Job 23
23
Job’s Defense
I’m Completely in the Dark
1-7Job replied:
“I’m not letting up—I’m standing my ground.
My complaint is legitimate.
God has no right to treat me like this—
it isn’t fair!
If I knew where on earth to find him,
I’d go straight to him.
I’d lay my case before him face-to-face,
give him all my arguments firsthand.
I’d find out exactly what he’s thinking,
discover what’s going on in his head.
Do you think he’d dismiss me or bully me?
No, he’d take me seriously.
He’d see a straight-living man standing before him;
my Judge would acquit me for good of all charges.
8-9“I travel East looking for him—I find no one;
then West, but not a trace;
I go North, but he’s hidden his tracks;
then South, but not even a glimpse.
10-12“But he knows where I am and what I’ve done.
He can cross-examine me all he wants, and I’ll pass the test with honors.
I’ve followed him closely, my feet in his footprints,
not once swerving from his way.
I’ve obeyed every word he’s spoken,
and not just obeyed his advice—I’ve treasured it.
13-17“But he is singular and sovereign. Who can argue with him?
He does what he wants, when he wants to.
He’ll complete in detail what he’s decided about me,
and whatever else he determines to do.
Is it any wonder that I dread meeting him?
Whenever I think about it, I get scared all over again.
God makes my heart sink!
God Almighty gives me the shudders!
I’m completely in the dark,
I can’t see my hand in front of my face.”
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Job 23: MSG
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THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved. Used by permission of NavPress. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers.
Job 23
23
Job Says He Longs for God
1Then Job answered and said,
2“Even today my complaint is contentious;
His hand is heavy despite my groaning.
3“Oh, that I knew where I might find Him,
That I might [even] come to His seat!
4“I would present my cause before Him
And fill my mouth with arguments.
5“I would learn the words which He would answer,
And understand what He would say to me.
6“Would He contend against me with His great power?
No, surely He would give attention to me. [Is 27:4, 5; 57:16]
7“There the righteous and upright could reason with Him;
So I would be acquitted forever by my Judge.
8¶“Behold, I go forward (to the east), but He is not there;
I go backward (to the west), but I cannot perceive Him;
9To the left (north) He turns, but I cannot behold Him;
He turns to the right hand (south), but I cannot see Him.
10“But He knows the way that I take [and He pays attention to it].
When He has tried me, I will come forth as [refined] gold [pure and luminous]. [Ps 17:3; 66:10; James 1:12]
11“My feet have carefully followed His steps;
I have kept His ways and not turned aside.
12“I have not departed from the commandment of His lips;
I have kept the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.
13“But He is unique and unchangeable, and who can turn Him?
And what His soul desires, that He does.
14“For He performs what is planned (appointed) for me,
And He is mindful of many such things.
15“Therefore I would be terrified at His presence;
When I consider [all of this], I tremble in dread of Him.
16“For God has made my heart faint,
And the Almighty has terrified me,
17But I am not silenced by the darkness [of these woes that fell on me],
Nor by the thick darkness which covers my face.
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