Job 31, If, then, why, Matlock & Job's conclusion

I miss Matlock.

Matlock was a TV show starring Andy Griffith as attorney Ben Matlock. He was always having to defend somebody that appeared totally guilty. Matlock/Andy would inevitably solve the case and prove his client's innocence at the last second when Matlock was in court. (I think he even defended Barney in one episode). Matlock would make a phenomenal closing argument or ask a series of questions that would expose the guilty party at the last second. (If anyone has Matlock shows on DVD I would love to borrow them, but I digress).

Job is about to make his closing argument, a la Matlock, to God and everyone else who is listening. Unlike Matlock, he's not going to solve his case, but he is going to make some amazing statements vindicating his innocence. It really is a marvelous piece of literature and tells us a lot about the man and his beliefs. It is also incredibly humbling to say the least. So read along with me in your Bible, Job 31.

By the way, does anyone remember the Matlock theme song? Classic...Where was I? Oh right, Job. What I'm going to do is first look at what Job says in this chapter, then we're going to talk about what Job 31 means.

Betty White = no lust.

Job 31:1-4 - I have not looked with lust upon young women. (No "lusty" pictures included)
Job says he is righteous in his thoughts and the way he looked at, (or didn't look at), young women. He was morally pure in his thought life. God could not charge him with lust. "I have made a covenant with my eyes; How then could I gaze at a virgin?" (1). Why did Job act this way? Because he knew God was watching and he knew it was wrong. "Does not he see my ways and number all my steps?" (4) So Job was a man of visual purity for the sake of God.

Job 31:5-8 - I have not been deceitful or corrupt in my character. 
Job says he has not lied or deceived others. He has not turned to evil in any way in his life. Here begins the beginning of many "If I have...then". Job will say "If I have done this then may God do such and such to me." Job is making an oath in these statements, denying wickedness and laying  the burden of proof directly upon God or anyone else who would charge him with wrongdoing. "If I have walked in falsehood...(then) let Him weigh me with accurate scales...(then) let me sow and another eat," (5-8). Job has been a man of integrity in his dealings with others. "If...then".

Job 31:9-12 - I have not committed adultery. (No "adultery" type pictures included). 
Job has not turned from his wife to another woman, nor has he gone after another man's wife. Sexual immorality is a key stumbling block for many a man, (See also King David, Bill Clinton, Samson, Magic Johnson, JFK, etc). However, Job has not been corrupted by the lure of adultery or sexual immorality. He says, 'if I have, then may I die and my wife take another husband'. Why does he say this? "For that would be a heinous crime; that would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges," (11). Job understood that adultery was a supremely evil act, (see also Proverbs), and he would have to give an account before God for his immoral behavior. He might have been able to deceive men, but he could not hide adultery from God and he knew it. "If...then".

Lumiere and Ms. Potts would've felt valued by Job.

Job 31:13-15 - I have not rejected the needs of my servants. 
Both men and women servants were respected and cared for by Job. This is even more notable because women in Job's day were probably considered second-tier members of society, yet even they were cared for and respected. Why? "Did not He who made me in the womb make him, and the same one fashion us in the womb?" (15). Job knew that every man and woman, even those who were merely servants, were made in the image of God and had inherent dignity and value in the sight of God. "If...then".

Job 31:16-23 - I have not neglected the poor and needy. 
Job has not been deaf to the cries of the poor, the orphan, or the needy. The marginalized in society were provided for by Job. Through him they received food, shelter, and support. Why? "For calamity from God is a terror to me, and because of His majesty I can do nothing," (23). Job knew God's heart for the poor and outcast and that God would judge him should he ignore their cries. Job, as wealthy and as blessed as he was, still reached out and cared for the humble and poor around him. "If...then".

