Podcast 45, Stories of the Bible, “The Book of Job, Ch 31”

Podcast 45, Stories of the Bible, “The Book of Job, Ch 31”The structure of Chapter 31 is very interesting. It is a simple chiasm divided into only two parts. A1 & A2. In A1 Job asks seven questions: A1 Job 31:1-41.     I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?2.     For what portion of God is there from above? 3.     And what inheritance of the Almighty from on high?4.     Is not destruction to the wicked? 5.     [Is not] a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity?6.     Doth not he see my ways? 7.     And count all my steps?In question one, Job declares his moral innocence. His “covenant with his eyes” was that he would not lust after women. He would not look upon sin with tolerance. He would keep his covenant of marriage and his covenant with God.In question two, Job asks how much of his suffering is from God. In question three, he effectively repeats question two: How much of his inheritance was from the Almighty from on high. Question 4 is the key question, “Is not destruction to the wicked?” Remember that Bildad, Eliphaz, and Zophar accuse Job of wickedness, claiming that is why he is being punished. Job is asking what portion of that punishment is from God for his sins. Question 5 echoes question 4, “Is not a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity?” Job knows he is not wicked, that he is not being punished by God for in Questions 6 & 7 Job asked, “Does not God see my ways? Does not God count all my steps?”A2 is a fascinating answer. Job poses 15 hypothetical situations, using “If…Then” format. The hypothetical statements are addressed to God. In other words, he is asking God to “see his ways” and “count all of his steps.” In doing so, God will find his innocence. Of course, Job already knows of his innocence, and he knows that God knows of his innocence. This is for the benefit of the three wicked friends who are falsely accusing him of things he is not guilty of.  Job dramatically invites God to punish him for each of the sins mentioned if he is indeed guilty, which he is not. The list of sins is so long and so comprehensive, that we get a very good idea of the righteousness of Job and how strictly he obeys all the commandments of God. Let’s discuss each hypothetical sin in the order they are presented. Job 31:5-6 If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit; Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity.Job has been guilty neither of vanity nor of deceit. He is asking God to weigh him in the balance so that God will know his integrity. Only an innocent person could be so bold with God.Job 31:7-8If my step hath turned out of the way, and mine heart walked after mine eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to mine hands; Then let me sow, and let another eat; yea, let my offspring be rooted out.The list of sins is very interesting. For Job, it is a book of virtues for he is not guilty of any of the sins. For the wicked, it is a book of vices like the seven deadly sins. Job walks the straight and narrow path. Job has an understanding heart. He does not follow his eyes. He follows his heart. Remember earlier the words of Job, “And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.’ He has clean hands and a pure heart. If he doesn’t have those things he invites the Lord to curse him, to let him sow but another eat. He even invites the Lord to take his family. That is true confidence.