Job 31:35 | KingComments | STEP | Job is almost at the end of his pleading. He has so far rejected every accusation. In there comes one last statement of innocence, and then he stops speaking. However, in he turns once again toward God. In a general complaint he says that he desires so much that somebody would want to listen to him ( ). But what he means is that he wants a judicial decision from God. He keeps the list of his declarations of innocence before God. Let God take a good look at it. He can say that he has ‘filled out truthfully’ the whole statement, as is written under forms that we have to sign after we have filled them out. He points out to God his ‘signature’ that he placed under it. That signature says he and his whole person stand for what he said. Then he challenges God to answer. After all, he is “the Almighty,” Who controls everything and has everything in His hands. Job’s whole plea served to convince God of his innocence, God Who makes him suffer so much, Who is his adversary, for He makes him suffer without cause. The document of his innocence, confirmed by his signature, he presented to God. Let God even write down His reaction and explain why He has made him suffer so much. He will carry the answer of God on his shoulder and bind it on himself like a crown ( ). Job also says this in the full conviction that God will not be able to give any valid reason for his suffering. The document of God will show that he suffers innocently. Everything that God will write will absolve him of all accusations against him. He would carry God’s answer around in triumph. Everyone would be convinced of his innocence. God’s acquittal would turn his defamation into an ornament. He would account to God for all his footsteps, for every step he had taken, and that it had been done in obedience to Him ( ). In the awareness of his righteousness, he would approach God like a prince. Job is mistaken in this conclusion, as will be shown. He will approach God quite differently when he comes face to face with Him. Job is not approaching God, but God is approaching Job. And then there is nothing of his own righteousness left, nothing of his ‘prince’ feelings, but he despises himself ( ). Then he will realize that he didn’t actually understand what he was talking about and that he should have waited for God to speak before he could say anything.

‏ Job 31:35

Job Challenges God

Job is almost at the end of his pleading. He has so far rejected every accusation. In Job 31:38-40 there comes one last statement of innocence, and then he stops speaking. However, in Job 31:35-37 he turns once again toward God. In a general complaint he says that he desires so much that somebody would want to listen to him (Job 31:35). But what he means is that he wants a judicial decision from God.

He keeps the list of his declarations of innocence before God. Let God take a good look at it. He can say that he has ‘filled out truthfully’ the whole statement, as is written under forms that we have to sign after we have filled them out. He points out to God his ‘signature’ that he placed under it. That signature says he and his whole person stand for what he said.

Then he challenges God to answer. After all, he is “the Almighty,” Who controls everything and has everything in His hands. Job’s whole plea served to convince God of his innocence, God Who makes him suffer so much, Who is his adversary, for He makes him suffer without cause. The document of his innocence, confirmed by his signature, he presented to God. Let God even write down His reaction and explain why He has made him suffer so much.

He will carry the answer of God on his shoulder and bind it on himself like a crown (Job 31:36). Job also says this in the full conviction that God will not be able to give any valid reason for his suffering. The document of God will show that he suffers innocently. Everything that God will write will absolve him of all accusations against him. He would carry God’s answer around in triumph. Everyone would be convinced of his innocence. God’s acquittal would turn his defamation into an ornament.

He would account to God for all his footsteps, for every step he had taken, and that it had been done in obedience to Him (Job 31:37). In the awareness of his righteousness, he would approach God like a prince.

Job is mistaken in this conclusion, as will be shown. He will approach God quite differently when he comes face to face with Him. Job is not approaching God, but God is approaching Job. And then there is nothing of his own righteousness left, nothing of his ‘prince’ feelings, but he despises himself (Job 42:6). Then he will realize that he didn’t actually understand what he was talking about and that he should have waited for God to speak before he could say anything.