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Bible Notes - Tabernacle Commentaries
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Job 29:11
Comments
Job studied to do good to all and particularly to help those who had no one else to turn to. He had that delight which the believer alone has in doing good, not to be seen by men but by God, to do good for its own sake. This made him happy not to tell anyone about his righteous deed, for he knew that God could fail to see them and remember them. He rejoiced to imitate the Lord and practice righteousness out of sympathy for the suffering and the oppressed. He didn’t look for a reward in this world, not even the reward of being thanked by the beneficiaries, even though this inevitably came. Those who were helped knew that here was a man who was so different to the ordinary man. They had nothing to repay him and yet he did them kindness. They cried out to God and Job took it upon himself to help them. He had a heart full of compassion, an attribute that draws near the destitute. How different Job was from those who care only for themselves and do good only because there is some personal benefit in doing so.
Application
Job genuinely did all this good from right motives, and yet even a good man is in danger of pride. He can do genuine good and yet he can reflect too much on his deeds and admire them too much. Christ tells us that our left hand should not know what our right hand is doing, for this self-knowledge can so easily turn into self-congratulation, which can then become a sense of superiority and pride. Thus Satan tricks us into thinking too well of ourselves. Whether Job fell prey to this the passage does not say, but Satan no doubt worked him over.
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