Job 23
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CHAPTER 23
Job (23:1–17)
1–7 As usual, Job doesn't directly answer Eliphaz; rather, he expresses the wish to find God (verse 3) and to bring his complaint before Him (verse 2). Job is sure that if he could only have an audience with God and state his case, God would not press charges against him (verse 6). All that Job wants is a fair hearing.
As we listen to Job, it seems as if he is seeking justification on the basis of his good behavior, his good works. However, as Christians, we know that the only basis of justification is faith (see Genesis 15:6 and comment). But here Job is not thinking of justification in this larger sense; he is only seeking to be cleared of the charges made against him by his three friends.
8–12 But Job's problem is that he can't find God; God seems to be absent. Yet God has no trouble finding Job! He knows where Job is all the time. Job may not know the way God takes, but God knows the way Job takes (verse 10). And God knows that the “way” Job takes is the way of testing. God isn't testing Job to purge away his sin; He is testing Job in order to prove that he is gold (verse 10)—that he is indeed a righteous man (1 Peter 1:6–7).
Then, in verses 11–12, Job gives the reason for his confidence: a clear conscience. Job has followed God's way,he has obeyed God's commands, and he has treasured God's words. Eliphaz had said to Job: “Submit to God” (Job 22:21). But that is exactly what Job has always done. Here once again Job insists that he is innocent of the charges against him.
13–17 But though he is confident of his innocence, Job is still afraid of what God might do to him. God stands alone; He doesn't need counselors; He does whatever he pleases (verse 13). For that reason, Job is terrified (verses 15–16); he is not sure God will treat him fairly after all. He remains “in the dark” concerning God's intentions; darkness covers him (verse 17). Yet he will still speak out—both to his three friends and to God Himself.
Job's thoughts in this chapter are not fully consistent: one moment he is confident; the next moment he is terrified. But God understands Job's weaknesses, and He understands ours too. And He invites us to call to Him, to speak with Him, to “argue our case” before Him. We are not going to change His eternal plans, but as we speak with Him He will undoubtedly change us. One of the greatest proofs of Job's righteousness was this: in the midst of his confusion and suffering, he did not run away from God but rather ran toward Him. And in due time, Job “found” God and was invited into His fellowship once more.