Job chapter 23
Job still desires to find God. He wants to argue his case. But he cannot find God. He is terrified at the presence of God.
JOB STILL DESIRES TO FIND GOD
VERSE 1. Then Job answered,
VERSE 2. “Even today my complaint is rebellious. His hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.
heavy in spite of my groaning. That is, “heavy on me in my groaning” (NIV translation).
VERSE 3. Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat!
Job needs an answer.
VERSE 4. I would set my cause in order before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
set my cause in order before him. That is, present his case.
The Hebrew word is yakakh. It means argue, to debate in court.
VERSE 5. I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would tell me.
VERSE 6. Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would listen to me.
VERSE 7. There the upright might reason with him, so I should be delivered forever from my judge.
VERSE 8. “If I go east, he is not there; if west, I can’t find him;
I can’t find him. If a judge does not appear in court, cases cannot be presented.
VERSE 9. He works to the north, but I can’t see him. He turns south, but I can’t catch a glimpse of him.
VERSE 10. But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I shall come out like gold.
VERSE 11. My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way, and not turned away.
VERSE 12. I haven’t gone back from the commandment of his lips. I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
I have treasured up the words of his mouth. Job treasures the Bible.
VERSE 13. But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? What his soul desires, even that he does.
VERSE 14. For he performs that which is appointed for me. Many such things are with him.
VERSE 15. Therefore I am terrified at his presence. When I consider, I am afraid of him.
I am terrified at his presence. Eternal life is knowing God the Father and Jesus Christ. Do you know them? Do you have a love-relationship with them? Read more »
The philosopher Rudolf Otto said that God is wholly other.
In his other-ness, God is both “mysterium tremendum” and “mysterium fascinans.”
- mysterium tremendum: this means a tremendous, scary mystery.
- mysterium fascinans: this means a fascinating, intimate mystery.
The LORD God is both of those at the same time.
VERSE 16. For God has made my heart faint. The Almighty has terrified me.
VERSE 17. Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.
JOB
CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42
RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize, Job’s Dark Night
Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.