Volume 1- Day 3
Scripture: Job 31:1a Amplified Classic Version
"I dictated a covenant - an agreement - to my eyes..."
The pocket Webster School and Office Dictionary gives the following definitions for the word dictate:
1. (verb) to express (words) orally so that another may take the words down in writing 2. to command expressly 3. to impose or set forth (order, terms, etc.) with or as with authority and finality, or arbitrarily 4. to make (something) necessary or inescapable; require.
Job made a quality decision about what he would look at. He was a man of integrity and considered it mandatory that he keep his word to himself, even though this was a private decision. It seemed unreasonable to him to entertain making any changes about that which he had already determined not to do. We are observing a certain attitude of a man who was not 'born again,' since that experience was not available; or 'spirit-filled,' since that dispensation had not come in. However, he had self respect and an awesome fear, or reverence, of Almighty God that definitely affected his behavior.
Obviously, just being 'born again,' 'spirit-filled' and having whatever else is available is not sufficient to give us the quality of character Job had. Regardless of what we have available, nothing eliminates the need for integrity of heart, a fear of God, godly self respect, and the ability to make quality decisions.
I have integrity of heart. I reverence God. I have godly self-respect. I make quality decisions and see them through.