The Book of Job
Job 23
Chapter XXIII · Vol. II, pp. 965–966
1 Job longeth to appear before God, 6 in confidence of being heard with mercy and acquitted. 8 God, though invisible, observeth our ways. 11 Job's innocency. 13 God's decree is immutable.
1 Then Job answered and said,
2 Even ato-day is my complaint bbitter: my 1stroke2 is heavier than my groaning.
a Ps.77.2-9.
b ch.10.1; 6.2,3. La.3.19,20.
1 Heb. hand.
2 That is, the stroke whereby I am smitten. The Septuagint accordingly reads 'his (God's) stroke.'—C.
4 I dwould order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
d ch.13.3,18. Ps.35.1,23;43.1;5.3. Is.43.26.
5 I ewould know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.
e ch.10.2; 13.22,23. 1 Co.4.3.
7 Thereg the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.3
g He.4.16;10.22. Ro.8.33,34. Is.1.18. Ho.14.2,3.
3 'By my judge.'—Boothroyd.
9 On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him.
12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; lI have esteemed7 the words of his mouth more than my mnecessary8 food.
l ch.22.22. Ps.119.11,72,103,97,111; 19.9,10. Jn.4.34.
7 Heb. I have hid or laid up, Ps.119.11.
A.M. cir. 2484. B.C. cir. 1520.
m Je.15.16.
8 Or, my appointed portion.
13 But he is in one mind, and nwho can turn him? and what ohis soul desireth, even that he doeth.
n ch.9.12,13; 11.10; 12.14. Nu.23.19. Mal.3.6. 1 Sa.15.29. Ja.1.17.
o Ps.115.3. Da.4.34,35. Mat.20.15.
14 For he performeth the thing that is pappointed for me: and qmany such things9 are with him.
q Da.4.34,35. Ps.115.3.
9 Such additional judgments, should God please to inflict them.—C.
15 Therefore ram I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.
r Hab.3.16. ch.31.23. Ps.119.120;99.1;77.3.
Notes
Job replied, 2. Notwithstanding all your pretended advices and comforts, I have as much reason for bitter complaints as ever; and my sufferings far exceed my expressions of grief. 3. O that I were admitted into God's own immediate presence, and allowed to present myself before his judgment-seat! 4. I would, in an orderly manner, set the justice of my cause before him, and fully support it with arguments, vindicating myself, and confuting your reproachful allegations. 5. I would insist for his decision whether I be a hypocrite or not; and that he would show me plainly why he hath so afflicted me. 6. Would he employ his infinite power and majesty to bear me down? No; but would mercifully strengthen and encourage me to plead with him. And suppose he should plead against me in the multitude of his strength, he certainly would lay no false charge against me, nor make any hostile attack upon me. 7. For at his throne of grace a righteous person, such as I am, may argue the matter with him; and by this means I should fully and for ever escape condemnation, being acquitted by him as my Judge. 8, 9. I have tried all methods to obtain a fair hearing for my cause before him, but have not hitherto been able to procure it. 10. But he knows the integrity of my heart and life; and whenever I am tried at his bar I shall come off sufficiently vindicated; and it is to render me more holy and pure that he tries me in this furnace of affliction. 11. I have always, in the most fixed and steady manner, followed his pattern and guidance. I have steadfastly observed his commandments without ever swerving from them. 12. I have never apostatized from his doctrines nor precepts; and have more earnestly sought, more highly prized, more heartily delighted in, and more carefully stored up his words of revelation, than my necessary food, or most valuable and precious things. 13. But his purposes are unchangeable, and he immovably persists in afflicting me, and does whatever he pleases, without giving to any a reason for his conduct. 14. Whatever trouble he has intended for me he will inflict: and in his purposes and providential conduct there are many instances of deep mystery, of which, though both wise and just, we cannot see the reason. 15. In consideration of his infinite majesty and wondrous and infinite power, I am troubled at the tokens of his anger; and when I leisurely consider his hard dealings with me I am afraid of him. 16. For in his infinite power he hath quite broken and melted my heart with fiery tribulations; and I am in perpetual terror of his inflicting still heavier strokes. 17. For he keeps me still alive under these terrible troubles and perplexities, and refuses me the favour of dying by his fearful and confounding strokes.
Reflections.—Our groanings should never be heavier than our strokes. God allows us to complain of our troubles, but never to murmur at them. It is becoming for saints to be earnestly desirous of close dealing with God; and to be particular and importunate in their requests at his throne of grace. However men abuse us, God will not only deal in equity, but even in great mercy, with his people. And it is proper always to keep up kind and exalted thoughts of him. They who fly to him in distress shall find their spiritual strength increased by every application; and if he acquit us, we need neither fear nor care who condemn us. But O what dark and perplexing nights of desertion and perplexity are God's choicest saints often afflicted with! Happy are those who, amidst all, cleave to his commandments, walk uprightly in his way, and feed daily by faith on his word! Their trials shall issue to their lasting honour and advantage. But it is sad when the mystery of God's counsels, and the deep wisdom of them, the greatness of his power, and ordinary methods of providence, disquiet instead of composing our minds. Let him do what he will, he cannot but do right. However terrible he is in himself, in Christ he is infinitely engaging. Let us therefore always acquiesce in his works and delight in himself. There is no reason rashly to wish for death when God can so quickly render life a comfort to us and a service to his church.