges those who feel distant from God to return to their first love, reminding them that Jesus desires to restore their joy and intimacy with Him.
Spiritual Sickness and Health
By J.C. Philpot0JOB 29:2JOB 33:19PSA 73:7PRO 20:30ISA 1:5ACT 23:26REV 3:16J.C. Philpot preaches on the importance of soul-prosperity, drawing from 3 John 2 where John wishes Gaius to prosper and be in health as his soul prospers. Philpot explains the difference between soul-sickness and soul-health, emphasizing the spiritual well-being over temporal blessings. He delves into the symptoms, causes, and cure of soul-sickness, highlighting the need for afflictions to cut into the wound before healing can occur. Philpot also explores the symptoms and causes of spiritual health, pointing out the signs of a prosperous soul like a lively heart for God, prayerfulness, affection for God's people, and humility. He stresses the importance of spiritual prosperity over worldly success, as true health comes from a thriving relationship with God.
Spiritual Fluctuations
By A.W. Pink0Trials and TribulationsSpiritual GrowthGEN 42:36NUM 11:6JOB 29:2PSA 19:10PSA 55:19PSA 89:49ISA 12:2ROM 7:14A.W. Pink explores the concept of 'Spiritual Fluctuations,' emphasizing that true Christians experience significant changes in their spiritual lives, contrasting with those who maintain a steady, unchanging faith. He argues that while many may envy a uniform spiritual experience, such stability can often lack genuine depth and the fear of God. Pink highlights the various changes believers face in their struggles with sin, their enjoyment of Scripture, their faith, prayer life, and external circumstances, suggesting that these fluctuations are essential for spiritual growth and humility before God. Ultimately, he asserts that the trials and changes in a believer's life serve to deepen their relationship with God and enhance their piety.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
O that I were as in months past - Job seems here to make an apology for his complaints, by taking a view of his former prosperity, which was very great, but was now entirely at an end. He shows that it was not removed because of any bad use he had made of it; and describes how he behaved himself before God and man, and how much, for justice, benevolence, and mercy, he was esteemed and honored by the wise and good. Preserved me - Kept, guarded, and watched over me.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
preserved me--from calamity.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Oh that I were as in months past,.... Which is either an earnest wish for restoration to his former state of outward prosperity; which he might desire, not through impatience and discontent under his present circumstances, or from a carnal and worldly spirit; but either that the present reproach he lay under from his friends might be taken off, he observing that they accounted him a wicked man and an hypocrite, because of his afflictions; wherefore he judged, if these were removed, and he was in as prosperous a condition and in as good circumstances as before, they would entertain a different opinion of him; or, that his words might be better attended to, as they were by men, both young and old, and even princes and nobles before, it being a common case, that what a poor and distressed man says is not regarded; or that he might be in a capacity of doing good to the poor and fatherless, the widow and the oppressed, as he had formerly; or, this wish is only made to introduce the account of his former life, by which it would appear, that he was not the man his friends had represented him to be, from the favour he was in with God, and from the respect shown him by men, and the many good things done by him: but since, by various expressions, which before had dropped from his lips, it appears, that he had no hope nor expectation of ever being restored to his former outward happiness; this may be considered as a wish for the return of spiritual prosperity, wishing he was in as good frames of soul, and as much in the exercise of grace, and was as holy, as humble, as spiritual, and heavenly minded, as he was when he had so much of the world about him; and that he had but the like communion with God, and his gracious presence with him, as he had then. The state of the Lord's people, God-ward, is always the same; his election of them stands sure; the covenant of grace with them is unalterable; their interest in a living Redeemer always continues; grace in them is a principle, permanent and perpetual; but there may be, and often is, an alteration in their frames, and in the exercise of their graces, and in the open regard of God unto them; their graces may be low in exercise; there may be a decay of the life and power of godliness; their frames may change, and the presence of God may be withdrawn from them, and they may have no view of interest in salvation, at least not have the joys of it; wherefore, when sensible of all this, may be desirous it might be with them as it was before; that God would turn them again, and cause his face to shine upon them, that they might be comfortable; the particulars of Job's former case follow, which he desires a renewal of: as in the days when God preserved me; either in a temporal sense; God having set an hedge of special providence about him, whereby he and his, his family and substance, were remarkably preserved; but now this was plucked up, and all were exposed to ravage and ruin; or in a spiritual sense, as he was both secretly and openly preserved, and as all the Lord's people are, in Christ, and in his hands, and by his power, spirit, and grace: the Lord preserves their souls from the evil of their own hearts, sin that dwells in them, that it shall not have the dominion over them; from the evil that is in the world, that they shall not be overcome by it, and carried away with if; and from the temptations of Satan, so as not to be devoured and destroyed by him, and from a final and total falling away; he preserves them in his own ways, safe to his kingdom and glory; but sometimes all this does not appear so evident unto them, as it might not to Job at this time; who observed the workings of his corruption, and the breaking out of them, in passionate words, wishes, and curses, and the temptations of Satan, who was busy with him to go further lengths, even to blaspheme and curse God; so that he might fear that God his defence was departed from him, the return of which he was desirous of; see Isa 49:14.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
29:2 Although elsewhere Job uses the Hebrew shamar to describe what he perceived as God’s oppressive surveillance (10:14; 13:27; 14:16), here it refers to God’s kindly care (“watch(es) over,” Ps 121:3-8).