Job 31: 16 – 40
You Got Integrity?
16 “If I have kept the poor from their desire, or caused the eyes of the widow to fail, 17 or eaten my morsel by myself, so that the fatherless could not eat of it 18 (But from my youth I reared him as a father, and from my mother’s womb I guided the widow); 19 If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, or any poor man without covering; 20 If his heart 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, when I saw I had help in the gate; 22 Then let my arm fall from my shoulder, let my arm be torn from the socket. 23 For destruction from God is a terror to me, and because of His magnificence I cannot endure. 24 “If I have made gold my hope, or said to fine gold, ‘You are my confidence’; 25 If I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, And because my hand had gained much; 26 If I have observed the sun when it shines, or the moon moving in brightness, 27 so that my heart has been secretly enticed, and my mouth has kissed my hand; 28 This also would be an iniquity deserving of judgment, for I would have denied God who is above. 29 “If I have rejoiced at the destruction of him who hated me, or lifted myself up when evil found him 30 (Indeed I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking for a curse on his soul); 31 If the men of my tent have not said, ‘who is there that has not been satisfied with his meat?’ 32 (But no sojourner had to lodge in the street, for I have opened my doors to the traveler); 33 If I have covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding my iniquity in my bosom, 34 because I feared the great multitude, and dreaded the contempt of families, so that I kept silence and did not go out of the door—35 Oh, that I had one to hear me! Here is my mark. Oh, that the Almighty would answer me, that my Prosecutor had written a book! 36 Surely I would carry it on my shoulder, and bind it on me like a crown; 37 I would declare to Him the number of my steps; Like a prince I would approach Him. 38 “If my land cries out against me, and its furrows weep together; 39 If I have eaten its fruit without money, or caused its owners to lose their lives; 40 Then let thistles grow instead of wheat, and weeds instead of barley.” The words of Job are ended.
There was a young man who was applying at a prestigious Philadelphia Law Firm. In being interviewed by the Senior Partner the young man heard this comment. ‘Our firm as you are aware has been in existence for many years. We pride ourselves in being highly thought off not only in this city but throughout this country. To maintain this reputation we value the integrity of our associates as it has such great impact on our successful standing in the legal arena. So, I know that you are young but can you give me an example of ‘integrity’ that has had an influence on someone else? The young man said silently for a few seconds, smiled and responded. “Well Sir, as you know college and law school education is quite expensive. I took out loans and had to borrow a significant amount of money from my dad. He had to second mortgage his house in order to provide me with the necessary funds to compete my education. Well, after my first court case as an attorney I paid back all the money my dad had lent me.’ The interviewer thought about what the young man said, came to an acknowledgment of it being an acceptable answer and remarked, ‘Well, yes I can see your integrity in doing immediately what was right and proper to do. You forsook thinking of yourself and made proper amends to the one who took care of you all your life and helped you fulfill your dreams in being a lawyer.’ The young man smiled proudly as he could see his answer pleased this influential law firm chief executive. He was informed that an answer regarding his acceptance and salary package would be forthcoming in the next couple of days. As the two men stood and shook hands to end the interview the older man considered one more question for the young man. He said, ‘I am a little curious about your successful case that you just spoke about.’ I am quite familiar in keeping up with all the cases that go on in our city and I somehow can’t remember the case you just referenced, what was the case name?’ The young man who was ecstatic about receiving a job offer was now somewhat hesitant to answer. The older lawyer waited for the reply to his question. Finally the young man replied, “Well sir, this was the case where my father took me to court to get back the money he had lent me.’
Leave it to lawyers to spin something towards their best interest.
Integrity is the basic fundamental quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness. It is generally a personal choice to hold oneself to consistent moral and ethical standards.
In ethics, integrity is regarded by many people as the honesty and truthfulness or accuracy of one's actions. Integrity can stand in opposition to hypocrisy in that judging with the standards of integrity involves regarding internal consistency as a virtue, and suggests that parties holding within themselves apparently conflicting values should account for the discrepancy or alter their beliefs. The word integrity evolved from the Latin adjective integer, meaning whole or complete. In this context, integrity is the inner sense of "wholeness" deriving from qualities such as honesty and consistency of character. As such, one may judge that others "have integrity" to the extent that they act according to the values, beliefs and principles they claim to hold.
Significant attention is given to the subject of integrity in law and the conception of law in 20th century philosophy of law and jurisprudence centering in part on the research of Ronald Dworkin as studied in his book Law's Empire. Dworkin's position on integrity in law reinforces the conception of justice viewed as fairness.
