Job 31: "True In Grace"

​“I have made a covenant with my eyes;
how then could I gaze at a virgin?
2     What would be my portion from God above
and my heritage from the Almighty on high?
3     Is not calamity for the unrighteous,
and disaster for the workers of iniquity?
4     Does not he see my ways
and number all my steps?
5     “If I have walked with falsehood
and my foot has hastened to deceit;
6     (Let me be weighed in a just balance,
and let God know my integrity!)
7     if my step has turned aside from the way
and my heart has gone after my eyes,
and if any spot has stuck to my hands,
8     then let me sow, and another eat,
and let what grows for me be rooted out.
9     “If my heart has been enticed toward a woman,
and I have lain in wait at my neighbor’s door,
10    then let my wife grind for another,
and let others bow down on her.
11    For that would be a heinous crime;
that would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges;
12    for that would be a fire that consumes as far as Abaddon,
and it would burn to the root all my increase.
13    “If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or my maidservant,
when they brought a complaint against me,
14    what then shall I do when God rises up?
When he makes inquiry, what shall I answer him?
15    Did not he who made me in the womb make him?
And did not one fashion us in the womb?
16    “If I have withheld anything that the poor desired,
or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail,
17    or have eaten my morsel alone,
and the fatherless has not eaten of it
18    (for from my youth the fatherless grew up with me as with a father,
and from my mother’s womb I guided the widow),
19    if I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing,
or the needy without covering,
20    if his body has not blessed me,
and if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep,
21    if I have raised my hand against the fatherless,
because I saw my help in the gate,
22    then let my shoulder blade fall from my shoulder,
and let my arm be broken from its socket.
23    For I was in terror of calamity from God,
and I could not have faced his majesty.
24    “If I have made gold my trust
or called fine gold my confidence,
25    if I have rejoiced because my wealth was abundant
or because my hand had found much,
26    if I have looked at the sun when it shone,
or the moon moving in splendor,
27    and my heart has been secretly enticed,
and my mouth has kissed my hand,
28    this also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges,
for I would have been false to God above.
29    “If I have rejoiced at the ruin of him who hated me,
or exulted when evil overtook him
30    (I have not let my mouth sin
by asking for his life with a curse),
31    if the men of my tent have not said,
‘Who is there that has not been filled with his meat?’
32    (the sojourner has not lodged in the street;
I have opened my doors to the traveler),
33    if I have concealed my transgressions as others do
by hiding my iniquity in my heart,
34    because I stood in great fear of the multitude,
and the contempt of families terrified me,
so that I kept silence, and did not go out of doors--
35    Oh, that I had one to hear me!
(Here is my signature! Let the Almighty answer me!)
Oh, that I had the indictment written by my adversary!
36    Surely I would carry it on my shoulder;
I would bind it on me as a crown;
37    I would give him an account of all my steps;
like a prince I would approach him.
38    “If my land has cried out against me
and its furrows have wept together,
39    if I have eaten its yield without payment
and made its owners breathe their last,
40    let thorns grow instead of wheat,
and foul weeds instead of barley.”
The words of Job are ended.
 
Meditation
The gospel gives such deep security in God’s steadfast love that we can welcome God’s examination without fear of condemnation. Jesus Christ justifies believers. Truth of our union with Christ securely sustains our righteous status.
 
Job’s final words (40) are an explanation of his righteousness status (1:1-5) and defense against false accusations that his suffering is from his sin. Job was a real man whose argument is laughable separate from the work of God’s grace.
 
Job begins by emphasizing covenant relationship, a commitment for his eyes not to look at impure things. The eyes are a window into our soul, helping us see the treasure of our hearts (Mathew 6:22-24). Job’s claim that his heart is pure is a reality only secured by the covenant love of God revealed in the cross of Christ.
 
Job walks through specific sins with reckless confidence, appearing to lack self-awareness. Using “If I…” as a marker, Job claims he has walked in truth, without any adulterous activity, caring for his servants, generous with the poor, protecting the fatherless, not trusting in his wealth, serving enemies (not rejoicing in their ruin), confessing all his false steps, and stewarding his land faithfully. Job boldly claims to have no area of his life worthy of condemnation.
 
God’s grace through Jesus is the only thing that can give a righteous status, justified and free to live with no condemnation. Union with Christ guarantees what is true of Christ is true of believers, too. Job’s defense is “true in grace,” a safe place to sustain our status in Christ, to live with no condemnation in Him.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you about Job’s claims of living a righteous life, worthy of examination without fear of condemnation?
 
-Do you embrace the truths of the doctrines of justification and union with Christ, believing in Christ God looks at you just as if you have never sinned and that what is true of Christ is true of you by virtue of faith?
 
-We need to confess our sin, but we also need to confess our lack of belief in God’s grace, what is “true in grace” for us as believers. Take time to confess to God that you have not believed the full scope of effectiveness of the cross, the comprehensive work of Christ that frees you to live without condemnation.
 
Key Verse
5     “If I have walked with falsehood and my foot has hastened to deceit; 6 (Let me be weighed in a just balance, and let God know my integrity!)