Job 31 – Mishkan Daviyd

In Job 31, Job addresses God to state his final plea. Although he appeals to God, he also addresses those present. Job continues to support his stance that God is the final judge and it is Job’s desire to hear from God directly. Although Job has been accused by his friends, he maintains his innocence. Job continues to trust that God will acknowledge him and is willing to accept God’s authority. Job’s words are akin to a closing arguments in a trial. Job goes through a number of offenses and stated that if he has committed these transgressions, he would willingly accept the punishment. In this final statement, Job stated his desire for God to answer him as to why this has occurred.

Job 31:1

¹I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?

This is a significant statement. Job has been mindful not to allow himself to look upon a woman longer than necessary. Thereby limiting the possibility of having impure thoughts. This is one of the greatest failings of many today, lust of the flesh. In today’s world, there is no limit to how widespread is temptation. As for Job, he made a covenant with his eyes. He had overcome an issue that many of fail at. It is a true statement, out of sight out of mind. If one was to make a convent with their eyes as Job had, they would find that many sins could be easily avoided.

Sin, in itself, does not just happen. It comes from a seed that is nurtured by the individual. James brings light to this in James 1. Further, his explanation will clarify a misunderstood statement made by Yeshua in Matthew 5:27-28.

²⁷Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: ²⁸But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

The majority today interprets the above passage that if an individual thinks about a sin then they have committed the sin. Unfortunately, this puts many in a precarious position. Because what follows is the conclusion that, if one has already thought about it, they might as well commit the act. Their reasoning being, they have already committed the sin. This thought pattern leads to an increase in sin and hopelessness of ever overcoming sin. Fortunately, this is not what Yeshua meant.

The question that needs answering is, whether there is a difference between the sin in one’s heart and the actual sin. Most have been taught that they are one in the same. However, James stated something different, starting with James 1:13.

¹³Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

First, we need to be clear that God does not tempt us with sin. That is not how God operates. God does not want anyone sinning anymore than they already are. Scriptures are clear, God proves us. God tests an individual to reveal to the individual the truth that is within their hearts. God knows the heart, mankind does not. Individuals are self-deceived into believing they are different than they truly are.

James 1:14-15

¹⁴But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. ¹⁵Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. ¹⁶Do not err, my beloved brethren.

Lust is where the problems begin. When one lusts after various things, it becomes a seed that can eventually germinate. When it conceives, that is when physical sin occurs. If when one lusts in their heart, they would realize the consequences and stop lusting. Then the seed of sin would not be nurtured and it will die, thereby preventing the physical sin. However, if one does not stop thinking about it, lust will bring forth the act. Individuals need to root out the seed as soon as it starts to grow. If one would learn to do this, it would lead to victory over their particular sin that seems to so easily beset them.

It is a built-in mechanism that God has put into the life of the believer. The spirit acts against the impure thoughts to kill the seed. If one would stop lusting and start praying more, they would have less condemnation of themselves. They would see sin diminish and start to have victory over sin in their lives. This is the mechanism that God has given the believer to stop sin in their lives.

James 1:12

¹²Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Believers have to learn to endure temptation. They have to choose to walk the way God would have them walk. Believers cannot allow temptation in their lives. If an individual would do this, impure thoughts would not germinate into sin. That is why believers should follow Job’s example, they ought to make a covenant with theirs eyes.

Again Job 31:1

¹I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?

Job’s position is that he has not been drawn away with lust. To have a covenant with his eyes is to not let himself wander at any time. Job maintains his purity by not allowing the input to ever occur. As such, he has no reason to think about women in anyway, but with purity.

Job 31:2

²For what portion of God is there from above? and what inheritance of the Almighty from on high?

Job maintains that God is the final authority. James sums up Job’s position in James 1:16-17.

¹⁶Do not err, my beloved brethren. ¹⁷Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Job ultimately trusts in God and believes that God will vindicate him. Further, Job’s position is that his friends are in error. God does reward the righteous, and the wicked shall not go unpunished forever.

Job 31:3

³Is not destruction to the wicked? and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity?

Job asks the question and answers rightly that God does hold the wicked accountable. Just because we do not always see the direct connection, we should not assume that the wicked do not get punished for their deeds. Too often today, we equate wealth and success in the business world as a blessing. However, the Bible does not agree with this position, 1 Timothy 6:5.

