For this is an heinous crime; yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by the judges.
The sexual wrongdoing described in the surrounding verses is a grave crime and an offense subject to judgment by the courts. The conduct Job is discussing in that chapter is a grave offense and a wrong deserving punishment by the judges. It belongs to Job's defense of his integrity, in which he challenges others to find moral stains in his conduct and calls for judgment if any are found, as he maintains his integrity.
Job's protest of his integrity in this chapter is stronger evidence of honesty than merely being free from debts to other people. Loving riches, trusting in them, putting confidence in wealth, rejoicing in its greatness, and becoming proud and highminded because of it denies the God that is above. That trusting in riches, putting confidence in wealth, rejoicing in it, and being proud because of it is the heinous crime, the iniquity to be punished by the judges.
Being rich is not sin, and having much, even having money or much wealth, is not itself sin. Job himself was one of the richest men of his day, yet he did not trust in his riches, put confidence in them, rejoice because his wealth was great, or become proud and highminded because of them. He trusted in the living God and remembered that it is God who gives power to get wealth. He looked upon his wealth only, and always, as a means of blessing the poor, the needy, the fatherless, and the widow.
The sexual wrongdoing described in the surrounding verses is a grave crime and an offense subject to judgment by the courts. The conduct Job is discussing in that chapter is a grave offense and a wrong deserving punishment by the judges. It belongs to Job's defense of his integrity, in which he challenges others to find moral stains in his conduct and calls for judgment if any are found, as he maintains his integrity.
Job's protest of his integrity in this chapter is stronger evidence of honesty than merely being free from debts to other people. Loving riches, trusting in them, putting confidence in wealth, rejoicing in its greatness, and becoming proud and highminded because of it denies the God that is above. That trusting in riches, putting confidence in wealth, rejoicing in it, and being proud because of it is the heinous crime, the iniquity to be punished by the judges.
Being rich is not sin, and having much, even having money or much wealth, is not itself sin. Job himself was one of the richest men of his day, yet he did not trust in his riches, put confidence in them, rejoice because his wealth was great, or become proud and highminded because of them. He trusted in the living God and remembered that it is God who gives power to get wealth. He looked upon his wealth only, and always, as a means of blessing the poor, the needy, the fatherless, and the widow.