One thing Job held on to and would not give in to be that he maintained his integrity.
Job respected all others no matter what their status in life was and this was discussed in verses 16 through 23 how he was upright in all his dealings with them. Other thoughts Job considered are brought to light in verses 23 to 24. Here he justly claims that he never had put any confidence in his worldly wealth. He realized that wealth to others could be a form of Idolatry so he looked at this possibility in verses 26 through 28 and could accurately admit that he never allowed this in his life. Wealth and Power can give someone the tools to exact revenge on those who did him any harm but Job readily admitted that he never in his lifetime fell to this sin which he tells us in verses 29 through 31. In fact he knew, and explained in verse 32, that he never isolated himself from the poor and needy and was always ready to help others and if he saw some stranger in need he would never neglect to help any poor stranger. We hear the word today much used and out of alignment is the word ‘transparency’. Job readily admits in verses 33 and 34 that his life was an open book and that he never even thought of any hypocrisy in concealing his own sins or cowardice in conniving in regard to the sins of others. . In verses 35 through 37 Job’s thoughts, instead of self reflection, appeals to God’s judgment concerning his integrity. When people have reached more wealth than they can ever spend they seek out ‘Power’. This ‘Power’ is used ultimately toward the oppression, and the violent invasion of other people’s rights. Job describes in verses 38 through 40 this is one thing he never even dabbled with
16 “If I have kept the poor from their desire, or caused the eyes of the widow to fail
Back in chapter 22 Eliphaz had charged Job with being cruel and heartless to the poor: Thou hast withholden bread from the hungry, stripped the naked of their clothing, and sent widows away empty. One would think he could not have been so very positive and express in his charge unless there had been some truth in it, some ground, for it; and yet it appears, by Job’s protestation, that it was utterly false and groundless; he was never guilty of any such thing.
Even though he has had extreme suffering Job clings to his integrity. He solemnly protests that he had never withheld from doing good to all people in need, as there was occasion, to the utmost of his ability. He was always compassionate to the poor and careful of them, especially the widows and fatherless, that was destitute of help. He was always ready to grant their desires and answer their expectations
If a poor person begged a kindness of his, he was ready to respond graciously to him or her. If he could understand by perceiving a widow’s desperate need and was too ashamed of asking for his help, he had compassion enough to give it, and never caused the eyes of the widow to fail.
17 or eaten my morsel by myself, so that the fatherless could not eat of it
He placed a respect upon the poor, and did them honor; for he took the fatherless children to eat with him at his own table: they should fare as he fared, and be familiar with him, and he would show himself pleased with their company as if they had been his own.
18 (But from my youth I reared him as a father, and from my mother’s womb I guided the widow)
Not that long ago neighbor’s would look out for each other’s kids. I remember when I was just driving at 16 my dad came out me quite upset by the way I drove. Before I could give an answer he told me that someone down the block spotted me going through a stop sign without stopping. I couldn’t defend myself. The person was right and responsible enough of not being a snitch but was acting in a parental way.
In like manner Job was very tender of other parents’ kids, and had a fatherly concern for them. He was a father to the fatherless, took care of orphans, brought them up with him under his own eye, and gave them, not only their daily substances, but also saw to their education. He was a guide to the widow. He took the time to check up on them and give aide when necessary. This Job says he did from his youth, from his mother’s womb. He had something of tenderness and compassion woven in his nature; he began to do good, ever since he could remember; he had always some poor widow or fatherless child under his care. His parents taught him to pity and relieve the poor, and care for orphans. He provided food convenient for them; they ate of the same food that he did , did not eat after him, of the crumbs that fell from his table, but with him, of the best dish upon his table.
19 If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, or any poor man without covering; 20 If his heart has not blessed me, and if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep
He took particular care to clothe those that were without covering, which would be more expensive to him than feeding them. If Job knew of any person that was in this type of distress, he immediately responded with the proper care. He had good warm strong clothes made on purpose for them of the fleece of his sheep, so that when they put these clothes on they thought about him they commended his charity, blessed God for him, and prayed to God to bless him.
Job’s sheep were burned with fire from heaven, but this was his comfort that, when he had them, he came honestly by them, and used them charitably, fed the poor with their flesh and clothed them with their wool.
