Job seeks to clear himself from the charges of his friends with a vow of innocence. This chapter is arranged as a legal oath, with the recurring formula: 'If I have...then...' In this way, Job asserts his innocence in a whole range of personal and social matters and confirms God's portrayal of him as 'a blameless and upright man' (Job 2:3). The pattern of Job's life is a worthy example to us, but ultimately it is a prophetic likeness of the perfection of Christ.
Personal Purity (vs.1-12)
Job's sanctity begins in the inner man. Conscious of God's omniscience and justice, he has guarded his eyes and heart against wanton looks and lustful thoughts. Job's construction of the 7th commandment, and his remedy for lust, are the same as Christ's in Matt. 5:27-30.
Compassionate Charity (vs.13-23)
Job asserts that he has dealt kindly with his servants and the poor. His example has its correlating commandments in places such as Eph 6:9 and James 2:14-17. He has a humble perspective of his own equality with the weak and disadvantaged, and he is mindful of the fact that his dealings with them are scrutinized by God. The Christian life is characterized by showing mercy to the weak.
A Pattern of Integrity (vs. 24-40)
Job maintains his innocence regarding a whole range of common sins: greed, idolatry, vengeance, and hypocricy. He was not without sin, but he always sought to keep himself pure by the grace of God.
Job describes his purity in terms that only Christ could fulfill. |
