Job 31:1-40
Q.1. Why and how did Job maintain his moral purity? In what areas did he assert his integrity? – (Job 31:1-12)
It is clear that Job was motivated by a fear of God, in the way in which he conducted his daily affairs – Does He not see my ways and number all my steps? … Let Him weigh me with accurate scales, and let God know my integrity (Job 31:4 & 6). Job didn’t wait to deal with sexual temptation but – I have made a covenant with my eyes; How then could I gaze at a virgin? (Job 31:1). His attitude was that he would rather suffer loss, than take advantage of the opposite sex (Job 31:7-12).
Q.2. What made him deal with his servants with dignity? How did he apply this same principle to all the needy and defenceless? – (Job 31:13-23)
Job applied the same principle of cultivating the presence of God, in all his interpersonal relationships – What then could I do when God arises? And when He calls me to account, what will I answer Him? (Job 31:14). He also was keenly aware that – Did not He who made me in the womb make him and the same one fashion us in the womb? (Job 31:15). He then recalled the range of defenceless people whom he had helped, including servants, the poor, widows, orphans, and the needy (Job 31:13-23).
Q.3. What was Job’s attitude to wealth? How did he treat his enemies? Who alone could substantiate his claims? – (Job 31:24-40)
The book opened by quantifying Job’s wealth (Job 1:3). However, his confidence was not in his assets – 24 “If I have put my confidence in gold, and called fine gold my trust, 25 If I have gloated because my wealth was great, and because my hand had secured so much (Job 31:24-25 c.f. Job 31:26-28). He treated his enemies well – Have I rejoiced at the extinction of my enemy, or exulted when evil befell him? (Job 31:29 c.f. Mt.5:43-44). Job recognized that the only One Who could substantiate his claims, was God – Oh that I had one to hear me! Behold, here is my signature; Let the Almighty answer me! And the indictment which my adversary has written (Job 31:35). Though his extreme trial and pain clouded the whole truth. it is nevertheless wonderful to read later that God did step in to exonerate him -It came about after the Lord had spoken these words to Job, that the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, because you have not spoken of Me what is right as My servant Job has (Job 42:7). God vindicated Job in His good time.