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Job 31 God's Response to Job

1 “I made a covenant with my eyes
not to look lustfully at a girl.

2 For what is man’s lot from God above,
his heritage from the Almighty on high?

3 Is it not ruin for the wicked,
disaster for those who do wrong?

4 Does he not see my ways
and count my every step?

5 “If I have walked in falsehood
or my foot has hurried after deceit—

6 let God weigh me in honest scales
and he will know that I am blameless—

7 if my steps have turned from the path,
if my heart has been led by my eyes,
or if my hands have been defiled,

8 then may others eat what I have sown,
and may my crops be uprooted.

9 “If my heart has been enticed by a woman,
or if I have lurked at my neighbor’s door,

10 then may my wife grind another man’s grain,
and may other men sleep with her.

11 For that would have been shameful,
a sin to be judged.

12 It is a fire that burns to Destruction;
it would have uprooted my harvest.

13 “If I have denied justice to my menservants and maidservants
when they had a grievance against me,

14 what will I do when God confronts me?
What will I answer when called to account?

15 Did not he who made me in the womb make them?
Did not the same one form us both within our mothers?

16 “If I have denied the desires of the poor
or let the eyes of the widow grow weary,

17 if I have kept my bread to myself,
not sharing it with the fatherless—

18 but from my youth I reared him as would a father,
and from my birth I guided the widow—

19 if I have seen anyone perishing for lack of clothing,
or a needy man without a garment,

20 and his heart did not bless me
for warming him with the fleece from my sheep,

21 if I have raised my hand against the fatherless,
knowing that I had influence in court,

22 then let my arm fall from the shoulder,
let it be broken off at the joint.

23 For I dreaded destruction from God,
and for fear of his splendor I could not do such things.

24 “If I have put my trust in gold
or said to pure gold, ‘You are my security,’

25 if I have rejoiced over my great wealth,
the fortune my hands had gained,

26 if I have regarded the sun in its radiance
or the moon moving in splendor,

27 so that my heart was secretly enticed
and my hand offered them a kiss of homage,

28 then these also would be sins to be judged,
for I would have been unfaithful to God on high.

29 “If I have rejoiced at my enemy’s misfortune
or gloated over the trouble that came to him—

30 I have not allowed my mouth to sin
by invoking a curse against his life—

31 if the men of my household have never said,
‘Who has not had his fill of Job’s meat?’—

32 but no stranger had to spend the night in the street,
for my door was always open to the traveler—

33 if I have concealed my sin as men do,
by hiding my guilt in my heart

34 because I so feared the crowd
and so dreaded the contempt of the clans
that I kept silent and would not go outside—

35 (“Oh, that I had someone to hear me!
I sign now my defense—let the Almighty answer me;
let my accuser put his indictment in writing.

36 Surely I would wear it on my shoulder,
I would put it on like a crown.

37 I would give him an account of my every step;
like a prince I would approach him.)—

38 “if my land cries out against me
and all its furrows are wet with tears,

39 if I have devoured its yield without payment
or broken the spirit of its tenants,

40 then let briers come up instead of wheat
and weeds instead of barley.”
The words of Job are ended.

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Analysis of Job Chapter 31

Job Chapter 31 is a pivotal chapter in the Book of Job, where Job delivers his final defense and oath of innocence. In the preceding chapters, Job’s friends have accused him of various sins, attributing his suffering to divine punishment for his supposed wrongdoing. However, in this chapter, Job solemnly declares his righteousness and challenges anyone to prove him guilty of any wrongdoing. Job’s discourse in this chapter is both profound and poetic, offering valuable insights into his character, moral integrity, and deep relationship with God.

Job 31:1-4 – The Covenant with His Eyes

In the opening verses, Job makes a profound statement regarding personal purity and integrity:

“I made a covenant with my eyes; why then should I look upon a young woman? For what is our lot from God above, our heritage from the Almighty on high? Is it not ruin for the wicked, disaster for those who do wrong? Does He not see my ways and count my every step?” (Job 31:1-4, NIV)

Here, Job begins by declaring a proactive measure to guard against impurity – he made a covenant with his eyes. This notion of making a covenant with one’s eyes underscores the importance of intentionality in maintaining moral purity. Job acknowledges that lustful gazing upon a young woman would be contrary to his commitment to righteousness. This declaration speaks volumes about Job’s understanding of internal purity as he recognizes that sin often begins with the eyes.

