“Does he not see my ways and count my every step?” Job 31:4
Job believed with all his heart that God was always watching, always present and taking account of his every step. This understanding led him to live a life that would be pleasing in God’s eyes. As we study his life we begin to get a picture of what righteousness looks like. What was it about Job that caused God to acknowledge his righteousness? We can glean some clues from Job’s words as he poured out his heart to God in the final chapters of this book.
1. Job cared for the poor and hurting people around him.
“I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist them.” Job 29:12 NIV
“The one who was dying blessed me; I made the widow’s heart sing. I put on righteousness as my clothing; justice was my robe and my turban. I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. I was a father to the needy; I took up the case of the stranger. I broke the fangs of the wicked and snatched the victims from their teeth.” Job 29:13-17 NIV
“If I have denied the desires of the poor or let the eyes of the widow grow weary, if I have kept my bread to myself, not sharing it with the fatherless— but from my youth I reared them as a father would, and from my birth I guided the widow— if I have seen anyone perishing for lack of clothing, or the needy without garments, and their hearts did not bless me for warming them with the fleece from my sheep, if I have raised my hand against the fatherless, knowing that I had influence in court, then let my arm fall from the shoulder, let it be broken off at the joint. For I dreaded destruction from God, and for fear of his splendor I could not do such things.” Job 31:16-23 NIV
“If those of my household have never said, ‘Who has not been filled with Job’s meat?’— but no stranger had to spend the night in the street, for my door was always open to the traveler” Job 31:31-32 NIV
“Have I not wept for those in trouble? Has not my soul grieved for the poor? Job 30:25 NIV
2. Job respected all people.
“If I have denied justice to any of my servants, whether male or female, when they had a grievance against me, what will I do when God confronts me? What will I answer when called to account? Did not he who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same one form us both within our mothers? Job 31:13-15
“If I have rejoiced at my enemy’s misfortune or gloated over the trouble that came to him— I have not allowed my mouth to sin by invoking a curse against their life” Job 31:29-30 NIV
3. Job led a morally pure life.
“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman.” Job 31:1 NIV
“If my heart has been enticed by a woman, or if I have lurked at my neighbor’s door, then may my wife grind another man’s grain, and may other men sleep with her. For that would have been wicked, a sin to be judged. It is a fire that burns to Destruction; it would have uprooted my harvest.” Job 31:9-12 NIV
Lord, help us to model Job’s righteousness in our lives in these same areas which are very dear to your heart!