(Oh, that I had one to hear me! Here is my signature. Let the Almighty answer me; let my accuser compose an indictment. Oh, that I had one to hear me!Job expresses a deep desire for someone to truly listen to his case. In the context of the ancient Near Eastern legal system, having a fair hearing was crucial. Job feels isolated and misunderstood by his friends, who have accused him of wrongdoing. This plea reflects his longing for justice and vindication. It echoes the human condition of seeking understanding and validation, a theme prevalent throughout the Bible, such as in Psalm 17:1, where David also seeks God's attentive ear. Here is my signature.
Job is willing to sign his name to his statements, indicating his confidence in his innocence. In ancient times, a signature or seal was a mark of authenticity and commitment. This act of signing is akin to making a solemn oath, which was a serious matter in biblical times, as seen in Numbers 30:2, where vows made to the Lord must not be broken. Job's readiness to sign underscores his integrity and the seriousness with which he approaches his defense. Let the Almighty answer me;
Job directly appeals to God, desiring a response from the Almighty Himself. This reflects Job's belief in God's ultimate authority and justice. Throughout the book, Job maintains that only God can truly understand his situation and provide the answers he seeks. This appeal to God is reminiscent of the psalmists who often cry out for divine intervention, such as in Psalm 86:6-7. Job's request for an answer also foreshadows God's eventual response in Job 38, where God speaks out of the whirlwind. let my accuser compose an indictment.
Job challenges his accuser to formally present charges against him. In the cultural context, this would involve a legal document outlining specific accusations. Job's confidence in facing such an indictment highlights his belief in his own righteousness. This mirrors the legal imagery found in other parts of Scripture, such as in Isaiah 50:8, where the Servant of the Lord invites adversaries to confront him. The concept of an accuser also points to the role of Satan as the accuser of the brethren, as seen in Revelation 12:10, drawing a parallel to the spiritual battle Job is enduring. Persons / Places / Events 1. JobA man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, known for his immense suffering and unwavering faith. 2. The Almighty (God)The supreme being whom Job desires to answer him. Job seeks a divine response to his plight and questions. 3. AccuserWhile not explicitly named in this verse, the accuser can be seen as anyone who challenges Job's integrity, including his friends or Satan, who initially questioned Job's righteousness. 4. Job's FriendsAlthough not directly mentioned in this verse, they play a significant role in the account, often accusing Job of wrongdoing as the cause of his suffering. 5. The IndictmentThe formal accusation or charge that Job wishes to be written against him, so he can respond to it and defend his integrity. Teaching Points Desire for Divine JusticeJob's plea highlights the human longing for justice and understanding from God. Believers can take comfort in knowing that God hears and will ultimately bring justice. Integrity in SufferingJob's willingness to sign his name to his claims of innocence teaches us the importance of maintaining integrity, even when falsely accused or misunderstood. The Role of Faith in TrialsJob's faith in seeking an audience with God demonstrates the importance of turning to God in times of trial, trusting in His wisdom and timing. God as the Ultimate JudgeThis verse reminds us that while human judgment is often flawed, God is the ultimate judge who sees and knows all. The Importance of Honest Dialogue with GodJob's candidness in expressing his desire to speak with God encourages believers to be honest in their prayers and seek a personal relationship with Him. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Job's desire for a hearing with God reflect his understanding of God's character and justice? 2. In what ways can we maintain our integrity when facing false accusations or misunderstandings, as Job did? 3. How does Job 31:35 challenge us to think about our own responses to suffering and trials? 4. What can we learn from Job about the importance of seeking God's perspective rather than relying solely on human judgment? 5. How do other scriptures, such as Romans 8:33, reinforce the idea of God as the ultimate judge and vindicator in our lives? Connections to Other Scriptures Job 13:3Job expresses a similar desire to speak directly with God, showing his longing for a divine audience to plead his case. Psalm 17:3David, like Job, asks God to test him and see his integrity, reflecting a common theme of seeking divine vindication. Isaiah 50:8The prophet Isaiah speaks of God as the one who vindicates, echoing Job's desire for divine justification. Romans 8:33Paul speaks of God as the one who justifies, reinforcing the idea that ultimate judgment and vindication come from God alone. People Abaddon, Adam, JobPlaces UzTopics Accusation, Accuser, Adversary, Almighty, Behold, Bill, Book, Defense, Desire, Ear, Giveth, Hearing, Indictment, Mark, Mighty, Oh, Opponent, Ruler, Sign, Signature, Someone, Writing, WrittenDictionary of Bible Themes Job 31:34 4030 world, behaviour in
5950 silence Job 31:33-34 5016 heart, fallen and redeemed Library Thou Shalt not Steal.
