Read Job 29:1-25
It’s good to remember that the book of Job is considered to be poetic in nature even though it contains dialogue. Here Job is taking quite a walk down memory lane describing his past successes and blessings. It’s hard for us to picture such a lavish lifestyle for Job, now so lost and abused by his friends.
If you had first met Job when he was living the life he describes here, how would you have helped him in his distress? I imagine the friends we have heard from previously dealt with that very problem. However, we haven’t been told anything particular about the basis for these friendships or been given details about the friends’ backstory.
Do you ever pine for a past you can never return to? The older I get, the more of a past there is to recall. Many times, people today are seeking a better life and looking back can bring painful memories come to life. Even in the pain, beauty can be found. For me, looking back helps me see how far forward I have come. My “maturity” has gifted me many lessons, some harder than others.
Do you think remembering the past is a healing exercise for Job? It must feel like a totally different time and place, almost as if it had been a dream. A very good dream. One of those dreams you want to get back to if awakened abruptly.
What I notice is that Job equates this abundance as coming from God. All of these positive things are only possible because God is there. Job poetically said, “I long for the years gone by when God took care of me, when he lit up the way before me and I walked safely through the darkness.”
Job was longing for those days. I don’t blame him. He lost so much. Yet looking back, it’s almost as if he realizes he may have taken it all for granted. He doesn’t say that directly, but you can tell that he never in a million years imagined he would end up like he was in this moment.
Spending time lost in good memories can be healing. It helps us muster up gratitude for having had the opportunity to experience such things. Think of one special memory you have and just thank God that he gave you that moment in time. Some of God’s blessings are only for a season, and Job was learning that lesson.
Another good take away from this passage is to see how Job describes himself, the kind of man whom God respects. This whole book started with us learning how impressed God was with Job. So was Satan. Satan’s plan to bring Job down is wavering at best. What can we glean from these descriptions that might help us?
Of all the ways Job describes himself here, he calls out one of the areas I’d like to improve in my own life. “Everything I did was honest. Righteousness covered me like a robe, and I wore justice like a turban.” I would love if people saw me as honest, covered in God’s righteousness, seeking divine justice. If only all people would seek to have their behaviors please God, too.
What spoke to you in today’s reading? Take some time to unpack those thoughts and observations.
Let’s pray. Father, I am so delighted to be spending time with you today. I look forward to our times together. I love taking a reading from your word and letting it just wash over me so I can feel you and hear from you. I pray you will use this message to reach more people and so they will be filled with the same peace and joy. Thank you for how you protect me. I know you are working behind the scenes to keep me safe from harm even when I cannot see trouble looming. May I be a blessing to those I encounter today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
