Job Concludes His Self Defense
December 13, 2019
Commentary
Job concludes his self-defense with searching questions. Has he trusted in gold or placed his confidence in wealth (vv. 24–25)? Has he been secretly drawn to worship the sun or the moon (vv. 26–28)? He declares that such idolatry would be a serious sin. He also asks whether he rejoiced at an enemy’s trouble (vv. 29–30) or failed to care for a stranger in need (vv. 31–34). Job insists that he has acted with mercy and integrity. He examines motives as well as actions carefully. His conscience appears clear before men.
He boldly cries, “Oh that one would hear me!” (v. 35). Job longs for God to answer and present any written charges against him. He is so confident of his innocence that he says he would wear the indictment like a crown (v. 36), ready to give an account of every step (v. 37). He believes no true accusation can stand. He even calls down judgment upon his land if he has gained it unjustly or caused others to suffer (vv. 38–40). Such words show how certain he is of his uprightness. His confidence sounds both courageous and daring. He desires vindication more than comfort or quiet relief.
Job rejects Eliphaz’s earlier accusation that wealth was his true hope. He testifies that he has not trusted riches, practiced idolatry, celebrated an enemy’s fall, or ignored the poor. Unlike Adam, he says he has not tried to hide sin (vv. 33–34), because he believes there is nothing to conceal. Yet though Job is righteous in his own eyes, he has not yet seen the full holiness of God. When he finally encounters the Lord, his understanding of himself will change, and humility will lead him toward deeper victory. True righteousness grows clearer in God’s presence. Seeing God humbles every sincere heart.
Application
Do I trust money more than God? Do I secretly enjoy it when someone who hurt me suffers? Am I generous to strangers and fair in my dealings? If God examined my motives, would my conscience be clear? I want courage like Job, but also humility. I will search my heart and pursue true righteousness in the Lord's presence.
Job 31:24–40 (NET)
24 “If I have put my confidence in gold or said to pure gold, ‘You are my security!’
25 if I have rejoiced because of the extent of my wealth, or because of the great wealth my hand had gained,
26 if I looked at the sun when it was shining, and the moon advancing as a precious thing,
27 so that my heart was secretly enticed, and my hand threw them a kiss from my mouth,
28 then this also would be iniquity to be judged, for I would have been false to God above.
29 If I have rejoiced over the misfortune of my enemy or exulted because calamity found him—
30 I have not even permitted my mouth to sin by asking for his life through a curse—
31 if the members of my household have never said, ‘If only there were someone who has not been satisfied from Job’s meat!’—
32 But no stranger had to spend the night outside, for I opened my doors to the traveler —
33 if I have covered my transgressions as men do, by hiding iniquity in my heart,
34 because I was terrified of the great multitude, and the contempt of families terrified me, so that I remained silent and would not go outdoors—
35 “If only I had someone to hear me! Here is my signature — let the Almighty answer me! If only I had an indictment that my accuser had written.
36 Surely I would wear it proudly on my shoulder, I would bind it on me like a crown;
37 I would give him an accounting of my steps; like a prince I would draw near to him.
38 “If my land cried out against me and all its furrows wept together,
39 if I have eaten its produce without paying, or caused the death of its owners,
40 then let thorns sprout up in place of wheat, and in place of barley, noxious weeds.” The words of Job are ended.
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