For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each passage has a four-Part approach to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: Job 23:1-10

1 Then Job replied:

2 ‘Even today my complaint is bitter;
    his hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.
3 If only I knew where to find him;
    if only I could go to his dwelling!
4 I would state my case before him
    and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I would find out what he would answer me,
    and consider what he would say to me.
6 Would he vigorously oppose me with great power?
    No, he would not press charges against me.
7 There the upright can establish their innocence before him,
    and there I would be delivered for ever from my judge. 8 ‘But if I go to the east, he is not there;
    if I go to the west, I do not find him.
9 When he is at work in the north, I do not see him;
    when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him.
10 But he knows the way that I take;
    when he has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.

A. Find Out

1. What was Job feeling about God? v.2
2. What did he wish he could do? v.3
3. What would he then do if that was possible? v.4,5
4. What did he believe about such a hearing? v.6,7
5. But what was his frustration? v.8,9
6. Yet what confidence does he have? v.10

B. Think:

1. What does Job see as the cause of his suffering?
2. Yet what confidence does he have in God?
3. But how is that frustrating for him?

C. Comment:

Job replies (v.1) which means he responds to what he has just heard. Remember, Eliphaz made him out to be guilty. Job accepts that he is feeling bitter because, yes, God’s hand does seem to still be heavy on him (v.2), even though he groans for help. Job wants to seek out God (v.3) so that he could lay out his case before Him (v.4). He would just like to know what God would say about it all (v.5).  As he ponders on it he doesn’t think God would just overpower him with His might, no, God would press on against him (v.6).

He has a confidence in the Lord that if an innocent man presents himself before the Lord, the Lord would deliver him from whoever is the actual source of this misery (v.7). But herein is the frustration: wherever he looks, he can’t seem to find the Lord (v.8,9). Despite all this Job is utterly confident that God knows what is going on and when this test comes to an end, he’s going to come out of it good (v.10)

In this final declaration Job is more accurate in his assessment of the situation than any of the others. This IS a test! God IS watching! Job will be vindicated and delivered! No wonder he was eventually commended by the Lord as having spoken rightly (42:7)

D. Application:

1. When all is not going as well as it should, can I come through to a place of accurate assessment and still praise the Lord?
2. Beware the superficial. Seek understanding.

Passage: Job 23:11-17

11 My feet have closely followed his steps;
    I have kept to his way without turning aside.
12 I have not departed from the commands of his lips;
    I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.

13 ‘But he stands alone, and who can oppose him?
    He does whatever he pleases.
14 He carries out his decree against me,
    and many such plans he still has in store.
15 That is why I am terrified before him;
    when I think of all this, I fear him.
16 God has made my heart faint;
    the Almighty has terrified me.
17 Yet I am not silenced by the darkness,
    by the thick darkness that covers my face.

A. Find Out

1. What does Job maintain he has done? v.11,12
2. Yet what does he feel about God? v.13
3. What has He done and is yet to do? v.14
4. How has that left Job feeling? v.15,16
5. But what??? v.17.

B. Think:

1. What is Job’s confidence?
2. Yet what is his fear?
3. But how does he yet react?

C. Comment:

Job has just declared that he is sure that when the Lord has finished testing him he will come out to the good (v.10). He goes on to say why: he is sure that he has kept to God’s way and hasn’t gone off at a tangent (v.11), he hasn’t gone away from God’s commands and he has valued God’s words more than anything else (v.12). That is the place of his confidence. As he looks back he is sure about this – and he’s right!

But then he is faced with the reality of what is happening and the fact that God seems to stand at a distance from him and is so great that He cannot be withstood (v.13). God seems to be carrying out His plans against Job and Job feels that there is yet more to come (v.14). That is why, when he thinks about it, he realises that he is terrified by God (v.15). The Lord and His activity have made Job feel weak and have scared the life out of him (v.16). That is quite an admission!

But that isn’t the end of it.  Job has this confidence about his past attitudes and behaviour and so despite the awful darkness that seems to overshadow him – the anguish of suffering and loneliness – he will not stay silent! (v.17)  Yes, he is in a terrible place, but he is sure in himself that he is not there because of his past behaviour and because of that certainty he is going to keep talking! James was later to write, “the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete.” (Jas 1:3,4)

D. Application:

1. Can we be confident before the enemy of our righteousness?
2. Can we hold to that in the face of dark circumstances?