Job 31

Notes

Ver. 6. Let me be tried by an upright impartial judge, that God may acknowledge and approve mine integrity. 7, 8. If I have knowingly, willingly, and ordinarily wandered out of the way of my duty, have indulged my heart in covetousness or lust, or my hands in bribery and injustice, let all that I have be bestowed on others, and my children, plants, and trees be rooted up. 9, 10. If I have been enticed to unclean lust by any woman, or if I have watched for opportunities to defile my neighbour's bed, let my own wife be a slave and a whore to others. 26, 27. If I have beheld the sun or moon with any idolatrous regard, or have had any inward inclination to esteem them as deities, or have given them any external worship. 34. Did ever fear of men terrify me from candid confession of my sin or from any other duty? or if I have concealed my faults, let me be overwhelmed with the terror and contempt of men till I be ashamed to be seen. 35-37. O that I had but an impartial judge, and that my accuser would give me a written charge! I should prize it as an honour, since every article would then be proved false: I would, with undaunted courage and confidence of success, give a candid account of my past conduct, to see of what he would accuse me.

Ver. 1. [Job was charged with the commission of secret sins. His friends alleged that he would not have been so heavily punished had he not been guilty of grievous offences. In reply Job reviews his whole conduct, both public and private. He enters into particulars so as to show that the charge preferred against him was entirely false. It may be noted that while Job indignantly repudiates the charge of hypocrisy, he is wanting in that humility which must ever characterize the true child of God. Paul boasted of his faith, and endurance, and labours; but he ascribed all his power and grace to Christ, 1 Co. 15. 10; Phi. 2. 13. Job speaks only of himself. P.]

Ver. 15. [Job here means that he had been kind and indulgent as a master. He admitted the great principle that all men are by nature equal. No man has a right to rule or tyrannize over his fellows. In all his dealings with his servants he acted in accordance with this principle. P.]

Ver. 22. [This imprecatory conclusion has reference to all the hypothetical expressions from ver. 16. Job adopts this strong mode of affirming his innocence and purity of heart, as well as of life. P.]

Ver. 35. ['Job refers to the procedure in ancient courts of justice, where the accused party appended his mark to the legal instruments in the cause, and he means that he would gladly affix his signature to articles of impeachment laid against him, in token of his desire to debate the question of his own integrity' (Wordsworth). Job feels strong in the consciousness of his innocence. He has now put the three friends to silence; and he makes a general appeal to any one who will hear him. He boldly appeals to God himself to try and judge him. Seeing only with human eye, comparing himself only with a human standard, Job forgets man's frail and guilty nature. P.]

Reflections.—How diversified are the forms in which inward corruption breaks forth among mankind! And there is great need of purifying the heart, of solemn dedication to God, of watchfulness over both soul and senses, and of constant, awful, and engaging impressions of God, to promote a holy and circumspect life. It is highly honourable to be followers of those ancient patriarchs who through faith and patience inherited the promises. But, alas! that many things, by them held horrid and detestable, are now become common and fashionable!—What dangerous enemies to our souls are fleshly lusts! And they call for especial watchfulness. If we would keep our heart pure our eye must be single. However unexceptionable our outward conduct appear, there is a God who marks our secret sins; and no impurity of temper can consist with the enjoyment of him. Such as will lodge sin in their heart now must lodge in hell for ever. How rare truly honest men are in this world! None are more to be suspected of fraud than such as are full of talk in their worldly dealings. Honesty needs no varnish. The gains of covetousness, however secret, leave a blot in the sight of God, which nothing but Jesus' atoning blood can wash away. The fruits of injustice must either be restored or they will damn us: and they who are conscious of integrity never shun a trial. What a crying sin is adultery; and how damning!—Great hu- manity and tenderness is due to servants and the poor, who have the same Maker and God as ourselves: and there is great need of grace to wean our heart from this world and from every rival of God. It is a hard task to forgive injuries without reluctance. But to rejoice in the fall of an enemy is malicious and murderous. The greatest provocation will never justify our revenge. Hypocritically to hide our sins is destructive to our souls. And it is very dangerous to be partakers with other men in their sins. Let us therefore avoid the fear of man, which causeth a snare. Let us never hear a good cause run down without vindicating it, nor see injustice committed without remonstrating against it. In all our conduct let us study to approve ourselves unto God.