Job 31: 24 says, If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence;  As Job continues to answer the charges made against him, he now really says that he didn't put his faith in gold.  Even if we have riches beyond measure, we can never put our faith in them.  Like everything else but our relationship to God, they will pass away.  Verse twenty-five states, If I rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because mine hand had gotten much;  I believe that Job was stating that he did not find a reason for rejoicing because of his wealth.  He still saw it as a blessing from God.  If we are followers of Christ and become rich in material things, we can never allow them to be our source of rejoicing.  We need to remember that everything belongs to God, and He expects us to use what He blesses us with for His glory.  Verse twenty-six adds, If I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness;  I believe that Job was stating that he never worshipped false gods like the sun and moon, as many did in his day.  Verse twenty seven adds, And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand:  Job said that he never even thought of worshipping the false gods nor paying homage to them.  We should be just as careful today that we do not even allow thoughts of worshipping false gods to enter our minds.  If we are not careful, we can begin to believe that the sun, moon, or stars somehow determine our fate.  Verse twenty eight states, This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above.  I believe that Job was saying that if he was guilty of idolatry that he should be punished, even in the courts of the day.  Job said the reason for this was if he were worshipping idols, no matter what they might be, he was guilty of denying the one true God.  If we allow anything to come between God and us, we are guilty of the same thing.  Verse twenty-nine states, If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him:  Job said that he did not rejoice in the destruction of his enemies, nor did he use their destruction to make him feel morally superior.  As followers of Christ today, we need to have that same attitude.  In verse thirty Job continues  Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul.  Job said that not only did he not rejoice in the destruction of his enemies, but he didn't even allow his words to curse them, or wish for their destruction.  We today need to pray for the salvation of our enemies instead of praying for or even threatening their destruction.  Verse thirty one states, If the men of my tabernacle said not, Oh that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied.  Job said that even though those who were around him wanted his, or their, enemies destroyed, he did not agree with them.  We, as followers of Christ, are not called to destroy people, but to lead them to forgiveness through Christ.  Verse thirty two says, The stranger did not lodge in the street: but I opened my doors to the traveller.  Job said he treated the stranger with hospitality, not allowing them to sleep in the street.  Today, we somehow find it acceptable to have families living on the street, often feeling that somehow they deserve it.  This is not what God's word teaches us though.

Job 31:13 says, If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, when they contended with me;  Job continues to speak of some of the things that he could have been hypocritical about.  He was now referring to his treatment of his servants.  It is easy to look down on people whom we feel are somehow beneath us.  Job was not saying he had acted this way, but that had he done so, then he should be held accountable.  In verse fourteen Job asks, What then shall I do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth, what shall I answer him?  Job said that had he been guilty of mistreating his servants, what could he say to God if God punished him.  As sinners, we can say nothing to God to justify ourselves before Him.  In verse four Job asks, Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb?  I believe that Job was stating by this question that all people are created equal in God's sight.  Job had no justification if he looked down on those who were less fortunate than him, even his own servants.  We need to acknowledge that we are no more worthy of God's love than the poorest person in the world, and we should never treat anyone as unworthy in our dealings with them.  Verse sixteen says, If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail;  Job was again sayin that he had helped the poor, in spite of being called a hypocrite.  In verse seventeen Job continues, stating, Or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof;  Job said if he had done these things he deserved God's punishment, but he knew that he hadn't.  If we do look at others, we need to be careful not to judge them by preconceived ideas, especially when it comes to their relationship to God.  Still, their actions should be an indication of their following of God.  If someone does everything is for self-satisfaction with no concern for others, then we would be wise to question their dedication to following God.  Verse eighteen says, (For from my youth he was brought up with me, as with a father, and I have guided her from my mother’s womb;)  Job said not only was he treating others fairly after he was older and had grown rich, but that he had done it all his life.  Verse nineteen states, If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering;  Then continuing in verse twenty, If his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;  Eliphaz in particular had accused Job of doing these things, and Job was basically saying where is the proof.  We certainly cannot afford to make false accusations against others, especially fellow believers.  Verse twenty one says, If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate:  Job is simply continuing to ask for examples of where he had mistreated others.  Then, in verse twenty two he declares, Then let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone.  Job said that if he had done these things, then he deserved punishment.  In verse twenty three he continues, For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure.  Job said that he did not do these things just out of fear of God's punishment.  Though we should follow God because of His love for us, if we are being hypocritical in our relationship to Him, we should fear His coming judgment.