21 If I have raised my hand against the fatherless, when I saw I had help in the gate; 22 Then let my arm fall from my shoulder, let my arm be torn from the socket.
He had never been accessory to the wronging of any that were poor. Like our amazing Holy God who Is not a respecter of persons, Job was tender to all and injurious to none. He never so much as lifted up his hand against the fatherless, never threatened or frightened them, or offered to strike them; never used his power to crush those that stood in his way or squeeze what he could out of them, though he saw his help in the gate, that is, though he had support enough, both in the people and in the judges, both to enable him to do it
With a vow he asks that condemnation be upon himself if he had ever caused this horrible treatment of anyone. "If I have been oppressive to the poor, let my arm fall from my shoulder-blade and my arm be broken from the bone,’’ that is, "let the flesh rot off from the bone and one bone be disjointed and broken off from another.’’
23 For destruction from God is a terror to me, and because of His magnificence I cannot endure.
Those who oppress the poor, and pervert judgment and justice, forget that God Who Is supremely higher than anything in existence, and therefore Is higher than they, who is able to deal with them for their evil treatment. Job considered this all the time. Job knew that God Is the patron of oppressed poverty and will not let oppressors go unpunished. Job was aware that God would certainly be against him if he should wrong the poor.
24 “If I have made gold my hope, or said to fine gold, ‘You are my confidence’; 25 If I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, And because my hand had gained much
Even though he was the richest person in the world Job protests that he never set his heart upon the wealth of this world, nor took the things of it for his portions and happiness. He had gold; he had fine gold. His wealth was great, and he had gotten much.
Our wealth is either an advantage or a great problem to us accordingly as we stand affected by it. If we make it our rest and our ruler, it will be our ruin; if we make it our servant, and an instrument of righteousness, it will be a blessing to us. Job put no great confidence in it: he did not make gold his hope
Job did not think that his might and the power of his hand obtained all his wealth. He took no pleasure in it in comparison with the spiritual things which were the delight of his soul. His joy did not terminate in the gift, but passed through it to the giver.
26 If I have observed the sun when it shines, or the moon moving in brightness, 27 so that my heart has been secretly enticed, and my mouth has kissed my hand; 28 This also would be an iniquity deserving of judgment, for I would have denied God who is above
The lust for money falls under the category of idol worship. So, we see that after expressing his purity in material blessings, Job thinks about idol worship. Although never having been charged as an idol worshiper Job defends his faith in this area also. As you know many of Job’s fellow men worshipped the stars and sun. Against spiritual as well as corporal adultery Job made a covenant that, whenever he looked at the lights of heaven, he should by faith look through them, and beyond them, to the Father of lights.
He kept his heart with all diligence, that that should not be secretly enticed to think that there is a divine glory in their brightness, or a divine power in their influence, and that therefore divine honors are to be paid to them. Here is the source of idolatry; it begins in the heart. Every man is tempted to that, as to other sins, when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed.
He did not so much as put a gesture upon these pretended deities. He did not perform the least and lowest act of adoration. His mouth did not kiss his hand, which was a an old-fashioned act of civil respect, in making a bow, to kiss the hand, a form which, it seems, was anciently used in giving divine honors to the sun and moon. They could not reach to kiss the sun and stars, but, to show their good will, they kissed their hand, reverencing those as their masters which God has made servants to this lower world. Job never did it. He looked upon it as a much greater affront to the God of heaven, and no less than high treason against His crown and dignity
29 “If I have rejoiced at the destruction of him who hated me, or lifted myself up when evil found him 30 (Indeed I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking for a curse on his soul)
Here is an important way that should govern our lives. In fact our Precious Holy Spirit instructs us in the book of Proverbs 24 verse 17, “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles “Job was far from revenge. He did not return the injuries that were done to him by others. He did not rejoice when any judgment hit his enemies. He never wished a curse to his soul, that is, he was careful not to offend with his tongue by praying that his enemies be destroyed.
31 If the men of my tent have not said, ‘who is there that has not been satisfied with his meat?’ 32 (But no sojourner had to lodge in the street, for I have opened my doors to the traveler)
One thing that bothers me a lot is unappreciative people. You do and do for them and when you might ask a small favor they act like you never did anything for them. Sadly, I stick to the policy that fool me once shame on you – fool me twice fool on me. Job on the other hand informs us that when his employees saw an unappreciative and complaining person they would want to do deal with that person. He however, would just overlook the insult and be on the lookout to help out travelers or anyone else in need of food and shelter not expecting any type of thanks.
