Job 23

King James Version

Full text for Job Chapter 23

1¶ Then Job answered and said,

2Even to day [is] my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.

3Oh that I knew where I might find him! [that] I might come [even] to his seat!

4I would order [my] cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

5I would know the words [which] he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.

6Will he plead against me with [his] great power? No; but he would put [strength] in me.

7There 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:

9On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold [him]: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see [him]:

10But he knoweth the way that I take: [when] he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

11My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.

12Neither 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.

14For he performeth [the thing that is] appointed for me: and many such [things are] with him.

15Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.

16For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:

17Because I was not cut off before the darkness, [neither] hath he covered the darkness from my face.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Job expresses his bitter complaint and profound longing to find God, wishing to present his case directly before Him. Despite God's elusiveness, Job affirms his unwavering faithfulness and belief that he will emerge purified like gold after God's testing. However, he is deeply troubled by God's unchangeable will and fears His sovereign power, which he perceives as the source of his distress.

Medium Summary

In Job 23, Job articulates his profound suffering, declaring his complaint bitter and his affliction heavier than his groans. He expresses a deep desire to locate God's dwelling place, hoping to present his arguments and receive a direct answer, believing God would not use His power against him but rather empower him. Job laments God's hiddenness, searching in all directions without success, yet he remains confident that God knows his path and will refine him like gold through his trials. He asserts his steadfast adherence to God's ways and commandments, valuing divine words above sustenance. Nevertheless, Job is greatly troubled by God's unchangeable will, acknowledging that God performs all He desires, including his appointed suffering. This realization fills him with fear, as God's overwhelming presence softens his heart and causes him distress, lamenting that he was not spared this darkness.

Long Summary

Job 23 opens with Job reiterating the bitterness of his complaint, emphasizing that his physical and emotional suffering far outweighs his outward expressions of grief. He passionately yearns to discover God's dwelling place, expressing a fervent desire to approach the Almighty's throne to formally present his case and arguments. Job anticipates a direct dialogue, believing that God would not overwhelm him with power but would instead impart strength, allowing a righteous dispute that would lead to his ultimate vindication. Despite this longing, Job confesses his inability to perceive God's presence, searching forward, backward, left, and right, yet finding Him hidden. Nevertheless, Job maintains a profound conviction that God is intimately aware of his path, and that through this period of intense trial, he will emerge purified, likened to gold refined by fire. He steadfastly asserts his unwavering fidelity, affirming that he has diligently followed God's footsteps, kept His way without deviation, and never turned back from His commandments. Job declares his profound reverence for God's words, esteeming them more vital than his necessary food. However, a shift occurs as Job contemplates God's immutable nature. He acknowledges that God is resolute in His purpose, and whatever His soul desires, He unfailingly accomplishes. This realization brings Job great distress, as he perceives that God is performing precisely what has been appointed for him, and that many such decrees are within God's power. Consequently, Job is deeply troubled and filled with fear in God's presence. He concludes by lamenting that God has made his heart soft and the Almighty has troubled him, expressing sorrow that he was not cut off before experiencing such profound darkness, nor has God removed this darkness from his sight.

Core Concepts

  • Desire for Divine ConfrontationJob expresses a profound longing to find God's dwelling place and present his bitter complaint and arguments directly before Him, seeking a personal encounter and explanation.
  • God's ElusivenessDespite Job's earnest search in all directions, he cannot perceive God's presence, highlighting the divine transcendence and the challenge of understanding God's actions.
  • Refinement by TrialJob maintains faith that God knows his path and that his severe trials are a process through which he will be purified and emerge as precious as gold.
  • Job's Steadfast IntegrityJob asserts his unwavering adherence to God's ways and commandments, declaring that he has not deviated and values God's words above his essential needs.
  • God's Unchangeable WillJob recognizes God's absolute sovereignty and immutable purpose, acknowledging that God performs whatever He desires, including the specific afflictions appointed for Job.
  • Fear of Divine PowerThe realization of God's unyielding will and direct involvement in his suffering fills Job with deep trouble and fear in the presence of the Almighty.