The consciousness of integrity.
The Divine solution of the riddle of human life is being wrought out in this poem, although at times it seems as though the entanglement became more and more confused. The case, as put in these three chapters, is the condensation of all as far as it has gone. It still awaits the solution. Job was in riches, dignity, and honour; he is now cast down to ignominy and suffering. Yet he is righteous—this, at least, is his own conviction; and in this chapter he makes his appeal to the facts of his history and invites scrutiny, and judgment if he be found guilty. This is the progress of the writing up to the present moment. His companions are baffled. They know of no other explanation of such suffering than deep and hidden sin. It will yet be proved that the godly suffer—"he whom thou lovest is sick"—although the world will long wait for a verbal explanation; and even now does the cry never ascend to heaven, "Wherefore dealest thou thus with me?" Job's appeal to the uprightness of his life and to his perfect integrity relates to the whole of his conduct, and to the various conditions in which he has been placed. The outward Divine testimony, he is "a perfect and an uptight man," has its echo in Job's breast. Hence he makes his appeal—
I. TO HIS CHASTITY. He makes his appeal in the sight of the all-searching One—to him who seeth "my ways" and counteth "all my steps."
II. TO HIS TRUTHFULNESS AND JUSTNESS.
III. TO HIS PURITY OF CONDUCT.
IV. TO HIS FIDELITY.
V. TO HIS EVEN-HANDED JUSTICE.
VI. TO HIS UNFLINCHING RECTITUDE.
VII. TO HIS CHARITY AND COMPASSION.
VIII. TO HIS FREEDOM FROM UNDUE CONFIDENCE IN HIS WEALTH.
IX. TO HIS FREEDOM FROM IDOLATRY.
X. TO HIS FREEDOM FROM HATRED AND HARSH TREATMENT, EVEN OF HIS ENEMIES
XI. TO HIS KINDNESS AND HOSPITALITY.
XII. TO HIS EXEMPTION FROM COVERT OR OPEN SIN. He hid no iniquity in his bosom, and therefore feared not the presence of men. Hypocrisy was not his failing. He makes his final appeal to his honesty and uprightness of dealing even by a reference to his fidelity to the very fields which he owned. Well might such a man long for a true judgment—for an open ear into which he could pour his complaint. Well may such a man commit himself to Jehovah's judgment, knowing "the Almighty will answer for me." Thus does Job vindicate his integrity and make his appeal to the highest tribunal.—R.G.