Context No. 3967 of 4322 · Job
Context · Reflection
Job 29:17-25: in context
17I broke the jaws of the unrighteous and plucked the prey out of his teeth. 18Then I said, ‘I will die in my own house, I will count my days as the sand. 19My root is spread out to the waters. The dew lies all night on my branch. 20My glory is fresh in me. My bow is renewed in my hand.’ 21“Men listened to me, waited, and kept silence for my counsel. 22After my words they didn’t speak again. My speech fell on them. 23They waited for me as for the rain. Their mouths drank as with the spring rain. 24I smiled on them when they had no confidence. They didn’t reject the light of my face. 25I chose out their way, and sat as chief. I lived as a king in the army, as one who comforts the mourners.
In his suffering, Job remembers the days of his former honor and dignity, when he was respected by all, and describes how he used that standing. He broke the fangs of the unrighteous and rescued the prey from their teeth; men listened to his counsel and waited on his words; and, he says, I lived as a king who comforts mourners.
Notice what Job did with his position and influence. He did not hoard his honor or use it merely for himself; he used it to defend the weak against the strong, to rescue the helpless from those who preyed on them, and to comfort the sorrowing. His greatness expressed itself in service to the vulnerable. There is a model here for anyone given standing, respect, or influence. Job's honor was real, and he used it well, as a shield for those who had no defender, a voice for those who could not speak, comfort for those who mourned. Whatever measure of influence we have been given is meant, like Job's, to be spent on behalf of the weak and needy, not merely enjoyed for ourselves.
Do I use whatever standing, respect, or influence I have been given, as Job did, to defend the weak, rescue the helpless, and comfort the sorrowing, rather than hoarding it for my own enjoyment?