Job 23 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Job 23

Job Replies: Where Is God?

23:1 Then Job answered and said:

2   “Today also my complaint is bitter;¹
    my hand is heavy on account of my groaning.
3   Oh, that I knew where I might find him,
    that I might come even to his seat!
4   I would lay my case before him
    and fill my mouth with arguments.
5   I would know what he would answer me
    and understand what he would say to me.
6   Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power?
    No; he would pay attention to me.
7   There an upright man could argue with him,
    and I would be acquitted forever by my judge.
8   “Behold, I go forward, but he is not there,
    and backward, but I do not perceive him;
9   on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him;
    he turns to the right hand, but I do not see him.
10   But he knows the way that I take;
    when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.
11   My foot has held fast to his steps;
    I have kept his way and have not turned aside.
12   I have not departed from the commandment of his lips;
    I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.
13   But he is unchangeable,² and who can turn him back?
    What he desires, that he does.
14   For he will complete what he appoints for me,
    and many such things are in his mind.
15   Therefore I am terrified at his presence;
    when I consider, I am in dread of him.
16   God has made my heart faint;
    the Almighty has terrified me;
17   yet I am not silenced because of the darkness,
    nor because thick darkness covers my face.

Footnotes

[1] 23:2 Or defiant
[2] 23:13 Or one

Commentary

v1-3: Job has found no help from man, and he must look to God.

v4: He wants to present his case to God. When God later reveals Himself, Job is silent (40.4-5).

v5-7: Job is planning his arguments before God. Whilst God is righteous and true, mortal man is not in a position to negotiate with Him.

v8-9: When Job has called, God has been silent. God's ways are beyond our understanding. Yet, through faith, we believe that even His silence is for our blessing.

v10: Job's confidence was that, ultimately, there would be blessing in his life. He would be a better man for his experiences.

v11-12: He had maintained a commitment to obedience (27.5-6 also). He has set his heart on doing God's will. This is consistent with God's own words in chapters 1 and 2.

v13-14: God's absolute sovereignty and control. He does whatever He pleases, Ps 115.3.

v15-17: Job's conclusion; having considered God's absolute sovereignty and His being beyond human understanding, he is full of fear. We do need to know that He is faithful and good in all His ways.