DBG - June 13 - Job 29-31

In this chapter Job defends himself by describing his past.

vs. 1-10 – Job opines for the days just recently passed were all seemed well and God’s hand of blessing was on his life.  What he is stating is a true observation, but in using it in his defense he is slipping into his self-righteous tendency.

vs. 11-25 – Job describes his good works in his past.  He is again defending himself from the accusations of his friends, but at the same time overreacting into a self-righteous portrayal of his life.  His testimony here is more hyperbolic than humble.  Part of this could be seen as a rhetorical device to set up the next chapter but given inclination toward self-righteousness we cannot rule it out as also a motivation.

In this chapter Job continues his defense by describing his present state.

vs. 1-19 – Job contrasts his state before to his present suffering.  Once respected, he is now scorned.  Once exalted, now even the lowest of people look down on him in derision.  He is now in a hopeless state, humbled as low as any man has been.

vs. 20-31 – Job again accuses God of causing his misfortune.  God would not hear his cry nor have mercy on his suffering.  His righteousness and good works had been rewarded with loss and humiliation.  Quickly I want to address the use of the word “dragon” in the KJV in vs. 29 and other places.  First, you need to remember that ancient people did not have the meticulous classification system we have for animals.  Their names are often descriptions and difficult for us to identify today as accurately as we like.  Second, the Hebrew word tannin (Strong’s H8577) is a vague word applied to multiple creatures.  Basically, it just means something like a monster, or as I like to describe it, those frightening things that go bump in the night.  Many today say this word means jackal in this verse, which could be true but getting too exact robs the word of its power.  Why use the word dragon?  The etymology of the English word is from Latin draconem (huge serpent, dragon) which is from the Greek drakon (“serpent, giant seafish”).  Some believe its Greek origin may be related to a verb meaning “I see”, referring to a creature’s bright eyes or “deadly glance”.  So essentially, the classic etymological understanding of the word supports its use as a synonym for “monster”. 

In this chapter Job concludes his defense against his friends.

vs. 1-12 – Job defends his character and record as being upright.  He states specific sins such as impure thoughts (vs. 1) and adultery (vs. 9).  While he is true in defending himself, there is a taint of self-righteousness to his words. 

vs. 13-23 – One of the greatest sins in the ancient world was not to offer proper hospitality to others.  Job had treated his servants well and had been generous to the needy.

vs. 24-34 – Job declares that he had not be entranced to wealth or had worshipped the sun and moon like others around him.  He was hospitable and kind.  He did not do these things to bury his sins under a pile of good works. 

vs. 35-40 – Job again appeals for a mediator to hear his case.  Let his record be compared with the accusations made against him.  He is confident in his case that he was not suffering because of his sins.  Of course, we have also noted that he does tend to let the sins of self-righteousness and pride to creep into his defense.  These may taint his cause, but the end is still true.  Job was a righteous man.  God gives us that declaration back in the first book of the chapter.  His friends accused him of suffering because of some supposed great sin.  We know that is not the case.  We have the first two chapters telling us what was happening behind the scenes, all which Job did not know.  The earthly wisdom of his friends concluded that sin led to his suffering.  He had no divine revelation (yet) to counter their case.  He could only defend himself to them.  He has done so and ceases speaking to them.

We saw today that Job has a remarkable record of faithfulness to God before his time of suffering. I think he is largely arguing along the same lines as James Chapter 2. Did Job have faith? Yes, he did. How do we know? Because of his good works. Faith always bears fruit in the lives of believers. It is not the reason we have hope with God, but it is the expression of the hope.

Our hymn today is yet another by the prolific pen of Charles Wesley.  “O That I Were As Heretofore” is heavily based on Job 29 where Job is remembered his happier days before his suffering.  Wesley shifts this to remembering the better days before backsliding spiritually.

O that I were as heretofore,
When warm in my first love!
I only liv'd my Lord t' adore,
And seek the things above.

Upon my head his candle shone,
And lavish of his grace,
With cords of love he drew me on,
And half unveil'd his face.

Butter and honey did I eat,
And lifted up on high,
I saw the clouds beneath my feet,
And rode upon the sky.

Far, far above all earthly things
Triumphantly I rode;
I soar'd to heav'n on eagles' wings,
And found, and talk'd with God.

Where am I now, from what a height
Of happiness cast down!
The glory swallow'd up in night,
And faded is the crown.

O God, thou art my home, my rest,
For which I sigh in pain,
How shall I 'scape into thy breast,
My Eden how regain?