This Commandment also has a work, which embraces very many good works, and is opposed to many vices, and is called in German Mildigkeit, "benevolence;" which is a work ready to help and serve every one with one's goods. And it fights not only against theft and robbery, but against all stinting in temporal goods which men may practise toward one another: such as greed, usury, overcharging and plating wares that sell as solid, counterfeit wares, short measures and weights, and who could tell all the …
Dr. Martin Luther—A Treatise on Good WorksQuestion of the Active Life
I. Do all Acts of the Moral Virtues come under the Active Life? II. Does Prudence pertain to the Active Life? III. Does Teaching belong to the Active or to the Contemplative Life? IV. Does the Active Life continue after this Life? I Do all Acts of the Moral Virtues come under the Active Life? S. Isidore says[407]: "In the active life all the vices are first of all to be removed by the practice of good works, so that in the contemplative life a man may, with now purified mental gaze, pass to the …
St. Thomas Aquinas—On Prayer and The Contemplative Life Whether virtue is in us by Nature?
Objection 1: It would seem that virtue is in us by nature. For Damascene says (De Fide Orth. iii, 14): "Virtues are natural to us and are equally in all of us." And Antony says in his sermon to the monks: "If the will contradicts nature it is perverse, if it follow nature it is virtuous." Moreover, a gloss on Mat. 4:23, "Jesus went about," etc., says: "He taught them natural virtues, i.e. chastity, justice, humility, which man possesses naturally." Objection 2: Further, the virtuous good consists …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether after Christ, it was Proper to the Blessed virgin to be Sanctified in the Womb?
Objection 1: It would seem that it was proper for the Blessed Virgin, after Christ, to be sanctified in the womb. For it has been said [4131](A[4]) that the Blessed Virgin was sanctified in the womb, in order that she might be worthy to be the mother of God. But this is proper to her. Therefore she alone was sanctified in the womb. Objection 2: Further, some men seem to have been more closely connected with Christ than Jeremias and John the Baptist, who are said to have been sanctified in the womb. …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Corporal Alms are of More Account than Spiritual Alms?
Objection 1: It would seem that corporal alms are of more account than spiritual alms. For it is more praiseworthy to give an alms to one who is in greater want, since an almsdeed is to be praised because it relieves one who is in need. Now the body which is relieved by corporal alms, is by nature more needy than the spirit which is relieved by spiritual alms. Therefore corporal alms are of more account. Objection 2: Further, an alms is less praiseworthy and meritorious if the kindness is compensated, …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Confession is According to the Natural Law?
Objection 1: It would seem that confession is according to the natural law. For Adam and Cain were bound to none but the precepts of the natural law, and yet they are reproached for not confessing their sin. Therefore confession of sin is according to the natural law. Objection 2: Further, those precepts which are common to the Old and New Law are according to the natural law. But confession was prescribed in the Old Law, as may be gathered from Is. 43:26: "Tell, if thou hast anything to justify …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether one Can, Without a Mortal Sin, Deny the Truth which Would Lead to One's Condemnation?
