Subject: God's Sovereignty - Job 31

Job 31:4 (ESV Strong's)
Does not he see my ways
and number all my steps?

Subject:  God's Sovereignty

Job is, in this last chapter of his speech, declaring his righteousness.   Although he doesn't know that God has also declared him so (see chapter one), Job, to his friends, is arguing that IF he did sin, then his only appeal is toward God.  The reason for this argument is found in the above verse:  Since God see his ways and numbers his steps, it is only God who can be the judge of his life.  This concept of God "numbering" his steps is not new to Job.  Notice what he has already said in this book and will say about God and the steps he takes:

Job 14:16 (ESV Strong's)
For then you would number my steps;
you would not keep watch over my sin;

Job 31:37 (ESV Strong's)
I would give him an account of all my steps;
like a prince I would approach him.

Job 34:21 (ESV Strong's)
“For his eyes are on the ways of a man,
and he sees all his steps.

Solomon will take up this theme as well in the following proverb:

Proverbs 16:9 (ESV Strong's)
The heart of man plans his way,
but the Lord establishes his steps.

It is only when we know and recognize God's rule over each step we take that we will relax and rest in His sovereign care and will.   We can rest because we know that God will know each step (because He directed each step) and because He cares about each step we take.