Job 29:18 - Meaning and Application

What crowned Job’s prosperity was the pleasant hope that it would continue. He knew, in a general way, that trouble could come, and so he was not careless (Job 3:26, “I was not in safety, neither had I rest”). Even so, he had no clear reason to fear, and he had every reason to expect his peace would last.

Here Job tells us what he thought in his prosperous days, “Then I said, I shall die in my nest” (Job 29:18). He had built himself a warm, comfortable nest, and he expected nothing would disturb him there until death itself removed him. He knew he had not brought trouble on himself by any wrongdoing, and he saw no storm rising to tear his nest apart. So he concluded, “Tomorrow will be as today,” much like David said, “My mountain stands strong, and shall not be moved” (Psalm 30:6).

Notice two things. First, even in prosperity, he thought about death, and the thought did not trouble him. He knew that, though his nest was high, it was still within reach of death’s arrows. Second, he still gave himself to vain hopes. He expected to live a long time, to multiply his days like the sand by the sea, while we would do better to count our days like the sand in an hourglass, because it quickly runs out.

He also expected to die while still enjoying the same success he had known in life. If a hope like that comes from strong faith in God’s care and promise, it is good. But if it comes from self-confidence and trust in earthly stability, it is badly founded and becomes sin. We hope Job’s confidence was more like David’s, “Whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1), not like the rich fool’s, “Soul, take your ease” (Luke 12:19).

Job had reason, as he saw it, to think this way. If he looked at home, he found a strong base. His wealth was truly his own, and none of his neighbors had a claim against him. He felt no illness growing on him, no debt hanging over his estate, and no hidden weakness at the root of his prosperity. He was moving forward in his affairs, not falling behind, and his honor was growing instead of shrinking.

He describes himself like a tree with roots spread by the waters. Such a tree stands firm, so it is not likely to be uprooted, and it also draws nourishment, so it does not wither. Job thought he was blessed not only with earthly riches, but also with the favor of heaven, for “the dew lay all night upon my branch” (Job 29:19). God’s providence made his comforts sweet and his work successful. No one should think prosperity can be held up by earthly gains alone, without the blessing that comes from above.

Because God’s favor stayed with Job, his honor remained fresh. People still had new reasons to praise him, and they did not need to keep repeating old stories. Only steady goodness keeps a person’s good name alive and from growing stale. “My bow was renewed in my hand” (Job 29:20), means his strength to defend himself and answer his enemies kept increasing. So he thought he had as little reason as anyone to fear the Sabeans and Chaldeans, those raiders who later attacked him.

If Job looked outward, he also saw that his influence was well established. He had no reason to doubt his enemies, but he also had no reason to distrust his friends. Even at the end of his prosperity, they still honored him and leaned on his judgment. What had he to fear, when giving counsel was almost the same as giving law to his neighbors? Nothing could be done against him, because nothing was done without him.

He was, in effect, the oracle of his country (Job 29:21). People asked him for guidance as they would ask an oracle, and they accepted his judgment as final. When others could not get a hearing, everyone listened to Job and stayed quiet under his counsel, knowing that nothing could be said against it and nothing needed to be added to it. After he had spoken, there was nothing more to say (Job 29:22).

He was also the darling of his country. Everyone around him was pleased with what he said and did, much as David’s people were pleased with him (2 Samuel 3:36). He had the hearts of his neighbors, servants, tenants, and subjects. No man was ever more admired or more loved.

Those whom he spoke to thought themselves blessed. His wise words were as welcome to them as rain to dry ground. His speech “dropped” on them, and they waited for it as for rain (Job 29:22, Job 29:23). They wondered at the gracious words that came from his mouth, welcomed them, held on to them, and treasured them like short sayings worth remembering. His servants, who stood before him constantly to hear his wisdom, would not have envied Solomon’s household.

People who know how to value wise speech are themselves wise, or likely to become so. They want it, wait for it, and take it in as the earth takes in frequent rain (Hebrews 6:7). Those who have Job’s kind of influence, where a simple saying carried great weight, have great chances to do good. But they also must be careful not to do harm, because a bad word from such people spreads quickly and does much damage.

Even more happy were those on whom he smiled, for they thought themselves highly favored (Job 29:24). If he laughed with them to show he was pleased, it was such an honor that they could hardly believe it for joy, or because it was so rare to see this serious man smile. Many people seek a ruler’s favor. Job was a ruler whose favor was eagerly desired and highly valued.

When a great prince gives one person a kiss, another may envy him even if he only received a golden cup. Familiarity can often lessen respect, but Job’s kindness did not do that. If he sometimes made himself free and cheerful with those around him, it did not lower the respect they had for him. They still kept the honor of his countenance and did not treat his favor lightly.

He was also, in a sense, the sovereign of his country (Job 29:25). He chose their way, sat at the helm, and steered for them. Everyone looked to his direction and submitted to his command.

This may be how monarchy first grew in many countries. A man like Job, who stood far above his neighbors in wisdom and integrity, would naturally be given the highest place. The foolish, of course, end up serving the wise in heart, and if wisdom stays in a family for a while, honor and power often begin to pass down through it.

Two things especially made Job fit for rule. First, he had the authority of a commander or general. He lived as a king among his army, giving orders that were not questioned. Not everyone who has wisdom also has the gift of leadership, but Job had both. When there was need, he could take on royal dignity and say, “Go,” “Come,” and “Do this” (Matthew 8:9).

Second, he also had the tenderness of a comforter. He was as ready to help people in trouble as if comforting mourners had been his official duty. Eliphaz himself had admitted this earlier, saying Job had strengthened weak hands (Job 4:3). Job now remembered that with some comfort, while he himself was in grief. Yet we often find it easier to comfort others with the comfort we once received than to comfort ourselves with the same words we once gave.

Job may also be seen as a picture of Christ in his power and success. Our Lord Jesus is such a King as Job was, the poor man’s King, who loves what is right and hates evil, and on whom the blessing of a world about to perish comes (Psalm 72:2). So let us listen to him, and let him have the highest place in our hearts.