Job 31:1 says, I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?  I believe that Job was saying that he had made certain that he would never even look on his maid in an improper way.  We hear so much today about people acting improperly toward others in a sexual manner, but it all begins with looking at that person with an attitude of selfishness.  Job said he would not allow this to happen in his life, and we must also.  Verse two asks, For what portion of God is there from above? and what inheritance of the Almighty from on high?  Job said that he kept himself pure from lust, not just in the eyes of the world, but in the eyes of God as well.  We may fool the world, but we will never fool God.  Verse three asks, Is not destruction to the wicked? and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity?  I believe that Job was asking why he was being punished, when that should be the fate of the wicked.  If we truly place our lives in God's hands, then we need never question what happens in life, but simply need to continue to live by our faith in God.  In verse four, Job asks, Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps?  Job was once more asking if God did not know that Job was walking in righteousness. We can be certain that God does indeed watch our steps, whether we are walking in the truth of righteousness or the lies of deceit.  We will never fool God.  In verse five Job says, If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit;  I believe Job was stating that if he had possibly done these things that he was unaware of it.  It is different to do something wrong without realizing it than to knowingly do something wrong and deny it.  Still in verse six Job says, Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity.  Job asked that he be judged fairly by God.  We can be certain that God will always be fair in His judgment of people.  We can also be certain that God knows all our sins and our good deeds, but good deeds can never balance the scale against sin.  Only through faith in Christ can we be judged not as unguilty but as forgiven.  Verse seven says, If my step hath turned out of the way, and mine heart walked after mine eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to mine hands;  Job still did not believe that he was guilty of these things, but knew that this was what his friends were saying that he did.  We need to be willing to take responsibility for our actions, even if we don't believe that we have done anything wrong.  Job was looking to God for a fair judgment and not listening to his friends judgment.  Verse eight says, Then let me sow, and let another eat; yea, let my offspring be rooted out.  Job acknowledged that sin should be punished.  We must first acknowledge that sin does need to be punished, not just in the lives of others, but in our lives as well.  We also need to acknowledge that God is the One to punish that sin.  In the next three verses Job was speaking about adultery in particular.  Verse nine states, If mine heart have been deceived by a woman, or if I have laid wait at my neighbour’s door;  Job was basically declaring his innocence, not only in action but in thought as well.  He had never even been tempted to cheat on his wife.  In  verse ten Job says, Then let my wife grind unto another, and let others bow down upon her.  Job said that had he been guilty of adultery, then his wife would be free to leave him for another.  I don't believe that he was saying that she would be free to commit adultery or placed in a position to be used by others.  Verse eleven declares, For this is an heinous crime; yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by the judges.  Job saw adultery as a very serious crime that should be judged.  Though he was correct in his assessment, he was wrong to say one sin should be judged more harshly than others.  All sins lead to separation from God, and all are forgiven equally by putting our faith in Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse twelve states, For it is a fire that consumeth to destruction, and would root out all mine increase.  Job was stating the severity of adultery, but we need to apply this to all sins.  In worldly terms, some sins may be more worthy of punishment than others, but to God they are all punishable by death in the final judgment, but are equally all forgiven through Christ.  No matter the severity of the sin, God wants people to repent and be restored to Himself through Christ.

