Job 29:23

Job returns here to speak in much the same way as he did in verses 11 to 17. He dwells on the effect he had on his hearers in days past, when men listened to him and did not interrupt. This was not because of a forceful character that demanded men's attention. It came from the seemingly gentle wisdom of his counsel. When he spoke, they had no reply. His words were like dew, with a calming effect, not like an irresistible storm. They carried such weight that men would wait for his counsel. When they opened their mouth wide, it was not to speak, but to drink in the counsel Job gave.

His decisions show their effect on the people he helped rather than on his fellow councillors. His decision was the final word for them, calling for no response. And yet his words were not like the crushing sentence of an unbending judge. They were like the gentle dew or the rain.

How could he overlook the weight his words carried? Or the waiting and the silence for them? No one contradicted him. His words were welcomed like thirsty land waiting for rain, with open mouth as for the spring rain. … In short, Job was their treasured counsellor in difficulty. He sat as chief, lived like a king among his troop, and really was one who comforted the mourners. Such, without a break, had been his life in former days.

This is truly a most remarkable statement. We look in vain here for any breathing of a broken and contrite spirit. There is no sign of self-loathing, or even of self-distrust. We cannot find a single expression of conscious weakness and nothingness. In the course of this one chapter, Job refers to himself more than forty times. The references to God are only five. It reminds us of Romans 7, where "I" also dominates. But there is this immense difference. In Romans 7, "I" is a poor, weak, good-for-nothing, wretched creature in the presence of the holy law of God. In Job 29, "I" is a most important, influential person, admired and almost worshipped by those around him.

Job was a godly man. There was no one like him in his generation. But in his soul a fast current was flowing. He valued his character and his circumstances. Not that he was self-righteous or worldly in the ordinary way. He was truly a believer, and a generous friend and benefactor. But he valued his circumstances in life, and his standing among men. In the hidden movements of his heart, he used to survey his fine condition with satisfaction. That was a strong undercurrent. His neighbours had not traced the course of that stream, but his heavenly Father had. He loved Job, and He wanted him to share His holiness. All this did not fit with that holiness. So He put him into His own school to exercise him.

There is where Job failed. Job admired himself. And so he looks back. "Oh, that I were as in the months of old." God was going to do far better. It is true that Job went through very severe sifting. But it was all for his good. More than that, it was for your good and my good, and for the good of every believer who has ever profited by this book since God had it written.