Job 23:15

15 Therefore I am terrified at his presence; when I consider, I am in dread of 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 he is unchangeable and who can turn him? What he desires, that he does.
14 For he will complete what he appoints for me; and many such things are in his mind
15 Therefore I am terrified at his presence; when I consider, I am in dread of him.
16 God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me;
17 for I am hemmed in by darkness, and thick darkness covers my face.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.