Job is willing to suffer and take the hit if he had done something wrong. If this was God’s justice, then Ok. But Job feels he has walked with a clean conscience.
“If I have walked in falsehood or my foot has rushed to deceit...” (Job 31:5).
“If my step has turned from the way, my heart has followed my eyes, or impurity has stained my hands” (Job 31:7)
“If my heart has been seduced by my neighbor’s wife or I have lurked at his door” (Job 31:9)
“If I have dismissed the case of my male or female servants when they made a complaint against me” (Job 31:13)
“If I have refused the wishes of the poor or let the widow’s eyes go blind” (Job 31:16)
“If I have eaten my few crumbs alone without letting the fatherless eat any of it” (Job 31:17)
“If I have seen anyone dying for lack of clothing or a needy person without a cloak” (Job 31:19)
“If I ever cast my vote against a fatherless child when I saw that I had support in the city gate” (Job 31:21)
“If I placed my confidence in gold or called fine gold my trust” (Job 31:24)
“If I have rejoiced because my wealth is great or because my own hand has acquired so much” (Job 31:25)
“If I have gazed at the sun when it was shining or at the moon moving in splendor, so that my heart was secretly enticed and I threw them a kiss” (Job 31:26-27)
“If my land cries out against me and its furrows join in weeping” (Job 31:38)
“If I have consumed its produce without payment or shown contempt for its tenents” (Job 31:40).
He says if I have done any of these things at all, then God’s judgment he feels is warranted and he can accept that. But he says
- I did not rejoice over my enemy’s distress (Job 31:29)
- I did not curse my enemy asking for his life (Job 31:30)
- I have provided food for all the members of my household (Job 31:31)
- No stranger has had to spend the night on the street (Job 31:32)
- I have not covered my transgressions and hidden any guilt (Job 31:33)
Then Job laments his frustration.
“If only I had someone to hear my case! Here is my signature; let the Almighty answer me…I would give Him an account of all my steps; I would approach him like a prince” (Job 31:35-37).
Job stands firm that he has walked with a clean conscience, leaving no stone unturned in making sure the weak and needy were helped and received justice. He was a man of no compromise. That’s why he doesn’t understand the ways of God. Why?
If only he could take God to court and plead his case.
Don’t worry Job. God is going to speak very soon.
Because Job has yet to understand God.
