Job Asserts His Integrity
April 30, 2021
Commentary
As he concluded his final defense, Job named specific sins and denied that he had committed them. Having compared the past with the present, he reasserts his claim of innocence and gives his final statement concerning his integrity. He had not only avoided committing the sin of adultery, he had not even taken the first step toward that sin by looking at a woman with lust (v. 1). He says that God brings disaster upon those who give way to such practices (vv. 2-4). Job states that even if it appears that he has followed falsehood and deceit, or turned away from integrity, he will accept the fact that he is one who has sowed, but is not worthy of the harvest (vv. 5-8).
He listed sins he had not committed in his heart (v. 1-12), and against his neighbors (vv. 13-23). He knew that God watched him (v. 4) and weighed him (v. 6) and he was not afraid to speak. To emphasize his innocence he forms a hypothetical case, in which, if guilty, he would deserve to lose his wife to another (vv. 9-10). She would be the concubine of her new master. This was a heinous crime and deserved the severest punishment (v. 11). We need to take inventory of our spiritual life. Do we have eyes that wander lustfully (vv. 1-4) or feet that move deceitfully (vv. 5-8)? Has lust been fulfilled in outward sin (vv. 9-12)? Have we treated others as God wants them treated (vv. 13-23)?
Job has been doing a good job of patting himself on the back. He has told what an outstanding and good man he was and then asks for sympathy for his present condition. As he concludes this chapter he is still claiming that he is a very good fellow.
Application
It seems to me that Job was about to break his arm patting himself on the back to prove his integrity. My desire is that my life, and not my words, will prove my integrity.
Job 31:1– 23 (NET)
1 “I made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I entertain thoughts against a virgin?
2 What then would be one’s lot from God above, one’s heritage from the Almighty on high?
3 Is it not misfortune for the unjust, and disaster for those who work iniquity?
4 Does he not see my ways and count all my steps?
5 If I have walked in falsehood, and if my foot has hastened to deceit—
6 let him weigh me with honest scales; then God will discover my integrity.
7 If my footsteps have strayed from the way, if my heart has gone after my eyes, or if anything has defiled my hands,
8 then let me sow and let another eat, and let my crops be uprooted.
9 If my heart has been enticed by a woman, and I have lain in wait at my neighbor’s door,
10 then let my wife turn the millstone for another man, and may other men commit adultery with her.
11 For I would have committed a shameful act, an iniquity to be judged.
12 For it is a fire that devours even to Destruction, and it would uproot all my harvest.
13 “If I have disregarded the right of my male servants or my female servants when they disputed with me,
14 then what will I do when God confronts me in judgment; when he intervenes, how will I respond to him?
15 Did not the one who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same one form us in the womb?
16 If I have refused to give the poor what they desired, or caused the eyes of the widow to fail,
17 If I ate my morsel of bread myself, and did not share any of it with orphans —
18 but from my youth I raised the orphan like a father, and from my mother’s womb I guided the widow —
19 If I have seen anyone about to perish for lack of clothing, or a poor man without a coat,
20 whose heart did not bless me as he warmed himself with the fleece of my sheep,
21 if I have raised my hand to vote against the orphan, when I saw my support in the court,
22 then let my arm fall from the shoulder, let my arm be broken off at the socket.
23 For the calamity from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his majesty I was powerless.
Illustration: Theodore Roosevelt Lassoed a Maverick Steer (Job 31:1)
During his time as a rancher, Theodore Roosevelt and one of his cowpunchers lassoed a maverick steer, lit a fire, and prepared the branding irons. The part of the range they were on was claimed by Gregor Lang, one of Roosevelt’s neighbors. According to the cattleman’s rule, the steer therefore belonged to Lang. As his cowboy applied the brand, Roosevelt said, “Wait, it should be Lang’s brand.” “That’s all right, boss,” said the cowboy. “But you’re putting on my brand,” Roosevelt said. “That’s right,” said the man. “Drop that iron,” Roosevelt demanded, “and get back to the ranch and get out. I don’t need you anymore. A man who will steal for me will steal from me.” (Today in the Word, March 28, 1993).