Job 36:23

23 Who can search out his ways? or who can say to him: Thou hast wrought iniquity?

Job 36:23 Meaning and Commentary

Job 36:23

Who hath enjoined him his way?
&c.] He teaches men his own ways, the methods of his grace and mercy towards them; and he prescribes to them the ways in which they should walk; but none can lead or prescribe to him; as the way of governing the world, in what manner he should act in it; who has "taught him in the path of judgment?" or "showed to him the way of understanding?" ( Isaiah 40:14 ) ; and particularly whom he should afflict, in what manner he should do it, when and how long he should continue it; all which he does according to his sovereign will, and is not to be controlled: and, in a spiritual sense, no man can or ought to enjoin and prescribe to him whom he should save, and in what way; he saves whom he pleases, and in his own way, even by his Son Jesus Christ, and no other; or "who hath visited", or "should visit on him", or "with him his way" F5? who can take upon him to examine into his ways, and scrutinize them, and call him to an account for what he does? no man can overlook his ways and works, or censure him for any of his actions:

or, who can say, thou hast wrought iniquity?
this may be said of every man, but it cannot be said of God by any without sin; for, as there is no iniquity in his nature, there can be none in his works; not any in his works of providence, no, not in the afflictions of his people; just and true are all his ways.


FOOTNOTES:

F5 (wkrd wyle dqp ym) "quis visitavit super illum viam ejus", Montanus, Michaelis; "cum eo", Tigurine version.

Job 36:23 In-Context

21 Beware thou turn not aside to iniquity: for this thou hast begun to follow after misery.
22 Behold, God is high in his strength, and none is like him among the lawgivers.
23 Who can search out his ways? or who can say to him: Thou hast wrought iniquity?
24 Remember that thou knowest not his work, concerning which men have sung.
25 All men see him, every one beholdeth afar off.
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