Job 23:3-5

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 23:3

The search for God. I. ITS SOURCE . Job is prompted to seek God by his terrible troubles. The false accusations make him the more anxious to find the just Judge, who can clear up the dreadful misunderstandings and vindicate his injured cause. Thus the innocent man in trouble needs God. Still more does the guilty man; for no one can deliver from sin but he against whom one has sinned. Although it is most evident that many who thus need God are not actively seeking for him, yet, even if... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 23:3-13

The true support under deferred judgment. In the bitterness of his complaint and the heaviness of his stroke, Job makes known his desire to appeal directly to God. In the impossibility of this his faith is more and more severely tested; but he reposes in an assurance that the Divine eye is upon him, and he is confident of a just and even merciful sentence. So does conscious integrity uphold the tried and suffering believer, over whom for the present the shadows of suspicion gather, although... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 23:4

I would order my cause before him . Job has put away the feelings of shame and diffidence, which were predominant with him when he said, "How should man be just with God? If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand" ( Job 9:2 , Job 9:3 ); and again, "How much less shall I answer him, and cheese out my words to reason with him? Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer; but I would make my supplication to my Judge" ( Job 9:14 , Job 9:15 ). He now... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 23:5

I would know the words which he would answer me. It would be a satisfaction to Job in his present mood to know exactly how God would answer him, what reply he would make to his "arguments." The tone of thought is too bold for a creature, and would certainly not be becoming in Christians. And understand what he would say unto me . Here we have another of the redundant second clauses, which merely echo the idea contained in the previous clause. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 23:3

Oh that I knew where I might find him! - Where I might find “God.” He had often expressed a wish to bring his cause directly before God, and to be permitted to plead his cause there; see Job 13:3, note; Job 13:20, notes. But this he had not yet been able to do. The argument had been with his three friends, and he saw that there was no use in attempting further to convince them. If he could get the cause before God, and be allowed go plead it there, he felt assured that justice would be done... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 23:4

I would order my cause before him - Compare the notes at Isaiah 43:26. That is, I would arrange my arguments, or plead my cause, as one does in a court of justice. I would suggest the considerations which would show that I am not guilty in the sense charged by my friends, and that notwithstanding my calamities, I am the real friend of God.And fill my mouth with arguments - Probably he means that he would appeal to the evidence furnished by a life of benevolence and justice, that he was not a... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 23:5

I would know the words which he would answer me - That is, I wish to understand what would be “his” decision in the case - and what would be his judgment in regard to me. That was of infinitely more importance than any opinion which “man” could form, and Job was anxious to have the matter decided by a tribunal which could not err. Why should “we” not desire to know exactly what God thinks of us, and what estimate he has formed of our character? There is no information so valuable to us as that... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 23:3-5

Job 23:3-5. O that I knew where I might find him! Namely, God, as his friends well knew. Thou advisest me to acquaint myself with him, I desire nothing so much as his acquaintance and presence; but, alas! he hides his face from me, that I cannot see or come near him. That I might come even to his seat To his throne or judgment-seat, to plead my cause before him. I would order my cause Declare in order the things which concern my cause, would set it in a true light, and show the justice... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Job 23:1-17

Job’s reply to Eliphaz (23:1-24:25)Again Job says that he is not rebelling against God or running away from him as his friends claim. On the contrary he wants to meet God, so that he can present his case to him and listen to God’s answer (23:1-5). He is confident that God will declare him innocent of the charges people have made against him (6-7).No matter where Job has searched for God, he has not found him. He cannot see God, but God can see him. God knows he is upright, and one day, when... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Job 23:3

Oh. Figure of speech Ecphonesis. App-6 . read more

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