Job Says He Longs For God
November 2, 2022
Commentary
Instead of arguing with his friends, or compromising his integrity by giving in to Eliphaz’s appeal, Job ignores them completely and speaks to the Lord. Job has already made it clear that his dispute was not with man, but with God. Job has two complaints against the Lord:
God is hiding from me (vv. 1-12). Of course, God is present everywhere (Psa. 139:7-12); but Job wanted a personal meeting with God. He had some questions to ask and arguments to present. God knew where Job was – in the furnace (v. 10). This was a furnace of God’s appointment and not because of Job’s sin. God would use this situation to purify him and make him a better man. When God puts his own people into the furnace, He keeps His eye on the clock and His hand on the thermostat. He knows how long and how much. Some people go into the furnace of affliction, and it burns them; others go in, and the experience purifies them. The difference is their attitude toward the Word of God and the will of God.God is frightening me (vv. 13-17). God runs the universe by decree, and not by democratic vote. His thoughts and ways are far above ours, and because He knows what is best, we need to accept His will and rejoice in it (Isa. 55:8-11). There is no attribute of God that should be more comforting to His children than the doctrine of divine sovereignty, but there is no doctrine more hated by people out of God’s will. This is because the human heart is proud and does not want to submit to Almighty God. People want to “do their own thing” and “do it their way,” rather than finding delight in doing the will of God. Job was frightened because he suffered so much, and wondered what Almighty God would send him next.
Application
Job did not understand or did he correctly interpret the Word of God. Some of the lessons in the Word of God cannot be learned by experience. Many of God’s truths must be taught to us as we progress on our journey through life. Lord, help me to have a proper attitude toward the Word of God and the will of God each day.
Job 23:1– 17 (NET)
1 Then Job answered:
2 “Even today my complaint is still bitter; his hand is heavy despite my groaning.
3 O that I knew where I might find him, that I could come to his place of residence!
4 I would lay out my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I would know with what words he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.
6 Would he contend with me with great power? No, he would only pay attention to me.
7 There an upright person could present his case before him, and I would be delivered forever from my judge.
8 “If I go to the east, he is not there, and to the west, yet I do not perceive him.
9 In the north when he is at work, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I see no trace of him.
10 But he knows the pathway that I take; if he tested me, I would come forth like gold.
11 My feet have followed his steps closely; I have kept to his way and have not turned aside.
12 I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my allotted portion.
13 But he is unchangeable, and who can change him? Whatever he has desired, he does.
14 For he fulfills his decree against me, and many such things are his plans.
15 That is why I am terrified in his presence; when I consider, I am afraid because of him.
16 Indeed, God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me.
17 Yet I have not been silent because of the darkness, because of the thick darkness that covered my face.
Illustration: Cowboy Who Goes to Buy Some Life Insurance
A story is told of a cowboy who goes to buy some life insurance. The broker asked him if he had any accidents in the past year, to which the cowboy replied “No. But I was kicked by a horse, chased by a raging bull and bitten by a snake – that laid me up for a while.” The agent said, “Weren’t they accidents?” To which the stockman replied, “No, they did it on purpose.” You see this stockman realized that there are no such things as accidents. (Source Unknown).