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Commentary on Job 23 verses 8–12
Here, I. Job complains that he cannot understand the meaning of God's providences concerning him, but is quite at a loss about them (Job 23:8, Job 23:9): I go forward, but he is not there, etc. Eliphaz had bid him acquaint himself with God. "So I would, with all my heart," says Job, "If I knew how to get acquainted with him." He had himself a great desire to appear before God, and get a hearing of his case, but the Judge was not to be found. Look which way he would, he could see no sign of God's appearing for him to clear up his innocency. Job, no doubt, believed that God is every where present; but three things he seems to complain of here: - 1. That he could not fix his thoughts, nor form any clear judgment of things in his own mind. His mind was so hurried and discomposed with his troubles that he was like a man in a fright, or at his wits' end, who runs this way and that way, but, being in confusion, brings nothing to a head. By reason of the disorder and tumult his spirit was in he could not fasten upon that which he knew to be in God, and which, if he could but have mixed faith with it and dwelt upon it in his thoughts, would have been a support to him. It is the common complaint of those who are sick or melancholy that, when they would think of that which is good, they can make nothing of it. 2. That he could not find out the cause of his troubles, nor the sin which provoked God to contend with him. He took a view of his whole conversation, turned to every side of it, and could not perceive wherein he had sinned more than others, for which he should thus be punished more than others; nor could he discern what other end God should aim at in afflicting him thus. 3. That he could not foresee what would be in the end hereof, whether God would deliver him at all, nor, if he did, when or which way. He saw not his signs, nor was there any to tell him how long; as the church complains, Psa 74:9. He was quite at a loss to know what God designed to do with him; and, whatever conjecture he advanced, still something or other appeared against it.
II. He satisfies himself with this, that God himself was a witness to his integrity, and therefore did not doubt but the issue would be good.
1.After Job had almost lost himself in the labyrinth of the divine counsels, how contentedly does he sit down, at length, with this thought: "Though I know not the way that he takes (for his way is in the sea and his path in the great waters, his thoughts and ways are infinitely above ours and it would be presumption in us to pretend to judge of them), yet he knows the way that I take," Job 23:10. That is, (1.) He is acquainted with it. His friends judged of that which they did not know, and therefore charged him with that which he was never guilty of; but God, who knew every step he had taken, would not do so, Psa 139:3. Note, It is a great comfort to those who mean honestly that God understands their meaning, though men do not, cannot, or will not. (2.) He approves of it: "He knows that, however I may sometimes have taken a false step, yet I have still taken a good way, have chosen the way of truth, and therefore he knows it," that is, he accepts it, and is well pleased with it, as he is said to know the way of the righteous, Psa 1:6. This comforted the prophet, Jer 12:3. Thou hast tried my heart towards thee. From this Job infers, When he hath tried me I shall come forth as gold. Those that keep the way of the Lord may comfort themselves, when they are in affliction, with these three things: - [1.] That they are but tried. It is not intended for their hurt, but for their honour and benefit; it is the trial of their faith, Pe1 1:7. [2.] That, when they are sufficiently tried, they shall come forth out of the furnace, and not be left to consume in it as dross or reprobate silver. The trial will have an end. God will not contend for ever. [3.] That they shall come forth as gold, pure in itself and precious to the refiner. They shall come forth as gold approved and improved, found to be good and made to be better. Afflictions are to us as we are; those that go gold into the furnace will come out no worse.
2.Now that which encouraged Job to hope that his present troubles would thus end well was the testimony of his conscience for him, that he had lived a good life in the fear of God.
(1.)That God's way was the way he walked in (Job 23:11): "My foot hath held his steps," that is, "held to them, adhered closely to them; the steps he takes. I have endeavoured to conform myself to his example." Good people are followers of God. Or, "I have accommodated myself to his providence, and endeavoured to answer all the intentions of that, to follow Providence step by step." Or, "His steps are the steps he has appointed me to take; the way of religion and serious godliness - that way I have kept, and have not declined from it, not only not turned back from it by a total apostasy, but not turned aside out of it by any wilful transgression." His holding God's steps, and keeping his way, intimate that the tempter had used all his arts by fraud and force to draw him aside; but, with care and resolution, he had by the grace of God hitherto persevered, and those that will do so must hold and keep, hold with resolution and keep with watchfulness.
(2.)That God's word was the rule he walked by, Job 23:12. He governed himself by the commandment of God's lips, and would not go back from that, but go forward according to it. Whatever difficulties we may meet with in the way of God's commandments, though they lead us through a wilderness, yet we must never think of going back, but must press on towards the mark. Job kept closely to the law of God in his conversation, for both his judgment and his affection led him to it: I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food; that is, he looked upon it as his necessary food; he could as well have lived without his daily bread as without the word of God. I have laid it up (so the word is), as those that lay up provision for a siege, or as Joseph laid up corn before the famine. Eliphaz had told him to lay up God's words in his heart, Job 22:22. "I do," says he, "and always did, that I might not sin against him, and that, like the good householder, I might bring forth for the good of others." Note, The word of God is to our souls what our necessary food is to our bodies; it sustains the spiritual life and strengthens us for the actions of life; it is that which we cannot subsist without, and which nothing else can make up the want of: and we ought therefore so to esteem it, to take pains for it, hunger after it, feed upon it with delight, and nourish our souls with it; and this will be our rejoicing in the day of evil, as it was Job's here.
The real meaning is this, “Suppose I willingly submit the judgment of my actions to the eyes of the Lord.” What happens to me? God is invisible in his nature. Will I look for him in those material things that are before me? He cannot be seen. He is before me, but I do not perceive him. When he moves to the left, I cannot grasp him, and when he is on the right, I cannot see him at all. These words do not mean that God passes from one place to another bodily or by moving, but they intend to show that he is present everywhere and, nonetheless, escapes our perception and cannot be comprehended by us. “If I am no longer,” that is, “If I further extend my research, I will be out of myself and dizzy in reflection while I try to comprehend what is incomprehensible.”
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SUMMARY
Job 23:9 encapsulates the profound spiritual anguish of Job, who, despite his relentless and exhaustive search, cannot perceive or comprehend God's presence or actions amidst his inexplicable suffering. This verse highlights Job's desperate longing for a direct encounter with the Almighty to plead his case, yet it simultaneously reveals his deep frustration with God's apparent elusiveness. It speaks to the universal human experience of divine hiddenness, where God is known to be active and sovereign, yet His ways remain inscrutable and beyond human grasp, particularly in times of intense trial.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Job 23:9 is rich in literary devices that amplify Job's spiritual agony. The most prominent is Parallelism, specifically a form of synonymous or antithetical parallelism, where the two halves of the verse mirror each other in structure and theme. "On the left hand" is balanced by "on the right hand," and "behold [him]" by "see [him]," emphasizing the comprehensive nature of Job's futile search. The phrase "on the left hand" and "on the right hand" also functions as a Merism, a rhetorical device where two contrasting parts represent a whole, signifying that Job has searched everywhere imaginable for God. Furthermore, the verse employs Personification, attributing human actions to God: He "doth work" and "hideth himself." This imbues God with agency in Job's suffering, making God's perceived absence all the more agonizing because it seems intentional. Finally, there is a profound Irony at play: Job knows God is active and present in the world, yet this very activity and presence remain hidden from him, creating a paradox that fuels his despair and questioning.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 23:9 articulates a profound theological tension: the omnipresence and active sovereignty of God versus the human experience of divine hiddenness or silence, especially in times of profound suffering. This tension is not unique to Job; it resonates deeply throughout biblical narrative and human experience. It challenges simplistic notions of God's immediate accessibility or His obligation to explain His ways to humanity. The verse reminds us that God's wisdom and purposes often transcend our limited understanding, and His ways are not always our ways. It invites believers to grapple with the mystery of God's character, acknowledging that faith often requires trusting in God's goodness and sovereignty even when His presence is not immediately felt or His actions are not fully comprehended. This experience of divine hiddenness can serve to deepen faith, moving it beyond mere intellectual assent to a profound reliance on God's character despite the absence of clear answers or tangible signs.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 23:9 offers a profound and relatable insight into the human spiritual journey, particularly during seasons of trial, doubt, or unanswered prayer. Many believers can echo Job's lament, feeling that God is distant, silent, or hidden despite fervent seeking. This verse validates the reality of such experiences, reminding us that even the most righteous and devout can grapple with the apparent elusiveness of God. It challenges us to persevere in faith, not to abandon our pursuit of God even when His presence is not immediately discernible or His purposes are not clearly understood. Our faith is often tested precisely in these moments of perceived divine hiddenness, calling us to trust in God's character and sovereignty beyond what we can see or comprehend. Job's unwavering search, despite his frustration, becomes a model for resilient faith, demonstrating that lament and honest questioning can coexist with profound trust. This verse encourages us to embrace the mystery inherent in our relationship with an infinite God, knowing that His wisdom and love are at work even when we cannot "behold" or "see" His hand.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why does God hide Himself from Job, especially when Job is suffering so much?
Answer: The Book of Job ultimately reveals that God's hiddenness from Job was not due to indifference or punishment, but part of a larger divine purpose beyond Job's immediate comprehension. From a theological perspective, God's hiddenness serves several functions: it tests and refines faith, moving it beyond a transactional relationship based on blessings to a deeper trust in God's character alone. It also highlights the vast chasm between finite human understanding and infinite divine wisdom. God does not owe humanity an explanation for His every action, and His ways are often inscrutable. In Job's case, God allowed Satan to test Job's faithfulness, and Job's suffering, while inexplicable to him, was part of a cosmic drama. When God finally appears in Job 38-41, He does not explain the "why" of Job's suffering but rather asserts His sovereign power and wisdom, inviting Job to trust in His incomprehensible greatness. This demonstrates that God's hiddenness is not an absence but a posture that calls for deeper faith and humility.
Does Job's inability to see God imply a lack of faith?
Answer: Absolutely not. Job's inability to "behold" or "see" God, as expressed in Job 23:9, is not a sign of a lack of faith but rather a testament to the profound depth and resilience of his faith. Despite his immense suffering, the accusations of his friends, and God's perceived silence, Job continues to seek God, to lament honestly before Him, and to desire an encounter. His lament is an act of faith, an expression of his unwavering belief that God is real and that justice ultimately resides with Him. Job's struggle is precisely because he believes in God and cannot reconcile his experience with his understanding of God's character. His persistent search, even in the face of divine hiddenness, exemplifies what it means to walk by faith and not by sight, as later articulated in 2 Corinthians 5:7.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job's profound longing to "behold" and "see" the hidden God, to find an advocate who could plead his case before the Almighty, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, God often revealed Himself in glimpses, veiled in cloud or fire, but remained largely unseen and incomprehensible in His essence. Job's cry for a direct encounter with the working yet hidden God foreshadows the Incarnation, where the invisible God became visible. As Colossians 1:15 declares, Christ is "the image of the invisible God," and John 1:18 states, "No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known." In Jesus, the God whom Job searched for "on the left hand" and "on the right hand" became tangible, dwelling among us, making God's character, work, and will perfectly clear. Furthermore, Job longed for a mediator, someone to lay a hand on both him and God Job 9:33. This longing is met in Christ, who is "the one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus" 1 Timothy 2:5. He is not only our advocate but also experienced the ultimate divine hiddenness on the cross, crying out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Matthew 27:46. Through Christ's sacrifice, we now have boldness and access to God's presence Ephesians 3:12, and by the Holy Spirit, we can truly "behold" the glory of the Lord with unveiled faces 2 Corinthians 3:18. Job's desperate search for the hidden God culminates in the revelation of God in Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, through whom we come to the Father John 14:6.