Job 31 Devotional

The Same Hands Made Us

“Did not He who made me in the womb also make them? Did not the same One form us in the womb?”Job 31:15 (BSB)

Job closes his defense with a series of oaths: if he has done these things, let the consequences fall on him. He resolved not to let his eyes linger on a young woman with desire (31:1). He did not walk in deceit or wait in secret at his neighbor's door (31:5, 31:9). He did not brush aside the complaints of his servants, because God made servant and master alike in the womb (31:13-15). He did not eat alone while orphans went hungry, trust in gold, worship the sun and moon, rejoice at his enemy's ruin, or hide his sin as Adam did (31:16-33).

What stands out is how Job's ethics come from God. God sees his ways and counts his steps (31:4). God will rise to judge (31:14). And every person, servant or master, was formed by the same hands. Then Job signs his case and asks the Almighty to answer him (31:35). Because God made the people around us, the way we treat them is never a small matter to him.

To think about: Who is someone you tend to treat as less important, and how does knowing God made them change how you will treat them?