Job 23:15

15 Therefore, I shall fear before his face; I shall consider, and I shall fear him.

Job 23:15 Meaning and Commentary

Job 23:15

Therefore am I troubled at his presence
Not at his gracious presence, which he wanted, and every good man desires; but at his appearance as an enemy, as he apprehended him, laying and continuing his afflictive hand upon him, and indeed at his appearance as a Judge to try his cause; for though he had most earnestly desired it, yet when he thought of the sovereignty of God, and the immutability of his counsels, and of his perfect knowledge of all things; and he not knowing what he had with him, and to bring out against him, when he came to the point, might be troubled and shrink back, see ( Psalms 77:3 ) ;

when I consider, I am afraid of him:
when he considered his terrible majesty, his sovereign will, his unalterable purposes, his infinite wisdom, and almighty power, his strict justice, and spotless purity; he was afraid to appear before him, or afraid that since many such things were with him he had already experienced, there were more to be brought forth, which might be greater and heavier still.

Job 23:15 In-Context

13 But if he determines something, who can turn him? His soul desired it, and he did it.
14 Therefore, he will finish that which is necessary for me; and there are many such things in him.
15 Therefore, I shall fear before his face; I shall consider, and I shall fear him.
16 For God has made my heart tender, and the Almighty has frightened me.
17 Why was I not cut off before the darkness, neither has he covered my face with the darkness.
The Jubilee Bible (from the Scriptures of the Reformation), edited by Russell M. Stendal, Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2010