Matthew Henry Commentary Job 31:24-32

"If I have made gold my hope, And have said to the fine gold, [Thou art] my confidence; If I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, And because my hand had gotten much; If I have beheld the sun when it shined, Or the moon walking in brightness, And my heart hath been secretly enticed, And my mouth hath kissed my hand: This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judges; For I should have denied the God that is above. If I have rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, Or lifted up myself when evil found him; (Yea, I have not suffered by mouth to sin By asking his life with a curse); If the men of my tent have not said, Who can find one that hath not been filled with his meat? (The sojourner hath not lodged in the street; But I have opened my doors to the traveller);" — Job 31:24-32 (ASV)

Job protests:

1. That he never set his heart upon the wealth of this world. How few prosperous believers can appeal to the Lord, that they have not rejoiced because their gains were great! Through the determination to be rich, many ruin their souls or pierce themselves with many sorrows.

2. He never was guilty of idolatry. The source of idolatry is in the heart, and it corrupts people and provokes God to send judgments upon a nation.

3. He neither desired nor delighted in the hurt of the worst enemy he had. If others bear malice toward us, that will not justify us in bearing malice toward them.

4. He had never been unkind to strangers. Hospitality is a Christian duty (1 Peter 4:9).