Job then contemplates his relationship with God, rhetorically asking about the consequences of sin. He asserts that ruin and disaster are the fates of the wicked and those who do wrong. Furthermore, Job acknowledges God’s omniscience, knowing that God sees all his ways and counts his every step. This recognition of God’s all-seeing nature serves as both a comfort and a measure of accountability for Job.

Job 31:5-8 – Integrity in Dealing with Others

Job continues to affirm his innocence by reflecting on his conduct towards others:

“If I have walked with falsehood or my foot has hurried after deceit— let God weigh me in honest scales and He will know that I am blameless— if my steps have turned from the path, if my heart has been led by my eyes, or if my hands have been defiled, then may others eat what I have sown, and may my crops be uprooted.” (Job 31:5-8, NIV)

In these verses, Job invites divine scrutiny into his life, asking God to weigh him in honest scales. He pledges that he has not walked in falsehood or hurried after deceit. Job speaks confidently of his blamelessness and is willing to face the consequences should his claim be untrue. This section highlights the theme of integrity in Job’s dealings with others.

Furthermore, the imagery of others eating what Job has sown and uprooting his crops symbolizes the ultimate loss of his work and the futility of his labor if he is found guilty. Job’s readiness to accept such punishment underscores his confidence in his integrity and his unwavering trust in divine justice.

Job 31:9-12 – Faithfulness in Marriage

Job then addresses the issue of marital faithfulness:

“If my heart has been enticed by a woman, or if I have lurked at my neighbor’s door, then may my wife grind another man’s grain, and may other men sleep with her. For that would have been wicked, a sin to be judged. It is a fire that burns to Destruction; it would have uprooted my harvest.” (Job 31:9-12, NIV)

Job asserts his fidelity by declaring his abstention from adultery. He insists that if his heart had been enticed by another woman or if he had lurked at a neighbor’s door, he would have deserved severe consequences. The penalties he describes—his wife grinding another man’s grain and other men sleeping with her—reflect the gravity of the offense in Job’s eyes.

Adultery, as Job views it, is not just a personal failing; it is a destructive sin. He describes it as a consuming fire that leads to destruction and the loss of his harvest. This metaphor emphasizes the catastrophic impact of adultery on one’s life, family, and integrity.

Job 31:13-15 – Justice and Compassion for Servants

Job expands his reflection to his treatment of his servants:

“If I have denied justice to any of my servants, whether male or female, when they had a grievance against me, what will I do when God confronts me? What will I answer when called to account? Did not He who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same one form us both within our mothers?” (Job 31:13-15, NIV)

Job highlights his just and compassionate treatment of his servants, emphasizing a shared humanity. He recognizes the equality of all individuals by referencing the Creator who formed both him and his servants in the womb. This foundational belief in the intrinsic worth and dignity of every person underpins Job’s ethical behavior.

Job understands that denying justice to his servants would provoke divine judgment. His rhetorical questions—”What will I do when God confronts me? What will I answer when called to account?”—reflect his awareness of ultimate accountability before God.

Job 31:16-23 – Mercy and Generosity

Job further expounds on his righteous deeds through acts of mercy and generosity:

“If I have denied the desires of the poor or let the eyes of the widow grow weary, if I have kept my bread to myself, not sharing it with the fatherless— but from my youth I reared them as a father would, and from my birth I guided the widow— if I have seen anyone perishing for lack of clothing, or the needy without garments, and their hearts did not bless me for warming them with the fleece from my sheep, if I have raised my hand against the fatherless, knowing that I had influence in court, then let my arm fall from the shoulder, let it be broken off at the joint. For I dreaded destruction from God, and for fear of His splendor I could not do such things.” (Job 31:16-23, NIV)

These verses highlight Job’s extensive commitment to social justice and charity. Job asserts that he never denied the desires of the poor or let the eyes of the widow grow weary. His caring actions extended to sharing his bread with the fatherless and providing clothing to the needy. Job describes his nurturing behavior towards the fatherless and widow as akin to that of a father, rearing them from his youth.

Moreover, Job emphasizes that his motivation for these acts of mercy was not merely altruistic but driven by a deep fear and reverence for God. He acknowledges the consequences of raising his hand against the fatherless, fully aware of his influence in court. The severe self-imposed punishment—letting his arm fall from the shoulder and breaking off at the joint—reveals the intensity of Job’s commitment to justice and mercy.