Job 30:15 says, Terrors are turned upon me: they pursue my soul as the wind: and my welfare passeth away as a cloud.  Job now turns from how those around him treated him to how he himself felt.  Job said that whichever way he turned, he felt that terror awaited him.  His welfare had blown away like the wind.  We should pray that we never feel so helpless, but if we do, we should always remember that God is with us in our suffering.  Verse sixteen says,  And now my soul is poured out upon me; the days of affliction have taken hold upon me.  I believe that Job was saying that he was sure that he was going to die.  His days of suffering had finally taken away his hope of restoration.  We need to always simply put our faith in God and never give up hope.  Though I know Job had not given up his hope of being restored to God beyond the grave, he had given up hope for restoration in this life.  Even if we are suffering greatly, we need to remember that if we are faithful to God that we should leave our lives in His hands.  Verse seventeen says, My bones are pierced in me in the night season: and my sinews take no rest.  Job said he was now skin and bone and could find no rest.  There is not doubt that Job was suffering greatly physically, but I still believe that his spiritual anguish is what caused his greatest suffering.   Verse eighteen states, By the great force of my disease is my garment changed: it bindeth me about as the collar of my coat.  I believe that Job was saying that even his clothes hurt him.  Even if he had been dressed in fine clothes, they would have still added to his suffering.  Just as Job could not have found permanent relief in the things of this world, neither can we.  In verse nineteen Job declares, He hath cast me into the mire, and I am become like dust and ashes.   We need to remember that Job believed that God was the direct cause of his suffering, even though he felt that he had done nothing to deserve it.  If we are going to faithfully follow God and give Him credit for our prosperity, we cannot accuse Him of abandoning us if we find ourselves in the deepest suffering.  We need to stand firmly in our faith that God will always be with us, if we are truly His by faith.  Verse twenty says, I cry unto thee, and thou dost not hear me: I stand up, and thou regardest me not.  If we are followers of Christ, we may at times feel that God does not hear us when we cry out to Him, but we can be certain that he always does.  We cannot afford to become impatient in our faith, but must stand firm no matter what is happening in our lives.  Verse twenty one states, Thou art become cruel to me: with thy stronghand thou opposest thyself against me.  Job felt that God was treating him cruelly, but God does not treat people that way.  Even those that suffer God's punishment do not do so because of God's cruelty, because our punishment is because of our refusal to accept His forgiveness and follow His will.  Verse twenty two says, Thou liftest me up to the wind; thou causest me to ride upon it, and dissolvest my substance.  I believe that this was just Job's way of saying he felt that God had simply blown his life away.  Verse twenty three declares, For I know that thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living.  Job believed that God would soon cause him to die and end his suffering.  We need to note that Job did not say that he himself was going to cause his own death, but even in his great suffering, he still placed his life in God's hands.  Verse twenty four says, Howbeit he will not stretch out his hand to the grave, though they cry in his destruction.  Job said that beyond the grave God would no longer punish him.  As followers of Christ, this is the promise of God.  As for those who refuse to accept Christ as their Savior, this is not the case.  Verse twenty five asks, Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? was not my soul grieved for the poor?  I believe that Job was saying that his actions proved that he was not hypocritical in life.  Verse twenty six states, When I looked for good, then evil came unto me: and when I waited for light, there came darkness.  Job then speaks once more of his current state.  He felt abandoned in the darkness of evil and unable to see the light of God.  We may at times feel the same way, but we need to hold to God's promise that He will never desert us if we are His. In the next five verses, Job continues to restate his suffering in his current condition.  Verse twenty seven says, My bowels boiled, and rested not: the days of affliction prevented me.  Then verse twenty eight, I went mourning without the sun: I stood up, and I cried in the congregation. Continuing in verse twenty nine, I am a brother to dragons, and a companion to owls.  Then in verse thirty, My skin is black upon me, and my bones are burned with heat.  Then Job concluded in verse thirty one, My harp also is turned to mourning, and my organ into the voice of them that weep.  Job felt abandoned not only by those around him, but also by God as he wasted away awaiting death.  We need to claim beyond all doubt that no matter how much we may be suffering, no matter how many friends desert us, that God is with us forever if we are His through faith in the salvation that Christ gives to the world.

