Job 31:7

Job 31:7 is part of Job's profound and passionate defense of his innocence before God and his friends. In this chapter, Job systematically lists various sins he claims he has not committed, presenting an elaborate oath of integrity. This particular verse focuses on the purity of his walk, his inner desires, and his outward actions, asserting a blameless life in the face of immense suffering and accusation.

Context

Chapter 31 marks the climax of Job's final discourse, where he appeals directly to God, challenging Him to find fault in his life. Job is not merely defending himself against his friends; he is making a solemn declaration, almost an oath, before the Almighty. He details his moral conduct across a wide spectrum of life areas, including his sexual purity (v. 1-6), honesty (v. 8), treatment of others (v. 9-23), reliance on wealth (v. 24-28), and attitude towards enemies (v. 29-32). Verse 7 serves as a powerful summary of his commitment to walking a righteous path, ensuring his internal desires did not lead to sinful external actions.

Key Themes

• Integrity and Blamelessness: Job vehemently asserts his moral uprightness, claiming his life has been consistently aligned with God's ways, despite his current suffering.
• The Path of Righteousness: The phrase "turned out of the way" signifies deviation from the divinely appointed path of truth and justice. Job claims he has not strayed from this path.
• Internal Purity and Temptation: The statement "mine heart walked after mine eyes" highlights the critical link between visual input, internal desire, and potential sin. It speaks to the avoidance of covetousness, lust, and idolatry that can begin with what one sees and desires. This concept is echoed in other biblical warnings against the desires of the eyes, such as in Numbers 15:39.
• Consequence of Action: "If any blot hath cleaved to mine hands" refers to the absence of any stain of guilt, injustice, or wicked deeds. Hands are symbolic of one's actions, and a "blot" represents defilement or sin. Job declares his hands are clean, a theme found in passages like Psalm 24:4 concerning those who may ascend God's holy hill.

Linguistic Insights

• The Hebrew phrase for "turned out of the way" (natah min hadderekh) implies a deliberate turning or deviation from a prescribed path, emphasizing a conscious choice to abandon the correct course of action.
• "Mine heart walked after mine eyes" is a potent Hebrew idiom. The "heart" (lev) in Hebrew thought is the seat of intellect, will, and emotion, not just feelings. When the heart "walks after the eyes," it signifies that one's desires and choices are being dictated by what is seen, leading to covetousness or lust. This concept is foundational to understanding internal sin, as Jesus later taught in Matthew 5:28.
• "Blot hath cleaved to mine hands" uses the word "blot" (mum), which can refer to a blemish, defect, or moral impurity. "Cleaved" (dabaq) suggests a persistent attachment, indicating that no sin or guilt has stuck to his actions.

Practical Application

Job's declaration in verse 7 offers profound lessons for believers today:

• Self-Examination: This verse challenges us to examine our own lives. Have our steps turned out of God's way? Are our hearts being led astray by what our eyes see (e.g., materialism, inappropriate content, envy)? Do our actions (our "hands") bear any blot of sin or injustice?
• The Source of Sin: It reminds us that sin often begins internally. The desire of the eyes can lead the heart, which then manifests in sinful actions. Cultivating internal purity is therefore crucial for outward righteousness.
• Accountability to God: Like Job, we are ultimately accountable to God for our thoughts, desires, and deeds. Living with this awareness can inspire us to pursue a life of greater integrity and obedience.
• Walking in Truth: The call to avoid turning "out of the way" encourages us to continually seek and abide in God's truth, allowing His Word to guide our every step and prevent us from straying. Proverbs 3:6 advises trusting God to direct our paths.