Job 31

31:1-40 Job called down curses on himself if he were guilty of the accusations made against him. Except for his mention of idolatry (31:26-27), Job addressed his fidelity to God in terms of the second half of the Ten Commandments, summarized by the command to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Lev 19:18; Rom 13:9).31:1 Job’s covenant with his eyes included a self-cursing oath (cp. Matt 5:28-29). Perhaps lust of the eyes was at the head of Job’s list because the eye is the first instrument of sin (Gen 3:6). • To look with lust at a young woman violates the spirit of the seventh (Deut 5:18, see Matt 5:27-28), and potentially the tenth (Deut 5:21), commandment.

31:5-8 If Job had lied to anyone as part of a business deal, it would violate the eighth commandment (Deut 5:19); if it occurred in court, it would violate the ninth (Deut 5:20). This sin would merit fiery judgment (Rev 21:8). • If Job lusted for what his eyes had seen, he would violate the tenth commandment (Deut 5:21). • then let someone else eat: This was a self-curse.

31:9-10 Whether she seduced him or he waited for her (24:15-16), if Job lusted for his neighbor’s wife he would break the seventh (Deut 5:18, Matt 5:27-28) and tenth (Deut 5:21) commandments. • serve: Literally grind for. This might refer to servitude (Exod 11:5) or to sexual intercourse.

31:11 The Hebrew term zimmah (shameful sin) is associated with sexual crimes such as incest (“wicked act,” Lev 18:17), gang-rape (“terrible . . . crime,” Judg 20:6), and prostitution (Ezek 23:49).

31:12 The association of fire with hell or the grave is rare in the Old Testament (cp. Deut 32:22).

31:13-15 unfair to . . . servants: This might refer to violations of the fourth commandment (Deut 5:12-15). • God created both me and my servants: Job extended the implications of being created in God’s image to the poor (Prov 14:31; 22:2) and even to slaves.

31:21 knowing the judges would take my side: Job was respected and regarded as a member of the elite class (29:7-10).

31:22-23 If an arm was used in sinful action (31:21), having it torn from its socket would be a fitting punishment and better than facing God’s judgment (cp. Matt 5:28-30).

31:24 Have I put my trust in . . . my gold: Job left the consequence of this oath unstated because the if-then pattern was now established (31:5-23). He rejected Eliphaz’s implied judgment (22:24-25; see Pss 52:7; 62:10; 1 Tim 6:10, 17).

31:25 gloated about my wealth: See Deut 8:17-18; cp. Isa 10:12-14; Dan 4:28-30; Hos 12:8.

31:26-28 Like adultery (cp. 31:1, 9-12), worshiping the sun and moon was a capital crime. Both were sins of the eye that enticed the heart, and both types of sin were tried before judges.31:26 Have I looked at the sun . . . or the moon: This oath denies violation (cp. Jer 8:2; 44:17; Ezek 8:16; Acts 7:43) of the first commandment (Deut 5:7; see Deut 4:19; 17:2-7).

31:27 secretly enticed in my heart: See 31:9. • throw kisses at them in worship: Cp. 1 Kgs 19:18; Hos 13:2.

31:28 In Israel, the judges (see 31:11) were to punish idol worship by execution (Deut 17:2-7). • Denying the God of heaven violated the first commandment (Deut 5:7).

31:29-30 rejoiced when disaster struck my enemies: See Prov 24:17-18; cp. 2 Sam 16:5-8. • Cursing anyone violated the spirit of the sixth commandment (Deut 5:17; see Matt 5:21-22). • It was against God’s will to ask for revenge (Matt 5:43-44; Rom 12:14; Jas 3:6-10; 1 Pet 3:9).

31:31-32 never turned away a stranger: The Old Testament values hospitality (Gen 18:1-13; 19:2-3; Judg 19:20-21), and the New Testament commands it (Matt 25:35; Rom 12:13; 1 Tim 3:2; Heb 13:2; 1 Pet 4:9).

31:35 sign my name: Job wanted to make the proceedings official (19:23-24).

31:36 face the accusation proudly (literally carry it on my shoulder; cp. Exod 28:12; Isa 22:22): He would take full responsibility for his actions.

31:37 A prince who had been wrongly accused had the right to come before his king to make an appeal.

31:38 The land was the chief witness to crimes committed upon it (20:27; see Gen 4:10; cp. Jas 5:4).

31:40 let thistles grow: Job’s curse on himself echoed God’s primal curse on Adam (Gen 3:17-18; cp. Isa 7:25; Zeph 2:9).