◄ Job 31:37 ►
I would give account of all my steps; I would approach Him like a prince.)--
Study Bible
I would give account
The phrase "I would give account" reflects Job's desire to present a detailed and honest report of his life before God. The Hebrew root for "account" is "saphar," which means to recount or declare. This word conveys a sense of transparency and integrity. Job is expressing his willingness to lay bare his actions and thoughts, confident in his righteousness. In a broader biblical context, this reflects the importance of accountability before God, a theme echoed throughout Scripture, emphasizing that every individual will ultimately give an account of their life (Romans 14:12).

of all my steps
The phrase "of all my steps" signifies a comprehensive review of Job's actions and decisions. The Hebrew word for "steps" is "ashur," which can also mean a step or going. This suggests not just physical movements but the entirety of one's conduct and life journey. Job's assertion here is profound, as he claims a life lived with such integrity that he is willing to scrutinize every aspect of it. This reflects the biblical principle of walking in righteousness and the call to live a life that is blameless before God (Psalm 119:133).

I would approach Him
In "I would approach Him," Job expresses his readiness to come before God. The Hebrew verb "qarab" means to draw near or approach. This is significant because it indicates Job's confidence in his relationship with God, despite his suffering. In the ancient Near Eastern context, approaching a deity was a serious matter, often reserved for priests or those with a special calling. Job's willingness to approach God directly underscores his belief in his innocence and his understanding of God as accessible to those who are righteous.

like a prince
The phrase "like a prince" conveys a sense of dignity and authority. The Hebrew word "nagid" refers to a leader or noble. Job's use of this term suggests that he sees himself as having the right to stand before God with confidence, not out of arrogance, but because of his integrity and uprightness. In the biblical narrative, princes or leaders were often seen as representatives of their people, and Job's comparison to a prince highlights his role as a representative of righteousness. This reflects the biblical theme of believers being called to approach God with confidence, as seen in Hebrews 4:16, where believers are encouraged to come boldly to the throne of grace.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Job
A 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. God
The Almighty Creator, whom Job desires to approach and present his case before, confident in his integrity.

3. Job's Friends
Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who visit Job to comfort him but end up accusing him of wrongdoing, believing his suffering is a result of sin.

4. The Heavenly Court
The setting at the beginning of the Book of Job where God and Satan discuss Job's faithfulness.

5. The Land of Uz
The region where Job lived, often associated with the ancient Near East.
Teaching Points
Integrity Before God
Job's willingness to give an account of his steps highlights the importance of living a life of integrity. Believers are encouraged to live transparently before God, knowing He sees all.

Confidence in Righteousness
Job's desire to approach God "like a prince" demonstrates the confidence that comes from a clear conscience. Christians are called to live in such a way that they can confidently approach God.

The Role of Suffering
Job's account reminds us that suffering is not always a result of personal sin. It challenges us to trust God's wisdom and sovereignty even when we do not understand our circumstances.

The Importance of Self-Examination
Job's readiness to account for his actions encourages believers to regularly examine their lives and seek God's guidance in aligning with His will.

Approaching God with Boldness
The New Testament teaches that through Christ, believers can approach God with confidence, echoing Job's desire to present his case before God.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Job's confidence in his integrity challenge us to examine our own lives and relationship with God?

2. In what ways can we cultivate a life of integrity that allows us to approach God with confidence, as Job did?

3. How does the account of Job help us understand the role of suffering in the life of a believer?

4. What can we learn from Job about maintaining faith and trust in God during times of trial and misunderstanding?

5. How do the New Testament teachings on approaching God with confidence (e.g., Hebrews 4:16) enhance our understanding of Job's desire to present his case before God?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 26:1-2
David, like Job, asks God to examine his integrity and righteousness, showing a similar confidence in his uprightness.

Hebrews 4:16
Encourages believers to approach God's throne of grace with confidence, paralleling Job's desire to approach God boldly.

1 John 3:21-22
Discusses the confidence we have before God when our hearts do not condemn us, reflecting Job's confidence in his integrity.
Sermons
Solemn Assurances of InnocenceE. Johnson Job 31:1-40
The Consciousness of IntegrityR. Green Job 31:1-40
People
Abaddon, Adam, Job
Places
Uz
Topics
Account, Approach, Clear, Declare, Ended, Job, Leader, Prince, Step, Steps
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Job 31:36

     5280   crown

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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