33 If I have covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding my iniquity in my bosom, 34 because I feared the great multitude, and dreaded the contempt of families, so that I kept silence and did not go out of the door
We have here Job’s defense against three more accusations. The general crime of which his friends accused him was that, under the cloak of a profession of religion, he had kept up secret sins, and that really he was as bad as other wicked people, but had the art of concealing it. Zophar insinuated back in chapter 20 that he hid his iniquity under his tongue. "No,’’ says Job, "I never did, I never covered my transgression as Adam, never diminished a sin with frivolous excuses, nor made fig-leaves the shelter of my shame, nor ever hid my iniquity in my bosom.
It is natural to us to cover our sins; we have it from our first parents. We are slow to confess our faults, willing to extenuate them and make the best of ourselves, to pass the blame upon others, as Adam on his wife
Job was being charged with being a coward due to fear of others finding out about his sins. To counter this charge Job produces as an evidence of his sincerity in not allowing anyone or anything hold him back from confession of sins -‘Did I fear a great multitude, that I kept silence? No, all that knew Job knew him to be a man of undaunted resolution in a good cause, that boldly appeared, spoke, and acted, in defense of a pure and moral life and justice, and did not fear the face of man nor was ever threatened or brow-beaten out of his duty
35 Oh, that I had one to hear me! Here is my mark. Oh, that the Almighty would answer me, that my Prosecutor had written a book! 36 Surely I would carry it on my shoulder, and bind it on me like a crown; 37 I would declare to Him the number of my steps; Like a prince I would approach Him.
As Job, begins to close his list of protests, he appeals to the judgment-seat of God concerning the truth of everything he has said. This was what he desired and often complained that he could not obtain; and, now that he had drawn up his own defense so particularly, he leaves it upon record, in expectation of a hearing, files it, as it were, till his cause be called.
Any person with an upright heart does not dread scrutiny. He that is forthright and honest wishes he had a window in his chest, that all people could see the intents of his heart. But an upright heart does particularly desire to be determined in everything by the judgment of God, which we are sure is according to the truth. It was holy David’s prayer, Search me, O God! and know my heart; and it was the apostle Paul’s comfort- ‘He that judgeth me is the Lord.’
In his mind Job pictures the court scene. The prosecutor is called; the plaintiff summoned, and ordered to bring in his information, to say what he has to say against the prisoner, for he stands upon his deliverance. Job would be very glad to see the prosecutor’s file, to have a copy of his indictment. He would not hide it under his arm, but take it upon his shoulder, to be seen and read of all men. In fact, he says he would bind it as a crown to him, that is he would be pleased with it, and look upon it as his ornament.
If the prosecutor’s report has actually revealed any sin he had been guilty of, which he was not aware of, he would receive it well so that he might repent of it and get it pardoned. A righteous person is willing to know the worst about him or herself and is thankful to those that will report their faults.
The verse - 37 I would declare to Him the number of my steps; is very interesting to me. If you have ever gone to court your lawyer tells you to just keep you answers short and to the point. This way the opposing attorney will not have anything new to go after you with. Here we see that Job says that his life is an open book and that he has nothing to hide so he will give the prosecutor any answer sought out. So confident is he of his integrity that he set himself up in his beliefs as a prince to be crowned, rather than a prisoner to be tried.
38 “If my land cries out against me, and its furrows weep together; 39 If I have eaten its fruit without money, or caused its owners to lose their lives; 40 Then let thistles grow instead of wheat, and weeds instead of barley.” The words of Job are ended.
Job remembers one more charge by these visitors. From the charge of oppression and violence, and in doing wrong to his poor neighbors Job states that the estate he had he both obtained and used honestly, so that his land could not cry out against him
For one thing Job comments that he never ate the fruits of it without money. Like Abraham, whatever he purchased he paid for. The laborers that he employed had their wages duly paid them, and, if he made use of the fruits of those lands that he let out, he paid his tenants for them
He never caused the owners to lose their life. He never got an estate, as Ahab got Naboth’s vineyard, by killing the heir and seizing the inheritance, never starved those that held lands of him nor killed them with hard bargains and hard usage. No tenant, no workman, no servant, he had, could complain of him
When men get estates unjustly they are justly deprived of the comfort of them, and disappointed in their expectations from them. As indicated in the bible they sow wheat, but it comes up thistles. So, in closing we need to take to heart that what men do not come honestly by will never do them any good.
