Job 31

In this chapter, Job continues his defense by making a series of oaths regarding his personal integrity and righteousness. He declares that he has lived a moral and upright life, avoiding sin in various areas such as lust, dishonesty, adultery, and injustice. Job calls on God to judge him if he has been guilty of any wrongdoing, emphasizing his commitment to purity and justice. He wants to demonstrate that his suffering is not the result of hidden sins, contrary to the claims of his friends.

Job 31:1-5 (NKJV)
1 “I have made a covenant with my eyes; why then should I look upon a young woman?
2 For what is the allotment of God from above, and the inheritance of the Almighty from on high?
3 Is it not destruction for the wicked, and disaster for the workers of iniquity?
4 Does He not see my ways, and count all my steps?
5 If I have walked with falsehood, or if my foot has hastened to deceit,

Job begins by affirming his commitment to sexual purity, making a covenant with his eyes to avoid lust. He knows that God's judgment is reserved for the wicked and that God observes all of his actions. Job insists that he has been honest and free from deceit. This statement reflects his integrity and awareness that God sees everything, counting his steps and watching his behavior closely.

Job 31:6-8 (NKJV)
6 Let me be weighed on honest scales, that God may know my integrity.
7 If my step has turned from the way, or my heart walked after my eyes, or if any spot adheres to my hands,
8 Then let me sow, and another eat; yes, let my harvest be rooted out.

Job asks to be judged by God on fair scales to reveal his integrity. He challenges God to punish him if he has turned away from righteousness or if he has coveted anything. Job is so confident in his righteousness that he invokes a curse upon himself, saying that if he has sinned, someone else should reap the benefits of his labor. His appeal reflects his deep belief in divine justice.

Job 31:9-12 (NKJV)
9 “If my heart has been enticed by a woman, or if I have lurked at my neighbor’s door,
10 Then let my wife grind for another, and let others bow down over her.
11 For that would be wickedness; yes, it would be iniquity deserving of judgment.
12 For that would be a fire that consumes to destruction, and would root out all my increase.

Job denies committing adultery or desiring another man's wife, knowing that such actions would bring devastating consequences. He understands that adultery is a sin that leads to destruction and would consume all his prosperity. Job views sexual immorality as a serious offense deserving severe punishment, highlighting his personal commitment to marital fidelity.

Job 31:13-15 (NKJV)
13 “If I have despised the cause of my male or female servant when they complained against me,
14 What then shall I do when God rises up? When He punishes, how shall I answer Him?
15 Did not He who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same One fashion us in the womb?

Job emphasizes his fairness in dealing with his servants, treating them with dignity and justice. He recognizes that both he and his servants were created by God, sharing the same Creator. Job understands that he would be held accountable before God if he acted unjustly toward those under his authority. His appeal shows a deep sense of equality and responsibility before God.

Job 31:16-20 (NKJV)
16 “If I have kept the poor from their desire, or caused the eyes of the widow to fail,
17 Or eaten my morsel by myself, so that the fatherless could not eat of it
18 (But from my youth I reared him as a father, and from my mother’s womb I guided the widow);
19 If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, or any poor man without covering;
20 If his heart has not blessed me, and if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;

Job declares that he has always been generous to the poor, the fatherless, and the widows, providing for their needs. He insists that from a young age, he has cared for those in need. He has not ignored the suffering of others but has shared his resources, ensuring the poor had clothing and food. His life has been marked by compassion and kindness, and he emphasizes that those he helped blessed him for his generosity.

Job 31:21-23 (NKJV)
21 If I have raised my hand against the fatherless, when I saw I had help in the gate;
22 Then let my arm fall from my shoulder, let my arm be torn from the socket.
23 For destruction from God is a terror to me, and because of His magnificence I cannot endure.

Job asserts that he has never taken advantage of the vulnerable, like the fatherless, even when he had the power to do so. If he had, he invokes a curse on himself, asking that his arm be torn from its socket. Job fears God’s judgment and respects His power, acknowledging that divine justice is terrifying and that he cannot endure God's wrath if he were guilty.

Job 31:24-28 (NKJV)
24 “If I have made gold my hope, or said to fine gold, ‘You are my confidence’;
25 If I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because my hand had gained much;
26 If I have observed the sun when it shines, or the moon moving in brightness,
27 So that my heart has been secretly enticed, and my mouth has kissed my hand;
28 This also would be an iniquity deserving of judgment, for I would have denied God who is above.

Job denies placing his trust in wealth or worshiping creation, such as the sun and moon, which would have been idolatry. He understands that trusting in riches or engaging in idolatry would be a denial of God and deserving of judgment. Job’s heart has not been enticed by material things or false worship, reinforcing his devotion to the one true God.

Job 31:29-30 (NKJV)
29 “If I have rejoiced at the destruction of him who hated me, or lifted myself up when evil found him
30 (Indeed I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking for a curse on his soul);

Job states that he has never taken pleasure in the downfall of his enemies, nor has he wished harm upon those who hated him. He avoided the sin of cursing his enemies, showing a commitment to righteousness even in his thoughts and emotions. This highlights Job’s self-control and sense of justice, even when it involved those who opposed him.

Job 31:31-34 (NKJV)
31 If the men of my tent have not said, ‘Who is there that has not been satisfied with his meat?’
32 (But no sojourner had to lodge in the street, for I have opened my doors to the traveler);
33 If I have covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding my iniquity in my bosom,
34 Because I feared the great multitude, and dreaded the contempt of families, so that I kept silence and did not go out of the door—

Job reflects on his generosity toward others, ensuring that all who came to his household were satisfied. He also insists that he has not tried to hide his sins out of fear of public shame, as Adam did. Job has been transparent and open in his conduct, never allowing fear of others to silence him or cause him to act in secrecy.

Job 31:35-37 (NKJV)
35 Oh, that I had one to hear me! Here is my mark. Oh, that the Almighty would answer me, that my Prosecutor had written a book!
36 Surely I would carry it on my shoulder, and bind it on me like a crown;
37 I would declare to Him the number of my steps; like a prince I would approach Him.

Job longs for an audience with God, wishing that God would answer him. He desires a written record of his case so that he could defend himself. Job is confident that if he could present his life before God, he would do so proudly, like a prince, without fear. This expresses his confidence in his innocence and his longing for God’s vindication.

Job 31:38-40 (NKJV)
38 “If my land cries out against me, and its furrows weep together;
39 If I have eaten its fruit without money, or caused its owners to lose their lives;
40 Then let thistles grow instead of wheat, and weeds instead of barley.” The words of Job are ended.

Job concludes by declaring that he has not exploited the land or taken advantage of others unjustly. He calls down a curse on his land if he has been guilty of any wrongdoing, wishing that it produce weeds instead of crops if he is found guilty. With this final statement, Job rests his case, firmly maintaining his innocence.