Job 31:38

After these sorrowful complaints, Job closed his long speech, as we see in Job 31. He ended with a series of solemn declarations that almost amount to oaths. His friends had accused him of definite sins and wrongdoing. As to these things his conscience was clear, though, as we have seen, he admitted he was not pure in the sight of God. So he strongly affirmed that he had not done the kinds of evil they alleged or hinted at.

The conclusion seems almost tame, for after appealing to God and to man, Job comes down to the lifeless earth. He calls on his land to testify whether he gained it unjustly, or used its yield as his own when it belonged to another. If he has taken property from another — as Ahab took the vineyard and the life of Naboth — let the very furrows weep out their charge. Let the fertile soil yield thistles instead of wheat, and weeds instead of barley.

No violence or fraud lay within. Not a field could cry out against Job, and its furrows could not weep together — as the ground did where Abel fell. Since then, many a piece of ground has testified against kings and queens, down to the lowest of men, all through this world's sad history. But he asks for this. If any wrong had stained his life, even in dealings like these, let thorns and weeds curse his labour. Let them spring up instead of the wheat or barley he had sown.

We cannot question the truth and sincerity of all that he says. But we may well ask: is his conclusion a happy one even for himself? He shuts the mouths of his friends. He seems more than satisfied with himself. Suppose God were to let it rest there. Is the sight of a completely self-vindicated man a pleasant one? Divine truth, as well as divine love, will not let him wrap himself in these rags of self-righteousness.

Now just read chapters 29–31, and you will say that if any man could have justified himself by good works, Job was the man. 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, and 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.

The friends were completely wrong, unjustifiable and unkind. What Job says was true, but he does not yet know all the truth about himself. No one could learn that truth from God until Christ came. He is the Truth, and He proved it in grace to the fullest at His cross. But Job was occupied and satisfied with himself. From this God would deliver him, and bless him more than ever. No flesh shall glory in His presence, and Job must learn this — to glory only in Him. We shall see later how he was taught it, humbly and graciously. But Job ended his words before that lesson had even begun.

He had called on earth and on man, yes, on God, to declare his righteousness. He would have them all unite to sing his praise! How different from that happy time when all nature will speak out the praises of the Lord, the King: "let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth" (Psalm 96:12–13).