Eat This Book
Read Proverbs Chapter 27
Job 29
1 Moreover Job continued his parable, and said,
2 Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me;
3 When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness;
4 As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle;
5 When the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were about me;
6 When I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil;
7 When I went out to the gate through the city, when I prepared my seat in the street!
8 The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the aged arose, and stood up.
9 The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth.
10 The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth.
11 When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me:
12 Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him.
13 The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.
14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem.
15 I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame.
16 I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out.
17 And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth.
18 Then I said, I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days as the sand.
19 My root was spread out by the waters, and the dew lay all night upon my branch.
20 My glory was fresh in me, and my bow was renewed in my hand.
21 Unto me men gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel.
22 After my words they spake not again; and my speech dropped upon them.
23 And they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain.
24 If I laughed on them, they believed it not; and the light of my countenance they cast not down.
25 I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one that comforteth the mourners.
The POFW Daily Bible Reading 
Fickleness
In the patriarchal society in which Job lived, being older than another person automatically merited the elder person authority and dignity. Unlike today’s society, in which the elderly are often marginalized and even looked down on, Job’s culture esteemed its elders and looked to them for guidance. For Job to literally be mocked by men younger than himself is the ultimate social disgrace. Job implies that insult is added to injury when he considersthe caliber of the people who malign him: these upstarts’ own fathers are no better than dogs. Dogs were considered vicious scavengers (Jer 15:3); therefore to be compared to a dog was n apalling insult (1Sa 17:43). Job’s experience of falling practically overnight from the pinnacle of social reverence to the desert floor of social scorn is a poignant reminder to all of us that we dare not place our security and selfworth into the hands of other people. Even our friends can be fickle; therefore, our trust can only rest secure in God (Ps 9:10).
The Light of Protection
Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me; When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness; (Job 29:2, 3 KJV)
Persevered also means to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.
Job is acknowledging that God persevered by His candle or light.
We know that the Word is that light for us today.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalms 119:105 KJV)
This has challenged me to dig deeper into His Word of Protection.
Part 2
The Importance of Faith and Love
Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy. I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame. I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out. (Job 29:12, 13, 15, 16 KJV)
We also see that Job was a man of faith and had love for the people of God. There is something about faith and love that causes light to shine upon us. And it was faith in the Lord and love unto all the saints that caused Paul to pray for the church in Ephesus the prayer for their eyes to be enlighten.
Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, (Ephesians 1:15-18 KJV)
We are children of the light and “what is important is faith expressing itself in love. (Galatians 5:6 NLT).” So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. (1 Thessalonians 5:4-8 NLT).
18 Then I said, I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days as the sand.
19 My root was spread out by the waters, and the dew lay all night upon my branch.
Job’s nest was disheveled and broken. His comfort had been removed, not as punishment but as a trial of faith. Tests of faith come to remodel our spirit. Much like the potter molds the clay sometimes the mold must be broken and remolded to reach perfection. All things work together for our good.
It sounds like Job is longing for the good old days. My father used to tell me that it is good to remember but don’t get lost in the memories and forget to live the today. It is easy to look at the mountain top and long for how it used to be when you are down in the valley, but you can not get to the other mountain top without coming down to the next valley.
Proverbs 27:1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
Proverbs 27:21 As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.
2Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me;
Reading this chapter made me think of how when we hold on to the past we can become bitter. We should always remember what God brought us from and remember each season of life and what lesson came with it. But if our eyes are looking back and longing for things of old, we can’t see the blessing before us. To travel to the next level or move forward we need to let go.
I love to eat breakfast with Jesus
Respect The Elders
Job talks of his former respect in which he had in his city.
Notice the reason why he had respect. It wasn’t only that he was an elder, but the real reason was because of how he lifted up his city. He blessed the ones no one else wanted…he helped the castaways, the weak, the weary.
The Pentecostals of Fort Worth will receive the same honor (that Job had) in this city BECAUSE of our compassion for the ones no one else wants.
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, (Ephesians 3:17 KJV)
19 My root was spread out by the waters, and the dew lay all night upon my branch.
20 My glory was fresh in me, and my bow was renewed in my hand.
SHOOT THE ARROWS PASTOR
Job longed for the “good ole’ days” when he was respected. God raises up who he will. If we remain faithful our day will come for his Glory. We must never forget that all we do should be for Him.
The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 10:12
Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
God never left Job. During his trials he was just as close as he was in his days of peace and prosperity.
Now that his life has been transformed he is stuck in a nostalgic spirit of remember when.
Yet there is a blessing in his current suffering.
America is inundated with conveniences, flashy lights, and entertainment. Technology has improved at an amazing pace, and many in the church are comfortable with life as it is.
Yet God never intended for us to stay in the wilderness, but to go all the way to the promised land.
It may take a stirring in the US, and a loss of these modern distractions for a breaking of the flesh, so hearts can be sensitive to what God is speaking in this final hour.
3 When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness;
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Job is longing for the things he once had. The days that he was walking in the favor of God and man.
When God is with us through our storms every step we take in out of faith and on the Word of God. One wrong step could land us in a mess.
This chapter illustrates surety. Job was favored and well received by all because of his selflessness, whereas his faithfulness to God allowed him to be tried. One will go through tribulations in this life, which thanks be to the Word of God and teaching of the man of God, one can understand the importance of them. As such one must place one’s surety in the Lord; “Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory”. May the good Lord Bless you all in Jesus name, Amen
PRECIOUS MEMORIES
2 Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me;
3 When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness;
4 As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle;
5 When the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were about me;
Some people choose to live their life in the past. Past hurts, past mistakes, past failures, past offenses, etc. This thinking generally produces an attitude of depression and oppression of negative hurtful memories.
However as we see here with Job, he is not dwelling on a painful past but a BLESSED past. Job is pulling from the resources and fruit of his memorable works and relationship with GOD.
In times of severe testing and trial, there is nothing more motivational to a hurting heart, confused mind and broken spirit than the power of a faithful testimony!
Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
We OVERCOME the devil by the BLOOD of JESUS and the TESTIMONY of our FAITH in HIM and FAITHFULNESS to HIM.
What kind of past are you creating TODAY?
A past that will condemn you.
Or
A past that will motivate, inspire and give you victory over the devil.
Do the WORK and WILL of GOD today and invest VICTORIES in your FUTURE.
iPray
iWork
iGive
iReap
In this chapter, Job is reminiscing in his past and in his memories. Whenever your feeling a bit defeated, overwhelmed or everything seems to be going wrong; why not reminisce in your blessings, your victories and know that your deliverer is still right there by your side!
Revivals of Yesteryear
Sometime ago, I was talking to a friend of past victories. We talked of sermons preached and souls that recieved the Holy Ghost. We began to reminisce about conferences with crowds flowing into the streets and alters that could hold no one else. We spoke as Samon must have when he described carrying the gates of the city on his back, or killing the Philistines with a jawbone of an ass. Of the Glory of what God had allowed us to accomplish.
We spoke as Job who longed for a time when people looked to him, When he delivered the poor and the fatherless. He was the one who fed the hungry, he had accomplished so much.
In our reminsicing my friend reminded me of a young man whos foot was going to be cut off do to gangrene and we went and prayed for him, and his foot was saved. We shared the testimony everywhere we went until about 9 months later someone called and told us the young mans foot had taken a turn for the worse and the doctors were going to amputate. As we sat in our hotel a young man that was with us said, “Man Satan is attacking” we sat there for a few minutes before I began to laugh, everyone looked at me like I was crazy. They were trying to figure out what was going on, finally through my laughter I told them “What do you mean Satan is attacking? I still got both my feet. God knows what he is doing and why he allowed the young man to keep his foot this long. but if God chooses to take it, don’t let the devil try to take credit.”
