Many of us have heard of the “Proverbs 31 Woman” (see Proverbs 31.10 – 31).

Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies…Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates. (Proverbs 31.10…30, 31, NKJV)

It’s good stuff, and there are books and sermons galore. HOWEVER, I’ve not heard one sermon about the Job 31 man. I don’t know why. It’s an expansion of what we saw from Job 29: what does a righteous man look like? The entire chapter is worth reading. Here’s a brief summary.

• No lust (verses 1 – 4)

I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman. (Job 31.1, NIV)

And Job’s rationale is that God is watching:

Does He not see my ways, And count all my steps? (Job 31.4, NKJV)

• No lying (verses 5 – 8)
• No adultery (verses 9 – 12)
• Proper treatment of servants (verses 13 – 15) Again, the rationale is that he’s under God’s authority:

What then shall I do when God rises up? When He punishes, how shall I answer Him? Did not He who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same One fashion us in the womb? (Job 31.14, 15, ESV)

Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him. (Ephesians 6.9, ESV)

• Care for the poor, the widow, the fatherless (verses 16 – 23)

If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, Or any poor man without covering… (Job 31.19, NKJV)

If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? (James 2.15, 16, NKJV)

But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? (1 John 3.17, NKJV)

• No worship of wealth (verses 24, 25)

If I have made gold my hope, Or said to fine gold, “You are my confidence”; If I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, And because my hand had gained much… (Job 31.24, 25, NKJV)

• No worship of creation rather than the Creator (verses 26 – 28)
• No joy at enemy’s destruction (verses 29 – 31)
• Hospitality (verse 32)

But no sojourner had to lodge in the street, For I have opened my doors to the traveler. (Job 31.32, NKJV)

• No hiding transgressions like Adam did (verses 33 – 37)
• Care of the land (verses 38 – 40)

If my land cries out against me, And its furrows weep together; If I have eaten its fruit without money, Or caused its owners to lose their lives; Then let thistles grow instead of wheat, And weeds instead of barley. (Job 31.38 – 40, NKJV)

It’s a good list. 11 characteristics by my count, and, remarkably, none has anything to do with religious activity or the spiritual disciplines. How do I stack up?

And remember, God himself assessed Job:

Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?” (Job 1.8, NKJV)