Friday, December 7, 2007

Job 29:4-5

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Job 29:4-5


4 As I was in the days [yowm] of my youth [choreph], when the secret [cowd] of God ['elowahh] was upon my tabernacle ['ohel];
5 When the Almighty [Shadday] was yet with me, when my children [na`ar] were about [cabiyb] me; KJV-Interlinear



4 As I was in the prime of my days, When the friendship of God was over my tent; 5 When the Almighty was yet with me, And my children were around me; NASB


The word for youth, 'choreph,' refers to a fullness, a time of harvest, a time of plenty, the fullness of maturity.

Job was not referring back to a time when he was young, but a time when he was in the fullness of his life. He was vigorous in his health, he was wealthy, he was prosperous, he had many friends and was well thought of in the social, business, and legal circles.

Job had his family round about him. Recall that he had ten children who held parties on a regular basis. No doubt, Job was involved in many of these family gatherings. But whether he attended or not, he still derived great happiness at the mere thought of his children, not to mention whatever interactions he had with them.

Job describes a time in his life when he had nearly everything a person could possibly want out of life.

In addition, his life was guided by God. Job learned doctrine through the stories and scriptures as they were communicated by his parents or his ancestors. Through the teachings that were made available by various men to whom God gave instructional gifts. Through Jobs own examination of the things he was taught, combined with what he observed in life.

Job was well versed in the offerings and sacrifices. He knew their procedures and their spiritual meanings. We studied this way back in the beginning of the book.

And as Job made his arguments against those of his three friends, these past few chapters, we should be well aware of the extent of his spiritual knowledge. In suffering, Job made better sense than his friends, who were under no suffering circumstances.

But all in all, Job states that he had reached a pinnacle in his life. Something that most of us cannot say for ourselves. He had reached a height in life, which very few people in all of human history, attain.

He had God, family and wealth - all of them he had in great excess.