Job's desperate cry "Oh that I knew where I might find him!" (23:3) marks the only time in Scripture where a righteous sufferer seeks direct legal confrontation with God's throne.
Job 23
Job's Third Reply to Eliphaz
1Then Job answered,
2“Even today my complaint is rebellious. His hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.
3Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat!
4I would set my cause in order before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
5I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would tell me.
6Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would listen to me.
7There the upright might reason with him, so I should be delivered forever from my judge.
8“If I go east, he is not there. If I go west, I can’t find him.
9He works to the north, but I can’t see him. He turns south, but I can’t catch a glimpse of him.
10But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I will come out like gold.
11My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way, and not turned away.
12I haven’t gone back from the commandment of his lips. I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
13But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? What his soul desires, even that he does.
14For he performs that which is appointed for me. Many such things are with him.
15Therefore I am terrified at his presence. When I consider, I am afraid of him.
16For God has made my heart faint. The Almighty has terrified me.
17Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.
Font Size 17pt
Line Spacing
Theme
In his third response to Eliphaz, Job expresses his desperate longing to find God and present his case directly before the divine throne. Though he searches everywhere for God's presence, he cannot locate Him, yet maintains confidence that God knows his righteous path and will vindicate him like refined gold. Despite his integrity and faithfulness to God's commands, Job remains terrified by God's sovereign power and the darkness of his current suffering.
Context
This chapter continues Job's defense against his friends' accusations, following Eliphaz's second speech and preceding Bildad's final response.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-2 Job's Rebellious Complaint Job acknowledges his complaint is rebellious while affirming God's heavy hand upon him.
- 3-7 Longing for Divine Audience Job wishes he could find God to present his case and receive a fair hearing.
- 8-10 God's Hiddenness and Knowledge Though God cannot be found in any direction, He knows Job's way and will refine him.
- 11-12 Job's Faithful Obedience Job affirms his steadfast adherence to God's path and treasuring of His words.
- 13-17 Terror Before Divine Sovereignty Job expresses fear at God's absolute power and his continued existence in darkness.
Job's Third Reply to Eliphaz
23:1–24:25 wisdom speech anguished
Job responds with his third reply, expressing his desire to find God and present his case while lamenting the injustices he observes in the world.
person_contrast
Job's desperate cry "Oh that I knew where I might find him!" (23:3) marks the only time in Scripture where a righteous sufferer seeks direct legal confrontation with God's throne.
Insights
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Interlinear
Word-by-word original language
v. 1
v. 2
v. 3
v. 4
v. 5
v. 6
v. 7
v. 8
v. 9
v. 10
v. 11
v. 12
v. 13
v. 14
v. 15
v. 16
v. 17
Lemma
Morphology
Semantic Range
Theological Significance
Translation Notes
Key Passages