Job
Summary
Job Chapter 23 is Job’s reply to Eliphaz, where he focuses on his longing to find God and present his case. He feels that if he could only reach God’s "seat" of judgement, he would be vindicated. Job expresses his confidence in his own integrity, famously stating, "But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold." Despite this trust, Job is terrified by God's apparent absence and His absolute sovereignty, feeling that his destiny is fixed by a Being who "does whatever he pleases." This chapter captures the tension between Job's inner certainty of righteousness and his fear of an elusive and all-powerful God.
Then Job replied:
"Even today my complaint is bitter; his hand is heavy despite my groaning."
"If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling!"
"I would state my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments."
"I would find out what he would answer me, and consider what he would say."
"Would he oppose me with great power? No, he would not press charges against me."
"There an upright man could present his case before him, and I would be delivered for ever from my Judge."
"But if I go to the east, he is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find him."
"When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him."
"But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold."
"My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside."
"I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread."
"But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? He does whatever he pleases."
"He carries out his decree against me, and many such plans he still has in store."
"That is why I am terrified before him; when I think of all this, I fear him."
"God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me."
yet I am not silenced by the darkness, nor by the thick darkness that covers my face.