“…I sign now my defense…” Job 31:35b

Before Job signed the affidavit for his defense, he presented three final proofs of his innocence:

9. “…if the men of my household have never said, ‘Who has not had his fill of Job’s meat?’ (v.31)

Yes, Job’s reputation as a fair and generous rancher was known far and wide. It was indisputable; which is why Job was bold in defending himself. He even added how no stranger had ever spent the night in the streets in his village, as Job’s door was always open to the traveler (v.32).

10. “…if I have concealed my sin as men do, by hiding my guilt in my heart because I so feared the crowd and so dreaded the contempt of the clans that I kept silent and would not go outside…” (vv. 33 – 34).

Of course, this defense is invalid in that it can’t be proven. However, Job went on to say that if God Himself could prove him wrong, he would wear the indictment on his shoulder, or better yet – upon his head, like a crown (v.36)! Job was so emphatic about his innocence that he swore his life to be so pure as to be free of reproach, so much so that he would be free to approach God as a prince of His Kingdom. Job was willing to provide his Creator an account of his every step (v.37).

11. “If my land cries out against me and all its furrows are wet with tears, if I have devoured its yield without payment or broken the spirit of its tenants…” (vv. 38 – 39).

In his final proof, Job testifies of being a responsible farmer who nurtured both his servants and his land. His work was a sacrifice of sorts – a symbol of worship to God Who provided the land’s harvests. Job would not devour the land’s yield without the proper payments he made to his workers, as well as the payment of his own sweat and time. David mirrored a similar act of worship when he poured out the tasty water of Bethlehem as a water sacrifice to God (read 1 Chronicles 11:15-19; 2 Samuel 23: 15-16). The idea is that true worship and true stewardship must come at a price… it is an act of giving something of value to honor God.

Job may very well have offered a tithe of his first-fruits to God in worship by feeding the poor and needy with them. Similar to proof number nine, number eleven has to do with Job’s charity and philanthropy. Believers are to mirror such qualities in their living, as far too often the need is ever present, especially now in the midst of this COVID-19 pandemic of AD2020.

The transgression Job cited in proof number ten should not go without commentary, as Job was exposing how one may fear man more than God. Jesus taught His followers not to fear those who have the power and ability to kill the body; instead, one ought to fear The One Who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Matthew 10:28; Luke 12:5).

Keeping one’s sin to oneself can be prudent, after it has been vented fully before God, Who, unlike man, is full of mercy and kindness. It is impossible to take back words once spoken… confessions once spilt… which can become like feathers blown by the wind – never to fill the pillowcase again. Although it is a cathartic experience to confess a wrong done to another, exposing one’s jugular of reputation, and thus demonstrating trust in that person to forgive and forget. Just be careful with letting old skeletons out of the closet.

The best course of action is to keep one’s sin list short. This idea was presented to me by fellow South Carolinian and Winthrop University graduate, Bertha Smith, a SBC missionary to China, who developed a list for confessing one’s sins. It was fundamentally a thorough spring cleaning of one’s soul and mind before God. I met her in Fort Worth, Texas, as I was walking across the campus of Southwestern Seminary after she had spoken in the weekly chapel service, when we discovered our common bonds of South Carolina and Winthrop.

Have a blessed day…