Charles Spurgeon Commentary Job 23:5

"I would know the words which he would answer me, And understand what he would say unto me." — Job 23:5 (ASV)

I would know the words, which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.

He was willing to hear God's side of the argument, patient and anxious to understand the mind of God with whom he desired to plead. So far so good. There are some who do not wish to know what God would say to them; so long as they may express their own passionate desires, they have no ear and heart waiting to hear the voice of God. Very beautiful is the next verse:

I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.

I am not sure that Job would know and understand all that God said. The Lord says a great deal, even to men like Job, that they do not easily understand, and it is not for us to require that God should explain everything to us.

He gives no account of any of His matters. Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

Our wisdom will be to plead with God for pardon and mercy, and to ask Him at least to make us understand the way of salvation, that we may run in it and be at peace with Him.