Job 23:1-17 - God knows our way

In response to Eliphaz, Job began by justifying why he complaint so passionately. He argued from the fact that his suffering was very severe. And should God accord him the opportunity to come before Him, He would exonerate him. Feeling isolated by God, he was sure no matter how justified he felt, God could not be dissuaded from fulfilling His purpose which seemed to be set against him.

Job was very sure that he was going through an inconceivable wrong at the hand of God. The Almighty must have mistakenly put him through such an excruciating experience. He wished he could come before God and argue his case before Him. But as he contemplates his condition and how hopeless it was, he lapsed into discouragement. His desire was expressed in verses 1-7. He knew it was rebellious of him to complain against God. Yet he wished he would be given an opportunity to come before His judgement seat and plead his case. Job was sure that with his irrefutable facts, God would be convinced that he was unjustly treated. That was how sure Job was that he did nothing wrong to deserve his suffering. He was confident that God was not one who would abuse His power and would accord him the justice. And he would be exonerated forever.

Job was refuting Eliphaz’s accusation that he must have deviated and wandered into the path of the wicked. He was very sure that he had done nothing to warrant such a severe testing. He had never wandered away from the truth and was confident after God had tried him he shall come forth brilliant as gold. God’s command was precious to him and was his daily portion. In all these, Job had left us with a precious example. Despite his tremendous pain he never departed from partaking of God’s word daily. No matter what life may dish out to us, we should never forsake the word of God. We should come to it even more diligently.     

Some thoughts for our consideration. Whatever our experience in life may be, pleasant or unpleasant, we must be confident that God is in control. This will help us to accept and submit to the dealings of God. Know that He alone has the right to act as He wills. Everyone of us is dependent on His will. Bear in mind that no loss in life can ever be worse than losing divine favor. Be sure that while we may not fully comprehend God’s way, but the reverse is not true of God. Our ways are never hidden from His sight. And when he had tried us, we shall come forth pure as gold. Praise His loving kindness!