Job’s Reply to Bildad   (26:1 – 31:40) — continued

31:1-4
As Job took inventory of his life and continued to state his case, he turned the spotlight inward to examine every conceivable area of his life. Job was intent on affirming his innocence of any crime or sin in his life which would explain his sufferings. First, Job declared that he had made a covenant with his eyes to not look upon a woman with lustful thoughts and desires. He declared that he had a pure thought life.

31:5-8
Second, Job examined his professional life and declared that he was innocent of any wrongdoing. He conducted his business affairs with the highest standard of ethics and integrity. Job was the kind of man you want to do business with!

31:9-12
Third, Job examined his marriage and home life. He declared that he had been faithful to his wife and not lusted after another man’s wife.

31:13-15
Fourth, Job examined his relationship with his employees. Job declared that he treated his employees with the highest respect because he understood that they, too, had been fashioned by God. In fact, not one complaint had ever been registered against him as an employer.

31:16-23
Fifth, Job examined his relationship with others in the community, specifically the less fortunate. Recall that Eliphaz had recklessly accused Job of being unkind to the underprivileged in Job 22:6-9. Job declared that he had consistently shown concern and extended help to the needy. He gladly shared his resources with the poor. He had taken the initiative in befriending the disadvantaged members of society.

31:24-25
Sixth, Job examined his attitude toward wealth. While he had wealth he did not put his trust in riches. He knew and understood that his wealth came from God. He did not worship his wealth or hold it in a tight fist.

31:26-28
Seventh, Job examined his spiritual life. He declared that he worshiped God alone. He did not worship the sun or the moon and stars like the pagans. He was not guilty of any form of idolatry or worship of false gods. He was loyal and fully devoted to God.

31:29-32
Eighth, Job examined his treatment of enemies and outsiders. He had not conducted himself with a retaliatory spirit toward enemies. He had also shown hospitality by opening his door to aliens.

31:33-34
Job said that he had not tried to cover his sin, like Adam. Nor had he tried to conceal it in his bosom.

31:35-37
Job put his verbal “John Hancock” on all he had said. He endorsed his testimony to say it was true. Job said that he would gladly receive any written accusations against him. At least then he would be able to deal with and refute specific charges rather than the baseless inferences of his critics.

31:38-40
Ninth, Job remembered one other area of his life that needed examination: his stewardship of the land and resources entrusted to him by God. Job declared that he had been a good steward of the land. The chapter concludes, “The words of Job are ended.” Job rested his case. Job declared that there was nothing in his life to account for his present suffering. Job is not quoted as speaking to his critics again during the final chapters of the book.