Job 31:5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Consider his situation—whether in times of wealth or poverty, in health or affliction, during prosperous moments or when stripped of all he had. Reflect on how he treated children, servants, the oppressed, and orphans. He asks, "Have I walked with scorners, or hastened my foot toward iniquity?" meaning that he did not even engage with those who mocked righteousness. This alone illustrates a significant level of purity. He embodied all virtues and, while surrounded by abundance, was stricter with himself than those lacking material wealth; those who possess little are often not as free from the ensnarement of greed as he, having once held great riches. His mindset was one of triumph, reaching the pinnacle of chastity and excelling in every virtue with earnest effort.

Beloved, aspire to this exemplar. Engrain this image in your heart; whenever you face despair, turn to it. In times of prosperity, let it guide you so you do not plunge into destitution, nor become overwhelmed by riches. In times of loss, find solace in these reflections. When inundated with grief or steadfastness, recall the suffering he bore, especially the decay that invaded his body, and endure all things with patience. If a companion schemes against you, remember the holy one and rise above such trials. When unworthy individuals vilify him, reflect on the unjust treatment he received from those he called servants, and you will find healing. If unfounded doubts assail you, think of how his friends doubted him, suggesting that he had not offered suitable recompense to God for his sins, and you will also rise above these trials.

Truly, there is no human suffering that he, who was more resilient than steel, did not experience—he bore hunger, destitution, illness, the heartbreak of losing children, and the loss of significant possessions. Yet, he remained steadfast, facing further challenges from his wife, insults from his friends, and mistreatment from his servants, proving himself stronger than any stone. He endured all this under the law and before grace. We cannot justify ourselves when, having received the blessings of both law and grace, we offer less than he, who exhibited profound wisdom from the outset of humanity's journey.

Thus, let us find comfort in our sorrows and learn the highest wisdom. With these truths etched in our hearts, let us depart, rejoicing in the example of the faithful wrestler and emulating his struggle so that we may also receive future blessings through the grace and compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ. To Him, alongside the Father and the Holy Spirit, be glory now and forever, unto the ages of ages. Amen.

The term ‘scales’ represents the Mediator between God and humanity, through whom our deeds are evaluated, and in whose teachings we discern what we need to amend in our lives. We find ourselves judged on these scales whenever we are inspired by His life’s examples. It is written, “Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow in His steps. He committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth; Who, when reviled, did not retaliate; when He suffered, He did not threaten,” 1 Peter 2:21-23. Therefore, Paul instructs us, “Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame,” Hebrews 12:1-2. For this reason, the Lord came in the flesh, to invigorate human life through encouragement, to ignite our hearts with exemplary conduct, to redeem us through His death, and to extend life through the Resurrection. Even as blessed Job claims to find no cause for reproach in himself, he broadens his gaze to the life of the Saviour, which transcends all teachings, and states: “If I have walked in emptiness, and if my feet have hastened to deceit, let Him weigh me in the scales, and let God know my integrity.” He essentially expresses, ‘If I have ever acted frivolously or wickedly, it is essential for the Mediator between God and man to reveal Himself, so that I may discern whether I truly embody integrity.’ As previously noted, he, who excelled among his contemporaries, sought the Mediator, to be assessed in Him, so that he might learn if he indeed led a life of integrity. Hence, he implores, “Let Him weigh me in the scales, and let God recognize my integrity,” which suggests, ‘Let Him make me aware.’ It is akin to him asserting plainly, ‘Since I gauge my life by the standard of humanity, I currently find no aspect within myself that rightly warrants condemnation; yet, unless the Mediator between God and man appears to provide a clearer model of righteousness, I shall be unable to ascertain how far I diverge from true integrity.’ It is important to observe the proper sequence; for if one’s foot first ‘swiftly moves in emptiness,’ it then leads to ‘deceit.’ If ‘haste in emptiness’ connects to frivolity, then ‘deceit’ relates to malice. Individuals often commit wrongful actions afterward, having failed to first evade the triviality of emptiness. Further, it continues:

His home was welcoming to all who traveled (30-32), and he viewed himself as so blameless that he could confidently approach the judgment of the Almighty (31-37), without fearing the curse that had once come upon Adam due to his sin (38-40). Thus, within Job's actions and characteristics, we perceive not only the integrity of the righteous in the Old Testament, but also the noble qualities that are the finest embellishments of the men of the New Testament. This passage, particularly the concluding part, serves as a poignant encapsulation of Job’s entire existence, presented by Job himself. We observe him in various roles: as a family man, a judge, and a leader; his interactions with peers and subordinates, and his kindness towards those in misfortune reveal both his overt actions and his innermost intentions. The entirety of Job's life is displayed before us: his past joy, present sorrow, and future hopes. It is indeed fitting for Job to conclude his defense against his friends and to affirm his innocence with this portrayal. The concluding remarks of Job's discourse (in the Slavonic and the Default text, Job 32:1) are particularly notable in this context.