A Man of Integrity:
Stands in God's presence (Job 31:4)
Exemplifies integrity (Job 31: 5,6)
Commits to personal purity (Job 31: 7-12)
Reflects justice in all dealings (Job 31: 13-15)
Gives generously to others (Job 31:6-20)
Shows compassion to all (Job 31:21-22)
Gets godly priorities in life (Job 31:23-35)
Lives out faith in God (Job 31: 26-28)
Forgives others (Job 31:29-30)
Opens home to the needy (Job 31:31-32)
Walks with the Lord (Job 31:33-37)
Seeks to do right (Job 31:38-40)
Study notes:
Job 31:1-40: Job was desperate to proclaim his own righteousness. He invoked four curses to com upon himself if he was not found innocent (vv. 8, 10, 22, 40). In so doing, his blameless stand before God was all the more bold (v. 35-37).
Job 31:1: Job was careful not to let lust have a chance by covenanting with his eyes to remain blameless (James 1:14-15). People fall into sin when they allow their desire to sin to be conceived and grow.
Job 31: 9-10: The sin of adultery, which involved a relationship with another man's wife, was serious because of its damage to the family. This curse is particularly humiliating and heinous. Adultery is described as a fire because of the destructiveness of illicit sexual passion (v.12). For the wife to suffer because of her husband'd adultery- a sin committed against her- is entirely comprehensible because of the nature of the family. Certainly this would explain partially Job's determination to avoid adultery.
Husbands: treated as a gift
During times of vulnerability, a man desperately needs an understanding helper (Heb. ezer, Gen 2:18). He needs acceptance (treat him as if he is already the person God desires him to be), appreciation (to recognize worth, to hold in high regard or to respect, Eph. 5:33), admiration (Eph. 5:33) and affirmation (speak kind words, Prov. 31:26, and assure him of her love and fidelity, Prov. 31: 11, 12). A godly husband is going to show respect for his wife in the way he treats her. This begins with his thought life (Prov. 23:7) and moves to his lifestyle (1 Pet. 3:7) and communication (Eph. 4:29). Because women are responders, they generally will respond to efforts or lack of efforts from their husbands. This reciprocity is part of the mystery of God's design for relationships.
Masculinity: the nature of a man
God has gifted men with great capacities for responsible leadership. THis can be channeled positively into the church and all walks of life through teaching, leading by moral example, and supporting righteous causes (1 Tim 2:8). Masculine power when sanctified can be used in a positive way, such as in the lives of great men through whom GOd provides leadership. Abraham showed us the trait of "adventure" with God by taking steps of faith where no man had gone (Gen. 12-18). We see vision in Moses (Exodus) and faithfulness in Joshua, even when he was in the minority (Deut. 31:6-8) David showed courage to fight against incredible odds (1 Sam. 17), and Nehemiah had initiative as a builder, organizing men to rebuild a wall and a city (Neh. 1-8). By contrast, men like Nebuchadnezzar used their power for destruction and cruelty in war (2 Kin. 24:10-17).
How wonderful that God balances this image of dominant masculine strength and power with the example of the Lord Jesus who was moved by compassion (Matt. 20:34), loved little children (Mark 10:14), cried at the death of His friend (John 11:35) and gave His life so that others might live (John 3:16). The "man of integrity (Job 31) finds a parallel in the "women of strength" (Prov. 31:10-31).
Women's Study Bible, NKJV, 2nd ed.
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