Job 23:17

Commentary on Job 23:17 (KJV)

Job 23:17 is a profound expression of Job's deep anguish and despair, reflecting his wish for an end to his suffering rather than enduring the relentless "darkness" that has enveloped his life. This verse encapsulates his feeling of being utterly exposed and unshielded from his trials.

Context

This verse is part of Job's lengthy monologue in chapters 23 and 24, where he continues to grapple with his suffering and the silence of God. Job has lost his children, his wealth, and his health, yet he maintains his innocence before God, desiring to present his case directly to the Almighty (Job 23:3). His friends have offered little comfort, instead accusing him of hidden sin. In this lament, Job expresses a heartbreaking wish that he had died before his calamities began, or that God had somehow protected him from their full force.

Key Themes

• Profound Despair and the Wish for Death: Job laments that he was "not cut off before the darkness," meaning he was not allowed to die peacefully before his immense suffering began. This echoes his earlier lament over his birth, where he wished he had never lived to experience such pain. His desire for death is not an act of rebellion, but a longing for relief from overwhelming physical and emotional torment.
• The Unrelieved Nature of Suffering: The phrase "neither hath he covered the darkness from my face" emphasizes that Job feels no respite or protection from his afflictions. He perceives that God has allowed the full weight of his trials to fall upon him without any shield or comfort. This "darkness" is not merely a metaphor for physical blindness but for the totality of his misery, confusion, and the apparent absence of divine light or comfort.
• Perception of God's Sovereignty in Suffering: While deeply distressed, Job acknowledges God's ultimate control over life and death, and over the circumstances that have brought this "darkness" upon him. His complaint is directed at God, not out of atheism, but out of a desperate desire for understanding and justice from the One he believes is sovereign.

Linguistic Insights

The word "darkness" (Hebrew: חשֶׁךְ, choshek) is a powerful biblical metaphor. In this context, it signifies not just physical obscurity but profound distress, sorrow, affliction, and the chaotic state of Job's life. It stands in stark contrast to light, which often symbolizes God's presence, blessing, and understanding. Here, Job feels abandoned to the deepest shadows of suffering, with no divine intervention to "cover" or alleviate his ordeal.

Practical Application

Job 23:17 offers a poignant validation of the raw, unvarnished human experience of suffering. It reminds us that:

• Honest Lament is Permitted: The Bible does not shy away from depicting the depths of human despair. Job's cries are a reminder that it is permissible to express profound pain and confusion to God, even when His ways are incomprehensible. Many psalms of lament echo similar sentiments of feeling forsaken.
• Suffering Can Feel Overwhelming: For those undergoing severe trials, Job's words resonate deeply. The feeling of being completely exposed to pain, with no apparent relief, is a real and valid experience.
• Faith Endures Amidst Questions: Despite his overwhelming anguish, Job does not abandon his core faith. His persistent desire to meet God and plead his case (Job 23:3-7) demonstrates a struggling but enduring trust. His story ultimately points to God's sovereignty and ultimate vindication of the righteous.

This verse provides comfort in its honesty, assuring sufferers that their darkest thoughts and feelings are not foreign to biblical experience, and can be brought before God.