for that would be a fire that consumes as far as Abaddon, and it would burn to the root all my increase.
Job is at the end of his long defence. Point by point he swears to his own purity. Here he swears he never let his heart follow another man's wife. Verse 12 gives his reason: such sin is not an incident but a fire, and fire does not stop where it is lit.
Where the Verse Sits
This line closes the first block of Job's final speech. One writer maps the chapter out by subject:
Samuel RidoutThe main subjects of the chapter group themselves under seven heads: (1) Declaration of chastity and uprightness (verses 1-12). (2) Kindness at home and abroad (verses 13-23). (3) Refusal of all forms of idolatry (verses 24-28)…
So the "fire" is Job's closing argument on purity, not an aside. Another commentator sets the whole chapter in its setting: after describing his former brightness and then the blight that had fallen on him, Job speaks under something close to oath.
William KellyIn Job 31 he protests his innocence in the most solemn way, his personal purity, his equity and consideration of his servants, his remembrance of the poor, his horror of idolatry, his freedom from vindictiveness, his cultivation of hospitality, his refusal to conceal any wrongdoing, and this without fear before the Almighty.
The Name "Abaddon"
The ESV keeps the word here as a name: Abaddon. Older translations render it "destruction." Either way, it is not a general word for loss.
Morrish Bible DictionaryRevelation 9:11 shows this name to be the same as Apollyon, "the destroyer," who is called "the angel of the bottomless pit." It is perhaps not so much a name of Satan as his character personified. It occurs six times in the Old Testament. Three of those link it with hell (sheol): Job 26:6; Proverbs 15:11; Proverbs 27:20. One links it with death: "Destruction and Death say," Job 28:22. One links it with the grave: Psalm 88:11. In all these passages, and in Job 31:12, it is translated "destruction."
So Job's fire burns all the way down, to the place tied to death and the grave. It does not stop at the man who lights it. It tears out everything his life has produced.
A Settled Conviction, Not a Mood
Job is not describing a passing regret. His verdict on it was settled long before, and it cuts against a common attitude today.
Leslie M. GrantHe was settled in his judgment about the wickedness of such things, though his thinking was contrary to that of large numbers of careless people today.
Guarded at the Eyes, Not Just the Hands
The fire has a starting point. Job had shut it off earlier in the chapter, and others were tested at the same place.
Samuel RidoutHis eyes, the avenue to the heart, had been closed by full purpose — a "covenant," against even a look at what might stir up passion. In the Sermon on the Mount our Lord showed that real purity must lie in the heart, and not only in outward self-control (Matthew 5:27-28)… "How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?" said Joseph when the woman tried to tempt him (Genesis 39:9). In an hour of spiritual sloth, David had allowed his eyes to wander, and had fallen (2 Samuel 11:2).
Tested Before God, Not Before Men
Job's self-examination went further than his accusers could have borne. He made it before One who sees everything.
William KellyWe can be sure of this: not one of the friends who all but accused him could have afforded to test himself as Job does here. He judges unclean lusts as well as actions; and this in the fear of Him who had power to cast soul and body into hell — Him who meanwhile took note of all his steps.
The Flaw in a True Defence
What Job says about this sin is right. The problem is who he is defending while he says it. His conscience was clear on these charges. The wrong note is in how he presses them.
Samuel RidoutBut we must notice the self-righteousness that moved Job to speak of himself like this. He was putting himself on display rather than giving glory to God. Deep down he was no doubt a man of real godliness, but there is no glory in putting your own glory on show.
Another writer shows why a clear conscience is still not righteousness before God:
F. B. HoleThis "righteousness," as Job 29 will show us, had to do with his outward conduct. The searching light of God had not yet entered his soul. He had been charged with being a deceiver and a hypocrite. He knew he was not this… We too know that he was not, but outward correctness does not in itself count for righteousness in the presence of God.
Summary
- Spark. The fire starts at the eye. Job had made a covenant there, because purity is a matter of the heart and not only of outward conduct.
- Fire. Job treats this sin as a fire. It is not one act with a boundary. Fire keeps consuming once lit.
- Ashes. Abaddon, the name behind "destruction," is linked elsewhere with death, the grave and the pit. The fire burns all the way down.
- Roots. It does not only burn what stands; it tears up a man's whole increase, everything his life had produced.
- Warning. Job's verdict on the sin is sound; his mistake is using it to display himself. A clear conscience before men is still not righteousness before God.