This is the final words of Job. He is saying the kind of things he has not done… he is saying the things that he considers would have led to this difficulties he has had

Job 31

24″If I have made gold my trust, or called fine gold my confidence; 25if I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, or because my hand had gotten much;

Clearly greed and rejoicing in prosperity. This is counter-cultural — we are encouraged to celebrate success and be proud, not thankful.l

26if I have looked at the sun when it shone, or the moon moving in splendor, 27and my heart has been secretly enticed, and my mouth has kissed my hand; 28this also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges, for I should have been false to God above

Not jost idolatory, but the worship of nature. Neopagans and greens take note. We are to think of people and the land… but not worship either

29″If I have rejoiced at the ruin of those who hated me, or exulted when evil overtook them – 30I have not let my mouth sin by asking for their lives with a curse – 31if those of my tent ever said, ‘O that we might be sated with his flesh!’ – 32the stranger has not lodged in the street; I have opened my doors to the traveler -

Asking for revenge, not being hospitable.

33if I have concealed my transgressions as others do, by hiding my iniquity in my bosom, 34because I stood in great fear of the multitude, and the contempt of families terrified me, so that I kept silence, and did not go out of doors -

This is true reflection. Job has considered the evil he has done and not hidden it. There is no scandal attached to his name. Job may be called righteous, but he aware of his iniquity.

38″If my land has cried out against me, and its furrows have wept together; 39if I have eaten its yield without payment, and caused the death of its owners; 40let thorns grow instead of wheat, and foul weeds instead of barley.” The words of Job are ended

I think we forget the idea of husbandry. It is keeping the land productive and sustainable. It’s also called good farming. Job attaches to that the idea of oppression — in particular the exploitation of sharecroppers or the making of industrial farming (which is an ancient invention — consider the latifunda of the Roman Republic) that oppresses the rural person.

via Daily Lectionary Readings — Devotions and Readings — Ministries & Programs — GAMC.

We are enjoined to have respect to the human and the godly and worship neither. This will put us in opposition of both the left and right, the ecologist and the technocrat. Job calls for balance.

And I am afraid we have none.