Chapter 31

In this chapter, Job asks to be weighed in the balance.  He asks God to look at his heart, to see that his mind, his intentions, have been just and righteous and good towards others.  To see that he does not plot or deceive, covet or lust.

The principle that we all want to be true is stated in vs 3:

3 Is not calamity for the unrighteous, and disaster for the workers of iniquity? [Job 31:3 ESV]

This is how we want it to be, expect it to be, and indeed insist that it should be.  But Job is an object lesson in exceptions to the rule.  He made a whole speech about how the wicked prosper all around him and die at peace in their beds.  And in 30, we see where for no apparent reason, a truly righteous man - as righteous as man can be - receives the most brutal and heinous treatment that a man can endure.  Just the opposite of the principle. 

There is this sequence of "if...let" statements, described in the MSB notes on the chapter.  Job goes over a list of sins that are worthy of punishment, according the principle of verse 3. In each case, he says "If I have committed such a sin, then let me be punished for it".  At the end, he will say that he is not guilty of any of these charges, and yet he is punished, and he will ask emphatically for God to answer him and tell him what sin has brought this on.

At the end of this chapter, it says "Jobs words are ended".  I'm guessing in 32 we will move on to God's reply.