Job 30:1 says, But now they that are younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to have set with the dogs of my flock.  Job shifts from speaking of how his life had been viewed in its greatest success to how it was now.  People tend to equate material success with living a successful life.  If someone who had been the authority in life because of their success suddenly falls into need, people today often look down on them thinking that they surely got what they deserve.  Often, it is those who are poor themselves that exhibit this attitude the strongest.  Verse two says, Yea, whereto might the strength of their hands profit me, in whom old age was perished?  Job said that those around him, instead of looking down on him, should have helped him in his time of need.  They should have given him respect because they knew who he was.  We should always be ready to help those in need, especially those that we know have lived their lives for the glory of God.  Verse three states, For want and famine they were solitary; fleeing into the wilderness in former time desolate and waste.  Job said that those condemning him for his poverty and suffering were really not much better off than he was.  They were scouring the desert for food.  Verse four says, Who cut up mallows by the bushes, and juniper roots for their meat.  These are likely people that Job would have helped when he was at his greatest materially, but even as they themselves had so little materially, they still looked down on Job.  If God did indeed punish the wicked by having them suffer materially as many around Job believed, then they would have had to classify themselves as wicked.  We must not exhibit the same attitude today.  We should be willing to help anyone, even those who had at one time been far superior to us materially.  Verse five says, They were driven forth from among men, (they cried after them as after a thief;)  Then verse six continues, To dwell in the clifts of the valleys, in caves of the earth, and in the rocks.  Job said that though those who were treating him with abuse didn't even really have a home of their own and had to hide out from the upright people of the world, they still felt superior to Job.  There is still a tendency today, if a rich person loses everything, for those who had been so much worse off to look down on them.  Whether people are rich or poor, we should never judge them by their material success.  Verse seven says, Among the bushes they brayed; under the nettles they were gathered together.  Job said those who had once looked to him with either respect or envy now gathered around him to shout at him in contempt.  Verse eight states, They were children of fools, yea, children of base men: they were viler than the earth.  I do not believe that people are judged by who their parents are, but often those born to wicked parents do have a harder time in finding the way that God would have them live.  Verse nine states,  And now am I their song, yea, I am their byword.  Job said that people were even making up songs about him and using him as an example of God's judgment of the wicked.  Verse ten continues, They abhor me, they flee far from me, and spare not to spit in my face.  It really is the nature of group, or mob, of people to grow more and more aggressive in their treatment of people that they feel superior to.  They not only looked down on Job, but they went so far as to spit on him.  In the next four verses, Job continues to speak of how he was treated.  I think we may sometimes think that Job was pretty much ignored by the world, except his three friends who were berating him, but he was far from ignored.  Job was continually abused by the poor and wicked people around him.  Verse eleven says, Because he hath loosed my cord, and afflicted me, they have also let loose the bridle before me.  Then verse twelve, Upon my right hand rise the youth; they push away my feet, and they raise up against me the ways of their destruction.  Continuing in verse thirteen, They mar my path, they set forward my calamity, they have no helper.  Then finally verse fourteen states, They came upon me as a wide breaking in of waters: in the desolation they rolled themselves upon me.  Job was not just suffering because of his physical ailments and anguish over feeling deserted by God, nearly all those around him seemed to be going out of their way to add to his suffering.  If we today see someone in great distress, especially if it is someone who is known to be a follower of God, if we cannot offer them help, then we certainly should not add to their misery.

Job 29:11 says, When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me:  Still remembering, Job said there was a time when people not only heard what he said and blessed him for his wisdom and fairness in judgment, but that when they saw him, his very way of living was a witness to his righteousness.  We need to live today in such a way the our actions are consistent with our words.  In verse thirteen Job states, Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him.  Job continued the thought that he was respected because of his concern for and helping of those less fortunate.  We need to have that same testimony today.  Job continues in verse thirteen, The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.  I believe that Job was saying that his helping of others was not just an occasional thing, but was instead a way of life.  We today need to have that same testimony, that we are always ready to help those less fortunate than us.  In verse fourteen Job declares, I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem.  Job felt that he was clothed in righteousness.  I don't believe that he was speaking of self righteousness, but of being clothed in God's will and righteousness.  If we are to proclaim ourselves clothed, or wrapped up in righteousness today, it must be the righteous of God that encompasses us.  Verse fifteen says, I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame.  Job was still speaking of his help of the needy, which extended to those who were handicapped.  If God has blessed us with riches today, we should willingly help those who are less fortunate than we are.  I believe that Job was speaking about how he had lived to show that he had not been hypocritical about his relationship to God.  Verse sixteen says, I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out.  Job said he not only helped those around him, but he searched for others to help.  Today we too often attempt to ignore those around us who are in need instead of hunting for even more to help.  Verse seventeen states, And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth.  Job said that he actively fought against evil men.  If we see evil in the world today, it is not enough to simply acknowledge it.  We must actively work to root it out.  I believe that the best way to do this is by sharing the gospel with the world.  Verse eighteen says, Then I said, I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days as the sand.  In this verse and those to the end of the chapter, Job declared his security and honor in life.  He was sure he would die nested in his home after a long life.  Verse nineteen states, My root was spread out by the waters, and the dew lay all night upon my branch.  He felt as strong as a tree rooted by the water.  Even if we are followers of Christ, we cannot assume that life is always going to be long and successful here on earth.  Job had been left with nothing but suffering, and it wasn't because of sin in his life, but faithfulness to God that caused it.  Verse twenty says, My glory was fresh in me, and my bow was renewed in my hand.  Then verse twenty one continues, Unto me men gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel.  Job spoke of his former glory and honor among those around him. We need to understand that if people look at us with honor or respect and listen to our council, it should be because we are living under God's leadership and are giving Him the credit, or glory.  Verse twenty two says, After my words they spake not again; and my speech dropped upon them.  Job continues in verse twenty three saying, And they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain.
