Job 23:15-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 23:15

Therefore am I troubled at his presence . The thought of these further afflictions troubles me, and makes me shrink from his unseen presence. I know.not how soon he may lay a fresh burden upon me. When I consider, I am afraid of him . When I reflect on the many forms of suffering which I may still have to undergo, my fears increase, I tremble at the future. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 23:15-16

Troubled at the presence of God. I. THIS IS NATURAL IN GREAT DISTRESS . The soul is plunged into grief; like Jacob, the desponding sufferer exclaims, "All these things are against me" ( Genesis 42:36 ). Then he comes to regard God as the Source of his misfortunes. God seems to be his Enemy, and any approach of God is regarded with apprehension, as bringing fresh trouble. We have to learn not to form our judgment of God in our darker moments. It is difficult to have any... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 23:16

For God maketh my heart soft ; of faint ' as in Le 26:36 and Deuteronomy 20:3 . He takes away my courage, and leaves me a prey to terror. And the Almighty troubleth me . The verb used (the hiph. form of בהל ) is a very strong one, and means "hath filled me with horror and consternation? read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 23:17

Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face . Job complains of two things: read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 23:15

Therefore am I troubled at his presence - The doctrine of divine purposes and decrees “is fitted to impress the mind with awe.” So vast are the plans of God; so uncertain to us is it what will be developed next; so impossible is it to resist God when he comes forth to execute his plans, that they fill the mind with reverence and fear. And this is one of the objects for which the doctrine is revealed. It is designed to rebuke the soul that is filled with flippancy and self-conceit; to impress... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 23:16

For God maketh my heart soft - That is, “faint.” He takes away my strength; compare the notes at Isaiah 7:4. This effect was produced on Job by the contemplation of the eternal plan and the power of God. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 23:17

Because I was not cut off before the darkness - Before these calamities came upon me. Because I was not taken away in the midst of prosperity, and while I was enjoying his smiles and the proofs of his love. His trouble is, that he was spared to pass through these trials, and to be treated as if he were one of the worst of men. This is what now perplexes him, and what he cannot understand. He does not know why God had reserved him to treat him as if he were the chief of sinners.Neither hath he... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 23:14-15

Job 23:14-15. He performeth, &c. Hebrew, ישׁלום חקי , jashlim chukki, he will perfect, or finish, my appointed portion, that is, those calamities which he hath allotted to me for my portion. And many such things are with him. There are many such examples of God’s proceeding with men; and his counsels and providences, though always just, yet are often secret; and we cannot discern the reasonableness or equity of them. Therefore am I troubled at his presence, &c. When I set... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 23:16-17

Job 23:16-17. For God maketh my heart soft Or, tender; he hath bruised and broken, or melted it, so that I have no spirit, or courage, or strength in me: so this, or the like phrase, frequently signifies. There is a gracious softness of heart, like that of Josiah, whose heart was tender, and trembled at the word of God: but this is meant of an afflictive and painful softness, which apprehends every thing that is present to be pressing, and every thing that is future to be threatening. ... 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

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