Job 31:14

Context

Job 31:14 is part of Job’s extensive monologue, specifically within his powerful "oath of innocence" in Chapter 31. Throughout this chapter, Job meticulously defends his integrity and moral conduct against the accusations of his friends, who insist his suffering must be due to some hidden sin. He systematically lists various sins he claims he has not committed—ranging from lust and injustice to greed and idolatry—and calls upon God to judge him if he is lying. Verse 14 serves as a rhetorical question, posed as a solemn reflection on the consequences if he were indeed guilty. It immediately follows his assertion that he treated his male and female servants justly (Job 31:13), emphasizing that he applied the same standard of divine accountability to himself as he did to others.

Key Themes

• Divine Accountability: Job deeply acknowledges God's ultimate authority and righteous judgment. He understands that no one can escape God's scrutiny, and everyone will be held responsible for their actions.
• Reverence for God's Judgment: The question, "What then shall I do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth, what shall I answer him?" reveals a profound and healthy fear of God (reverence). It's not a cowering fear, but an awe-filled respect for His holiness and perfect justice. Job recognizes that a guilty conscience would leave him utterly defenseless before the Creator.
• Integrity and Conscience: Job's self-examination highlights the importance of living with a clear conscience. His willingness to submit himself to God's judgment underscores his conviction of his own righteousness in the matters he has just described.
• Inescapable Justice: The verse emphasizes that God's justice is absolute and unavoidable. There is no hiding from God's presence or His investigative visitation. This concept is foundational to understanding divine judgment throughout the Bible.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words used in this verse carry significant weight:

• "Riseth up" (Hebrew: qum - קוּם): This verb implies God taking an active stand, often in a judicial or authoritative capacity. It suggests a decisive movement, as if God is rising from His throne to enact judgment or to intervene directly.
• "Visiteth" (Hebrew: paqad - פָּקַד): This word means to "visit," "inspect," "muster," or "attend to." In this context, it clearly signifies a visitation for the purpose of scrutiny, examination, and ultimately, judgment or punishment. It's a divine audit, where nothing is overlooked.
• The rhetorical questions themselves underscore the helplessness of a guilty party before such a divine encounter. "What shall I do?" and "what shall I answer him?" convey utter defenselessness and the impossibility of evasion or excuse when confronted by God's perfect knowledge and justice.

Practical Application

Job 31:14 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

• Self-Examination: The verse encourages us to regularly examine our own lives and actions, much like Job did. Do we live with integrity, knowing that every individual will give an account to God?
• Living with Accountability: It reminds us that our lives are lived before an omniscient God. This awareness should motivate us to pursue righteousness, not out of fear of punishment, but out of reverence and love for His holy character.
• Importance of a Clear Conscience: While we rely on God's grace for salvation, striving for a clear conscience before God and man is a vital aspect of the Christian walk. As Job demonstrated, knowing one has lived justly provides a measure of peace even in the face of immense suffering.
• The Certainty of Divine Judgment: This verse serves as a sober reminder that God is indeed just and will "visit" to judge both the righteous and the unrighteous. This truth should inspire humility and a desire to live in alignment with His will, understanding that there is no escaping His perfect scrutiny.