Bible Commentaries
Job 23

Verses 1-17

In answer to Eliphaz, ob took no notice of the terrible charges made against him. That is postponed to a later speech. Rather, he discussed Eliphai conception of his view of God as being absent from the affairs of men, and boldly affirmed his own consciousness of the great problem.

As to his own case, he admitted that his complaint was accounted rebellious because his stroke was heavier than his groaning. He sighed after God, and principally for His judgment seat. He would fain stand before Him to plead his cause, but he could not find Him, though he went forward and backward. He was conscious of God's presence, but he could not see Him. Suddenly there flames into the midst of the complaint the most remarkable evidence of the tenacity of his faith. His conclusion concerning God was not as Eliphaz had insinuated. He was aware that God knew the way he was taking. He even affirmed his confidence that he would "come forth," and insisted that he had been loyal to God. Then again faith merged into fearful trembling. Whatever God was doing, he could not persuade Him to desist. He knew God's presence, but it troubled him. He was afraid of Him, because He had not appeared to deliver him.