⁵Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

Never view gain as godliness. To do that may result in aligning one with those that are corrupt and lacking truth in their life. Paul tells the reader what is great gain in 1 Timothy 6:6.

⁶But godliness with contentment is great gain.

Just because an individual has lost all their wealth, is not necessarily a sign of a curse. It may even be a blessing, 1 Timothy 6:9.

⁹But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

Based on this, one would have to question, why do so many assume that Job sinned? What happened to Job is no indictment in itself. The fact is many believers do not have wealth, because they could not handle it. It would only be the seed that would result in them going down the path of iniquity to their demise.

In Job’s case, even though he had lost great wealth, his family had been wiped out and all his friends turned on him, he maintained his integrity. Job places his faith in God Almighty, Job 31:4.

⁴Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps?

Although God has not answered Job, he faithfully trusts that God will. In the end, Job trusts that God will vindicate him of the plethora of accusations. In Job’s mind, there is nothing that has occurred that God has not witnessed. Although God has been silent since Chapter 2, God is fully aware of what has happened. Job trusts in God’s goodness.

Job 31:5-6

⁵If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit; ⁶Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity.

In the above, Job is challenging his accusers and is willing to be put on trial. That is, only if God is the judge. Job maintains that he has not walked with vanity or deceit. He has not done things for his own gain nor has he had ulterior motives. He believes that although he has been accused, there is no evidence he has done evil. In an honest court of law, Job believes that justice would weigh heavily on his side. In that, God would know Job’s integrity regardless of his detractors’ false accusations.

Job 31:7-8

⁷If my step hath turned out of the way, and mine heart walked after mine eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to mine hands; ⁸Then let me sow, and let another eat; yea, let my offspring be rooted out.

Job, who maintains his integrity throughout the book, is drawing a very tight circle around himself. Job is claiming to have maintained a righteous walk throughout his life. He has opened himself up to be accused of the slightest infraction. Yet no one has brought evidence against him, all accusations have been unsupported. For Job, these are not vain words, he is willing to defend himself. Further, if he has sinned as described in his words, he is willing to surrender all he has. Now one might say that this has already happened. But life is not over for Job, he obviously believes that he will be exonerated of the various accusations. If not, his words are that of a fool. In the end, it will be demonstrated that Job is no fool.

In the passage above, Job makes a statement that is akin to the life of Abraham. Even though all of Job’s children have lost their lives; Job stated, let my offspring be rooted out. Although in the present, Job’s children no longer exist. In eternity, Job is faithful that he will see them again. This is in reference to the Restitution of All Things discussed in Job 14 and 19. This forward-looking attitude is similar to what is stated about Abraham in Hebrews 11:8-10.

⁸By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. ⁹By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:¹⁰For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Abraham, who faithfully followed God, never received the inheritance in his lifetime. God’s statement to Abraham in Genesis 22:17-18 was unseen in Abraham’s lifetime.

¹⁷That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; ¹⁸And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

Abraham never saw the fulfilment of this promise during his lifetime. Unlike many of us, Abraham and Job were looking for a time beyond this life. This was stated about Abraham in Hebrews 8:10.

¹⁰For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

The city that Abraham was looking for was New Jerusalem. Just as Abraham was not tied to his present existence, Job too was looking to the eternal future. When at that time, he would be reunited with his children. Life does get tough for all. Things do not always work out the way one would like. Believers need to be more like Abraham and Job. They need to put their hope in the Eternal One and the eternal time.

Job 31:9-11

⁹If mine heart have been deceived by a woman, or if I have laid wait at my neighbour’s door; ¹⁰Then let my wife grind unto another, and let others bow down upon her. ¹¹For this is an heinous crime; yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by the judges.

Job claims that he has not fallen victim to flirtation by women. Although innocent by women, many times men misinterpret a woman’s intentions and read something into a women’s action that were never meant. Job stated he has not done this. Nor has Job taken any action that could lead to adultery. Job has maintained his walk, his integrity.

Further Job stated that this is a heinous crime. A monstrous atrocity that should be dealt with by the judges. Unfortunately today, adultery is not taken as seriously as Job did. Adultery is a common occurrence in today’s world by both non-believers and believers alike. Had Christianity taken serious the statements of Job, things would be different in today’s churches.

