Much of the book of Job is spent upon the patriarch defending his righteousness before his friends. Instead of comforting Job as he was suffering, they tried to convince him that his suffering was the result of his personal sin. In chapter 31, Job concludes his self-defense by affirming his integrity and moral character. He insists that he has not been guilty of lust (v. 1), lying (vs. 5-8), adultery (vs. 9-12), abusing the powerless (vs. 13-23), trusting in gold or idols (vs. 24-28), rejoicing at the misfortune of his enemies (vs. 29-32), or hypocrisy (vs. 33-34). In this chapter, not only does Job identify some specific sins, but he also lists the consequences that would rightly come upon him if he were to engage in such sins.
In
this article, I want to consider Job's attitude toward the sin of adultery. His
words concerning this sin are as follows:
10 Then let my wife grind for another, and let others bow down over her.
11 For that would be wickedness; yes, it would be iniquity deserving of judgment.
12 For that would be a fire that consumes to destruction, and would root out all my increase.
As our society continues to reject God's will, sin becomes more and more rampant. Not just sins against God, but also sins against our fellow man; even against our closest companions - our spouse. The philandering lifestyles of the wealthy and powerful were once kept secret. Now they are acknowledged, accepted, and expected. This attitude of unfaithfulness has trickled down through all levels of society. Both men and women, from every walk of life, are found to be guilty of this sin against God and man. Today, most people in our society look upon the sin of adultery as nothing more than an unfortunate fact of life. Some even go so far as to claim that having an affair can actually help a marriage. I have heard "science" programs claim that men are "genetically programmed" to cheat. If this were true, then the cheating husband should not be condemned and encouraged to change his behavior. Like the homosexual, he cannot help himself. He was "born that way."
The Bible does not white-wash the sin of adultery. It does not call it "having an affair," "cheating," philandering, stepping out, etc. Job calls it "an heinous crime... an iniquity to be punished by the judges... a fire that consumeth to destruction..." (KJV).
Some may have a hard time appreciating how adultery can be considered a crime worthy of being punished by the judges. After all, sexual activity between two consenting adults is not illegal in our country, even if one of both of the individuals is married to another person. Why should we care what two strangers choose to do in a hotel room in another town? The reality is that, although the betrayed spouse bears the brunt of the infidelity, the fruit of adultery must be borne by all of society. If the breach of trust cannot be repaired, adultery results in the destruction of a home and the lives of the children, regardless of their ages, will be altered forever. The parents of the victim have been betrayed, while the parents of the adulterer have been shamed. Extended family and friends are left to "choose sides." The home is the building block of society. When a home is destroyed as the result of adultery, all of society will be called upon to suffer. Thus, it is a crime worthy of judgment.
Job also said that adultery results in loss. First, he said that if he was guilty of lurking at his neighbor's door for his wife, then he stood to lose his own wife to such shameful conduct (v. 10). Not only would Job lose his wife, but adultery would also result in the loss of his possessions. It would be a fire that would consume all of his increase (v. 12). How much money is spent on divorce courts, alimony, and child support each year?
Adultery is actually a form of theft. A married person belongs to their spouse (1 Cor. 7:2-4). When a person goes to the bed of adultery, they are taking something that belongs to someone else. Solomon wrote about the consequences of such a theft:
"People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy himself when he is starving. Yet when he is found, he must restore sevenfold; he may have to give up all the substance of his house. Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; he who does so destroys his own soul. Wounds and dishonor he will get, and his reproach will not be wiped away. For jealousy is a husband's fury; therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. He will accept no recompense, nor will he be appeased though you give many gifts" (Prov. 6:30-35).
The sin of adultery can be forgiven. When repented of, God will forgive the sin. Although the violation of trust is hard to overcome, couples have been able to work through infidelity, reconcile, and save their marriage. However, when it comes to adultery, one would do well to ignore the reasoning of the world and heed the many warnings of Scripture. Adultery can cause us and those we love unmeasurable pain in this life, and can cost us our eternal soul. "Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge" (Heb. 13:4).