"Job continued speaking:
2 “I long for the years gone by
when God took care of me,
3 when he lit up the way before me
and I walked safely through the darkness.
4 When I was in my prime,
God’s friendship was felt in my home.
5 The Almighty was still with me,
and my children were around me.
6 My cows produced milk in abundance,
and my groves poured out streams of olive oil."
Here Job's reminiscing on the days past. I can't fault him or blame him for that either. If I were to go through what Job had, I probably wouldn't be able to help thinking back and even longing for the days when things were as good as they were for him.
Verses 7-17:
and took my place among the honored leaders.
8 The young stepped aside when they saw me,
and even the aged rose in respect at my coming.
9 The princes stood in silence
and put their hands over their mouths.
10 The highest officials of the city stood quietly,
holding their tongues in respect.
11 “All who heard me praised me.
All who saw me spoke well of me.
12 For I assisted the poor in their need
and the orphans who required help.
13 I helped those without hope, and they blessed me.
And I caused the widows’ hearts to sing for joy.
14 Everything I did was honest.
Righteousness covered me like a robe,
and I wore justice like a turban.
15 I served as eyes for the blind
and feet for the lame.
16 I was a father to the poor
and assisted strangers who needed help.
17 I broke the jaws of godless oppressors
and plucked their victims from their teeth."
You could probably say that Job would probably be a kind of peacemaker today. He'd be the guy who wouldn't stand for injustice, especially when it is done right in front of him to less fortunate people. I think this is a characteristic of Job that sticks out as something Jesus would have (and actually does) commended.
Verses 18-25:
after a long, good life.
19 For I am like a tree whose roots reach the water,
whose branches are refreshed with the dew.
20 New honors are constantly bestowed on me,
and my strength is continually renewed.’
21 “Everyone listened to my advice.
They were silent as they waited for me to speak.
22 And after I spoke, they had nothing to add,
for my counsel satisfied them.
23 They longed for me to speak as people long for rain.
They drank my words like a refreshing spring rain.
24 When they were discouraged, I smiled at them.
My look of approval was precious to them.
25 Like a chief, I told them what to do.
I lived like a king among his troops
and comforted those who mourned."
I a little bit wish that Job were alive today. I feel like he would be a needed sense of refreshment in a world that desperately needs that! I guess in another way, that should be a convicting motivation for me to model my life after Job here, who is exhibiting a lot of what Christ calls for us to show in our own lives. What do you guys see here?
"Heavenly Father thank You for Jesus! I pray that each day we wake up, we would embrace and not run from the opportunities that You put in our path(s). May we face each challenge with patient endurance, love, and grace just as You approach us. May we live our lives in a similar way as Job. I pray this in Jesus' name, amen."
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