Job 31
CHAPTER 31
1. Job proceeds to prove that he deserved a better lot. As in the twenty-ninth chapter, he showed his uprightness as an emir, or magistrate in public life, so in this chapter he vindicates his character in private life.
1-4. He asserts his guarding against being allured to sin by his senses.
think--rather, "cast a (lustful) look." He not merely did not so, but put it out of the question by covenanting with his eyes against leading him into temptation ( Proverbs 6:25 , Matthew 5:28 ).
2. Had I let my senses tempt me to sin, "what portion (would there have been to me, that is, must I have expected) from (literally, of) God above, and what inheritance from (literally, of) the Almighty," &c. [MAURER] ( Job 20:29 , 27:13 ).
3. Answer to the question in Job 31:2 .
strange--extraordinary.
4. Doth not he see? &c.--Knowing this, I could only have expected "destruction" ( Job 31:3 ), had I committed this sin ( Proverbs 5:21 ).
5. Job's abstinence from evil deeds.
vanity--that is, falsehood ( Psalms 12:2 ).
6. Parenthetical. Translate: "Oh, that God would weigh me . . . then would He know," &c.
7. Connected with Job 31:6 .
the way--of God ( Job 23:11 , Jeremiah 5:5 ). A godly life.
heart . . . after . . . eyes--if my heart coveted, what my eyes beheld ( Ecclesiastes 11:9 , Joshua 7:21 ).
hands--( Psalms 24:4 ).
8. Apodosis to Job 31:5 Job 31:7 ; the curses which he imprecates on himself, if he had done these things ( Leviticus 26:16 , Amos 9:14 , Psalms 128:2 ).
offspring--rather, "what I plant," my harvests.
9-12. Job asserts his innocence of adultery.
deceived--hath let itself be seduced ( Proverbs 7:8 , Genesis 39:7-12 ).
laid wait--until the husband went out.
10. grind--turn the handmill. Be the most abject slave and concubine ( Isaiah 47:2 , 2 Samuel 12:11 ).
11. In the earliest times punished with death ( Genesis 38:24 ). So in later times ( Deuteronomy 22:22 ). Heretofore he had spoken only of sins against conscience; now, one against the community, needing the cognizance of the judge.
12. ( Proverbs 6:27-35 , Proverbs 8:6-23 Proverbs 8:26 Proverbs 8:27 ). No crime more provokes God to send destruction as a consuming fire; none so desolates the soul.
13-23. Job affirms his freedom from unfairness towards his servants, from harshness and oppression towards the needy.
despise the cause--refused to do them justice.
14, 15. Parenthetical; the reason why Job did not despise the cause of his servants. Translate: What then (had I done so) could I have done, when God arose (to call me to account); and when He visited (came to enquire), what could I have answered Him?