Job 31:24-28 – Rejection of Idolatry and Materialism

Job then addresses the issue of idolatry and the improper attachment to wealth:

“If I have put my trust in gold or said to pure gold, ‘You are my security,’ if I have rejoiced over my great wealth, the fortune my hands had gained, if I have regarded the sun in its radiance or the moon moving in splendor, so that my heart was secretly enticed and my hand offered them a kiss of homage, then these also would be sins to be judged, for I would have been unfaithful to God on high.” (Job 31:24-28, NIV)

Job’s discourse here reveals his rejection of idolatry and materialism. He insists that he has not put his trust in gold or rejoiced over his great wealth. This rejection of wealth as a source of security highlights Job’s understanding of true security as being found in God alone.

Job also denounces the worship of celestial bodies, such as the sun and moon, which in ancient times were often deified. He confesses that if his heart had been enticed to offer homage to these heavenly bodies, it would indeed be a grievous sin. Job sees such actions as being unfaithful to God, reinforcing his deep-rooted monotheism and loyalty to the Almighty.

Job 31:29-34 – Integrity in Community Relations

Job continues to defend his conduct within the community:

“If I have rejoiced at my enemy’s misfortune or gloated over the trouble that came to him— I have not allowed my mouth to sin by invoking a curse against their life— if those of my household have never said, ‘Who has not been filled with Job’s meat?’— but no stranger had to spend the night in the street, for my door was always open to the traveler— if I have concealed my sin as people do, by hiding my guilt in my heart because I so feared the crowd and so dreaded the contempt of the clans that I kept silent and would not go outside—” (Job 31:29-34, NIV)

In these verses, Job asserts his moral integrity and kindness towards others. He claims that he has never rejoiced at an enemy’s misfortune or gloated over their troubles. Job also emphasizes his restraint in speech, ensuring that he has not sinned by cursing his enemies.

Job’s hospitality and generosity are highlighted by those in his household who affirm that no stranger spent the night in the street, as his door was always open to travelers. This practice of hospitality is significant in ancient Near Eastern culture, reflecting Job’s compassion and benevolence.

Additionally, Job denies concealing any sin out of fear of public opinion or the contempt of others. He claims that he has been transparent and honest, not allowing the fear of the crowd to silence him or hide his guilt. This transparency underscores the depth of Job’s integrity and courage to stand by his convictions.

Job 31:35-40 – Job’s Final Appeal

In the concluding verses, Job makes a poignant appeal for a hearing:

“Oh, that I had someone to hear me! I sign now my defense—let the Almighty answer me; let my accuser put his indictment in writing. Surely I would wear it on my shoulder, I would put it on like a crown. I would give him an account of my every step; I would present it to him as to a ruler. ‘If my land cries out against me and all its furrows are wet with tears, if I have devoured its yield without payment or broken the spirit of its tenants, then let briers come up instead of wheat and stinkweed instead of barley.’ The words of Job are ended.” (Job 31:35-40, NIV)

In these closing statements, Job expresses a deep desire for a formal hearing. He longs for someone to hear him and even signs his defense, symbolizing his unwavering confidence in his innocence. Job challenges the Almighty to answer him, demonstrating his trust in God’s justice.

Job’s readiness to bear the weight of an indictment on his shoulder or wear it as a crown signifies his willingness to accept scrutiny and accountability for his actions. He boldly states that he would provide a detailed account of his every step to God, underscoring his transparency and integrity.

Lastly, Job turns to his relationship with the land and its tenants. He asserts that if he has wronged the land or its tenants, he warrants divine punishment. He expresses that if he has unjustly exploited the land, it would be fitting for briers and stinkweed to come up instead of wheat and barley, signifying the consequences of his actions.

Job’s final words in this chapter signify the end of his self-defense. His impassioned plea for vindication and trust in divine justice marks a remarkable conclusion to his discourse, reinforcing the depth of his character, the breadth of his integrity, and his unwavering faith in God.

Conclusion

Job Chapter 31 stands as a profound testimony to Job’s moral integrity, justice, compassion, and unwavering faith in God. Through his detailed and impassioned defense, Job challenges the accusations of his friends and invites divine scrutiny into his life. This chapter offers profound insights into the character of a man deeply committed to righteousness and justice, steadfast in his faith, and unyielding in his integrity despite tremendous suffering. Job’s declarations and reflections continue to serve as a powerful example of holiness, moral courage, and the pursuit of justice.