Job 23:7-16

7 I am honest; I could reason with God; he would declare me innocent once and for all.

8 I have searched in the East, but God is not there; I have not found him when I searched in the West.

9 God has been at work in the North and the South, but still I have not seen him.

10 Yet God knows every step I take; if he tests me, he will find me pure.

11 I follow faithfully the road he chooses, and never wander to either side.

12 I always do what God commands; I follow his will, not my own desires.

13 He never changes. No one can oppose him or stop him from doing what he wants to do.

14 He will fulfill what he has planned for me; that plan is just one of the many he has

15 I tremble with fear before him.

16 Almighty God has destroyed my courage. It is God, not the dark, that makes me afraid - even though the darkness has made me blind.

Job 23:7-16 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 23

This and the following chapter contain Job's reply to the last oration of Eliphaz; in this he first declares his present sorrowful estate and condition, Job 23:1,2; wishes he knew where to find God, as a judge sitting on a throne, before whom he might lay his cause, and plead it, and have his judgment and final decision passed upon it; when he doubted not but he would deal favourably with him, and both admit him and strengthen him, to plead his own cause, and would acquit him for ever from the charges laid against him, Job 23:3-7; in order to which he sought for him everywhere, but could not find him, but contents himself with this, that God knew his way; and that, after trial of him, he should shine like pure gold, and appear to be no apostate from him, but one sincerely obedient to his commands, and a true lover of his word, Job 23:8-12; and as for his afflictions, they were the result of the unalterable purposes and appointments of God: but what gave him the greatest uneasiness was, that there were more of that sort yet to come, which filled him with fears and faintings, with trouble and darkness, Job 23:13-17.

Footnotes

• [a]. he would declare me innocent; [or] then my rights would be safe.