Objection 1: It would seem one can, without a mortal sin, deny the truth which would lead to one's condemnation. For Chrysostom says (Hom. xxxi super Ep. ad Heb.): "I do not say that you should lay bare your guilt publicly, nor accuse yourself before others." Now if the accused were to confess the truth in court, he would lay bare his guilt and be his own accuser. Therefore he is not bound to tell the truth: and so he does not sin mortally if he tell a lie in court. Objection 2: Further, just as …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica The Advanced Christian Reminded of the Mercies of God, and Exhorted to the Exercise of Habitual Love to Him, and Joy in Him.
1. A holy joy in God, our privilege as well as our duty.--2. The Christian invited to the exercise of it.--3. By the consideration of temporal mercies.--4. And of spiritual favors.--5. By the views of eternal happiness.--6. And of the mercies of God to others, the living and the dead.--7. The chapter closes with an exhortation to this heavenly exercise. And with an example of the genuine workings of this grateful joy in God. 1. I WOULD now suppose my reader to find, on an examination of his spiritual …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul Trials of the Christian
AFFLICTION--ITS NATURE AND BENEFITS. The school of the cross is the school of light; it discovers the world's vanity, baseness, and wickedness, and lets us see more of God's mind. Out of dark afflictions comes a spiritual light. In times of affliction, we commonly meet with the sweetest experiences of the love of God. The end of affliction is the discovery of sin; and of that, to bring us to a Saviour. Doth not God ofttimes even take occasion, by the hardest of things that come upon us, to visit …
John Bunyan—The Riches of Bunyan The Christian Business World
Scripture references: Proverbs 22:29; Romans 12:11; Psalms 24:1; 50:10-12; Haggai 2:8; Psalm 49:6,10,16,17; 62:10; Matthew 13:22; Mark 10:23,24; Job 31:24-26; Proverbs 3:9; Matthew 25:14-30; 24:45-51; 6:19-21; Luke 12:16-21. THE IDEAL IN THE BUSINESS WORLD There is often a wide difference between the methods actually employed in doing business and when they should be. Good men who are in the thick of the battle of competition and rivalry with other firms in the same line of trade, are the quickest …
Henry T. Sell—Studies in the Life of the Christian The Seventh Commandment
Thou shalt not commit adultery.' Exod 20: 14. God is a pure, holy spirit, and has an infinite antipathy against all uncleanness. In this commandment he has entered his caution against it; non moechaberis, Thou shalt not commit adultery.' The sum of this commandment is, The preservations of corporal purity. We must take heed of running on the rock of uncleanness, and so making shipwreck of our chastity. In this commandment there is something tacitly implied, and something expressly forbidden. 1. The …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Tit. 2:06 Thoughts for Young Men
WHEN St. Paul wrote his Epistle to Titus about his duty as a minister, he mentioned young men as a class requiring peculiar attention. After speaking of aged men and aged women, and young women, he adds this pithy advice, "Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded" (Tit. 2:6). I am going to follow the Apostle's advice. I propose to offer a few words of friendly exhortation to young men. I am growing old myself, but there are few things I remember so well as the days of my youth. I have a most …
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times Thoughts Upon Worldly-Riches. Sect. Ii.
TIMOTHY after his Conversion to the Christian Faith, being found to be a Man of great Parts, Learning, and Piety, and so every way qualified for the work of the Ministry, St. Paul who had planted a Church at Ephesus the Metropolis or chief City of all Asia, left him to dress and propagate it, after his departure from it, giving him Power to ordain Elders or Priests, and to visit and exercise Jurisdiction over them, to see they did not teach false Doctrines, 1 Tim. i. 3. That they be unblameable in …
William Beveridge—Private Thoughts Upon a Christian Life Job
The book of Job is one of the great masterpieces of the world's literature, if not indeed the greatest. The author was a man of superb literary genius, and of rich, daring, and original mind. The problem with which he deals is one of inexhaustible interest, and his treatment of it is everywhere characterized by a psychological insight, an intellectual courage, and a fertility and brilliance of resource which are nothing less than astonishing. Opinion has been divided as to how the book should be …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Job 31:35 NIVJob 31:35 NLTJob 31:35 ESVJob 31:35 NASBJob 31:35 KJV
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