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Job 31:19-22
19 If I have seen [ra'ah] any perish ['abad] for want of clothing [labuwsh], or any poor ['ebyown] without covering [kacuwth];
20 If his loins [chalats] have not blessed [barak] me, and if he were not warmed [chamam] with the fleece [gez] of my sheep [kebes];
21 If I have lifted up [nuwph] my hand [yad] against the fatherless [yathowm], when I saw [ra'ah] my help [`ezrah] in the gate [sha`ar]:
22 Then let mine arm [katheph] fall [naphal] from my shoulder blade [shikmah], and mine arm ['ezrowa`] be broken [shabar] from the bone [qaneh]. KJV-Interlinear
19 If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, Or that the needy had no covering, 20 If his loins have not thanked me, And if he has not been warmed with the fleece of my sheep, 21 If I have lifted up my hand against the orphan, Because I saw I had support in the gate, 22 Let my shoulder fall from the socket, And my arm be broken off at the elbow. NASB
As an employer, Job never took advantage of those who worked for him, whether free man or slave.
As an individual, Job never took advantage of, nor withheld aid when needed, from those who were helpless in life. Whether poor, or orphan, or widow, Job treated them and everyone with the greatest of respect.
Job understood that it is God who provides for all in accordance with Gods plan for each person.
And now, since Job had held positions of judgment in the public forum, usually held at or near the city gate, or city center, he emphasizes that he never took sides in a disagreement, never held a bias against any party, never made a decision with prejudice.
And especially he never used his position to favor the well to do, over the rights of the poor or disadvantaged.
Too often, in a court of law, usually in civil cases, the wealthier party can afford better council and can come better prepared than those who do not have the resources to defend their position. This tends to lean the court in the direction of the rich. However, Job, in his position of judge, looked beyond the presentations, especially if they were presentations of convenience and advantage, and tried to determine the raw facts of a matter. Such that everyone who came before him would get a fair shake.
If Job had done otherwise. If Job had handled his life in a prejudicial fashion. If Job had acted wrongly against those who came before him seeking fairness and justice, if Job had withheld charity, in the face of all of his great wealth, then, as Job states here, his arm should be broken. His arms should be stretched out of their sockets. From the neck to the fingertips, he should be placed in excruciatingly horrible pain for his misdeeds and poor conduct.
However, Job has lived a nearly impeccable life. And as for his conduct in life, no one can find an incident with which to condemn him.
