I believe Job chapter 23 is one of my favorite Passages in the whole Book, the entire “Jobian Corpus.” Some of the army of commentators who have remarked on this Text are not as kind to Job as I plan to be. Remember, the man is suffering egregiously!

Job begins by saying, “My stroke is heavier than my groaning.” (Job 23:2) Literally he believes that God’s “Hand” (translated “stroke” here) is extremely HEAVY on his (Job’s) person … both his body and soul (well, his spirit too). And that this God-given “burden” is much more severe than any “complaining” he has done! Than any “mourning or sorrowing.” (Matthew Henry said it would have been a sin had Job complained MORE than the weight his burden had measured!) As if: Job had 1,000 pounds of difficulty thrust upon him, and only mourned or groaned 150 pound’s worth. In other words, we could never know how much Job has suffered! Words were incapable of expressing his agony!

Then Job (like a little child who has lost his parent) longs for God! For His Lord’s Touch in a comforting manner! “Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!” What great faith this lament, Job 23:3, uncovers!

Job craves an “audience” with God!

Remember, God is “silent” toward Job because of the “test” (the “argument”) the Lord and the Satan have engendered. Satan says Job will eventually curse God, because the blessings have vanished. God believes Job will stay true to his faith, to His God, no matter what!

That’s WHY God is watching Job suffer, without a word of encouragement.

Back to Job: “I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments. I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me. Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me. There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.” Job 23:4-7

Job is NOT being rebellious here. God Himself in Isaiah 1:18 will later say to humanity: “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord.” God invites communion, even respectful questions, I think.

Listen to Job some more: “Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: 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.“ Job 23:8-9, some of the most admirable words in the Bible! Job is discouraged, but still seeking God! Not cursing God, Satan was wrong!

Job is being “tested” and somehow he knows it. But he (even in advance) claims Victory!

“But he (the Lord) knoweth the way that I (Job) take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10, memorize it! (God knows that Job has not overtly sinned, that he is still walking in a godly “way.” What confidence in a currently “frowning” Heavenly Father! (God is “purifying” Job somehow! Making him even more precious, like gold, in the sight of Heaven!)

So Job remains determined. He is a righteous man! “My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” Job 23:11-12, a lover of God’s Word! One who has not departed from the faith, Job the servant of the Lord!

Yes, Job has “ups” and “downs” in his year long (?) ordeal. But in my estimation Job chapter 23 is one of the highest peaks in all the Bible. A man trusting God, searching for God … in the midst of deep darkness!

Believing in God’s “Goodness” even as stripes fall on his back!

This is a man who has already decided of God: “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.” Job 13:15, I stand amazed!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell