Job begins Chapter 29 bemoaning the loss of his experience of God’s closeness. His loss of an intimate relationship with God is the first thing he addresses even before lamenting the loss of his children and riches. His lost his consultation, illumination, and communication with God (Psa 25:14), but he credits God for protecting him and blessing him in the past (he was a billionaire with tons of loving kids - a pretty successful dude by almost measure). How many of us would consider the loss of God’s intimate presence in our life as the most important problem in our lives?

Ancient culture often paid respect to age, but Job commands more than respect from the young and the old men. The young men in the city withdrew when he arrived, probably because he was willing to call themselves out on their foolishness and they didn’t want to be humiliated. Job also took care of the needy, the widow, and the fatherless, so we better be helping and mentoring who are poor (in spirit, riches, joy, etc).

If we want to please God, we should strive to be Job 29 men. If you are a true Job 29 man, you’ll probably attract a Proverbs 31 woman, but as always, embody Matthew 6:33.