Job 31:2 - For what is the portion from God above, and the heritage from the Almighty on high?
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Job 31:2" mean?
Job 31:2, "For what is the portion from God above, and the heritage from the Almighty on high?" is a rhetorical question posed by Job as part of his lengthy defense of his innocence. To understand it, we need to consider the context:
Job's Overall Argument: Job is protesting his innocence against the accusations of his friends, who believe his suffering is a direct result of his sin. They operate under a simplistic view of divine justice: good people prosper, bad people suffer. Job, however, insists he has lived a righteous life.
Context of Job 31: Chapter 31 is Job's final, most emphatic declaration of his righteousness. He lists various specific sins he hasn't committed, invoking curses upon himself if he's lying. These cover areas like lust, dishonesty, adultery, injustice to servants, withholding from the poor, idolatry, rejoicing at an enemy's misfortune, and concealing his sins.
Meaning of Verse 31:2: In this light, verse 31:2 is a powerful assertion that if he were guilty of the sins he denies, then what kind of reward or "heritage" could he expect from God? In other words, if he were truly wicked, deserving of punishment, what hope would he have of receiving blessings from God?
Breakdown of the terms:
Portion from God above: This refers to God's reward, blessing, or destiny for a person. It implies a favorable outcome ordained by God.
Heritage from the Almighty on high: "Heritage" carries a similar idea, implying an inheritance or future destiny that God bestows. "Almighty on high" emphasizes God's power and authority.
Therefore, Job is saying something like: "If I were to do such terrible things, what possible hope could I have of receiving good from God? I would deserve only punishment, not a favorable inheritance."
Key Takeaways:
Implied innocence: Job is confident that he deserves a good "portion" and "heritage" from God because he has striven to live righteously.
Rejection of simplistic retributive justice: The verse indirectly challenges the simplistic idea that suffering always equals sin. Job knows that he has lived a virtuous life, yet he is experiencing profound suffering. He believes that this is unfair, and he's wrestling with God's justice.
Rhetorical force: The verse is designed to strengthen Job's argument by highlighting the absurdity of the idea that he is being punished for secret sins. He's daring God to show him evidence of wrongdoing.
Essentially, Job's question is a challenge to the theological assumptions of his friends. He's arguing that his suffering cannot be simply explained by a direct correlation between sin and punishment, and that he deserves better from God. This verse is pivotal in understanding the complexities of the Book of Job, which wrestles with the problem of suffering and the nature of divine justice.
Job 31:2 - For what is the portion from God above, and the heritage from the Almighty on high?
What does "Job 31:2" mean?
Job 31:2, "For what is the portion from God above, and the heritage from the Almighty on high?" is a rhetorical question posed by Job as part of his lengthy defense of his innocence. To understand it, we need to consider the context:
Job's Overall Argument: Job is protesting his innocence against the accusations of his friends, who believe his suffering is a direct result of his sin. They operate under a simplistic view of divine justice: good people prosper, bad people suffer. Job, however, insists he has lived a righteous life.
Context of Job 31: Chapter 31 is Job's final, most emphatic declaration of his righteousness. He lists various specific sins he hasn't committed, invoking curses upon himself if he's lying. These cover areas like lust, dishonesty, adultery, injustice to servants, withholding from the poor, idolatry, rejoicing at an enemy's misfortune, and concealing his sins.
Meaning of Verse 31:2: In this light, verse 31:2 is a powerful assertion that if he were guilty of the sins he denies, then what kind of reward or "heritage" could he expect from God? In other words, if he were truly wicked, deserving of punishment, what hope would he have of receiving blessings from God?
Breakdown of the terms:
Portion from God above: This refers to God's reward, blessing, or destiny for a person. It implies a favorable outcome ordained by God.
Heritage from the Almighty on high: "Heritage" carries a similar idea, implying an inheritance or future destiny that God bestows. "Almighty on high" emphasizes God's power and authority.
Therefore, Job is saying something like: "If I were to do such terrible things, what possible hope could I have of receiving good from God? I would deserve only punishment, not a favorable inheritance."
Key Takeaways:
Implied innocence: Job is confident that he deserves a good "portion" and "heritage" from God because he has striven to live righteously.
Rejection of simplistic retributive justice: The verse indirectly challenges the simplistic idea that suffering always equals sin. Job knows that he has lived a virtuous life, yet he is experiencing profound suffering. He believes that this is unfair, and he's wrestling with God's justice.
Rhetorical force: The verse is designed to strengthen Job's argument by highlighting the absurdity of the idea that he is being punished for secret sins. He's daring God to show him evidence of wrongdoing.
Essentially, Job's question is a challenge to the theological assumptions of his friends. He's arguing that his suffering cannot be simply explained by a direct correlation between sin and punishment, and that he deserves better from God. This verse is pivotal in understanding the complexities of the Book of Job, which wrestles with the problem of suffering and the nature of divine justice.