Job 31:24-28 - I have not put my trust in riches and I have not been an idolater. 
Even though Job was incredibly wealth, he did not put his trust in his money, but in God. He did not turn from God to worship the moon, the sun, or any other deity. In other words, his heart was pure in devotion to God, finding trust in no other thing. "If I have put my confidence in gold...If I have looked at the sun when it shone or the moon going in splendor...(then) that too would have been an iniquity calling for judgment, for I would have denied God above," (24-28, selected). Job's trust throughout his life was not his strength, his wealth, or any other "god". His trust and worship were of God alone. Why? Because he understood idolatry of any kind was evil before God. "If...then."

Job 31:35-40 - The Defense Rests. 
Now Job closes out his defense. Like Matlock he makes his closing argument to the court of God's judgment. "Oh that I had one to hear me! Behold, here is my signature; Let the Almighty answer me!" (35). He has presented his case before God and he has sat down. He will say no more, "the words of Job are ended," (41). He has clearly stated his righteousness of character, mind, heart, and actions. By doing so he has demanded God answer his defense, as in a court of Law. He is asking God to justify any reason for the suffering and torment he has endured, (including, death, loss, sickness, and vilification). Job is now done talking. Feel free to celebrate. You've made it this far through the book.

Now I've told you what he said in chapter 31. So what does it all mean?

1) Job was a man of incredible righteousness in an age of limited revelation. Remember, Job was a contemporary of Abraham. There was no Bible and no Ten Commandments in Job's day. Job's understanding of God was likely only from oral tradition passed down from Adam to Eve, Seth, Noah, etc. Yet Job was a man of amazing character in word, thought, and deed. Feel free to compare yourself to Job, but I guarantee you that you'll come out on the losing end. He cared for the poor, the needy, and his servants. He was a man of personal integrity. He was free from lust and adultery. He did not treat his enemies as they deserved. He worshiped and trusted in God alone. He was a man of the uttermost righteousness. There was no sin in his life to justify the suffering he was experiencing. (We'll come back to that last point).

2) Job's righteousness was based in the person and character of God. Job avoided lust because he knew it was wrong before God. Job cared for his servants because he knew they were made in the image of God. Job cared for the sick, the poor, and the alien because he knew God cared for the same people. Job did not act in idolatry because he knew God was the one true deity. Job's righteous behavior was based in the knowledge of and the person of God. The basis for all righteousness is found in God, not in man's understanding. Do you think this might have some application for the government, public schools, marriage, sexuality, law and order, parenting, and modern man's understanding of right and wrong? Yep. Righteousness is found and based in God. If you forsake a proper understanding of the Creator, you will also lose proper perspective on what is right, true, and good and thus your society will deteriorate. (I could continue, but let's just move on).

3) Job put his character up before God's standard and was willing to be judged accordingly. None of Job's friends could find any fault in him. Job was willing to examine himself and even let God examine him to see if there was any sin or wickedness in his life. Job was a shining light of inward and outward moral purity. There was no stain on his character. Truly he "feared God and turned away from evil," (Job 1).

Trivia: Who was Boo Radley? What was Gregory Peck's daughter's name
in the movie? No cheating please. 

4) Here's the rub. Job had shown himself to be righteous. Therefore, in Job's mind, there was no justification for his suffering. His friends had told him only the wicked suffer and are punished by God accordingly. Job had clearly refuted their arguments. Even if their points were true, Job has thoroughly refuted any claims to his guilt. Here's where we get to the crux of the matter. Job was righteous, therefore in his mind God had no justification for decreeing suffering or calamity in his life. God had somehow erred by allowing Job to experience death, destruction and suffering. God had not acted justly in Job's life, according to Job. I think Job would have accepted his lot had he been a sinner, but since Job knew he was righteous, he was upset with God for bringing suffering and destruction into his life. In Job's mind, the righteous should not suffer and God should give an answer to him for the calamity he has experienced.

The claim has been made. Job has finished his argument. Now a surprise witness for the prosecution will arise and then the Judge of all the earth will speak. Stay tuned, (and buy yourself a donut for getting this far).