Job 31

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Conclusion of Job’s Final Response to His Friends

BACKGROUND NOTES

In his final response to his three friends, Job disavows his association with wrongdoing.
In his final response to his three friends, job declares his assurance of vindication.

In verses 1-34, Job disavows his association with wrongdoing in several areas. These verses can be instructive for us today. List those areas of wrongdoing that Job identifies.
Job’s confidence in his innocence motivates him to “go to court” with _____ (v 37). In Job’s case, who is the “Prosecutor” in verse 35?
What do the words of Job in verse 40 mean: “The words of Job are ended”?

Job disavows association with wrongdoing in the following areas: a. Sexual lust (v 1). God brings destruction on those who sinned in this area. b. Lying and cheating (vs 5-8). The scales indicate honest business dealings. c. Taking something belonging to another (vs 7, 8). God would take away the harvest. d. Unfaithfulness in marriage (vs 9-12). Job fears terrible destruction if he sins this way. e. Unfair treatment of servants (vs 13-15). Job knows he would answer to God. f. Oppression of the poor (vs 16-23). Job denies ever raising his hand against the helpless. g. Materialism or idolatry (vs 24-28). Worshiping the sun and/or moon is idolatry. h. Gloating over or cursing your enemy (29-34). Job hid nothing; was not a hypocrite.
Job’s confidence in his innocence motivates him to “go to court” with God (v 37). The Hebrew word used here for “prosecutor” or “accuser” is not the same word used for Satan back in chapter 1. And the Hebrew structure of these verses make a good case that Job has God in mind.
When we read this statement, “The words of Job are ended” (v 40), the idea is that “the defense rests its case” as in a court of Law. Job has completed the presentation of his case, and will wait for God’s answer.

Discuss the contents of the list of areas of wrongdoing in which Job declared his innocence. Consider those which are most likely found in your individual or group life or in the life of those in your church. Discuss means to distance yourself from association with any of these wrongdoings.

What do you allow your eyes to watch? Today there are more sources of evil images than ever before. The temptation is great. The temptation is to idolatry because anything that takes away from God being first in your life is idolatry. Train your eyes to watch only what which would be pleasing to God. Take drastic action to put away habits or devices that tempt you to lust.

“If I have walked with falsehood, or if my foot has hastened to deceit, let me be weighed in a just balance, that God may know my integrity. If I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because my hand had gained much, this also would be an iniquity worthy of judgment, for I would have denied God who is above.” Job 31: 5, 24, 25, 28