Job said that unlike his three friends who were arguing with him, that at one point his word was viewed as final and even refreshing.  Now, his condition had changed how people viewed him.  We cannot let material things determine whether or not a person is speaking the truth about God.  Verse twenty four says, If I laughed on them, they believed it not; and the light of my countenance they cast not down. Then verse twenty five concludes, I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one that comforteth the mourners.  Job had once been the final voice of authority, based a lot in the view of those around him on his success in life.  We cannot assume that just because someone is rich and famous that they are being blessed by God, nor if they are poor and suffering that they are being punished by God.  I believe that as Job was pointing out how successful he had been and that he should have made sure that he gave God the credit for his success, and that God received the glory for it.  So must we today.

Job 29:1 says, Moreover Job continued his parable, and said,  Matthew Henry says that Job paused awhile to allow his friends to respond.  Whether that is true or not, Job continued to speak, but was now reflecting more on his life.  In verse two Job says, Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me;  Job was remembering what his life had been like and acknowledged that God had been the source of his protection.  As followers of Christ, if we have success in life, we must acknowledge that it is because of the grace of God.  If we then suffer a complete loss of everything, even our health, we must still acknowledge that God will preserve us forever.  We may look back as Job was and long for a restoration of life as it was, but we must remember that if completely restored, everything in this world is temporary and will again pass away.  The only lasting thing is our relationship with God.  Verse three says, When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness;  I believe that Job felt he had lost the light of God in his life and longed for its restoration.  If we are walking in the light of God and everything seems to fall apart in life, we need to remember that as followers of Christ that God's light will never be taken from us.  Even if we don't understand why something is happening, we can rest assured in our relationship with God.  Verse four says, As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle;  I believe that part of Job's suffering came from remembering how things once were, especially when he was young and felt that God was with him.  Part of Job's despair now came from feeling old and that he had been deserted by God.  As we get older, and maybe suffer more physically, we do not need to look back and feel that God was with us more then.  Our relationship with God is everlasting, and we need to simply look to Him no matter what.  In verse five Job says, When the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were about me;  I believe that Job felt that since he had lost his children that he felt that this was a sign of being abandoned by God.  No matter what we lose in this life, it is not a sign that God has abandoned us if we are His followers, and we need to be careful to never blame Him.  In verses six and seven Job continues to speak about his life before destruction fell on him.  He remembers his success.  Verse six says, When I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil;  Then verse seven continues, When I went out to the gate through the city, when I prepared my seat in the street!  Instead of being covered with sores, Job had been anointed with oil.  Instead of being looked down on by everyone, including his wife and friends, he had been respected by everyone.  If we have been rich and powerful, then suddenly end up with nothing but suffering, the memories of our former state may add to our misery.  If we are followers of Christ, though, we need to remember that the things of this world are always temporary, whether riches or suffering.  In the next three verses, Job continues to speak of his former position of power among those around him.  Verse eight says, The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the aged arose, and stood up.  Verse nine continues, The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth. Then verse ten concludes, The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth.  Job said that the young and the old either feared or respected him.  Even the rulers of the area did not dispute his work.  They were silent before him.  Now, everyone mocked him as a hypocrite and a sinner.  If people around us admire us and look up to us as a source of wisdom, we need to ensure that God gets the glory for everything we are and have.  Then, if we lose everything, we need to ensure that people know that we still glorify God.  We cannot live on memories of past success, nor in fear of what is happening in our lives now.  No matter what happens, we must always glorify God.