Job 31: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Job 31 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

In Job 31, Job continues his final defense by listing a series of oaths regarding his righteousness and integrity, affirming the purity of his life and intentions. He declares that he made a covenant with his eyes not to look lustfully at a woman, signifying his commitment to purity. Job elaborates on his honesty in business, fairness to his servants, and compassion towards the poor and needy, emphasizing his commitment to justice and righteousness.

Key verse

“I made a covenant with my eyes, how then should I look lustfully at a young woman?”
Job 31:1 (WEB)

Outline

Job 31:1–8 Job's Covenant with His Eyes
Job 31:9–16 Integrity in Relationships
Job 31:17–24 Compassion for the Needy
Job 31:25–30 Wealth and Integrity
Job 31:31–36 Open Confession
Job 31:37–40 A Final Challenge

Discussion questions

In v1, what covenant does Job refer to regarding his eyes?
What does Job claim about his actions in v6 when he speaks of being weighed?
Job’s challenge in v35: what does he mean by seeking a hearing from God?
In v32, what implications arise from Job's hospitality toward the foreigner?
When have you been called to account for your actions as Job is in this chapter?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Job 31: Psalm 139, Matthew 5, James 1.

Before next time: read Job 32.