IF - Job 31

Job 31:38-40 (ESV Strong's)
38 “If my land has cried out against me
and its furrows have wept together,
39 if I have eaten its yield without payment
and made its owners breathe their last,
40 let thorns grow instead of wheat,
and foul weeds instead of barley.”
The words of Job are ended.

“IF”

Throughout the final statements of Job, we find numerous “if” statements.  This is Job pleading his innocence.  He creates, as though he is coming to court, a series of arguments to indicate he knows what justice looks like.   In essence he states, over and over, that “if” he has “done this _______,” then he knows he should be judged and suffer.  But, the underlying aspect of Job’s argument is that these hypotheticals HAVE NOT been committed.  In the last of these argument Job states that “IF” he has done something harmful to those who work his land, he is willing to bare the punishment.   However, in Job’s argument, he does not believe he has done that.   Over and over he makes this argument.   There is a sense in which Job’s understanding of “justice” is important.   It does show that Job is a just man.  He fully admits that injustice should be meet with justice (implying that the justice would cause someone to suffer). He simply doesn’t believe he has done any of these things.   When coaching, counseling, discipling, or coming along side someone this is an important distinction.   There is a difference between those who know right and wrong and simply maintain they did not do THE wrong and someone who doesn’t agree that something IS wrong.  Job’s character comes through in his argument.  He will, shortly be rebuked by God for simply not recognizing God can do whatever He wants.  But, in the above words he ends his argument demonstrating his understanding of a just world ... one created by God.  God is just.  Before we can plead with God we have to agree on His just decrees.  He never does anything that is unjust.