Charles Spurgeon Commentary Job 23:10

"But he knoweth the way that I take; When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." — Job 23:10 (ASV)

When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

It is grand to be able to say that while you are in the fire. It is very easy to say it about another person who is in the furnace; but when you are in there yourself, then to say, "I shall come forth as gold," is the sublimity of faith!

It is a very simple matter to say, "If I were again put into the fire, I know I should come forth as gold;" but it is when the burning heat is melting you, when you yourself seem to be shriveled up in the crucible, and so little of you is left, then is the time still to say, "When the Lord has finished his work upon me, when he has thoroughly tested me, I shall come forth as gold."

When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

This is beautiful faith on the part of Job. It is very easy for us to read these lines, and to say, "No doubt, tried men do come out of the furnace purified like gold;" but it is quite another thing to be ourselves in the crucible, and to read such a passage as this by the light of the fire, and then to be able to say, "We know it is true, for we are proving its truth even now." This is the kind of chapter that many a broken heart has to read by itself alone. Many a weeping eye has scanned these words of Job, and truly blessed has that troubled one been who has been able to chime in with the sweet music of this verse: He knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

But he knoweth the way that I take:

If I do not know his way, he knows mine. If I cannot find him, he can find me. Here is my comfort: "He knoweth the way that I take."

But he knows the way that I take:

Oh, what a mercy that is! "I cannot see him, but he can see me; my grief has blinded my eyes with floods of tears, but nothing blinds his eyes. Just as a father pities his children, so does he pity me, and regards me with the full observation of his gigantic mind: He knows the way that I take."

When he has tried me, I shall come forth as gold (Job 23:10).

Here the true Job comes to the front. You see the gracious man once more on his feet. He staggered a little, but he stands firm now: When he has tried me, I shall come forth as gold (Job 23:10). So will you, my tried sister, my afflicted brother. The trial of your faith is only for a time; an end will come to this furnace-work. When God has tried you, tested you, and taken away your dross, He will bring you forth, and you will be pure gold, fit for the Master's use.

"In the furnace God may prove you,
From there to bring you forth more bright;
But can never cease to love you:
You are precious in His sight:
God is with you,
God your everlasting light."