If his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;
The verse belongs to Job's appeal to his upright conduct, part of his challenge in Job 31:5-40 for anyone to find a stain in his moral character. He points to the needy being clothed and warmed with the wool or fleece of his sheep, so that their loins or bodies blessed him, as evidence that he had cared for people in need and had not neglected them.
Though one of the richest men of his day, he did not trust in his riches nor rejoice because his wealth was great, but trusted in the living God and remembered that it was He who gives power to get wealth. He measured the right use of wealth by whether the poor, the needy, the fatherless, and the widow were blessed, always viewing riches only as a means of caring for them rather than as an object of trust or pride. The verse thus presents practical kindness and provision for people in need as evidence of an upright life.
Honesty means more than being free from debt to fellow men, and Job's protestation of his integrity is stronger proof of what makes a man honest. While the verse illustrates his record of doing good, recounting such deeds to defend himself risks trusting in his own works and taking glory that belongs to God. Blessings are given so they can be passed on to others.
The verse belongs to Job's appeal to his upright conduct, part of his challenge in Job 31:5-40 for anyone to find a stain in his moral character. He points to the needy being clothed and warmed with the wool or fleece of his sheep, so that their loins or bodies blessed him, as evidence that he had cared for people in need and had not neglected them.
Though one of the richest men of his day, he did not trust in his riches nor rejoice because his wealth was great, but trusted in the living God and remembered that it was He who gives power to get wealth. He measured the right use of wealth by whether the poor, the needy, the fatherless, and the widow were blessed, always viewing riches only as a means of caring for them rather than as an object of trust or pride. The verse thus presents practical kindness and provision for people in need as evidence of an upright life.
Honesty means more than being free from debt to fellow men, and Job's protestation of his integrity is stronger proof of what makes a man honest. While the verse illustrates his record of doing good, recounting such deeds to defend himself risks trusting in his own works and taking glory that belongs to God. Blessings are given so they can be passed on to others.