The Rewards of Humility Job 22:21-29

Job 22:21-29: Here is quite a treatise on humility and its rewards. In this case, the context is Job’s friend Eliphaz, insisting that Job would not be in trouble if he hadn’t somehow deserved it. We know from God’s response at the end of the book that Eliphaz was wrong in his estimation of Job’s guilt (speaking of well-meaning judgmentalism and lack of humility,) but there are still some very comforting principles in this passage.

First, verse 21 says, “Yield now and be at peace with Him; thereby good will come to you.” There are two rewards here. First and most important, humility brings peace with God. As noted yesterday, being out of step with God is the worst feeling there is. And it’s true Job was in some very deep trouble, and certainly did not feel understanding of or understood by God. That’s another way of being out of step. In the end, even though he knew, and God agreed, that there was no open sin in his life, Job did, in fact, humble himself and thereby gain peace. “I retract,” he said, “I repent in dust and ashes.” (42:6)

Secondly, peace brings “good.” This is a pretty broad term. The good that comes into our lives as a result of humbling ourselves before God may be visibly wonderful things like Job getting all his riches back and having more children. Not that more children can ever replace the loss of those that are gone. But they are a blessing. Or the good that comes may be in new spiritual strength, and not as visible, except to others. But good will come.

One of the most surprising rewards of humility is found in verse 29: “When you are cast down, you will speak with confidence, and the humble person He will save.” Interesting! When you are cast down, you will speak with confidence? This is even more definitely stated than the principle we drew from Christ’s life, that a humble person can still speak with confidence. It doesn’t seem to us as if the two go together at all, and yet in this verse, it’s as if they have a cause and effect relationship. How can this be?

Is it possible that having a “modest estimate” of our own worth makes it easier to recognize the immense value God puts on us (more valuable than His own life!) and gives us more confidence than we would have if we valued ourselves in the usual way, by counting money or achievements or looks or power or whatever? It does clearly have to do with salvation: “The humble person He will save.”

In the midst of all his anguish, loss, confusion, and anger, we do know Job could still say, “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him” (13:15), and “I know that my redeemer lives” (19:25). That is a picture of godly humility. And it includes the confidence to argue, even with God. Just look at the rest of 13:15: “Nevertheless I will argue my ways before Him.” Godly humility bows before God’s greatness, but also trusts enough to draw close as a loved child and tell God the whole truth, knowing He will listen and understand.