Job 29:10
The voices of the nobles were hushed, and their tongues stuck to the roofs of their mouths.
The voices of the nobles
This phrase highlights the respect and authority Job once commanded. In the Hebrew context, "nobles" (Hebrew: "nedibim") refers to those of high status and influence. Job's presence and wisdom were so profound that even the most esteemed leaders would fall silent. Historically, this reflects the societal structure where wisdom and righteousness were highly valued, and those who possessed them were revered, regardless of their social standing.

were hushed
The Hebrew root for "hushed" (Hebrew: "chadal") implies a cessation or stopping. This suggests that the nobles, who were typically vocal and authoritative, chose to remain silent in Job's presence. This silence is not just a lack of speech but a profound respect and acknowledgment of Job's superior wisdom and moral authority. It reflects a cultural understanding that true wisdom commands attention and respect.

and their tongues
The "tongues" (Hebrew: "lashon") symbolize speech and communication. In biblical literature, the tongue is often associated with the power of words, which can build up or tear down. Here, the imagery of the tongue being restrained indicates a voluntary submission to Job's wisdom, recognizing that their own words were unnecessary or inadequate in comparison.

stuck to the roofs of their mouths
This vivid imagery conveys an involuntary silence, as if their ability to speak was physically restrained. The Hebrew phrase suggests a divine or awe-inspired silence, where the presence of true wisdom renders others speechless. This can be seen as a metaphor for the overwhelming respect and awe that Job's character and insights inspired in those around him. In a broader scriptural context, it reflects the biblical theme that true wisdom and righteousness are gifts from God, commanding respect and reverence from all, regardless of their earthly status.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Job
A wealthy and righteous man from the land of Uz, known for his patience and faithfulness amidst severe trials.

2. Nobles
Influential and respected leaders in society who, in this context, are rendered silent in the presence of Job's wisdom and authority.

3. Uz
The land where Job lived, often associated with the region east of Israel, though its exact location is uncertain.

4. Job's Past Prosperity
This chapter reflects on a time when Job was respected and honored, contrasting with his current suffering.

5. Divine Wisdom
The underlying theme of divine wisdom and justice, as Job reflects on his past influence and the respect he commanded.
Teaching Points
The Power of Godly Wisdom
Job's wisdom and integrity commanded respect, demonstrating the power of living a life aligned with God's principles.

Respect Earned Through Righteous Living
Job's past respect from the nobles was a result of his righteous and just actions, encouraging believers to live in a way that earns respect from others.

The Humility of the Wise
The nobles' silence before Job's wisdom teaches the importance of humility and the willingness to listen and learn from those who are wise.

Reflecting on Past Blessings
Job's reflection on his past prosperity can encourage believers to remember and be grateful for God's blessings, even in times of trial.

The Influence of a Godly Life
Job's life serves as a reminder of the influence a godly life can have on others, inspiring believers to be a positive influence in their communities.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Job's past influence and respect among the nobles challenge us to consider the impact of our own lives on those around us?

2. In what ways can we cultivate the kind of wisdom and integrity that commands respect, as seen in Job's life?

3. How can the silence of the nobles before Job's wisdom inspire us to be more attentive and humble in our interactions with others?

4. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's blessings. How can remembering these times strengthen your faith during trials?

5. How can we apply the principles of righteous living and godly influence in our daily interactions with others, as exemplified by Job?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Proverbs 31
The description of a virtuous person whose wisdom and actions earn respect, similar to how Job was respected by the nobles.

James 1:19
Encourages believers to be "quick to listen, slow to speak," which aligns with the nobles' silence in Job's presence.

Psalm 37:30-31
Speaks of the wisdom and justice of the righteous, reflecting Job's character and the respect he commanded.

Ecclesiastes 9:17
Highlights the value of wisdom over loud words, paralleling the nobles' silence before Job's wisdom.

1 Peter 3:15
Encourages believers to be ready to give an answer, reflecting the respect and authority Job had when he spoke.
A Mournful Reflection Upon a Happy PastR. Green Job 29:1-25
Wistful Retrospect of Past Happy DaysE. Johnson Job 29:1-25
The Character that Wins RespectW.F. Adeney Job 29:8-12
People
Job
Places
Uz
Topics
Chiefs, Cleaved, Held, Hidden, Hushed, Joined, Kept, Leaders, Mouth, Mouths, Nobles, Palate, Peace, Roof, Roofs, Stuck, Tongue, Tongues, Voice
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Job 29:7-10

     5950   silence

Job 29:7-12

     7735   leaders, political

Job 29:9-10

     5193   tongue

Library
Comfort for the Desponding
At once to the subject. A complaint; its cause and cure; and then close up with an exhortation to stir up your pure minds, if you are in such a position. I. First, there is a COMPLAINT. How many a Christian looks on the past with pleasure, on the future with dread, and on the present with sorrow! There are many who look back upon the days that they have passed in the fear of the Lord as being the sweetest and the best they have ever had, but as to the present, it is clad in a sable garb of gloom
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 1: 1855

