Job 31:26
if I have beheld the sun in its radiance or the moon moving in splendor,
if I have regarded
The phrase "if I have regarded" suggests a deep introspection and self-examination by Job. The Hebrew root for "regarded" is "ra'ah," which means to see, look at, or consider. In the context of Job's discourse, this phrase indicates a hypothetical scenario where Job is reflecting on his actions and intentions. He is asserting his innocence by considering whether he has ever given undue reverence or worship to celestial bodies, which would be contrary to the worship of the one true God. This introspection is a testament to Job's commitment to righteousness and his understanding of the first commandment, which prohibits idolatry.

the sun in its radiance
The "sun in its radiance" refers to the sun's brilliance and glory. In ancient times, many cultures worshipped the sun as a deity due to its life-giving properties and its overwhelming presence in the sky. The Hebrew word for "sun" is "shemesh," and "radiance" is derived from "or," meaning light or brightness. Job's mention of the sun's radiance highlights the temptation to idolize such a powerful and visible force. However, Job is emphasizing that he has not succumbed to this temptation, maintaining his devotion to God alone. This reflects the biblical teaching that all creation, including the sun, is a testament to God's power and should not be worshipped in itself.

or at the moon moving in splendor
The phrase "or at the moon moving in splendor" continues the theme of celestial bodies that were often objects of worship in ancient cultures. The Hebrew word for "moon" is "yareach," and "moving in splendor" suggests the moon's majestic and orderly movement across the night sky. The moon's phases and its role in marking time made it a significant object of reverence. Job's reference to the moon's splendor underscores his awareness of the natural world's beauty and order, yet he remains steadfast in his refusal to attribute divine status to it. This reflects a profound understanding of God's sovereignty over creation, as articulated in Genesis, where God is the creator of the sun, moon, and stars, and they serve His purposes.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Job
The central figure in the Book of Job, a man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. In this chapter, Job is defending his integrity and righteousness.

2. The Sun and Moon
Celestial bodies that were often objects of worship in ancient cultures. Job mentions them to illustrate his commitment to worshiping God alone.

3. Ancient Near East
The cultural and historical context in which Job lived, where celestial worship was common among surrounding nations.
Teaching Points
Integrity in Worship
Job's statement reflects his unwavering commitment to worshiping God alone, despite cultural pressures. Believers today are called to maintain integrity in their worship, avoiding modern forms of idolatry.

Discernment Against Idolatry
Just as Job discerned the temptation to idolize creation, Christians must be vigilant against subtle forms of idolatry, such as materialism or celebrity worship.

Creation Points to the Creator
The beauty and splendor of creation should lead us to worship the Creator, not the creation itself. This perspective helps maintain a God-centered worldview.

Cultural Pressures
Job lived in a culture that worshiped celestial bodies, yet he remained faithful. Christians are encouraged to stand firm in their faith amidst cultural pressures that contradict biblical teachings.

Self-Examination
Job's introspection serves as a model for believers to regularly examine their own hearts and actions to ensure they align with God's standards.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Job's refusal to worship the sun and moon challenge us to identify and reject modern forms of idolatry in our lives?

2. In what ways can the beauty of creation lead us to a deeper worship of God rather than the creation itself?

3. How can we maintain our integrity in worship when faced with cultural pressures that promote idolatry?

4. What practical steps can we take to ensure that our worship remains focused on God alone?

5. How does Job's example of self-examination inspire us to regularly assess our own spiritual lives and priorities?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 4:19
This verse warns against worshiping the sun, moon, and stars, which God has allotted to all the peoples under heaven. It connects to Job 31:26 as Job asserts he has not fallen into this idolatry.

Romans 1:25
This passage discusses exchanging the truth of God for a lie and worshiping created things rather than the Creator, paralleling Job's rejection of idolatry.

Psalm 19:1
The heavens declare the glory of God, which contrasts with worshiping the creation itself, as Job emphasizes his worship of the Creator.
Guard the SensesGurnall, WilliamJob 31:1-32
Methods of Moral LifeJoseph Parker, D. D.Job 31:1-32
Solemn Assurances of InnocenceE. Johnson Job 31:1-40
The Consciousness of IntegrityR. Green Job 31:1-40
On the Love of MoneyT. Chalmers, D. D.Job 31:24-28
The Worship of WealthCanon Liddon.Job 31:24-28
People
Abaddon, Adam, Job
Places
Uz
Topics
Beheld, Bright, Brightness, Moon, Moving, Precious, Radiance, Regarded, Shined, Shineth, Shining, Shone, Splendor, Walking
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Job 31:26

     4251   moon
     8769   idolatry, in OT

Job 31:24-28

     4333   gold
     5558   storing
     5941   secrecy
     8780   materialism, and sin
     8840   unfaithfulness, to God

Job 31:25-28

     8779   materialism, nature of

Job 31:26-28

     4284   sun
     8709   astrology

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 Works

Question 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

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