when I was in my prime, when the friendship of God rested on my tent, when I was in my primeThis phrase reflects a time of vitality and strength in Job's life, often associated with the peak of one's physical and social capabilities. In the ancient Near Eastern context, a person's prime was marked by prosperity, influence, and familial stability. Job's reference to his prime suggests a period when he was highly respected and his life was marked by success and blessing. This notion of a "prime" can be seen in other biblical figures, such as David, who experienced a peak in his kingship ( 2 Samuel 5:4-5). Theologically, it underscores the transient nature of human life and the blessings that come from God, which can be taken away, as seen in Job's later trials. when the friendship of God rested on my tent
The "friendship of God" indicates a close, personal relationship with the Divine, characterized by favor and protection. In the Old Testament, God's presence was often symbolized by His "resting" on a place, as seen with the Tabernacle (Exodus 40:34-35). The "tent" here symbolizes Job's household, suggesting that God's favor extended to his entire family and possessions. This imagery is reminiscent of the covenantal blessings promised to the patriarchs, such as Abraham, whose tent was also a place of divine encounter and blessing (Genesis 18:1-10). Theologically, this phrase highlights the intimacy and blessing of a life lived in accordance with God's will, a theme echoed in the New Testament with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in believers (John 14:23). It also foreshadows the ultimate friendship with God through Jesus Christ, who calls His followers friends (John 15:15). Persons / Places / Events 1. JobA man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, known for his immense suffering and unwavering faith. 2. GodThe Almighty Creator, who is sovereign over all creation. In this verse, Job reflects on a time when he felt God's friendship and favor. 3. Job's TentSymbolic of Job's household and personal life. In ancient times, a tent represented one's dwelling and family life. 4. Days of YouthRefers to a period in Job's life characterized by vitality, prosperity, and a close relationship with God. 5. Friendship of GodThis phrase indicates a deep, personal relationship with God, marked by His presence and favor. Teaching Points The Value of God's FriendshipReflect on the importance of maintaining a close relationship with God, as Job cherished during his youth. Seasons of LifeRecognize that life has different seasons, and while circumstances may change, God's character and faithfulness remain constant. Nurturing God's PresenceCultivate practices that invite and sustain God's presence in your life, such as prayer, worship, and obedience. Reflecting on Past BlessingsLike Job, take time to remember and give thanks for past experiences of God's favor and guidance. Longing for RestorationIf you feel distant from God, let Job's longing inspire you to seek restoration and renewal in your relationship with Him. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Job's reflection on his past relationship with God challenge you to evaluate your current walk with Him? 2. In what ways can you cultivate a deeper sense of God's friendship and presence in your daily life? 3. How do the changing seasons of life affect your perception of God's presence and favor? 4. What practices can you implement to ensure that God's "tent" or presence rests upon your household? 5. How can reflecting on past experiences of God's favor encourage you during times of trial or distance from Him? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 25:14This verse speaks of the friendship of the Lord being with those who fear Him, similar to Job's experience of God's friendship. James 4:8Encourages believers to draw near to God, promising that He will draw near to them, reflecting the closeness Job once felt. Genesis 18:1-8Abraham's hospitality to God and His angels, illustrating the concept of God's presence and favor resting on a household. People JobPlaces UzTopics Autumn, Blessed, Converse, Counsel, Covered, Flowering, Friendship, God's, Intimate, Maturity, Prime, Ripeness, Secret, Tabernacle, Tent, YouthDictionary of Bible Themes Job 29:4-5 8122 friendship, with God Job 29:4-6 4492 olive 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: 1855Job'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
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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 Links Job 29:4 NIVJob 29:4 NLTJob 29:4 ESVJob 29:4 NASBJob 29:4 KJV
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