Matthew Henry Commentary Job 23
Matthew Henry Commentary
Job 23
Matthew Henry Commentary
Job 23
"Then Job answered and said, Even to-day is my complaint rebellious: My stroke is heavier than my groaning. Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat! I would set my cause in order before him, And fill my mouth with arguments. I would know the words which he would answer me, And understand what he would say unto me. Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? Nay; but he would give heed unto me. There the upright might reason with him; So should I be delivered for ever from my judge." — Job 23:1-7 (ASV)
Job appeals from his friends to the just judgment of God. He wants to have his cause tried quickly. Blessed be God, we may know where to find Him. He is in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself; and upon a mercy seat, waiting to be gracious. There the sinner may go; and there the believer may order his cause before Him, with arguments taken from His promises, His covenant, and His glory.
A patient waiting for death and judgment is our wisdom and duty, and it cannot be without a holy fear and trembling. A passionate wishing for death or judgment is our sin and folly, and is unbecoming to us, as it was to Job.
"Behold, I go forward, but he is not [there]; And backward, but I cannot perceive him; On the left hand, when he doth work, but I cannot behold him; He hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him. But he knoweth the way that I take; When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot hath held fast to his steps; His way have I kept, and turned not aside. I have not gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food." — Job 23:8-12 (ASV)
Job knew that the Lord was everywhere present; but his mind was in such confusion that he could get no fixed view of God's merciful presence, so that he could find comfort by spreading his case before Him. His views were all gloomy. God seemed to stand at a distance and frown upon him.
Yet Job expressed his assurance that he would be brought forth, tried, and approved, because he had obeyed the precepts of God. He had relished and delighted in the truths and commandments of God. Here we should notice that Job justified himself rather than God, or in opposition to Him (Job 32:2). Job might feel that he was clear from the charges of his friends, but it was his error to boldly assert that, though visited by the hand of God, it was not a chastisement for sin.
And he is guilty of a second error when he denies that there are dealings of Providence with men in this present life, in which the injured find redress and the evil are visited for their sins.
"But he is in one [mind], and who can turn him? And what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. For he performeth that which is appointed for me: And many such things are with him. Therefore am I terrified at his presence; When I consider, I am afraid of him. For God hath made my heart faint, And the Almighty hath terrified me; Because I was not cut off before the darkness, Neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face." — Job 23:13-17 (ASV)
Since Job never questions that his trials are from God's hand and that there is no such thing as chance, how does he account for them? The principle on which he views them is that the hope and reward of God's faithful servants are reserved only for the next life; and he maintains that it is clear to everyone that the wicked are not treated according to what they deserve in this life, but often quite the opposite.
Although obtaining mercy—the first-fruits of the Spirit of grace—gives assurance of a God who will certainly finish the work He has begun, the afflicted believer should not conclude that all prayer and entreaty will be in vain, and that he should sink into despair and lose heart when rebuked by Him. It may be that God's intention in afflicting him is to produce penitence and prayer in his heart.
May we learn to obey and trust the Lord, even in tribulation, and to live or die as He pleases; for we do not know for what good purposes our lives may be shortened or prolonged.
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