Read Job 31:1-40
Job’s protest of innocence here gives us a picture of what behaviors he finds to be offensive to God. Job asks over and over, “have I” this or that, believing that if he had done any of those things there would be reason for the calamity he’s endured. It’s as if Job is challenging someone to step forward and finally make an accusation.
We can glean a lot of wisdom from Job in this reading. We can take Job’s words about sinfulness and examine our own lives. Have our own actions and thoughts caused us to be guilty in any of these sins against God?
God has been silent for so long, and Job is looking for answers. His friends have been hurtful. If only someone would point out what Job has done, or not done, to receive this sentence of doom. Job has been scoffed at and made fun of, but we’re not told of any sins Job committed.
Do you think Job is acting prideful or boastful in this rant? Not only is he listing offenses, but he is reminding people of the great and noble things he has done. We know God thought Job to be an upright, God-fearing man. It sounds like Job made it his legacy to care about the community and obey God’s commands.
When we look at Job, what do we see? Up to this point, we’ve only seen a desperate man who has lost everything. According to his protests, he was innocent of being sinful. But we know Jesus is the only one who never sinned. Job must have done something, we all do. No matter how hard we try to be “good,” we still fall short. Was Job disillusioned on how “good” he actually was?
Reflect today on the insights to an integrity-filled life that have been shared. If we are looking at ways to live a life pleasing to God, we can look at some of Job’s suggestions. Does one of your behaviors need adjusting? Pray for God to reveal to you a step you can take to rid yourself of that sinful practice.
Let’s pray. Lord, create in me a clean heart and prepare me for the adventures you have in store. I want to be ready. Forgive for all the ways I stumble each day and fall short of your perfect will for my life. I appreciate passages like this that remind me of the behaviors that displease you. Help me do a better job of staying true and focused on you alone. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