Job's Regret and Our Own
I. Let us begin by saying, that regrets such as those expressed in the text are and ought to be very BITTER. If it be the loss of spiritual things that we regret, then may we say from the bottom of our hearts, "Oh that I were as in months past." It is a great thing for a man to be near to God; it is a very choice privilege to be admitted into the inner circle of communion, and to become God's familiar friend. Great as the privilege is, so great is the loss of it. No darkness is so dark as that which
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

The Case of Spiritual Decay and Languor in Religion
1. Declension in religion, and relapses into sin, with their sorrowful consequences, are in the general too probable.--2. The ease of declension and langour in religion described, negatively.--3. And positively.--4. As discovering itself by a failure in the duties of the closet.--5. By a neglect of social worship.--6. By want of love to our fellow Christians.--7. By an undue attachment to sensual pleasures or secular cares.--8. By prejudices against some important principles in religion.--9,10. A
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul

The Case of the Christian under the Hiding of God's Face.
1. The phrase scriptural.--2. It signifies the withdrawing the tokens of the divine favor.--3 chiefly as to spiritual considerations.--4. This may become the case of any Christian.--5. and will be found a very sorrowful one.--6. The following directions, therefore, are given to those who suppose it to be their own: To inquire whether it be indeed a case of spiritual distress, or whether a disconsolate frame may not proceed from indisposition of body,--7. or difficulties as to worldly circumstances.--8,
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul

The Blessedness of Giving
"Blessed is he that considereth the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble." "Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase, so shalt thy barns be filled with plenty." "There is that scattereth and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it lendeth to poverty." "The liberal soul shall be made fat, and he that watereth shall be watered also himself." "He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that
Various—The Wonders of Prayer

Oh that I were as in Months Past! Job 29:02:00

John Newton—Olney Hymns

Field Hymns.
Hymns of the hortatory and persuasive tone are sufficiently numerous to make an "embarrassment of riches" in a compiler's hands. Not a few songs of invitation and awakening are either quoted or mentioned in the chapter on "Old Revival Hymns," and many appear among those in the last chapter, (on the Hymns of Wales;) but the working songs of Christian hymnology deserve a special space as such. "COME HITHER ALL YE WEARY SOULS," Sung to "Federal St.," is one of the older soul-winning calls from
Theron Brown—The Story of the Hymns and Tunes

How a Desolate Man Ought to Commit Himself into the Hands of God
O Lord, Holy Father, be Thou blessed now and evermore; because as Thou wilt so it is done, and what Thou doest is good. Let Thy servant rejoice in Thee, not in himself, nor in any other; because Thou alone art the true joy, Thou art my hope and my crown, Thou art my joy and my honour, O Lord. What hath Thy servant, which he received not from Thee, even without merit of his own? Thine are all things which Thou hast given, and which Thou hast made. I am poor and in misery even from my youth up,(1)
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

The Fifth Commandment
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.' Exod 20: 12. Having done with the first table, I am next to speak of the duties of the second table. The commandments may be likened to Jacob's ladder: the first table respects God, and is the top of the ladder that reaches to heaven; the second respects superiors and inferiors, and is the foot of the ladder that rests on the earth. By the first table, we walk religiously towards God; by
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Properties of Sanctifying Grace
By a property (proprium, {GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH PSILI AND OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER DELTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU}) we understand a quality which, though not part of the essence of a thing, necessarily flows from that essence by some sort of causation and is consequently found in all individuals of the same species.(1155) A property, as such, is opposed to an accident (accidens, {GREEK SMALL LETTER SIGMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON}{GREEK
Joseph Pohle—Grace, Actual and Habitual

May one Lose the Blessing?
The question trembles from many a lip--If I get the blessing, may I lose it? Most certainly. But, glory be to God! He has made ample provision for failure. There is no reason why we should fail; God has made ample provision against failure; we must not expect to fail; but in case we do fail, provision has been made. The most prolific cause of loss is disobedience--disobedience either to one of God's written commands, or to the inward promptings of His Holy Spirit. "The Holy Ghost whom God hath
John MacNeil—The Spirit-Filled Life

No Sorrow Like Messiah's Sorrow
Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Behold, and see, if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow! A lthough the Scriptures of the Old Testament, the law of Moses, the Psalms, and the Prophecies (Luke 24:44) , bear an harmonious testimony to MESSIAH ; it is not necessary to suppose that every single passage has an immediate and direct relation to Him. A method of exposition has frequently obtained [frequently been in vogue], of a fanciful and allegorical cast [contrivance], under the pretext
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

Job
The book of Job is one of the great masterpieces of the world's literature, if not indeed the greatest. The author was a man of superb literary genius, and of rich, daring, and original mind. The problem with which he deals is one of inexhaustible interest, and his treatment of it is everywhere characterized by a psychological insight, an intellectual courage, and a fertility and brilliance of resource which are nothing less than astonishing. Opinion has been divided as to how the book should be
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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