Tyndale Open Study NotesJob 31

Job compares his past happiness, honor, and wealth with his current loss of social dignity and divine friendship (chapters 29 and 30). He ends his speech with broad vows of innocence (chapter 31).

Job called down wrong against himself (curses) if he was guilty of the accusations against him. Apart from mentioning idolatry (worship of false gods), Job spoke about how loyal he was to God by focusing on the second half of the Ten Commandments (31:26–27). The summary of these is: “love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18; Romans 13:9).

• Job made a promise with himself about his eyes, including an oath against himself (curse) (see Matthew 5:28–29). Job might have focused on wrong desire because the eyes are often the first to commit sin (Genesis 3:6).

• Looking with wrong desire at a virgin violates the spirit of the seventh commandment (Deuteronomy 5:18, see Matthew 5:27–28). It could violate the tenth commandment as well (Deuteronomy 5:21).

• If Job had lied in a business deal, it would violate the eighth commandment (Deuteronomy 5:19). If he lied in court, it would violate the ninth commandment (Deuteronomy 5:20). This sin would deserve judgment of fire (Revelation 21:8).

• If Job desired his neighbor's possessions, he would violate the tenth commandment (Deuteronomy 5:21).

• then may another eat: This was also speaking against himself (a curse).

• Whether she tempted him or he waited for her, if Job desired his neighbor’s wife, he would violate the seventh and tenth commandments (24:15–16; Deuteronomy 5:18, Matthew 5:27–28; Deuteronomy 5:21).

• grind for: This might refer to servitude or sexual relations (Exodus 11:5).

The Hebrew term zimmah is associated with sexual crimes like incest (“it is depraved,” Leviticus 18:17), gang-rape (“a lewd and disgraceful act,” Judges 20:6), and prostitution ("indecency," Ezekiel 23:49).

The Old Testament rarely links fire with hell (Abaddon) or the grave (see Deuteronomy 32:22).

• Rejected … manservant or maidservant: This might refer to violating the fourth commandment (Deuteronomy 5:12–15).

• He who made me in the womb also make them: Job applied the idea of being made in God's image to the poor person and even to slaves (Proverbs 14:31; 22:2).

I had support in the gate: Job had respect and they regarded him as part of the high class (29:7–10).

If someone used an arm for a sinful action, having it torn from its socket would be a fitting punishment (31:21). This would be better than encountering God's judgment (compare Matthew 5:28–30).

If I have put my trust in gold: Job did not state the result of this vow because the "if-then" pattern was now obvious (31:5–23). He rejected the judgment Eliphaz implied (22:24–25; see Psalms 52:7; 62:10; 1 Timothy 6:10, 17).

rejoiced in my great wealth: See Deuteronomy 8:17–18; compare Isaiah 10:12–14; Daniel 4:28–30; Hosea 12:8.

The sins of adultery and worshiping the sun and moon had the death penalty (compare 31:1, 9–12). Both were sins that tempted the inner being of a person through the eyes. Judges tried both types of sin in court.

if I have beheld the sun … or the moon: This vow denies violating the first commandment (compare Jeremiah 8:2; 44:17; Ezekiel 8:16; Acts 7:43; Deuteronomy 5:7; see Deuteronomy 4:19; 17:2–7).

• My heart was secretly enticed: See 31:9.

• threw a kiss from my mouth: Compare 1 Kings 19:18; Hosea 13:2.

• In Israel, the role of judges was to punish those worshiping idols (false gods) by execution (see 31:11; Deuteronomy 17:2–7).

• Denying God on high violated the first commandment (Deuteronomy 5:7).

• I have rejoiced in my enemy’s ruin: See Proverbs 24:17–18; compare 2 Samuel 16:5–8.

• Speaking evil against (a curse) anyone went against the spirit of the sixth commandment (Deuteronomy 5:17; see Matthew 5:21–22).

• It was against God's will to seek revenge (Matthew 5:43–44; Romans 12:14; James 3:6–10; 1 Peter 3:9).

no stranger had to lodge on the street: The Old Testament values hosting strangers (hospitality) (Genesis 18:1–13; 19:2–3; Judges 19:20–21). The New Testament commands it (Matthew 25:35; Romans 12:13; 1 Timothy 3:2; Hebrews 13:2; 1 Peter 4:9).

Here is my signature: Job wanted to make the events official (19:23–24).

carry it on my shoulder (compare Exodus 28:12; Isaiah 22:22): He would take full responsibility for his actions.

When someone made a wrong accusation against a prince, he could appeal to his king.

The land was the main "witness" to the crimes done on it (20:27; see Genesis 4:10; compare James 5:4).

let briers grow: Job cursed himself (spoke evil against himself), echoing when God first "cursed" Adam (Genesis 3:17–18; see also Isaiah 7:25; Zephaniah 2:9).