Job 23
Job 23 presents pivotal events and lessons, emphasizing themes like faith, obedience, and God’s faithful guidance.
Summary
Job 23 continues the story of Job, revealing key themes of faith, obedience, and God’s promise-keeping. This chapter illustrates the human response to divine commands, showing both trust and failure, and demonstrates God’s mercy and justice. As part of the larger narrative, it lays groundwork for understanding God’s covenant relationship with His people and points forward to the hope of redemption. Readers are encouraged to reflect on their own lives, to trust in God’s plans, and to live in faithful obedience, finding hope in His unchanging character.
Authorship uncertain (perhaps Moses, 15th century BC). Sets in patriarchal era, exploring suffering and faith.
Job 23: KJV Commentary and Summary
1 Then Job answered and said,
2 Even to day [is] my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.
3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! [that] I might come [even] to his seat!
4 I would order [my] cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I would know the words [which] he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.
6 Will he plead against me with [his] great power? No; but he would put [strength] in me.
7 There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.
8 Behold, I go forward, but he [is] not [there]; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:
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]:
10 But he knoweth the way that I take: [when] he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
11 My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.
12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary [food].
13 But he [is] in one [mind], and who can turn him? and [what] his soul desireth, even [that] he doeth.
14 For he performeth [the thing that is] appointed for me: and many such [things are] with him.
15 Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.
16 For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:
17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness, [neither] hath he covered the darkness from my face.
Faith, Obedience, God’s Promises, Judgment, Mercy, Hope
Job 23:1 – Highlights key themes of faith and God’s interaction with His people.; Job 23:9 – Highlights key themes of faith and God’s interaction with His people.; Job 23:17 – Highlights key themes of faith and God’s interaction with His people.