Job 31

Job 31:1

31:1-12 Job insists that he has not been guilty of lustful looks at a young woman. He knows that God sees and punishes such sin. He has not acted deceitfully; an honest examination would convince God of this. He has not strayed from the way of righteousness; otherwise he would deserve to lose his harvest. He has not coveted his neighbor’s wife; otherwise his own wife should become another man’s, and his possessions and life be destroyed. 31:13-37 Job had been merciful to his servants; charitable to the poor, to the widow, and to the fatherless. He had been free from greed for gold; he had not been secretly enticed by idolatry (kissing his hand toward the sun or the moon); he was without malice toward his enemies; hospitable to all; free from secret sin; and honest in his real estate dealings. If any charges against him were written in a book, he would be proud to carry it around and wear it like a crown! 31:38-40 At the end of chapter 31 the words of Job are ended. Samuel Ridout, for one, is not yet satisfied with Job’s finale: Job’s words will be rightly ended when he is ready to give praise to the One who alone is worthy of it. We are glad to be through with Job’s words as uttered here.