Again Job’s response to his critics, I am not guilty of such actions. Job takes this so serious that if he had done this, so should his wife do to him. Yet no one has produced a single bit of evidence.

It is telling that Job believes that one who commits such a sin should be taken before the judges. Today that would never happen, judges are liberal in their thinking and the notion of regulating morality is unthinkable. One cannot regulate morality in a county that scoffs at the law of God. Job tells the reader what is the true punishment for adultery, Job 31:12.

¹²For it is a fire that consumeth to destruction, and would root out all mine increase.

Today’s courts may not mete out justice for adultery, but there are consequences that will occur regardless. Very few can commit such an act without having their lives afflicted. Whether one is a believer or not, in time, adultery affects all. A spouse may not divorce, but the relationship will be tarnished and trust is lost. For those that do repair the relationship, it will leave scars that seem not to heal. Once trust is lost, it is extremely hard to regain. For those that have ‘open’ marriages, intimacy and all the joy that go with it is lost. Those that believe that adultery has not affected them, are fools and their time is coming. Solomon agrees with Job’s assessment in Proverbs 9:17-18.

¹⁷Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. ¹⁸But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell (sheol).

As for a believer, one should keep in remembrance Proverbs 5:18-19.

¹⁸Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. ¹⁹Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.

If one would focus on their marriage and not the one they wish for, their marriage would satisfy them. However, instead of doing that, many seem to look beyond their own borders. That only results in frustration and a failed marriage.

Job 31:13-15

¹³If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, when they contended with me; ¹⁴What then shall I do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth, what shall I answer him? ¹⁵Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb?

In each of these cases throughout this chapter, Job is claiming to have not done such things. What one must appreciate is that Job is not necessarily defending himself to his detractors. Job is speaking to the one that is the judge. Peter stated in 1 Peter 2:23

²³Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

Yeshua provided an example that He did not return in kind to others. He did not threaten others nor did He retaliate. This is true of Job too. It is the example we are to follow. A believer should not spend time worrying what the world thinks of them. Neither should they spend time trying to defend themselves to unrighteous people. The believer should commit their ways to the judgment of God. God is the one that always judges righteously. He is the one the believer must trust, because He is the only one that balances the scales properly.

Although it may appear to many that Job is speaking to his critics, Job is not that foolish. Up to this point they have not listened to him, why would a reasonable person think that anything would change. Job’s critics were not looking for justice, they were taking advantage of a situation for their own benefit. They had long ago quit listening to reason and most of all, they did not take time to even consider what Job stated.

Again Job 31:13-15

Job does not take this issue lightly. Job recognizes that we are all the same. We are formed by our Father in heaven. On this matter we are equals. We bring nothing into this world and we will not take anything with us. But what will remain is how we treated each other. Our relationships are an enduring matter. These should not be taken lightly. God does not take this lightly, neither should any individual. In God’s eyes, mankind should treat others better than themselves. Compassion and grace should be shown to all. For the believer, this includes enemies in the faith and outside. This includes those who have offended us. This includes those who work for us and those in management over us. This includes politicians, lawyers, individuals of another denomination and those of another persuasion; even those of a different sexual preference or religion.

Job 31:16-23

¹⁶If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail; ¹⁷Or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof; ¹⁸(For from my youth he was brought up with me, as with a father, and I have guided her from my mother’s womb;) ¹⁹If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering; ²⁰If his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep; ²¹If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate: ²²Then let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone. ²³For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure.

In all these things, Job claims he is innocent. Job has correctly placed such issues as important enough to suffer the wrath of God. Many times in scriptures the importance of watching out for the poor, fatherless and the widow is emphasized. Job claims to have done more than just be nice to others. Job claims to have opened up his table to others that were less fortunate. Job, if he saw someone wanting, he took action to help them. Job did everything in his power to help the less fortunate. Job could not endure not helping others knowing that it was God’s will to do so.

Job 31:24-25

²⁴If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence; ²⁵If I rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because mine hand had gotten much;

Job claims to have not made wealth a priority in his life nor had he put his hope in wealth. For Job, wealth was incidental in life. He did not do what he did to obtain wealth. He did what he did to serve God. Wealth was just a byproduct of Job’s life. Job, unlike others, did not make a show of his wealth. There are many examples in the Bible of individuals that showed off their wealth. This is a mistake that one should never make. Wealth is not something to flaunt, it is merely a tool to serve the purposes of God.

