You Got Integrity? Series

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.’