Job 31:14

Job tests himself carefully and in detail against a very full list of possible offences. He does this toward God as well as toward man, for failing to do good as well as for self-indulgence and other sins. We can be sure that not one of the friends who as good as accused him could have afforded to test himself the way Job does here. He judges unclean desires as well as actions. He does it in the fear of Him who had power to throw soul and body into hell — Him who all the while was taking note of every step he took. He shows, very movingly, that even in his high position his heart never forgot that his servants were of the same race and the same human family as himself. That left no room for cold personal pride.

Had Job despised the cause of any of his servants, whether male or female? If this were true, he asks, what should he do when God raised the question with him? For God made these servants just as He had made Job. Job had thought about this fact long before, we are sure, so he was not guilty of oppressing God's creatures.

"The rich and the poor meet together; the LORD is the Maker of them all." The poor man has a right to remember this, and the rich man ought not to forget it. Job had it clearly before him.

The law had its value — God does nothing in vain. Yet we can see how high the moral standard was for the soul and for the daily walk of godly men outside Israel, before the law was given at Sinai. The patriarchs of Genesis show it. God had spoken words. He had also acted in solemn ways with men, both one by one and as a whole race, in grace and in judgment. All this came long before He inspired men to write His mind by divine power. And faith received His word and thought over His dealings, with rich profit, before there was any Scripture.

Masters are then urged, and reminded that their Master is in heaven, and that "there is no partiality with Him." He notices threats and oppression. The cry of the poor and needy reaches His ears, and He will repay it in the coming day. Both master and servant answer to the one Lord, and they will stand together at the same judgment seat.

They will govern, and govern firmly, as they should, because God has entrusted their authority to them. But they will remember that those under them answer directly to their Master in heaven. Together with the masters, they are the Lord's servants. So in this respect they are equal, despite the difference in their positions on earth. This of itself would prevent all harshness.

Just read chapters 29-31, and you will say, if any man could have justified himself by good works, Job was the man. There is not a man in all your town that can say as much as Job said, and say it truly. As to his kindness to the poor, he was the very opposite of the lying charges brought against him. So he lets memory recount every good act of his life, but it all fails to give rest to his troubled spirit. I, I, I, I did this, I did not do that. But it is all of no use.