Job 29:16 | KingComments | STEP | Job’s description of his behavior in his days of wealth and prosperity should be a description of the behavior of every believer in this day and age. It pleads in favor of Job that he did not abuse his influence. He devoted himself to the socially weaker, the lower classes of society. In what he did for the less fortunate, he resembles the Lord Jesus Who also served them ( ). What anyone heard or saw from him produced a good testimony about him ( ). This also shows how slanderous Eliphaz’s accusation is that Job exploited his surroundings ( ). We too are judged on what people see or hear from us (cf. ). Do we have any idea of people’s reaction to what they see and hear from us? Job received that testimony because he did good to others: 1. He helped the wretched by delivering him out of his misery ( ). 2. The orphan, who had no one to help him, he also helped in his distress. 3. He received the blessing of someone who was ready to perish, for example by lack of food or by oppression or by false justice, because he saved him from his hopeless position ( ; ). 4. The widow, who had been deprived of her support and was in care about how things should proceed, he gave through his help a cheerful singing heart (cf. ). In the middle of the description of his beneficent performance Job points out that he put on “righteousness” ( ; ) and that it clothed him ( ). Job’s life was so marked by righteousness that it seemed that he was clothed with it. His righteous deeds were like a robe around him, and his righteous judgment was like a turban on his head. At the same time, robe and turban speak of the fact that Job held a leading position. Righteousness was exquisitely exercised by Job and took shape in him. He compares his “righteousness” with “a robe and a turban”. The robe is a garment worn by distinguished people; it shows dignity. The turban is a priestly and royal headgear ( ; ). Righteousness and justice were not taught to him, but they dwelt in him. It characterized him, so he was. Righteousness is to do justice to someone, to give him what is due to him, to treat him well. Justice is wider and looks at everything someone does and says. Job did not act out of his own interest, to make himself richer or to get more prestige out of it. Moses and the prophets have always called for such a life, to commit themselves to the needy, the less fortunate, the outcasts. 1. Job helped the blind man by being like eyes to him, by taking him by the hand, and by helping him to reach his goal and not to perish ( ). 2. The lame man, who could not walk, he himself brought where he should be. 3. To the needy, after whom no one cared, he was like a father who concerned himself with their fate ( ). 4. He investigated the complaints of the strangers, namely those who he did not know and who were socially vulnerable in the patriarchal society. In doing so he showed that he was enforcing the law indiscriminately. 5. He acted vigorously against those who did wrong ( ). If he saw that someone had made another his prey through unjust justice, he would snatch the prey out of the voracious mouth of such a person by breaking his jaws (cf. ). Thus Job showed pity where it was needed at a time when there were no social provisions. He also acted vigorously against evil where it was necessary at a time when one was at the mercy of those in power.

‏ Job 29:16

His Benedictions Blessed Him

Job’s description of his behavior in his days of wealth and prosperity should be a description of the behavior of every believer in this day and age. It pleads in favor of Job that he did not abuse his influence. He devoted himself to the socially weaker, the lower classes of society. In what he did for the less fortunate, he resembles the Lord Jesus Who also served them (Mt 8:17).

What anyone heard or saw from him produced a good testimony about him (Job 29:11). This also shows how slanderous Eliphaz’s accusation is that Job exploited his surroundings (Job 22:6-9). We too are judged on what people see or hear from us (cf. 2Cor 12:6). Do we have any idea of people’s reaction to what they see and hear from us?

Job received that testimony because he did good to others:

1. He helped the wretched by delivering him out of his misery (Job 29:12).

2. The orphan, who had no one to help him, he also helped in his distress.

3. He received the blessing of someone who was ready to perish, for example by lack of food or by oppression or by false justice, because he saved him from his hopeless position (Job 29:13; Pro 24:11).

4. The widow, who had been deprived of her support and was in care about how things should proceed, he gave through his help a cheerful singing heart (cf. Job 22:9).

In the middle of the description of his beneficent performance Job points out that he put on “righteousness” (Psa 132:9; Isa 11:5 ; Isa 61:10 ; Isa 59:17) and that it clothed him (Job 29:14). Job’s life was so marked by righteousness that it seemed that he was clothed with it. His righteous deeds were like a robe around him, and his righteous judgment was like a turban on his head. At the same time, robe and turban speak of the fact that Job held a leading position. Righteousness was exquisitely exercised by Job and took shape in him.

He compares his “righteousness” with “a robe and a turban”. The robe is a garment worn by distinguished people; it shows dignity. The turban is a priestly and royal headgear (Zec 3:5; Isa 62:3).

Righteousness and justice were not taught to him, but they dwelt in him. It characterized him, so he was. Righteousness is to do justice to someone, to give him what is due to him, to treat him well. Justice is wider and looks at everything someone does and says.

Job did not act out of his own interest, to make himself richer or to get more prestige out of it. Moses and the prophets have always called for such a life, to commit themselves to the needy, the less fortunate, the outcasts.

1. Job helped the blind man by being like eyes to him, by taking him by the hand, and by helping him to reach his goal and not to perish (Job 29:15).

2. The lame man, who could not walk, he himself brought where he should be.

3. To the needy, after whom no one cared, he was like a father who concerned himself with their fate (Job 29:16).

4. He investigated the complaints of the strangers, namely those who he did not know and who were socially vulnerable in the patriarchal society. In doing so he showed that he was enforcing the law indiscriminately.

5. He acted vigorously against those who did wrong (Job 29:17). If he saw that someone had made another his prey through unjust justice, he would snatch the prey out of the voracious mouth of such a person by breaking his jaws (cf. Pro 30:14).

Thus Job showed pity where it was needed at a time when there were no social provisions. He also acted vigorously against evil where it was necessary at a time when one was at the mercy of those in power.