Exposition of Job, Exposition of Job · Chapter 31 · Verse 2
Verſe 2. For what portion of God is there from above? And what inheritance of the Almighty from on high?
Followeth, to v. 5. a further account of theſe reaſons which perſwaded Job to avoid even theſe luſtful looks and thoughts. And as in the former reaſon (couched in his reſolution) he looked to the unprofitableneſs of that ſin, and his engagements againſt it; So in this next reaſon (contained in this and the following Verſe) he looks up to God, and conſiders the portion aſſigned by him to theſe who follow it, as a ſtrong argument to dete…r him from it. Some do take up the ſcope of the Verſes thus, That in this Verſe Job looks to that eternal portion in Heaven, which he would fore-fault by this ſin of uncleanneſs; and in the next Verſe he conſidereth the ſad portion of puniſhment which it deſerves, and the hazard he would incurr by it. So the force of the reaſon in this Verſe would be this, That he abſtained from this ſin, becauſe he knew of a better portion, which he would not hazard for that empty carnal pleaſure. And it is indeed true, That, however Satan hide the ſnare, yet, even an unchaſt thought or look (for of thoſe he is ſpeaking) doth hazard a mans portion and part of Heaven, Mat. 5 28. 1 Cor. 6.9, 10. And, That ſuch as eye their eternal reward, will not hazard it for tranſient ſinful pleaſures; and ſuch as mind the ſweetneſs of Heaven, will judge no pleaſure in ſin ſweet like that; and will judge it an infinitely ſad loſs to hazard Heaven for it, though they ſhould avoid all miſeries in this life.
Yet it is more clear to underſtand this Verſe more generally, thus, That there being a portion and heritage from God to all the wayes of men; he conſidered what his portion might be, if he committed this ſin; or, what God would think of it, or do upon it: And finding that no good would follow upon it from God (as theſe queſtions do import) but rather much prejudice (as is more particulary reſolved, v. 3.) he durſt not meddle with it. Hence, in general, Learn,
1. Acceptable obedience, or abſtinence from evil, muſt flow from rational and ſolid principles; For, here Job gives an account, not only of his abſtinence from this ſin, but of the acceptable grounds upon which he walked, in this reſolution and practice.
2. No ſhame, or fear of inconveniences from men, will recommend men, as walking acceptably in their forbearing of evil, unleſs they have alſo an eye to Gods recompence, and be led by a principle of love and awe of God, in it; As here the conſideration of a portion of God, either of evil to be incurred, or good to be loſt, prevails with Job, to make him walk tenderly.
3. It is an evidence of grace and tenderneſs, when ſolid principles and reaſons do command mens practice, and their luſts and affections are not like an impetuous torrent, which breaks over all banks; For, here it prevailed with Job not to think upon a maid, when he conſidered what portion of God there is from above, &c. appointed for ſuch courſes.
More particularly, Learn, 1, It is to be ſeriouſly ſtudied, that, however men take liberty to chooſe their own wayes wherein to walk, yet, God will chooſe their portion and reward, without asking their conſent; For, Job conſidered, in chooſing, his way, that the portion, or reward thereof, is of God.
2. It is alſo to be ſtudied by men, that Gods rewards and portions are permanent and eternal, as thoſe baits which allure men to ſin, are not; For, this portion is an inheritance.
3 Men ought alſo to remember, that God is Almighty, or, All-ſufficient, to render portions to men according to their wayes, and that from above, and, from on high; So that he can effectually cauſe men receive them, and make them compleat, be they good or bad; For, ſo did Job reckon here. And it is, indeed, of great uſe to conſider, That though men could not reach us when we ſin, yet God can; though the bewitching promiſes and allurements of ſin may diſappoint us; and the terrours of men, if we will not ſin, may be made of none effect; yet neither will Gods promiſes, nor his threatn…ngs fail; And as his eternal comforts are full and ſatisfactory, ſo alſo are his eternal judgements compleat.
4. Such as ſtudy the portion and heritage provided by God for ſinners, will read no encouragement, but much terrour, from them, if they do ſin; For, ſo much do Jobs queſtions import, What portion of God is there, &c. that ſhould encourage me to think upon a maid, and not rather perſwade me to avoid it?