What happened last year or 20 years ago is good to push us foreward in our moments of weakness, but don’t long for that time. Don’t desire to return there. I guarentee that no matter what today is like, years from now it will look better.
Revival Today, Revival Tommorrow, not Revival Yesterday.
Job 29:2-3, 12, 15-16 KJV
Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me; When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness; Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame. I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out.
I believe that it is okay to be reminded of what God did in Job’s life. As for me I am reminded daily of the LORD’S mercy, grace, protection, healing, and provision. If GOD did this for me then, I must continue to have the faith and believe that he’ll do it again!! This is where my testimony will be!! Gloria a DIOS!!!
Psalms 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for THOU ART WITH ME; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
I may lose it all, but as long as I have King Jesus by my side, I will be ok.
He is my rock and my shield!!!
Job was a very blessed man,and highly respected by many.Because he was blessed,he blessed others.God looks at our lives and our blessings and sees how we use it to bless others or if we have been selfish.Trials may come our way,but if we stay faithful to God,joy comes in the morning,and we will be rewarded for our faithfulness to God and his work.Now is not the time to complain,but to give our all and work for the Kingdom of God!!!
Job remembers how things use to be as he sits in his sorrow. He tells how God’s light was upon him and how he was showed alot of respect. We cannot get stuck on how things use to be. If we’re in a down fall, the best thing to do is reach out and grab the hand of God. He will keep you from falling and lift you up where you need to be.
Not too many people name their sons Job…
4 As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle;
Time Traveling
Foutain of YouthMany people want to know the secret to staying young. Here Job tells us that he just wants to go back to the way it used to be. Many people sit and laugh and relive the “glory days” without realizing that they are glorifying the devil when they rehash, or relive their past. As people of God we need to be cautious of how we present our past. When we have the oppertunity to present what all God has done for us, we need to, we just need to make sure that Jesus is catching the glory and the praise for all that happened, and not the enemy, because all things work together for the good of those who are in Christ Jesus.
As Job reflects on his youth, he is first acknowledges the fact that because he put God first, God used him to reach and help others. As we reach for others, we too must present the fact, that because we are willing, God is using us. He is allowing us to do His work.
I would not want to go back to my youth, nor would I care to stay young, or relive the ” glory days”. I am too excited about what God is doing, and is fixing to do. Especially with His people, and this reigion.
21-25 MSG “Men and women listened when I spoke, hung expectantly on my every word. After I spoke,they’d be quiet, taking it all in. They welcomed my counsel like spring rain, drinking it all in. When I smiled at them,they could hardly believe it; their faces lit up,their troubles took wing! I was their leader,establishing the mood and setting the pace by which they lived. Where I led,they followed.”
In this scripture, sounds like Job was doing some remanissing. Job could remember the good times. But could this be a way of self encouragement of past victories? Like David with his sword that cut Goliaths head off. Or is this wallowing in self pitty? He was doing very well before this event took place.
“Be Church”…iwork…igive…ipray…ireap….
Between a Rock and a Hard Place
6 When I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil;
The rocks of life are the tests and trials. But it’s through those that the anointing ,” the oil” comes from.
Job mentions several times when he spoke people listened. What are we saying, what are we talking about? Is something worth listening to? Every word that spews from our mouths is being recorded in Heaven; unless they are washed under the blood. Think about that for a moment. Idle words spoken where no one else can hear are heard in Heaven. Is everything we are saying pleasing to God? I have fallen short of His glory. I die daily, as Paul stated. If not, how long would my list of sin’s be?
What if what we said, everyone else wanted to hear it? I remember a few years ago a commercial about EF Hutton. During the commercial, people were being people; living their lives. However, in a crowded restaurant people are chatting, eating, clanging of fork to plate, all sorts of chaos is taking place. But the mention of EF Hutton and the place falls silent. What kind of world would this be if at the mention of the name of Jesus everything and everybody stopped what they were doing to see who was talking and what was being said about Jesus.
