the Third Week after Epiphany
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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 3 of 5
Job 29:1-25
At the beginning of the book, God spoke to us briefly of Job’s condition at that time. These verses complete the picture. But this time it is Job who paints his own portrait. All that he says about his works is certainly true. Thus the accusations of Zophar (Job 20:19) and of Eliphaz (Job 22:6-8) were utter slander (compare vv. 12, 13).
Who, even today, could put together so many claims for God’s approval and men’s esteem too? However, the self-satisfaction with which Job describes his previous condition shows that this was what he was depending on. He had not yet learned, like the apostle, "to be content" with the circumstances in which he found himself. He knew much less how to be "abased" or to "suffer need" than "to abound" (Philippians 4:11-12). Moreover we can see the words "I", "me" and "my" which appear over and over again in these verses (about 100 times). These little words reveal the high opinion which Job has of himself. Until now he has kept these sentiments hidden in his heart, beneath an apparent modesty, but now they are made very obvious. This will allow God to deliver him but only when he has confessed his need.
