Job 31:2

2 "What share does God give from above? What is the heritage from Shaddai on high?

Job 31:2 Meaning and Commentary

Job 31:2

For what portion of God [is there] from above?
&c.] What good portion, as the Targum paraphrases it, can impure persons expect from God? such who indulge themselves, and live in the sin of uncleanness, cannot hope to have any part in God, or a portion of good things from him; he is above, and in the highest heavens, and every good thing comes from thence, and from him there; and particularly the spiritual blessings, wherewith he blesses his people, are in heavenly places in Christ, and from thence come to them; and here a special respect may be had to God himself, who is the portion of his people, both in life and at death, and to all eternity; but men that live a vicious course of life cannot conclude they have any part in God and Christ, nor in the grace of God, and the blessings of it, nor enjoy communion with him:

and [what] inheritance of the Almighty from on high?
heaven is an inheritance which belongs to the children of God, and he, as their heavenly Father, has bequeathed it unto then; this is from the almighty God, God all sufficient; he has chosen this inheritance for them, and appointed them unto it; this is laid up by him and reserved in heaven for them; and he gives both a right unto it, and a meetness for it, and will put them into the possession of it: but then impure persons, as fornicators and adulterers, have no inheritance in the kingdom of God and of Christ, ( Ephesians 5:5 ) ; and this was a reason with Job, and what had an influence on him, to be careful to avoid the sin of uncleanness. Some understand the words as a question concerning what would be the portion and heritage of a wicked man, a corrupter of virgins; the answer to which is given in the next verse, destruction and a strange punishment; this is their portion from God, and the heritage appointed to them by him; see ( Job 20:29 ) .

Job 31:2 In-Context

1 "I made a covenant with my eyes not to let them lust after any girl.
2 "What share does God give from above? What is the heritage from Shaddai on high?
3 Isn't it calamity to the unrighteous? disaster to those who do evil?
4 Doesn't he see my ways and count all my steps?
5 "If I have gone along with falsehood, if my feet have hurried to deceit;
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.