Job 23
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Then Job answered and said,
2 Even to day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.
3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!
4 I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.
6 Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.
7 There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.
8 Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:
9 On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:
10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
11 My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.
12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
13 But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.
14 For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him.
15 Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.
16 For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:
17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face.
Public Domain KJV text from Wordproject.org
Job 23:1-17
Job Replies: Where Is God?
1Then Job answered and said:
2“Today also my complaint is bitter;
my hand is heavy on account of my groaning.
3Oh, that I knew where I might find him,
that I might come even to his seat!
4I would lay my case before him
and fill my mouth with arguments.
5I would know what he would answer me
and understand what he would say to me.
6Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power?
No; he would pay attention to me.
7There 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;
9on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him;
he turns to the right hand, but I do not see him.
10But he knows the way that I take;
when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.
11My foot has held fast to his steps;
I have kept his way and have not turned aside.
12I have not departed from the commandment of his lips;
I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.
13But he is unchangeable, and who can turn him back?
What he desires, that he does.
14For he will complete what he appoints for me,
and many such things are in his mind.
15Therefore I am terrified at his presence;
when I consider, I am in dread of him.
16God has made my heart faint;
the Almighty has terrified me;
17yet I am not silenced because of the darkness,
nor because thick darkness covers my face.
ESV Bible text displayed through the American Bible Society's Global Bible Widget
Job 23:1-17
Job
1Then Job replied:
2“Even today my complaint is bitter;
his hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.
3If only I knew where to find him;
if only I could go to his dwelling!
4I would state my case before him
and fill my mouth with arguments.
5I would find out what he would answer me,
and consider what he would say to me.
6Would he vigorously oppose me?
No, he would not press charges against me.
7There the upright can establish their innocence before him,
and there I would be delivered forever from my judge.
8“But if I go to the east, he is not there;
if I go to the west, I do not find him.
9When he is at work in the north, I do not see him;
when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him.
10But he knows the way that I take;
when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
11My feet have closely followed his steps;
I have kept to his way without turning aside.
12I have not departed from the commands of his lips;
I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.
13“But he stands alone, and who can oppose him?
He does whatever he pleases.
14He carries out his decree against me,
and many such plans he still has in store.
15That is why I am terrified before him;
when I think of all this, I fear him.
16God has made my heart faint;
the Almighty has terrified me.
17Yet I am not silenced by the darkness,
by the thick darkness that covers my face.
NIV Bible text displayed through the American Bible Society's Global Bible Widget
Commentary
I find comfort in this chapter. There is a daily desire in my heart for the strength that comes from the Lord. I can’t spend one day apart from His grace and mercy. I love that I can silently whisper up a prayer for wisdom or understanding and know for certain that He has heard me. He knows the future. He knows what strength I need for today. When I am at a crossroad He leads me in right way. Hard things may come my way, but I know that He will use them to shape my character and fit me for an eternity in His presence. What an experience that will be! I would gladly let Him shape me now so I can be more like Him.
Job explained to his friends that He had an everlasting Father leading him. “When He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” God is seeking to refine us in the fire to become more like Jesus. We may question things that are happening to us or our loved ones, but let us never forget that we have an all seeing, all knowing, all powerful Abba God that loves us more than we will ever understand.
Cheri Holmes
Emergency Room Registered Nurse, Lynden, Washington USA (as of this writing)