Job 31:26-28

²⁶If I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness; ²⁷And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand: ²⁸This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above.

Remember what God had stated about Job in chapters 1 and 2, Job feared God. Job was not taken by any other object of the universe. Neither was Job taken by self-deceit.

Job 31:29-30

²⁹If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him: ³⁰Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul.

Job stated the he did not rejoice in the correction of others. We are not to do this, we should not find joy in the downfall of others. Solomon records this in Proverbs 23:17-18.

¹⁷Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: ¹⁸Lest the Lord see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

We are to have compassion even for those that harm us. It should always be our hope that our enemies would be our brethren. Yeshua stated in Matthew 5:39.

³⁹But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Job 31:31-32

³¹If the men of my tabernacle said not, Oh that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied. ³²The stranger did not lodge in the street: but I opened my doors to the traveller.

Additionally, Job opened his home to the stranger as Lot had for the angels in Genesis 19 in Sodom. Job was always willing to help and protect the weary traveler.

Job 31:33

³³If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom:

Job stated that he did not cover his sins as Adam did in Genesis 3. Job did not hide from God and use fig leaves to cover himself. When a sin was committed or if an offering was required, Job acted quickly. He even preemptively offered as in Job 1:5. Job was not trying to avoid repentance.

⁵And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.

Job 31:34

³⁴Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me, that I kept silence, and went not out of the door?

Job followed the intent of Exodus 23:2.

²Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:

Job did not follow the majority in matters of judgment. Job claimed that he judged righteously. Job did not hide himself when one needed justice. Job defended those, who none would defend. Job did this in spite of the opinion of the majority. Job was not a bystander of injustice, he was an active participant for justice.

Job 31:35-37

³⁵Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book. ³⁶Surely I would take it upon my shoulder, and bind it as a crown to me. ³⁷I would declare unto him the number of my steps; as a prince would I go near unto him.

In the above passage, Job is pleading directly to God. Job is at a loss as to why all this has happened, only God can provide that answer. Those around him have criticized him with no basis. Job is willing to take their accusations to God as the judge. Job is looking for a just balance, something only God can provide.

Job 31:38-40

³⁸If my land cry against me, or that the furrows likewise thereof complain; ³⁹If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, or have caused the owners thereof to lose their life: ⁴⁰Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended.

Lastly Job declares that he has not abused or taken advantage of the land. Nor has he done as Ahab did to Naboth in 1 Kings 21:15-16

¹⁵And it came to pass, when Jezebel heard that Naboth was stoned, and was dead, that Jezebel said to Ahab, Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give thee for money: for Naboth is not alive, but dead. ¹⁶And it came to pass, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, that Ahab rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.

It may seem like an odd thing to conclude with; however, God did not take this lightly when he banished the Children of Israel from the land. Of all the sins that were committed during reign of the kings, it is recorded in 2 Chronicles 36:20-21.

²⁰And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia: ²¹To fulfil the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.

The final word for the Children of Israel is they did not keep the Sabbatical Years. As for Job, he lists many things, yet his final word is respect of the land and the owners thereof. God has given this earth not for us to abuse, but to nurture. Very few have respected God’s gift to us. For the most part, we have taken resources without putting back. Although a gift from God to the inhabitants, one should not be frivolous with it. Mankind should employ the land as God intended.

The words of Job are ended. In all that is said, we must remember God’s words in Job 42:7-8

⁷And it was so, that after the Lord had spoken these words unto Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath. ⁸Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.

Twice God stated that Job spoke correctly, in that, all that Job had spoken was true. Job was not guilty of any of the above infractions. What that leaves the reader with is a question, why the Book of Job. So many like to point out that all this happened because Job committed a sin. Various accusations have been pride, fear or possibly he insulted God. However, none of these are true. Yet at the end of the Book, God does take Job to task. So there is something that has occurred and if so, there is something one can learn. This will be discussed later in the book because it is the same sin most believers commit. It demonstrates how little many understand of God and His kingdom.

Additionally, there is even a greater lesson. For it is written in Hebrews 10:1A

^1AFor the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things,

Therefore, the Book of Job is telling the reader something beyond mere words. Something that relates to the greater message of God.

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