Jesus! Jesus!
4 As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle;
5 When the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were about me;
6 When I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil;
7 When I went out to the gate through the city, when I prepared my seat in the street!
8 The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the aged arose, and stood up.
Job seems to be encouraging himself in Lord. Sometimes we are the only one that can say what we need to here. There have times in my life when I didn’t think I was going to make it and I had to speak to myself.
And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. -1 Samuel 30:6
I thank God that he hasn’t let Satin take all that he has blessed me with to test me. I never want to know what it’s like to be in Jobs shoes.
Job is reflecting on how it used to be. Many people live their lives in the “used to be” stage. Sometimes it’s good to reflect to movitivate you to move forward, other times people are so busy looking in the past that they can’t see their future. Let the past motivate us to better / greater works for the Kingdom.
v2 Oh that I were as in months past, as in days when GOD preserved me;
JESUS CHRIST the same yesterday, and today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8.
GOD IS FAITHFUL ! Praise be to the only GOD . The GOD that kept us in the past will keep us in the present and will keep us in the future . Keep on trusting the LORD.
4 As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle;
In the days of our youth we can put in the most time for God. We can give more time and effort to the ministry and to serving the church, I try to emphasize to the youth that now is the time to give ourselves to the kindgom and focus our energies on serving God NOW!!!
Like Job many poeple live in their past. Job had everything that he loved taken from him in one fail swoop. We often try to live in our past when we only have one thing taken from us, or even if it moves out of reach. We need to focus on God as our future. If all we ever do is live in the past we will never be able to live. God will not be able to use us for things he wants done now because we keep thinking about the “good old days.”
Like the movie says, “Keep moving forward.” I think that is what God would rather us do anyway.
The Test Of Honor
2 Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me;
Job describes in detail the honor he once was blessed with among the people. He laments the loss of it and reminisces on the good. Yet during a season of losing out with man, he is positioned to gain with God. Really, is it not more blessed to have respect with God alone than respect with man alone?
Prov 22:1 “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.”
What honor it is to have a good name with God and have His loving favor (grace); it is so much more than temporal things like earthly riches, and so much more valuable than man’s honor and favor. When we go through seasons when it seems we can’t win with man, we should not despair but take comfort in knowing Jesus is a righteous judge and we can find favor with Him even when all others are hardened against us. It may just be during the time it feels that we have the least honor with man that we are gaining true honor with God.
John 5:39-47 “39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. 41 I receive not honour from men. 42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. 43 I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. 44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. 46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. 47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?”
2 Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me;
14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem.
Job starts to remember what used to be like when everything was going great for him. How the people respected him and in a way honored him. How he was the one that would help others and always lend a hand for those that were misfotunate and he was a counselor to them. However, he describes how he got there; it says he put on “righteousness” and was clothed in it. That means he followed the ways of the Lord because He is the righteous judge. Although he remembers he seems to do it in a fretting way. Oh those were the good days he says
This chapter also reminded me of the words from the psalmist in psalm 77
have considered the days of old,
the years of ancient times.
6 I call to remembrance my song in the night:
I commune with mine own heart:
and my spirit made diligent search.
7 Will the Lord cast off for ever?
and will he be favourable no more?
8 Is his mercy clean gone for ever?
doth his promise fail for evermore?
9 Hath God forgotten to be gracious?
hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.
But his answer is this:
will remember the works of the Lord:
surely I will remember thy wonders of old.
12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.
13 Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary:
who is so great a God as our God?
14 Thou art the God that doest wonders:
thou hast declared thy strength among the people.
15 Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph.
Job is ready for change, he doesn’t have a relationship with God like he used to. He misses God’s blessings. Job is reaching out to God, he wants to be happy again even though he no longer has his children.
He’s ready to start a new beginning.